In June 1999, Bowerman stepped down as a member on the Nike board of directors, a post he had held since 1968. In honor of Bowerman's lifetime contributions to the sport of running, Nike established the Bowerman Track Renovation Program.

The Bowerman Track Renovation Program is a global program that provides matching cash grants to community-based, youth-oriented organizations that seek to refurbish or construct running tracks. The program distributes approximately $200,000 in matching grants each year.

This ten-year, $2 million program, administered by Nike's Corporate Responsibility department, provides matching funds of up to $50,000 to youth-oriented nonprofit organizations anywhere in the world.

Organizations applying for the grant must demonstrate a need for running track refurbishment or construction.

  • Grant recipients will provide track access to neighboring communities.
  • Bowerman Track Renovation Program funds must be matched in some amount by other contributors by an agreed upon deadline.

Recipients of a Bowerman Track Renovation grant are encouraged, but not required, to use Nike Grind technology to resurface their track. Nike Grind material is made of recycled athletic shoes sliced and ground into rubber granules, providing a superior, environmentally conscious all-weather track surface.

To date, 18 Bowerman track projects have used Nike Grind in state-of-the-art track surfaces each consisting of approximately 75,000 recycled athletic shoes.

To apply for a Bowerman Grant please submit your application to nikeresponsibility@nike.com and identify Bowerman Grant in the subject line.