5 Steps to Applying for Federal RTP Funding
The recently passed federal transportation bill, SAFETEA-LU, presents some great grant opportunities for mountain bike clubs through the Recreational Trails Program (RTP). The program was recently reauthorized by Congress and dedicates $370 million over the next five years to trail and trail-related programs. Possible grant awards could be used to fund trail work projects, tools and equipment, stewardship programs and patrols, signage and anything else related to your trails.
Different states have different deadlines and application procedures. The first step to take advantage of this federal money is to find out who your state trail administrator is and educate yourself about the RTP program.
- Find out who your state trail administrator is and read
about the program on your home state's website:
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/rectrails/rtpstate.htm - Read IMBA's resources and tips on how to apply for RTP grants:
http://www.imba.com/resources/grants/ - Read through a list of other successful grants:
http://www.funoutdoors.info/rtphome.html - Find out the grant deadline and work with your fellow patrollers to write a proposal. Your state trail administrator can give you ideas on how to design a winning project.
- Share your successes and experiences with IMBA so that other clubs can learn from them.
