|
This page contains information about funding trails and greenways. To learn more about applying for grants or raising money for your trail project, just click on the funding information that interests you. If you know of any funding source or general information that we should make available on this page, please send us an e-mail.
|
|
| Bicycle Transportation Account (Caltrans Bicycle Facilities Unit) | Grant funds for new bike paths, bike lanes, and bike routes, bicycle parking facilities, bike racks on buses, traffic control devices to improve safety, planning, safety, education, and maintenance of bikeways and bicycle parking facilities. Account provides money to local agencies to projects that improve safety and convenience for bicycle commuters. Currently funded at $1 million per year: will rise to $5 million by 2004. | |
| Eligible Applications | Cities or counties eligible for up to 25% of annual amount in pot. | |
| Application Deadline | ||
 |
||
| California Conservation Corps (CCC) | This is not a grants program, but a free source of volunteer labor. The mission of the CCC is to provide meaningful work and educational opportunities to assist young men and women in becoming more enjoyable, while protecting and enhancing California's environment, human resources and communities. The program is organized to provide corps members and services depending upon the project requirements. A crew consists of 10-15 well-trained young men and women; a staff supervisor who directs the crew; a vehicle, and basic tools. | |
| Eligible Applications | Projects must provide a natural resource or other public benefit, and provide corps members with education and training an employable skills. | |
| Application Deadline | None known.
Contact: |
|
|
||
| CMAQ (Congestion, Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement) | The CMAQ funds are part of TEA 21 (see feature article in "News and Features" page on this website, as well as. These funds are for transportation projects that reduce automotive congestion and help meet National Ambient Air Quality Standards in ozone and carbon monoxide nonattainment areas. Trail projects have been awarded funding. Some projects have received 100% funding, and others require up to 20% state or local match. | |
| Eligible Applications | For all information regarding application requirements and deadlines you must contact your local Regional Transportation Authority Representative. You can find out who that is by clicking on: www.dot.ca.gov/hq/TransEnhAct/ and going to the bottom of the page and clicking on the "Schedule" button. | |
| Application Deadline | See above. | |
|
||
| Coastal Conservancy Non-Profit Grants Program | These grants are to assist non-profit land conservation organizations and government agencies in their efforts to protect significant natural habitats within the Conservancy's jurisdiction of the California coast and San Francisco Bay. Grants are diverse and can fund coastal preservation and access concerns form planning, design, and feasibility studies to acquisition, trail construction, habitat restoration and more. To access funds, call the "Access Program Manager" (see below) and ask for your regional manager. There are four regions: 1) North Coast; 2) San Francisco; 3) Central Coast; 4) Southern Coast. The range is very small up to $500K. | |
| Eligible Applications | Land trusts and other nonprofits qualified under the 501(C)(3) IRS code that have among their principal purposes the preservation of land for scientific, historic, educational, recreational, agricultural, scenic, or open-space preservation qualify. Government agencies may apply. | |
| Application Deadline | None. The
contact is: |
|
|
||
| Coastal Resources Grant Program (Firestone Grants) | Program activated through the enactment of AB1431, Firestone which make excess Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act funding available for appropriation for Resources Agency grants to coastal counties and cities impacted by the effect of offshore energy development. Grants cover enhancement/restoration efforts, planning, acquisition and the Coastal Trail. Grants range up to $100K. | |
| Eligible Applications | There are two parts: Part A requires a nexus to offshore energy development, i.e. mitigation, and is funded up to $500K. Most trail developers will concentrate on Part B, which is only available to coastal cities and counties which have a certified Local Coastal Program (LCP). These grants are funded to $100K. | |
| Application Deadline | Postmarked
July 1st. The contact
is: |
|
|
||
| Community Development Block Grants | Administered by the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), under the department of Community Development Block Grants Entitlement, the grants fund neighborhood revitalization, economic development, and provision of improved community facilities and services. Several rail-trail projects have been awarded funding under this program including the Burke-Gilman Trail in Seattle and the Baltimore-Annapolis Trail in Maryland. This is a very good grant for urban-oriented projects. California has $43 million available. | |
