2026 Capacity Building for Trail Organizations

Ends on

 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:   

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.

We use Submittable to accept and review our submissions.
Continue