POWR Statewide Waterway Access Grant (SWAG) Program
Instructions & Guidelines

General Information
The Statewide Waterway Access Grant (SWAG) mini grant program is being offered by the Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers (POWR), in partnership and with funding support from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) and the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (PA DCNR). (PA DCNR funding is provided through the Environmental Stewardship Fund administered by the Bureau of Recreation and Conservation).
This program will provide grants of up to $30,000 for design and engineering, construction, or upgrade and rehabilitation of non-motorized public access projects throughout the Commonwealth. Priority will be given to projects that improve recreational access on waterways as well as those that support and advance POWR’s mission, specifically the facilitation, stewardship, and enjoyment of Pennsylvania’s waterways.

Eligibility
 

• Grants are available to public entities, including townships, boroughs, municipal and county governments as well as to 501c3 nonprofit groups who are registered with the PA Department of State Bureau of Charitable Organization. (i.e., land trusts, conservancies, water trail managers, and community watershed associations) that have or will have the capability to provide boat access facilities that are open and available for public use.
• Eligible projects must occur on lands owned by the project applicant, or where the applicant has a long-term lease or agreement on the site.
• Projects must remain open to the public and free of charge for 25 years (successful grantees will be required to sign a 25-year maintenance agreement).

Funding and Match
The program is funded through the PFBC and PA DCNR. All projects, related costs and funding must conform to the guidelines of the PFBC, PA DCNR and POWR. All grants require a one-to-one match (match can consist of cash, in-kind, or a combination of cash and in-kind).

Additional Requirements
 

• Applicants must agree to provide for all costs for ordinary and routine maintenance of the facility for the term of the agreement.
• Applicants, dependent on type of project, may be required to provide a sign that acknowledges that the facility was constructed or improved with funds from this program. (Language will be provided)
• Applicants must obtain all the necessary permits and local land use approvals required for the construction and operation of the proposed facility.

Questions
 

• For content questions about this application, contact Janet Sweeney, POWR, jsweeney@pecpa.org
• For technical questions regarding completion of this application, contact support@submittable.com Monday-Friday, 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. with limited availability on the weekends.
• For additional information on POWR, visit www.pawatersheds.org

Completing the Application
It is possible to complete the application during multiple sessions. Be sure to save as you go and before you end any session. Please answer all questions and upload all necessary and supporting documentation before your final submission.

Important Dates
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and awarded on a rolling basis. All projects must be ready to go and be completed within a 12 - 18-month timeframe or they will not be considered. There will be no extensions.

Applications will be evaluated based on the following:
 

• Project integrates/reflects/ implements initiatives of existing community plans.
• Project advances one or more of POWR’s priorities as listed on application.
• Project is clearly described, complete, and well thought out.
• Project can be completed in a year or less.
• Budget is comprehensive and realistic to complete project.
• Match is secured and documented with letters of commitment of match.
• Support letters are included in application and indicate need and partnering efforts.

*Note: It is possible to receive additional bonus points if you show that your project addresses a unique or extraordinary need within your community. 

 2026 Capacity Building for Trail Organizations Mini Grant Program Instructions & Guidelines 

General Information : The Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC) was awarded a total of $50,000 from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) through their Community Conservation Partnership Program (C2P2) to administer the 2026 Capacity Building for Trail Organizations Mini Grant Program. The DCNR funding is provided through the Environmental Stewardship Fund administered by the Bureau of Recreation and Conservation. The Capacity Building for Trail Organizations mini grant is administered by PEC.        

The Capacity Building for Trail Organizations initiative is designed to strengthen the long-term sustainability and effectiveness of local partners. Through this program, organizations will have access to resources that help build organizational capacity, improve trail management practices, enhance user experiences, and foster greater community engagement.

Examples of eligible projects include organizational planning and capacity-building efforts, volunteer recruitment and training programs, minor rehabilitation, accessibility assessments, wayfinding and interpretive signage, outreach and marketing initiatives, website and mapping development, small-scale trailhead improvements, partnership-building activities, and other projects that strengthen the ability of local organizations and municipalities to manage, promote, and enhance trail resources within their communities.          

Mini grants of $2,000 to $10,000 that support and advance the priorities of the Capacity Building for Trail Organizations will be considered. All projects, related costs and funding must conform to the guidelines of the DCNR C2P2 Program: Partnership Grants 

All Capacity Building for Trail Organizations mini grants require a 20% match of the total project cost, up to the maximum grant award of $10,000. Total project cost cannot exceed $50,000.  

• Cash Match - No portion of the cash match can originate from DCNR funding.
• In-kind Match - the value of municipal labor and/or professional services is equal to the hourly billable rate multiplied by the number of hours performing that service or job. The value of volunteer in-kind will be valued at the current Independent Sector Volunteer Rate for Pennsylvania at the time the work was performed. Currently this value is $31.80/hour. No portion of the in-kind match can originate from a DCNR funded project.
• All match must occur during the contracted begin and end date of the grant award.
• For more information on eligible and ineligible match and project costs click here. 

*Applicants should provide proof of match commitment. 

