Trail Accelerator Grants

IMBA Trail Accelerator Grants in Detail

Grants typically range from $5,000-$30,000 and they require a one-to-one match. For example, if you request and are awarded a $5,000 grant, you must commit an additional $5,000 to IMBA. If you are awarded a $30,000 grant, you must commit an additional $30,000 to IMBA. Finalists will receive a call from IMBA Trail Solutions staff to clarify any questions and to discuss and define the scope of work, tasks, and final deliverables of the proposed Trail Accelerator grant project. A phone call does not mean that a grant has been awarded. For grant awardees, the agreed-upon trail planning process will be different for each site based on the desired outcomes and will be clearly documented in a contract between the applicant and IMBA. The deliverables will include trail plans in the form of written reports and maps, based on the scope of the project.

What Types of Projects Will Be Considered?

• Projects that serve mountain bikers as the primary users, though multi-purpose human-powered trail uses are viable as well.

• Projects that will result in a visible and substantial increase in access, improved mountain bike experiences, and greater community benefit.

• Projects where the Trail Accelerator grant stands to leverage additional resources to ensure the success of the project.

• Projects that promote community development, volunteer recruitment, new rider development, youth riding, and engaging marginalized community members. Higher preference will be given to projects that demonstrate a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

• A declined request does not imply that the project is not needed or valued. Those who do not receive a grant award may apply again in subsequent rounds.

Who Can Apply?

Local, municipal, state, or federal government agencies, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits that actively manage parks and trails may apply. Mountain bike clubs and IMBA Local partners with the capacity to match and manage a grant of this scale are eligible to apply. The organization applying must be able to provide the matching funds.

• Projects which are primarily based on private land are not eligible to apply. 

• Private organizations including ski resorts, HOAs, or property developers are not eligible to apply. 

• Religious organizations for religious purposes, private foundations, and political causes/candidates/legislative lobbying groups are not eligible to apply.

Applying for a Grant

Each grant is an award of in-kind professional services from the IMBA Trail Solutions team (with assistance from qualified subcontractors as needed) and requires a one-to-one cash match.

• Applications will be accepted over a two-month period when the next application period is announced.

• All communities interested in applying for a Trail Accelerator grant must submit a completed application. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.

• Calls will be scheduled with some applicants to further discuss their proposals. If selected for a call, please do not consider this as approval for a grant.

• Each awardee will be assigned a project manager who will coordinate the site visit and deliverables (written report, maps, etc.). 

• All awardees will be required to announce the receipt of the grant in a formal press release, on social media outlets, and on the site of the trail project (if applicable) as agency policy permits. 

• Due to volume, we cannot give specific feedback on declined proposals.

Apply

You must create an account and be logged in to apply for the Trail Accelerator grant. Applications can be saved as drafts and returned to at a later time.