| Eligible Applications | All eligible activities must either benefit low and moderate income people, aid in prevention or elimination of slums and blight, or meet other community development needs. Eligible criteria based on the statutory requirements in Section 106 of the Community Development Act of 1974. There are no matching requirements. Only cities and counties may apply, and not all are eligible. The Mayor/City Manager and/or County Superintendents will know further details of eligibility. | |
| Application Deadline | No stated
deadline but go to
for more information. Contact person is: |
|
|
||
| Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Block Grants | Acquisition, rehabilitation, or construction of certain public works facilities (urban trail projects may qualify), clearance, housing rehabilitation, code enforcement, relocation payments, administrative expenses, economic development, completing existing urban renewal projects, and certain public services. No known grant range at this time (write for details). | |
| Eligible Applications | Project grants, with no matching requirements. Allocations to states are based on a formula found in Section 106 of the Community Development Act of 1974. | |
| Application Deadline | Write for
details or go to HUD's
website at: www.hud.gov |
|
|
||
| EEMP (Environmental Enhancement & Mitigation Program) | Grants for supplemental mitigation of the environmental impacts of modified or new public transportation facilities. EEMP projects must piggyback or add onto other mitigation projects. These are not stand-alone grants. Projects must have a direct or indirect connection to the environmental impacts of a transportation project. Grants range to $250K. | |
| Eligible Applications | Any local, state or federal agency or nonprofit entity which can demonstrate adequate charter or enabling authority to carry out the project proposed are eligible. | |
| Application Deadline | November 17,
2000. The contact is: |
|
|
||
| Environmental Education Grant Program | Environmental Education Grant Program: Funded by the California Department of Education, this source provides funding for implementation of site facilities, networking, inter-disciplinary planning and implementation. The range for grants is: $3K to $10K. | |
| Eligible Applications | The governing board of any school district, county superintendent of schools, community college district, regional conservation center, nonprofits, state and local agencies, public colleges and universities may apply. Environmental Education Grant Description Booklets are available by calling Rachelle Steen at 916-653-4348. | |
| Application Deadline | Not known.
The Contact is: attn. Bill Andrews Environmental.Education Grant Program e-mail: |
|
|
||
| Environmental Education Grants (EPA) | This grant money administered by Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA Region 9), is ideal for funding interpretive elements for your trail. The grants provide support for projects which design, demonstrate or disseminate environmental education practices, methods, or techniques. Grants from $5K to $25K. | |
| Eligible Applications | Local, tribal, or state education offices, colleges or universities, nonprofits, state environmental agencies, and non-commercial educational broadcasting agencies. 25% matching share required. | |
| Application Deadline | November 15,
2000. Contact is: e-mail: |
|
|
||
| Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Program | The Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Program was established by the enactment of the Transportation Blueprint Legislation of 1989 (AB 471 Katz). The program provides $10 million annually for 10 years beginning in fiscal year 1991-92 (through fiscal year 2000-01). The Resources Agency evaluates the grant proposals and makes recommendations to the California Transportation Commission. The Transportation Commission approves the projects to be funded. The California Department Transportation administers the successful projects. | |
| Eligible Applications | Any local,
state or federal agency
or nonprofit entity may apply for and receive grants. Two or more
entities may participate
in a project. Projects must demonstrate a direct or indirect
relationship with the
environmental impact of a highway project that was undertaken after
January 1, 1990. The
proposed project must provide mitigation above that required under
the California
Environmental Quality Act for the related highway project. 60% of
the funds are awarded to
southern California and 40% are awarded to northern California. There are three categories of projects eligible for funding. They are:
|
|
| Application Deadline | Applications are generally due in October or November of each year. Each year a specific date is announced and application packets are generally available in August. For additional information and an application 4. | |
|
||
| Habitat Conservation Fund Program | The Habitat
Conservation Fund
Program (HCF) was established by the California Wildlife Protection
of 1990 (the Mountain
Lion Initiative). It provides matching funds for the acquisition,
enhancement, and
restoration of wildlife areas, and for programs that bring urban
residents into park and
wildlife areas. The following six types of projects are eligible
|
|
| How Much Money Is Available? | $2 million is available for competitive grants each year through the year 2020. Four of the six categories are rotated so that each category is funded twice in every three-year period. The program requires a dollar-for-dollar match. The match must be from a non-state source. Some in-kind materials and services may be permitted toward the match. | |
