Trail Accelerator Grants

Single-Site Trail Plan Grants

Do you have one location where you'd like to offer mountain biking opportunities? This grant provides a detailed site-specific plan for one park or facility, which may include a conceptual layout of one or more individual trails.

• These grants will generally be awarded in amounts from $5,000 - $15,000, each.

Community-Wide Trail Plan Grants

Does your entire community or region want to develop mountain biking opportunities? This grant provides a comprehensive assessment of the feasibility of mountain bike trail development across multiple parks and facilities. Includes an assessment of opportunities and constraints and phasing recommendations. 

• These grants will generally be awarded in amounts from $15,000 - $30,000, each. 

What Types of Projects Will Be Considered?

• Projects that serve mountain bikers as the primary users, though multi-purpose human-powered trail uses are eligible to apply.
• 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, including volunteer recruitment and support, new rider development, and youth and marginalized community member engagement. Higher preference will be given to projects that demonstrate a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion. 
• Higher preference will be given to projects that involve high-functioning local mountain bike organizations, especially ones in the IMBA Local Program. Though, it should be noted, IMBA Local organizations cannot apply for the grants, themselves. 
• NOTE: A declined request does not imply that the applicant’s trail project is not needed or valued, but that it does not fall within our giving guidelines and/or priorities, or that funds are not available. Those who do not receive a grant award may apply again in subsequent rounds.

Applying For a Grant

Each grant is an award of in-kind professional services from the IMBA Trail Solutions team (and qualified subcontractors), not cash, and requires a one-to-one match.

• 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, evaluation and report. 
• 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. 
• Organizations can only apply once per calendar year. 
• Due to the volume of proposals, unfortunately we cannot give you feedback about your proposal's particular strengths and weaknesses.

We will host two 60-90 minute webinars each grant cycle that will cover the ins-and-outs of applying for the IMBA Trail Accelerator Grant. Stay tuned for updated info.

Who Can Apply

Local, municipal, state or federal government agencies, and 501(c)3 nonprofits that actively manage parks and trails may apply. The agency or organization must be able to provide the appropriate matching funds.

The following are not eligible to apply: for-profit businesses (such as ski resorts), religious organizations for religious purposes, private foundations, political causes/candidates/legislative lobbying groups, IMBA Local organizations including IMBA Chapters. However, higher preference will be given to projects that involve high-functioning local mountain bike organizations.