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Finding funding for a trail requires research, creativity and hard work. |
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EPA-Environmental Protection Agency
FHWA–Federal Highway Administration
FTA–Federal Transit Administration
In-Kind Contribution–Funds donated toward the match for a grant. Can include state, community agencies, or private sector dollar donations, value of donated labor or equipment, materials, etc.
NPS–National Park Service
NTEC–National Transportation Enhancements Clearinghouse
MPO–Metropolitan Planning Organization
RTCA–Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program of the National Park Service
SHPO–State Historic Preservation Office
USFWS–United States Fish and Wildlife Service
Which TEA is which? The most recent federal transportation funding law is , enacted by Congress in August 2005. It was preceded by and ISTEA (1991).
Trails and . |
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, Chapter 7, "Financing Your Acquisition"
 for information on various trail-funding programs at the national and state levels
RTC's Western Regional Office: 
 from our Whole Foods Market 5-percent Community Support Day
, the most recent federal transportation funding law
: A goal to double federal investment in walking and bicycling
Ask Our Listserv: Learn about trail development from the experts! Join our listserv to be connected to over 900 trail managers, advocates and builders across the country.
Go to RTC's Trails and Greenways Publication Library
For more information, please contact the appropriate regional or national office. |
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Acquisition:
Financing/Funding
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Funding trails and greenways takes a bit of ingenuity and a lot of research. We've provided you with the first step here by providing explanations of the various programs that can be used to help fund trails and greenways. Although Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) does not directly fund the development of trails, there are many federal, state and local government funding mechanisms as well as grants, private partnerships and other creative funding methods available to finance the development of your trail.
Sections
Federal Transportation Funding
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Under SAFETEA-LU, the most recent federal transportation funding law, trail funding is available through a variety of programs.
Recreational Trails Program  : This program is funded by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and managed by trail administrators in each state . It is a grant program designed to be competitive; therefore, only projects that meet certain criteria may be funded: maintenance and restoration of existing trails, development or rehabilitation of trailside and trailhead facilities and linkages, acquisition of necessary easements, associated administrative costs, new trails and educational programs. At least 30 percent of all funds must be used for non-motorized trails, and since 1995 this program has helped construct more than 100 miles of trail.
Transportation Enhancements Program (TE) : TE activities are projects that, according to the National Transportation Enhancements Clearinghouse (NTEC), "expand travel choices and enhance the transportation experience by improving the cultural, historic, aesthetic and environmental aspects of our transportation infrastructure." As 10 percent of the Surface Transportation Program, TE is a large potential source of funding for trail projects; more information is available at NTEC's Web site.
Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program (CMAQ) : CMAQ is jointly administered by FHWA and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). Funding is available for both "nonattainment areas" that do not meet federal air quality standards as well as "maintenance areas," former nonattainment areas that are now in compliance with air quality standards. CMAQ provides more than $8.6 billion to state Departments of Transportation, metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), and transit agencies for projects that improve air quality.
Safe Routes to School (SRTS) : Funded by FHWA, SRTS provides funds to improve the safety and availability of bicycle and pedestrian facilities to primary and middle school students. As with the Recreational Trails Program, each state has a SRTS coordinator responsible for administering the program. More information is available at the National Center for Safe Routes to School .
Transit Enhancement Funds: The FTA requires that at least one percent of transit expenditures for urbanized areas of more than 200,000 people (known as 5307 formula funds) go to projects that improve access to transit service. Many of these projects focus on cycling and walking. Contact your transit authority's planner or MPO for more information.
Transportation, Community and System Preservation Program (TCSP) : Only states, MPOs, local governments and tribal governments are eligible recipients of TCSP grants from FHWA, though a nonprofit group could partner with an eligible recipient. TCSP projects should improve the efficiency of the transportation system, reduce the impacts of transportation on the environment, reduce the need for costly future public infrastructure, ensure efficient access to jobs, services and centers of trade, and encourage private sector development patterns. Trails are an eligible use of program funds; in FY 2008 eight trail projects received a total of $5,365,500 in TCSP funds. According to the National Park Service's RTCA program, this discretionary funding source is usually monies requested through elected congressional officials (earmarks).