| Who Is Eligible to Apply? | Local units of governments are eligible to apply. They are cities, counties, cities and counties, or districts as defined in Subdivision (b) of Section 5902 of the Public Resources Code. | |
| Who administers the program and how do I apply? | The California Department of Parks and Recreation administers the HCF Program. Applications must be postmarked by October 1 each year. The selected projects will be funded during the next state fiscal year, beginning in July. If you would like program information and application materials, please write or call the California Department of Parks and Recreation, P.O. Box 942896, Sacramento, California 94296-0001, attention: Planning and Local Services Section, or call at (916) 653-7423. | |
|
||
| National Coastal Wetland Conservation Grants | Grants for the acquisition, restoration or enhancement, and management of interests in coastal lands or waters. There are total funds of $10-12 million. | |
| Eligible Applications | Non-profits cannot apply directly, but must work with applying state agencies. Non-federal match is required with reimbursement of up to 75%. | |
| Application Deadline | ||
|
||
| National Endowment for the Arts | This program promotes excellence in design by funding activities which include urban design, historic preservation, planning, architecture, and landscape architecture. Grants may be used for initiating design projects, though funding is not available for capital improvement and construction. | |
| Eligible Applications | Include non-profits, state and local governments and state arts agencies, and individuals who possess exceptional talent, usually U.S. citizens or permanent residents. | |
| Application Deadline | Varies,
please use contact for
more information; the contact is: |
|
|
||
| National Park Service; Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assitance Program | Provides staff assistance for river, trail and conservation projects. Selected projects have included conceptual plans for trail corridors, river corridor plans, and statewide river assessments. Projects are selected if they protect significant resources, achieve tangible results, incorporate public involvement during the planning process, and serve a large number of people. | |
| Eligible Applications | Private nonprofit organizations and Federal, State and local agencies. | |
| Application Deadline | August 1st each year. Contact: | |
|
||
| Public Access Program (Department of Fish and Game) | Funds for the acquisition or improvements which preserve wildlife habitat or provide recreational access for hunting, fishing, or other wildlife oriented recreation. Qualifying projects include developments such as fishing piers or floats, access trails or roads, boat launch ramps, wildlife observation and interpretive trails, lake or stream improvements, restrooms and parking areas. These are not grants, but rather state projects developed in cooperation with local governments. Funding can be up to $250K. | |
| Eligible Applications | 50% local matching funds required for fishing pier projects (not required for other projects); 25 year lease or other property interests in project land conveyed to the Department of Fish and Game (requires some proprietary interest in land involved; and local operation and maintenance for term of lease. Local sponsor must do engineering and EIR. | |
| Application Deadline | February,
May, Aug, Nov.
(Quarterly deadlines, yearly). The contact is: |
|
|
||
| San Francisco Bay Area Easement Stewardship Challenge Grant Program 2000 - 2001 | ||
| How Much Money Is Available? | The
Recreational Trails program
had $7.5 million available in fiscal year 1993. There was $15
million available in fiscal
years 1996 and 1997. $30 million was available in fiscal year 1998.
$40 million is
available in fiscal year 1999. There will be $50 million available
for each of fiscal
years 2000 through 2003. California expects to receive slightly less
than 7% of the annual
program amount. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) may use up to 3% of the funds for program administration and related research and technical assistance. The remainder of the funds is distributed to the states. Half of the funds are distributed equally among all states, and half are distributed in proportion to the amount of off-road funds for administration costs, including trail planning. 70% of the amount available to California as grants will be used for non-motorized trails, with 30% for motorized trails. The next application deadline is December 1, 1998. California's share for this grant cycle will be approximately $4.2 million ($1.5 million remainder of FY98 funds and $2.7 million FY99 funds). About $2.9 million will be available for non-motorized trail projects and $1.3 million for motorized trail projects. The anticipated amounts available to California for each of the next four years will be $3.5 million. |
|
| Who Can Sponsor a Project? | California may provide grants to cities, counties, districts, state agencies, and nonprofit organizations with management responsibilities over public lands. | |
| How Does Project Funding Work? | Project
amounts vary. Most range
from $5000 to $100,000, although there is no maximum request amount.