Grantees are required to submit a mid-grant progress report, in addition to a final financial report to include all expenditure documentation, a final Success Story (templates provided by PEC) and all project deliverables (if applicable) must be submitted at the close-out of the grant.                     

Grants are awarded to projects that will be undertaken after the award of the grant, not to retroactively reimburse the cost of projects that have already begun or been completed prior to the grant award. No match can be expended prior to award of the grant; you cannot retroactively use match.

 Important Dates: 

• Grant Round Opens: August 24, 2026                                     
• Application Closes: October 30, 2026 (5:00 pm)                    
• Grant Awards Announced: Mid December 2026                                    
• Projects Begin: January 4, 2027                    
• Project Completion: December 1, 2027

 Questions 

For project and content related questions contact:   

• Rachael Stark 
• Phone: 570.285.8020
• Email: rstark@pecpa.org 

For technical questions regarding completion of this application contact:   

• support@submittable.com
• Monday-Friday, 11:00am - 7:00pm, with limited availability on weekends. 

Completing the application: It is possible to complete the application during multiple sessions. Be sure to save as you go and before you end your session.  It is now possible to "Collaborate" on your application with project partners. Please answer all questions, complete the budget worksheet, and upload necessary documents before your final submission. 

Eligibility 

Who is eligible? 

Non-profit organizations with tax-exempt status 501(c)(3) with BCO, municipalities, municipal agencies and school districts, colleges, universities. 

Non-profit organizations must submit proof of non-profit status and must submit the BCO certificate showing your organization is registered with the PA Department of State Bureau of Charitable Organizations.   

What kind of project is eligible? 

Projects must be located within the Capacity Building for Trail Organizations region which includes the counties of Bradford, Carbon, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming.              

*This year the Capacity Building for Trail Organizations is giving priority to projects that advance the recommendations outlined in the NEPA Trails Assessing Connections and Community in Northeastern Pennsylvania (pages 158-166)

Examples of projects that support Capacity Building for Trail Organizations priorities that could be considered for funding include:

• Training and professional development for staff, board members, and volunteers on trail management, fundraising, grant writing, accessibility, risk management, or volunteer coordination. 
• Trail accessibility assessments and planning efforts to improve compliance with ADA standards and expand access for people of all abilities. 
• Community outreach and engagement initiatives, including public events, volunteer recruitment campaigns, trail stewardship programs, and educational workshops. 
• Development of mapping resources, digital trail guides, and promotional materials that increase public awareness and use of local trails. 
• Small-scale infrastructure improvements or minor, non-routine maintenance such as benches, bike racks, repair stations, hazardous tree removal, trail re-routing, or trailhead amenities that enhance visibility and visitor      experience. 
• Creation of organizational branding, marketing strategies, and communications materials to increase visibility and community support. 
• Partnership-building activities that strengthen collaboration among municipalities, nonprofit organizations, landowners, and trail user groups. 
• Data collection and planning projects, including trail user surveys, economic impact assessments, GIS mapping, and inventory of trail assets and conditions. 

Application Submission 

Applicant Responsibility:

• For non-profit applicants: provide current proof of IRS 501(c)3 non-profit status and registration with the PA Bureau of Charitable Organizations. If you are not able to provide this documentation, a qualifying entity must serve as your fiscal agent.
• Identify projects within the Capacity Building for Trail Organizations region that advance the priorities of the program.
• Provide a budget that reflects realistic expenditures and complies with DCNR guidelines. (Eligible and Ineligible costs and match)
• Secure 20% match: All Capacity Building for Trail Organizations mini grants require a 20% match of the total project cost, up to the maximum grant award of $10,000. (can be cash, in-kind services, or a combination of both). No portion of the match can originate from DCNR funding or a DCNR funded project. 
•  Provide letters of support and/or commitment from partners providing match. Letters should describe the type of program assistance (financial, technical, general), match amount and how that partner is contributing to the success of the project.

 Application Review 

Applications will be ranked by a review committee.                   

Applications will be ranked on the following:                    

Total possible points based on application criteria = 50                     

Project Need (10 points)

• Project Description and Need well thought out and explained.    

Priority(ies) Alignment (10 points)

• Aligns and advances the priorities of the Capacity Building for Trail Organizations and is clearly defined.

Partners (5 points)

• Partners engaged and listed a clear role in the proposed project.

Goals, Activities/Actions, Measurements of Success (15 points)

• Goals, Activities/Actions, Measurements of Success are well defined, implementable, and measurable.

Budget (10 points)

• Budget is complete and local match is documented and secured = 5pts.
• Budget costs reflect realistic expenditures and comply with DCNR guidelines = 5pts.

WOW = Up to 5 bonus points - These points are over the 50 total points available.

• They can earn up to an additional 5 points for projects that are unique or innovative. They must describe what sets the project apart, such as how it differs from existing efforts, introduces new ideas or partnerships, addresses identified needs in a creative way, or is a first-time applicant to the PEC mini grant programs, etc. = 0 - 5 pts.

*The review committee reserves the right to request additional information if they feel such information is crucial to the ranking process.