The federal transportation funding sources listed below apply to a smaller list of potential projects:
Federal Lands Highway Program (FLHP) : FLHP roads serve federal lands for which state and local governments are not responsible. According to the FLHP, these projects promote "recreational travel and tourism, protect and enhance natural resources, provide sustained economic development in rural areas, and provide needed transportation access for Native Americans." Despite being a "highway" program, trails often benefit as they fulfill the recreational travel and tourism requirement of the program.
National Scenic Byways Program : Eligible uses for this discretionary grant program for designated FHWA National Scenic Byways include projects that improve bicycle and pedestrian safety along the byway corridor. Applications for National Byway status are submitted to state departments of transportation and then forwarded to FHWA in a competitive process.
Alternative Transportation in Parks and Public Lands (ATPPL) : Administered by FTA with the Department of the Interior and the Forest Service, this relatively new program (also known as "Transit in the Parks") funds capital and planning expenses for alternative transportation in or near national parks and public lands.
Park Roads and Parkways Program (PRPP) : Jointly administered by FHWA and the National Park Service, PRPP includes three categories of spending; Category 3 is dedicated to Alternative Transportation Systems, including trails. This program is not a grant program but is meant for use by FHWA and NPS for projects within parks.
For a complete list of FHWA and FTA funding sources that can be used for bicycle and pedestrian activity, visit the FHWA Bicycle/Pedestrian Table .
Looking to help expand federal support of trails, cycling, and walking in the next transportation bill? Be sure to take a look at our 2010 Campaign for Active Transportation.
If your project has strong public support, you can tap numerous sources of money to fund your rail-trail. Federal funding mechanisms are not limited to transportation but include recreation, environmental, brownfield, community development and arts programs.
Non-transportation Federal Funding and Assistance
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National Recreation Trails (NRT) : Though not a source of funding, NRT designation from the Secretary of the Interior recognizes exemplary existing trails of local or regional significance. NRT designation provides benefits , including access to technical assistance from NRT partners and listing in a database of National Recreation Trails. In addition, some potential support sources will take NRT designation into account when making funding decisions. The NRT program is open to applications.
Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program (RTCA) : Though not a source of funding, RTCA is a technical assistance arm of the National Park Service dedicated to helping local groups and communities preserve and develop open space, trails and greenways. RTCA is an important resource center for many trail builders in urban, rural and suburban areas. "Instead of money," their Web site notes, "[RTCA] supplies a staff person with extensive experience in community-based conservation to work with a local group on a project."
Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) : This 50/50 matching grant program is administered by state agencies in cooperation with the National Park Service. Program funds are intended for the acquisition and development of outdoor recreation areas; trails are one priority of this program.
Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) : Providing annual grants on a formula basis to local governments and states for a wide range of community planning initiatives, CDBG monies have been used for trails. For example, the Fairfield Heritage Trail in Ohio used CDBG funds for a portion of trail construction. CDBG projects must be used for activities that benefit low- and moderate-income persons, prevent or eliminate slums or blight, and address community development needs having a particular urgency.
Urban and Community Forestry (UCF) : A program of the US Forest Service, UCF "provides technical, financial, research and educational services to local government, non profit organizations community groups, educational institutions, and tribal governments." Trails and greenways are a key part of the program, though Forest Service cooperative programs are in the midst of being redesigned in 2008 .
Public Works and Economic Development Program (PWED) : One of a few investment programs administered by the Economic Development Administration of the US Department of Commerce, PWED is meant to provide funding for "construction or rehabilitation of essential public infrastructure and facilities" that, among other things, can help to "redevelop brownfield sites and provide eco-industrial development."