The application
deadline for projects funded in fiscal year 1999 was December 1,
1998. The deadline for
fiscal years 2000 through 2003 will be October 1st of 1999, 2000,
2001, and 2002. The maximum federal share for each project is 80% of the eligible project costs. The remaining amount must come from state, local, or private sources (not federal sources). Some in-kind materials and services may be permitted toward the project match. Usually, project payments are paid on a reimbursement basis. The project sponsor must incur costs for work completed, and then submit vouchers to the state for payment. |
|
| Who Administers the Program and How Do I Apply? | This is an
assistance program of
the FHWA. The FHWA allocates the funds to the states. Each state, in
turn, administers its
own program. In California, the California Department of Parks and
Recreation administers
the program. The California Department of Parks and Recreation's Planning and Local Services Section administers the non-motorized projects and its Off-highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division administers the motorized projects. If you would like program information and application materials, you may access the Department's web page at , . |
|
| Recreational Trails Program | The Recreational Trails Program, formerly the National Recreational Trails Fund Act Program, is funded under the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21). It provides matching funds for motorized and non-motorized recreational trail projects. The funds are from a portion of the revenue received by the Federal Highway Trust Fund from the federal motor fuel excise tax paid by motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, and off-road light trucks. | |
| How Much Money Is Available? | The
Recreational Trails program
had $7.5 million available in fiscal year 1993. There was $15
million available in fiscal
years 1996 and 1997. $30 million was available in fiscal year 1998.
$40 million is
available in fiscal year 1999. There will be $50 million available
for each of fiscal
years 2000 through 2003. California expects to receive slightly less
than 7% of the annual
program amount. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) may use up to 3% of the funds for program administration and related research and technical assistance. The remainder of the funds is distributed to the states. Half of the funds are distributed equally among all states, and half are distributed in proportion to the amount of off-road funds for administration costs, including trail planning. 70% of the amount available to California as grants will be used for non-motorized trails, with 30% for motorized trails. The next application deadline is December 1, 1998. California's share for this grant cycle will be approximately $4.2 million ($1.5 million remainder of FY98 funds and $2.7 million FY99 funds). About $2.9 million will be available for non-motorized trail projects and $1.3 million for motorized trail projects. The anticipated amounts available to California for each of the next four years will be $3.5 million. |
|
| Who Can Sponsor a Project? | California may provide grants to cities, counties, districts, state agencies, and nonprofit organizations with management responsibilities over public lands. | |
| How Does Project Funding Work? | Project
amounts vary. Most range
from $5000 to $100,000, although there is no maximum request amount.
The application
deadline for projects funded in fiscal year 1999 was December 1,
1998. The deadline for
fiscal years 2000 through 2003 will be October 1st of 1999, 2000,
2001, and 2002. The maximum federal share for each project is 80% of the eligible project costs. The remaining amount must come from state, local, or private sources (not federal sources). Some in-kind materials and services may be permitted toward the project match. Usually, project payments are paid on a reimbursement basis. The project sponsor must incur costs for work completed, and then submit vouchers to the state for payment. |
|
| Who Administers the Program and How Do I Apply? | This is an
assistance program of
the FHWA. The FHWA allocates the funds to the states. Each state, in
turn, administers its
own program. In California, the California Department of Parks and
Recreation administers
the program. The California Department of Parks and Recreation's Planning and Local Services Section administers the non-motorized projects and its Off-highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division administers the motorized projects. If you would like program information and application materials, you may access the Department's web page at , or write the California Department of Parks and Recreation, P.O. Box 942896, Sacramento, CA 94296-0001. For non-motorized projects -attention: Planning and Local Services Section, or call (916) 653-7423 or FAX (916) 653-6511. For motorized projects - attention: Off-highway Motorized Vehicle Recreation Division, or call (916) 324-1573 or FAX (916) 324-1610. There is just one procedural guide and it may be used to apply for either a motorized or non-motorized project. |
|
|
||
