BELTON, Mo. — Safe Fleet and its subsidiaries are expanding their “United Against Bullying” Grant program, and will now offer up to $55,000 in grant funding to other organizations working on bullying prevention initiatives in addition to school communities.

The grant application process opened last week, and will continue through June 30. Funds will be distributed to successful applicants who present the best action plans and strategies to address bullying in their communities and prevent abusive behavior.  

“Last year, when we launched the United Against Bullying campaign, the grant program was a great success and had a big impact on students,” said John R. Knox, president and CEO of Safe Fleet. “We received over 65 applications from school transportation departments across the United States and Canada. Each of them proposed great educational plans and initiatives rewarding positive student behavior, supporting emotionally distressed young people and training school bus drivers to prevent bullying. The success of the program inspired us to reinforce our commitment and offer grant funding to not only school communities, but other organizations working on bullying prevention and designing respectful communities.”

To be eligible for funding, applicants need to present a clear action plan or strategies to prevent bullying in their communities and engage youth. Safe Fleet and its subsidiaries will present grant awards to winning school districts and organizations for the implementation of their anti-bullying programs and staff training. Safe Fleet will also entertain any applications to provide fleet safety equipment such as video cameras and recording systems to address bullying on-board the school bus or improve overall student safety.

Safe Fleet’s employees were inspired to unite for the cause by the “No Bullies on My Bus” campaign launched by Seon, a Safe Fleet brand, in 2013. Multiple school districts and transportation agencies took part in the Seon initiative, which helped spread awareness about bullying and sparked conversations for young people. Witnessing the positive outcome of Seon’s campaign in participating communities, Safe Fleet and its subsidiaries decided to broaden the campaign and join the anti-bullying movement, Safe Fleet officials said.

The application form and detailed information about the grant awards can be found on the official site of the United Against Bullying program at www.unitedagainstbullying.net.