Historic Preservation Funding Sources: Many trail corridors contain historic structures, often of regional or national significance. Sometimes, the corridor itself is of historic significance. First awarded in 2006, Preserve America is a 50/50 grant program that will match non-federal funds. Administered by the National Park Service and focusing on education and heritage tourism, grants are awarded only to designated Preserve America communities and state Historic Preservation Offices (SHPOs). Trails are a common recipient of Preserve America grants. Administered by the National Park Service, Save America's Treasures grants can be used only to preserve properties and sites listed in the National Register of Historic Places that are of national significance or designated as a National Historic Landmark. NPS also administers the Historic Preservation Fund, which awards matching grants-in-aid to the states for the restoration of properties on the National Register of Historic Places. To look up your state, tribal or territorial SHPO, visit the National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers . For information on the National Register of Historic Places and the process to get a property listed on the Register, visit the NPS National Register of Historic Places Web site .
Brownfields Funding Sources: Many rail corridors are contaminated from years of industrial use. To remediate this environmental pollution, there are many federal and state funding sources for brownfields from which trails can benefit. The Environmental Protection Agency has devoted a section of its Web site to funding and financing for brownfields. Many trails have taken advantage of brownfield funding, including Rhode Island's Woonasquatucket River Greenway Project , the Elkins Railyard redevelopment in West Virginia, and the Assabet River Rail Trail in Massachusetts. A listing from the Trust for Public Land shows examples of brownfields converted to parkland.
Wetlands Restoration Funding Sources: Many railroads were built through environmentally sensitive areas that are now candidates for restoration. Administered by the Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program is a matching grant program designed to assist states in the "acquisition, restoration, management or enhancement of coastal wetlands." States bordering the Atlantic, Pacific, Gulf of Mexico or Great Lakes are eligible. Although trails cannot be the primary beneficiary of these funds, the program has been used to work on trail infrastructure. For example, the Cape Cod Rail Trail underwent some reconstruction to restore a tidal wetland in 2006 using program funds. Related funding sources include the Corporate Wetlands Restoration Partnership , a source of private money for wetlands restoration, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service of the US Department of Agriculture offers technical and financial assistance programs to restore and protect natural resources and wildlife. The U.S. EPA has a full list of federal funding sources for watershed protection .
Although federal programs such as SAFETEA-LU have provided new sources of funding for rail-trail acquisition and development, it is important to obtain local financial support to provide necessary matching funds for federal or state grants, or in case federal or state funding is not available.
State and Local Government Funding
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Cuts in federal spending combined with increased concern by citizens for protecting land have spurred cities and counties to take on a larger role in conservation funding. Funding through state and local governments can often be found in the departments of health, parks, conservation and transportation. RTC maintains a listing of state-level funding sources for trails and our Western Regional Office maintains a summary of trail funding sources in California .
What are some of the best examples of state and local funding sources for trails?
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Pennsylvania: Growing Greener II: From 1995 to 2006, Pennsylvania has invested $43 million in trails through Growing Greener.
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Florida Forever: Devotes 1.3 percent of annual funds ($3.9 million per year) to trails and greenways.
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San Diego, Calif.: Transnet: Bicycle paths and facilities, pedestrian improvements, and neighborhood safety projects receive 2 percent of total program revenue from this half-cent sales tax.
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Clean Ohio Fund: The Clean Ohio Trails Fund, part of a bond passed by voters, provides $25 million over four years for land acquisition and construction of recreational trails.
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St. Louis region: Proposition C: A 0.1 percent sales tax for parks and open spaces that led to the formation of the Great Rivers Greenway, a nonprofit organization spearheading an interconnected system of greenways, parks and trails in the region.
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Seattle: Bridging the Gap: A property-tax levy focused on reducing the city's transportation maintenance backlog, this program will more than double Seattle's annual investment in sidewalks, trails and walkways and nearly quadruple the city's annual investment in bicycle and pedestrian programs.
