|
|
Non-profit organizations, public agencies, and individuals are eligible for $500 to $2,500 in small grants to stimulate the planning and implementation of greenways in communities throughout America.
Contact American Greenways at The Conservation Fund, (703) 525-6300, 1800 North Rent St., Suite 1120, Arlington, VA 22209.The VT Agency of Transportation works with the regional planning commissions (RPC) and metropolitan planning organizations (MPG) each year to identify bicycle and pedestrian facility projects that can be funded through the Local Transportation Facilities Program. The program has funded bikepaths, sidewalks, and rail-trails. Other transportation programs may also provide funding for trail projects: Public Lands Highways (for projects relating to federal public lands), Scenic Highways (for projects relating to state-designated scenic highways), Highways Safety Programs (for improving bicycle and pedestrian safety), Bridge Access (for bridge rehabilitation to accommodate bicycles), Federal Transit Funding (for bicycle/pedestrian facilities and shelters), and Demonstration Projects (for one-of-a-kind model program).
Contact Amy Bell. VTAOT Bicycle and Pedestrian CoorlZinaror, 802-828-5799 (VTAOT, 133 State St., 5" Floor, Montpelier, VT 05633)Supported by PowerBar, this program supports projects that increase the number or size of recreation lands, create and maintain recreation access, and improve or restore natural areas. Grants range from $2,000 to $5,000. March and July deadlines.
Contact DIRT Program PowerBar, Inc., 2150 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley, CA 94704 (www.powerbar. com)RTCA is administered by the National Park Service and provides technical and planning assistance to states, communities and conservation organizations for a wide variety of trail, river, and greenway projects. NPS staff work cooperatively with local trail groups, conservation organizations, and state agencies on greenways, rail-trails, river corridors, publications and workshops.
Contact the Vermont/New Hampshire Field Office at 802-457-4323 (The King Farm, 5 Thomas Hill, Woodstock, VT 05091)Small grants of $500 to $2,500 are available to both non-profit and ad hoc groups for projects that foster and give voice to community-based environmental initiatives in New England.
Contact Cheryl King Fischer at 802-223-4622 (27 Bailey Avenue, Montpelier, VT 05602)The goal of the Partnership Programs is to encourage grassroots projects that demonstrate practical ways to address economic and conservation challenges that enhance historic, cultural, scenic and natural resources within the Lake Champlain and Connecticut River watersheds. Eligible trail-related projects include planning and development of new trails, trail improvement, and trail protection. Project support is generally between $500 and $5,000.
For Lake Champlain watershedprojects, contact the Lake Champlain Basin Program at 802-372-3213 (PO Box 204, 54 West Shore Rd, Grand Isle, VT 05458) The Lake Champlain Basin Program also periodically Ji~nds Public Access Enhancement Awardsforprojects related to bikeways, trails and shorelines. For Connecticut River watershedprojects, contact the Connecticut River Joint Commissions at 603-826-4800 (PO Box 1182, Charlestown, NH 03603)Conservation Grants - grants averaging $5,000 for projects that mobilize community support, encourage advocacy, and influence public policy to protect, encourage access to and enhance opportunities for recreation on public lands and water.
Community Recreation Grants - grants of $500 to $2,000 for outdoor programs that increase access, encourage involvement, and promote safety for outdoor muscle-powered sports (including programs for children who would not otherwise have to opportunity to gain experience or skills in the outdoors).
Contact the Grants Administrator at 253-395-3780 (REI, PO Box 1938, Sumner, WA, 98390-0800For projects within the Connecticut River watershed for education/outreach, habitat restoration and management, and land protection. Grants of $500 to $10,000. Previous trail and greenway-related project funding included a 2.3-mile interpretive bike trail connecting two public recreation areas. A 1:1 match is required (can be cash and in-kind).
Contact Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Reficge at 413-863-0209 (38 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376)The Transportation Equity Act for the 21"' Century ("TEA-21") reauthorizes Federal transportation programs that had expired under the old "ISTEA"program. Funding is available for transportation enhancements including provision of facilities for pedestrians and bicycles; acquisition of scenic easements and scenic or historic sites; scenic or historic highway programs; landscaping and other scenic beautification; historic preservation; rehabilitation and operation of historic transportation, buildings, structures or facilities (including historic railroads and canals); preservation of abandoned railway corridors and conversion to bicycle trails; control and removal of outdoor advertising; archeological planning and research; mitigation of water pollution due to highway runoff; tourist and welcome centers, and transportation museums.
Contact Lani Ravin or Sue Scribner at the VT Agency of Transportation, 802-828-3885 (VTAOT, 133 State St., Montpelier, VT 05633-5001)VCF provides modest grants to projects that leverage other resources and make a significant difference to the state and address a clear community need in the area of environment, public affairs, community development, social services, education or the arts.
Contact VCF at 802-462-3355 (PO Box 30, Middlebury, VT05753)VRTF provides funds to develop and maintain recreational trails and trail-related facilities for both nonmotorized and motoroized recreational trail use. The grants program is financed by the portion of state and federal gas tax monies attributable to off-highway vehicle use (such as snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, etc). Eligible projects include trail development, maintenance, and restoration, development of trail-side and trailhead facilities, creating accessible trails, acquisition of trail easements or fee acquisition of trail corridors, and purchase of trail-building hand tools.
Contact the Recreation & Trails Administrative Assistant, VTDepartment ofForests, Parks and Recreation at 802-241-3690 (VTRecreation Trails Grant Program, 103 South Main St., 10 South, Waterbury, VT 05671-0601)Funded by sales of Vermont's Conservation License Plates, mini-grants of $200-$1,000 and larger grants of over $1,000 are available for a wide range of water-related projects, including developing or enhancing recreational access and trails.
Contact Vennont Watershed Grants at 802-241-3770 (VTAgency of Natural Resources, Water euality Division, Building 10 North, 103 South Main St, Waterbury, VT 05671-0408)VYCC provides employment for VT youths in a variety of conservation projects; VYCC leaders provide expertise and oversight for crews to complete trail planning a'nd building projects. Communities can either hire a trail crew through the Fee-for-Service program or apply for a 60/40 match through the Local Greenways Projects Community Grants.
Contact the Youth Corps at 802-241-3906 (PO Box 482, Waterbury, VT 05676)Many foundations support conservation initiatives, including trails and greenways development In Vermont, a good place to start is the Vermont Directory of Foundations published by CPG Enterprises in conjunction with NonProfit Vermont, PO Box 199, Shaftsbury, VT 05262-0199 (802-447-0256). The Directory covers foundations incorporated in Vermont as well as those outside of Vermont making regular Vermont contributions. Available in print($40.). State and local libraries usually have copies of The Foundation Directory, a national reference with detailed descriptions and giving histories.
You can also check the Environmental Grantmakers Association directory (212-373-4260, 1290 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 3450, NY, NY 10104).
It is important with any foundation prospecting to call ahead to discuss your project and request specific guidelines, and to focus on specific project needs that best fit the goals of the foundation's giving program
Sources of federal financial and technical assistance are compiled in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance. The Catalog is available at depository libraries nationwide or contact the Federal Domestic Assistance Catalog Staff, General Services Administration, 300 7th St. S.W., Washington, D.C., 20407, Telephone 1-800-669-833.
Periodically, the National Center for Recreation and Conservation of the National Park Service compiles a guide to Federal Funding and Assistance for Rivers. Trails and Open Space Conservation. Contact the National Center for Recreation and Conservation, National Park Service, Room 3606, 1849 C Street, NW, Washington, DC 20240-0001, 202-565-1200.
