Parks & Trails New York’s Capacity Building Grants program for park and trail groups provides grants of up to $3,000 to strengthen not-for-profit organizations that are working to build and protect parks and trails in communities across the state. 

Parks & Trails New York's goal is to help New York not-for-profits better fulfill their missions; improve their reach, effectiveness, and impact; leverage more resources, and increase community support for and involvement in park and trail planning, development, and stewardship.  Funds can be used to assist with activities associated with organizational start-up and development; training; communications; and volunteer recruitment and management.  

Hundreds of not-for-profit organizations are working to build, protect, and promote our state’s parks and trails, helping to provide not only places to engage in healthy physical activity and close to home recreation but also additional tourist dollars to strengthen local economies. While a number of grant programs are available to not-for-profits, they usually only fund capital projects and specific programs; they don’t help organizations develop and strengthen the skills, processes, and resources that they need to survive and thrive. With this grant program, made possible by a generus donor; Parks & Trails New York hopes to propel their work to new levels and expand what they can accomplish so that they can become even stronger park and trail stewards and advocates.

ELIGIBILITY
Awards will be made to local or regional organizations associated with a specific New York park or trail that is or will be open to the public. Organizations must be classified by the IRS as a 501 (c)(3) or operate under the fiscal sponsorship of a 501 (c)(3). 

GUIDELINES
Grants will fund activities that help develop and strengthen the skills, processes and resources that not-for-profit organizations need to survive:

• Organizational start-up – e.g. incorporation, initial staff, equipment purchase
• Professional consulting services that aid organizational development – e.g., fundraising, communication, marketing, membership, strategic planning, financial management
• Board and staff training
• Volunteer recruitment, training and/or recognition program
• Communications – e.g. graphic design, development or enhancement of a logo, website, newsletter, or other communication tool; printing and distribution of brochures, newsletters or other educational or outreach materials

Grants cannot be used to fund:

• General operating expenses or continuation of established programs
• Capital costs associated with construction and infrastructure for a park or trail
• Trailside or park amenities (e.g. benches, picnic tables, signage)
• Endowments
• Lobbying or political activities

SELECTION CRITERIA
Awards will be made based on:

• Ability to initiate, grow, strengthen, or transform the organization
• Demonstrated financial need
• Clearly articulated goals, tangible outcomes and well-defined measures of success
• Organizational commitment to the project
• Level of community support
• Ability to leverage other opportunities, such as partnerships and funding sources
• Ability of the project to serve as a model for other groups
• Visibility – degree to which project will foster public use, appreciation, stewardship, and development of parks and trails
• If applicable, plan for sustainability after grant period ends

AWARD AMOUNTS
Grants will be awarded up to $3000. 

GRANTEE REQUIREMENTS
All grantees will execute a signed contract with Parks & Trails New York prior to receiving an initial payment of 75% of the grant award.  Grantees will be required to submit a brief, six-month progress update.  The remainder of the grant award will be paid upon receipt of a final accounting and project report. Successful completion of funded projects and timely submission of reports will affect eligibility for future grant awards.

Deadline: November 20, 2009. For more information and details please visit their web site.

To view other available grants please click here.

Request Your FREE Fundraising Kit
Let us help you get started with your fundraising campaign. We will send you a FREE fundraising kit with no obligation. You can select from the great programs we have available. To get your FREE fundraising kit click here. If you have question please call us toll free at 1-866-813-9437.