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South Carolina: H.B. 3015: This bill would give property owners a tax incentive to grant property for building public pathways.
More detailed information on these programs will be coming soon.
Municipal Allocations: The most common sources of funding at the municipal and county level include allocations from a specific department, such as the park and recreation department, or a line item in a consolidated capital improvement program (CIP) budget. Raleigh, N.C., for example, provides supplemental funding for Adopt-a-Greenway projects through its Park and Greenway Improvement Program .
Bond Issues: Local revenues may also be raised through bond issues. Mounting a successful bond campaign is like running any other campaign: you need strong citizen support, participation by local officials and business leaders and hard work. Some communities have also passed referenda to specifically fund trail and greenway projects. The Trust for Public Land maintains LandVote , a database of these local and state referenda.
Heritage Trusts: Many states have set up heritage trusts as funding sources to protect land. For example, the North Carolina Natural Heritage Trust , which is supported in part by fees for vanity license plates, awards funds for conservation and recreation to state agencies, which include funds for trail projects. The Indiana Heritage Trust places a priority on greenway acquisition. Many of these trusts focus on land conservation, so a rail-trail by itself is often not enough to justify funding.
Impact Fees: Regulated by county and municipal subdivision policies, impact fees require residential, industrial and commercial development project leaders to provide sites, improvements and/or funds to support public amenities such as open space and trails. Impact fees may be allocated to a particular trail from land development projects if the fund is a dedicated set-aside account established to help develop a county- or city-wide system of trail projects. Contact your county or city planner to find out more about impact fees for your area. Growth impact ordinances are enforced by counties and cities to estimate the impact of all residential, industrial and commercial development on public park and recreational facilities within a development project's local and regional service zones. The ordinance makes provisions whereby the project developer will set aside the lands or monies necessary to offset the project's specific park and recreational impacts. Another method of raising funds is through a direct property tax. Again, contact your county or city planner for more information.
Revenue from the Corridor Itself
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Salvaging Material: The rails, ties, ballast and other improvements made to the corridor have salvage value and should not be overlooked. Revenue generated from the sale of these items varies widely, depending on local markets, the length of the corridor, and the quantity of salvageable materials. Nebraska's Cowboy Trail , for example, helped fund purchase of its corridor by selling salvageable material. However, salvageable materials often have been sold by the time a trail corridor is in public ownership. For more information on salvaged materials as a source of revenue, look in the Salvaging Material section of the Trail-Building Toolbox.
Leasing to Utilities: A growing source of trail development funds is the leasing of subsurface rights for fiber-optic cables and other utilities. Compatible "joint uses" of a rail-trail corridor include sewer, water and natural gas. Utility companies have also bought abandoned corridors and then donated the land to the state department of natural resources for trail use. Abandoned corridors can provide key links for utility use; working cooperatively with local utilities can help pay for your trail. RTC has more information available on utilities and rail-trails .
Private Funding Sources
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Funds can be found from private sources in numerous ways—from holding bake sales to soliciting foundation grants. But when fundraising, be sure to have a specific goal in mind. As one contributor to the RTC Listserv notes, "It is always easier to raise money when you have a specific operational purpose (e.g. land acquisition or land management) as opposed to general organizational needs." Of all the potential types of funding, private funding sources provide trail builders and managers with the greatest amount of flexibility and opportunity for creative approaches.
Campaigns and Donations: Communities across the country have raised money for development and maintenance of their trails and greenways through various fundraising campaigns. Some groups have "sold" pieces of trail, providing each donor with a "deed" for their segment of the trail. Other groups have also sold trail amenities, such as benches and trees. But donations can be creative – use whatever resources you have! For example, RTC has been working with Bob Whittaker, who also manages the rock group REM, to advance the progress of California's Ferry County Rail Trail . As a part of his fundraising effort, Whittaker asked the band for an autographed guitar to auction off for the trail, and the sale on EBay earned about $1,500 for the Ferry County Trail.
