Fund Your Next Trail Project through American Hiking Society
Could your trail project benefit from additional funding? Do you need more tools to keep your volunteers busy? Do you need more volunteers to use the tools you already have? Or perhaps you need more of both!
The American Hiking Society 2009 National Trails Fund is now open for applications. Yes, the application window has changed and is earlier than in previous years, so be aware that the deadline may be nearer than you think! Applications must be submitted by August 15, 2008, and are being accepted on-line only.
This year, American Hiking will provide more support than ever to grassroots trail organizations around the country, giving local trail groups the resources they need to secure trail access, obtain and support volunteers and provide tools and materials to protect America's cherished hiking trails.
Established in 1998, the National Trails Fund provides funding to help establish, protect and maintain hiking trails in America. To date, American Hiking has granted nearly $382,000 to 105 different trail projects across the U.S. for land acquisition, constituency building campaigns and a variety of trail work projects. Awards typically range from $500 to $5,000 per project.
A variety of projects will be considered for the 2009 National Trails Fund, including projects that:
- Have hikers as the primary constituency, though multiple human-powered trail projects are eligible
- Secure trail lands, including acquisition of trails and trail corridors and the costs associated with acquiring conservation easements
- Result in visible and substantial ease of access, improved hiker safety and/or avoidance of environmental damage
- Promote constituency building surrounding specific trail projects, including volunteer recruitment and support
For the 2009 cycle, American Hiking will be awarding two different types of National Trail Fund grants: American Hiking Society Trail Grants, sponsored by L.L.Bean, Therm-a-Rest and MSR and ranging from $500 to $4,999; and Nature Valley Save the Trails grants, totaling $5,000 each.
Grants may only be awarded to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. If your organization is not a 501(c)(3), please feel free to partner with an organization that is and that works on trails in your park, preserve, etc.
Please contact Peter Olsen at POlsen@AmericanHiking.org or by phone at 301-565-6704 x207 for more information.
American Hiking Society is the only national voice for hikers - fighting to protect hiking trails, their surrounding natural areas, and the hiking experience. American Hiking represents millions of hikers who are committed to beautiful places to hike and who believe that the preservation of hiking trails and their environments is important and is a worthwhile legacy to leave future generations.
Visit www.americanhiking.org/NTFApp.aspx for more information.
posted July 2, 2008
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