The Catskill Chronicle

NEW YORK STATE (September 24, 2013) – The nonprofit Parks & Trails New York is launching the next round of its Growing the Grassroots Capacity Building Grants for park and trail groups in New York State. The grants, of up to $3,000, will strengthen not-for-profit organizations that are working to build and protect parks and trails in communities across the state.

Through the grant program, Parks & Trails New York aims to help 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. The deadline for submitting applications is November 12.

The program is unique in that it supports activities not normally covered by existing grants. While a number of grants 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. 

“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 attracting additional tourist dollars to strengthen local economies. It’s amazing how much these groups accomplish with minimal resources and limited or non-existent staff,” said Robin Dropkin, Parks & Trails New York Executive Director. “With this grant program, we have been able to propel groups to new levels and expand what they can accomplish so that they become even stronger park and trail stewards and advocates.”

“Since we initiated the awards program in 2009, we have helped 46 organizations in 26 counties expand their fundraising and membership campaigns, enhance their public programming, redesign or create new websites, and develop marketing materials. These efforts have really paid off for these groups by growing the number of members and volunteers that support them in their work,” added Dropkin.

Parks & Trails New York is the leading statewide advocate for parks and trails, dedicated since 1985 to improving the health and quality of life of all New Yorkers by working with community organizations and municipalities to envision, create, promote, and protect a growing network of parks, greenways and trails throughout the state for all to use and enjoy.

More information and an application can be found on the Parks & Trails New York website www.ptny.org, or by emailing grants@ptny.org or calling 518-434-1583.