Shade Structure Program

                   

Click here for the 2010 Shade Structure Program application.


View the pictures and locations of previous Shade Structure Program recipients.

AAD Shade Structure Program Tool Kit
Welcome to the AAD Shade Structure Program Tool Kit, which is designed to assist members with sponsoring applications for this grant program. The AAD Shade Structure Program awards $8,000 to each recipient for the purchase of permanent shade structures that are designed to provide shade and ultraviolet (UV) ray protection for outdoor areas. Below you will find information about the program, about application sponsorship, and about how to assist organizations that are developing a sun safety/skin cancer awareness program.

About the AAD Shade Structure Program
This program is offered to non-profit organizations that serve children and teens and that are seeking permanent shade structures for outdoor locations that are not protected from the sun, such as playgrounds, pools, or recreation spaces. In addition to the $8,000 grant award, the AAD also provides a permanent sign for display near the shade structure with the AAD's "Be Sun SmartSM" messages to promote the importance of sun safety.

Eligible Applicants
The AAD Shade Structure Program is open to 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations that provide services, programs, and curricula to children and teenagers who are 18 and younger.

To be considered, applicants must:

  • Be sponsored by an Academy member dermatologist.
  • Demonstrate a commitment to sun safety within their organizations. (Please see the online application for specific criteria to meet this requirement.)
  • Be considering a shade structure that meets the stringent requirements of the AAD. (Please see the online application for specific criteria on shade structure selection.)

Application Sponsorship
A cover memo and anonymous letter of sponsorship from an AAD member dermatologist is required for application submission.

The sponsorship of an application is designed to create a new relationship between the organization and an AAD member, or strengthen an existing relationship. You may choose to write a letter of support for an organization you have worked with to develop a sun safety program or with which you are familiar (e.g., a school your children attend, your house of worship, the local community center, etc.). You also can support an organization that is new to you. If you are unfamiliar with the organization that is asking for your sponsorship, and if time allows, you can ask for more information about the program or ask to schedule a visit the location. You can then mention your visit and the strength of the organization’s sun safety program in your support letter.

Applications require two pieces of support from the AAD member dermatologist:

    • A cover memo on the AAD member's office letterhead with his/her name, AAD member ID, and signature. Please follow this format:

      To: AAD Shade Structure Program Review Committee

      From: AAD Member Name and AAD Member ID Number

      RE: Support of {INSERT ORGANIZATION'S NAME}

      Body Copy: As a member of the American Academy of Dermatology, attached is my letter of support for {INSERT ORGANIZATION'S NAME} application for the 2010 AAD Shade Structure Program.

    • Please note, the cover memo must include the member's signature.
      • A letter of support for your organization's application, written by the AAD member dermatologist, on plain, white paper with no identifying information from or about the AAD member dermatologist. This means no signature, no mention of the dermatologist's name or affiliation within the body of the letter, and no letterhead that identifies a particular practice.

If the letter of support in any way mentions the dermatologist by name, includes his or her signature, or is on office/practice letterhead, the application will automatically be disqualified from the review process.

To prevent bias, the anonymous letter of support is seen by the AAD Shade Structure Program Review Committee, which is comprised of AAD members, and thereby negates any professional/personal conflict of interest.

    • The memo and letter should be scanned as .pdf or .jpg documents and submitted to the organization for them to submit with their online application. Separate mailed or e-mailed support documents are not accepted.

An AAD member dermatologist may sponsor more than one application.

There are no financial obligations or other requirements of AAD members to support an organization’s application.

Please note, you might receive phone calls, letters, or e-mail inquiries seeking your sponsorship, especially as it gets closer to the application deadline. If you are unfamiliar with the organization inquiring about sponsorship or if their request for sponsorship is last-minute, do not hesitate to decline the invitation. The AAD encourages all applicants to schedule their time accordingly so they can request sponsorship and submit their application by the deadline.

Here are some resources to assist you as you develop your sponsorship letter.

AAD Member Benefits of Application Sponsorship
In addition to strengthening or developing a relationship with a local organization, if the organization you sponsor is selected as a recipient of the grant, your support will be recognized in numerous ways.

Sponsoring AAD member names are:

  • Published in Dermatology World.
  • Featured on the Academy Awards display at the Annual Meeting. (Check your program book for exact location of the display at each meeting.)
  • Listed on the scrolling PowerPoint presentation that plays continuously at the Academy awards display.
  • Listed in the program book for the AAD Recognition Luncheon, which is attended at the Annual Meeting by more than 350 of your colleagues and AAD leadership.

In addition, recipient organizations may choose to publicize their award locally and you can work with them to ensure that information about the importance of sun safety and skin cancer awareness are part of any news they release to the media.

Recipient organizations are required to hold a dedication ceremony for their shade structure. As the sponsoring AAD member, you should be invited to attend the ceremony and you may be asked to share information about the importance of sun protection. The AAD has resources available that can assist you in developing a brief presentation.

Resources
If you are interested in contacting a local organization to initiate the development of a sun-safety/skin cancer awareness curriculum, please view this letter template requesting a meeting.

If the organization you sponsor for the Shade Structure Program is selected as a grant recipient, you may want to send a letter to the editor of your local newspaper after the structure is installed, announcing the grant and encouraging your community residents to Be Sun SmartSM.

Questions
If you have any questions about the AAD Shade Structure Program or application sponsorship, please e-mail them to shadestructure@aad.org.