INFORMATION FOR GRANT-SEEKERS

If you are a 501(c) (3) organization, a copy of the IRS determination letter advising that your organization is exempt from taxes under Section 501(c) (3) of the IRS code, and that the organization is not a private foundation as defined in Section 509(a).

GRANT APPLICATION RATING CRITERIA

Minimum Criteria

Your organization should be a 501(c)(3) organization or have a 501(c)(3) organization as your fiscal sponsor.
 
a) Municipalities and government agencies also are qualified fiscal sponsors.
  
b) If your organization is not incorporated, then your fiscal sponsor’s financial information is required.
If the Project is a Bicycle-Pedestrian Trail, the Applicant Organization and its partners should make every possible effort to follow the design guidelines for bicycle-pedestrian trails found in the book “Trails for the Twenty-First Century” (2nd edition), published by the Rails to Trails Conservancy.
 
Note: The information in the paragraphs below was generously supplied by the Genesee Transportation Council. They can be reached at (585) 232-6243. The GTC has all of these documents in-house, so applicants can use its resource library if they do not have other access to them. Most of these items are also available on the web. Trails for the 21st Century also may be available at your local library and can be ordered from the Rails to Trails Conservancy.

NYSDOT also has a design standard for trails in its Highway Design Manual.
 
The Association of American State and Highway Transportation Officials' (AASHTO) 1999 Guide to Development of Bicycle Facilities includes a section on trail development)
 
Phase 1 Final Report and Action Plan of the GTC Regional Trails Initiative has a thorough Design Guidelines section, which may be a good reference for potential applicants.
 
Accessibility for persons with disabilities---This is a key goal in the Regional Trails Initiative, which strives to ensure full access, wherever possible. Will the proposed trail project or improvement be accessible to persons with disabilities, and if not, why not? Is the project intended to correct an inaccessible condition or create accessible signage? At a minimum, we are encouraging applicants to develop accessible trails (as much as possible). We encourage you to refer to the Federal Highway Administration's Designing Sidewalks and Trails for Access documents (Parts 1 and 2); Part 2 has the bulk of the design info.
 
No applications which request support for fund-raising activities will be accepted.
 
No grants will be made to individuals.

Other Possible Rating Criteria

Applicant organizations should always be looking for ways to integrate their trail efforts with the interests of their local communities. Extra consideration may be given to those applicants who can demonstrate:

  1. that you have provided trail-related input to your community’s master plans and advisory boards,
     
  2. your advocacy to your elected representatives and parks and recreation department managers, on trail and open space issues,
     
  3. that you make a continued effort to encourage your local school districts to integrate fit-for-life activities into the school curriculum,
     
  4. that you make a continued effort to raise the level of awareness of your fellow citizens, especially children and their families, regarding the health and quality-of-life benefits of public trails and green space.

Matching Funds Requirement

If an applicant seeks, e.g. $1,000 from the GRTC for trail development, or other qualified purpose, the applicant must contribute $1,000, or its equivalent, in in-kind services or materials. The TEA-21 definition of in-kind contributions will apply.

 

SUCCESSFUL APPLICANT REPORTING RESPONSIBILITIES

The Applicant Organization and its Partner(s) will furnish a brief, written report of the status of the Project to the GRTC board of directors every six months after receiving notice of their successful application, until the completion of the Project. The report should identify any goals achieved, monies expended, problems encountered, and corrective actions being taken to overcome those problems.

Any news releases or other publicity related to a successful grant application will be coordinated only by GRTC, and the successful applicant should make representatives available to participate.