2013 Grant Information

ELIGIBILITY
Awards will be made to local or regional organizations that are classified by the IRS as 501 (c)(3) or who operate under the fiscal sponsorship of a 501 (c)(3) and whose primary mission is stewardship of a specific New York park or trail that is or will be open to the public.  Include a copy of the IRS ruling letter with the application.  A 501 (c)(3) fiscal sponsor is needed if a group does not have 501 (c)(3) status.  Applicants must include the IRS determination letter for the fiscal sponsor as well as a copy of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the applicant and the fiscal sponsor.  Preference will be given to organizations who have not received a Parks & Trails New York Capacity grant within the last three years.

PRE-APPLICATION CONFERENCE
All potential applicants are strongly encouraged to participate in a pre-application conference call. This call will be designed to review the application form and answer questions from potential applicants. 

APPLICATION DEADLINE
2013 Information will be posted in the fall.

2012 Growing the Grassroots

Capacity-Building Grant Guidelines

Grants of up to $3000 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 – 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

Brochures and maps can include information on the trail or park but their primary purpose must be organizational information and solicitation of membership.

Grants cannot be used to fund:

  • General operating expenses, existing staff salaries, or programming
  • Capital costs associated with construction, maintenance, and infrastructure for a park or trail
  • Trailside or park amenities (e.g. benches, picnic tables, signage)
  • Endowments
  • Lobbying or political activities
  • Giveaways (e.g. T-shirts, patches, etc.), refreshments or other entertainment expenses

2012 SELECTION CRITERIA
Awards will be made based on:

  • Ability to initiate, grow, strengthen, or transform the organization
  • Demonstrated financial need; preference will be given to organizations with annual budgets of less than $100,000
  • Detailed, documented and realistic budget (sample)
  • Clearly articulated goals, tangible outcomes and well-defined measures of success
  • Organizational commitment to the project as demonstrated by financial and/or in-kind commitment
  • 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

Projects that can leverage the amount of funds requested with significant cash or in-kind contributions from project partners will be given priority.

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 65% 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.

Mail, fax or email to: 
Capacity Grants
Parks & Trails New York
29 Elk Street, Albany, NY 12207
518-434-1583
518-427-0067 FAX
grants@ptny.org 

  

 
           
 

29 Elk Street * Albany, NY 12207 * (ph) 518-434-1583 * (fax) 518-427-0067 * ptny@ptny.org