Grit Foundation Montana

Mission Statement

Empower the community through mixed martial arts and fitness, personal development, movement education, mentorship, and healthy lifestyle choices.

From self-defense and community to character building and healthy living, Grit Foundation Montana believes that everyone can benefit from mixed martial arts training and competition.

Executive Summary 

Clinical studies also show that sports and recreation programs can help youth establish lifelong, healthy, physical activity patterns. Regular physical activity can ward off life-threatening diseases; reduce feelings of depression and anxiety; help control weight and obesity; and build and maintain healthy bones, muscles, and joints, according to the President’s Council on Physical Fitness.

In addition to the need for physical activity, there is an undeniable need to combat bullying among our youth.  Every month in the United States, three million children miss school due to fear of bullies. Martial arts training provides children with the confidence to overcome bullies with non-violent techniques, verbal assertiveness, and the physical fitness and skills to defend against bullies rather than becoming one.  At Grit Training Center, the focus of the youth programs are to use martial arts to promote healthy physical, emotional, and character.  Grit Foundation Montana believes that all students should be able to attend and train martial arts regardless of their financial situation. With the Grit Foundation Montana Scholarship Program, the Grit Foundation will encourage character and education while providing martial arts training at a reduced rate. 

Competition is a large part of training any sport. It allows students to have goals, fosters cooperation, and allows individuals to mature and feel part of a team. Competition provides feedback that will stick with a competitor in all aspects of their life. Competition is also a proven way to expand a person’s martial arts experience: a student in a competition will be exposed to “strangers” who may have been trained in a different manner and have different strengths and skill-sets.  However, the most common reason an individual would be prevented from competing is the cost of travel, room, board, and the entry fees for the competition.  Along with encouraging training and coaching, Grit Foundation Montana will help support youth and adult competition fees and costs, encouraging students to challenge themselves and their martial art skills.

Health and fitness, self confidence and a sense of purpose, and socialization and community are not only great for youth, but it is necessary for veterans as well. Individuals who have served in the military and are integrating back into civilian life can greatly benefit from these aspects of training, at the same time providing a much needed outlet.  Sometimes, the most intimidating part of beginning training is the first step: finding a gym, and learning the basics of the sport. The establishment of a training community where a beginner feels comfortable to train is another large key to the success of the member. Grit Foundation Montana plans to provide a method to relieve some pressure from the initiation of training, specifically targeting those who served in the military, with the Grit Foundation Montana Veteran Program. 

Objectives

Grit Foundation Montana will increase participation in martial arts in order to develop community empowerment, youth programs, veteran assistance, and healthy living. 

By encouraging participation in jiu jitsu martial arts across the state, and assisting in the payment of the student’s training membership fee through scholarship, not only will Grit empower the community by teaching martial arts for self defense, but Grit will encourage the students in the community to have healthy living habits and exemplary school behavior.  The youth and adults who compete with assistance from Grit Foundation Montana will be outstanding examples of character and healthy habits. The veterans who receive assistance and training through the efforts of Grit Foundation Montana will discover a renewed sense of purpose, community, and focus on their continued health. 

Organizational Summary

Grit Foundation Montana is a private nonprofit organization primarily serving Butte and the surrounding communities, as well as individuals throughout the state of Montana. The focus of the program will be to promote health and well being of youth, adults, and veterans through training in martial arts. 

Services

Grit Foundation Montana Scholarship Program

Grit will find students, either by application or referral, who would benefit from or wish to train martial arts.  These students would have a meeting with the Scholarship Selection Committee, and discuss the terms of their membership.  Such terms may include: having most or all of their membership fee comped and in return the member would provide progress reports from their school, indicating scholastic dedication, and a set number of community service hours to commit themselves to making a difference in their community.  This scholarship opportunity will include monthly membership fees, as well as competition expenses. 

Grit Foundation Montana Community Outreach

Not only is training martial arts important to Grit Foundation Montana, service and outreach is a very important aspect of maintaining a healthy community.  The students who are members of the scholarship programs, as well as those on competition teams would participate in routine community service that includes park/road clean up, time spent at local food banks, as well as other volunteer opportunities. 

Grit Foundation Montana Veterans

Grit Foundation Montana will coordinate with Grit Training Center to host semi- regular jiu jitsu clinics for veterans living all across Montana.  By attending this martial arts clinic, the veterans will learn the basics of jiu jitsu surrounded by fellow veterans of Montana.  After attending the veterans seminar, the attendees should feel much more comfortable to return to their home communities and join a martial arts gym of their choice, feeling more prepared with prior training and a supportive community. Once the veteran has chosen their training gym, Grit Foundation Montana can financially assist the veteran with their gym membership fees, encouraging them to continue to train for their health, sense of purpose, socialization, and community.