Trust Funds or Endowments: These can be set up to aid funding for acquisition, construction or maintenance and can be administered by a nonprofit group or local commission. Funds can be contributed to a trust fund from government sources, private grants and gifts. One contributor to the RTC listserv notes that transparency is important with a trust fund. "If you do set up a dedicated endowment for land management, I would recommend keeping the endowment's books open to the public and [providing] members and donors with annual financial reports for the endowment."
Foundation and Company Grants: Many foundations and companies provide grants for trail and greenway projects, open space preservation, community development and community health. To obtain larger contributions from foundations or corporations, you will need a full-fledged funding proposal that illustrates the community-wide value of the trail and describes how it will be developed and maintained. Here are just a few examples of grants from private sources that can be used for trail-building:
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The American Hiking Society awards grants from its National Trails Fund for the establishment, protection and maintenance of trails in the United States.
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Outdoor goods store REI invites nonprofits nominated by its employees to submit proposals for funding. The company offers grants in two categories, conservation and outdoor recreation. A recent recipient of an outdoor recreation grant was Alaska Trails .
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The Conservation Alliance , a group of more than 150 outdoor businesses including REI, Patagonia, The North Face and Kelty, disbursed $800,000 worth of grants in 2007, with a focus on habitat conservation and recreation.
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The Wal-Mart Foundation provides grants only to community 501(c)3 organizations. For more information, contact the Community Involvement Coordinator at the closest Wal-Mart or Sam's Club location.
Be Creative!
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You don't need to fill out a grant application every time you need funding. From partnering with local businesses to holding a large event, there are many ways to think outside the box while raising money and awareness.
Partnerships: Explore the possibility of creating partnerships to build and maintain your trail or greenway, potentially through an "Adopt-a-Trail" program. These can be important for not only constructing and maintaining your project, but also building community pride. Try contacting businesses in your area to see if they offer any kind of community support programs. Whole Foods Market, for example, hosts four 5-percent Community Support Days annually, at each store, to support the work of community nonprofits. RTC's national office partnered with a Whole Foods in Rockville, Md., in January 2008. Be sure to take a look at the toolkit from our Whole Foods 5-percent day for ideas to use with your community partnerships. Lastly, don't be shy about appealing to local clubs for volunteer assistance. The Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, the Sierra Club, biking and trail clubs, birding clubs and local civic clubs are all potential sources of help.
Events: Who doesn't enjoy good music, food and company? In June 2008, the Lassen Land Trails and Trails Trust put on Bridgefest, a two-day music festival in Susanville, Calif. The proceeds were donated to the trust's Trails Endowment Fund, which is working to raise money to rebuild a bridge along the Bizz Johnson Trail that burned in a 2000 wildfire. Trail builders and managers might organize fundraising events such as dinners, parties, festivals, fairs, raffles or concerts to raise funds nearby. Or try events along the trail route itself, such as a hike-a-thon, walk-a-thon, bike race or foot race. One RTC Listserv contributor suggested holding a "poker run" along the length of the trail, where trail supporters collect cards along the way, and the finisher with the best hand wins a prize.
Volunteer Opportunities: Military units with construction expertise are sometimes willing to assist with construction of trails on federal land. One RTC Listserv contributor with the Foothills Trail in Pierce County, Wash., worked with the the Washington Air National Guard and the 864th Engineering Batallion out of Fort Lewis to completely refurbish railroad bridges. While not a source of funding, this resource could be helpful for some trail projects. Check with ARC's Toolbox for the Great Outdoors for more information. The Take Pride in America program, operated by the Department of the Interior, serves to mobilize civilian volunteers to help improve federal lands. The Corporation for National and Community Service runs numerous volunteer programs, including AmeriCorps, that could provide useful labor for your trail. ARC's Toolbox for the Great Outdoors has more information on utilizing volunteers .
Public Art Funding Sources (State and Federal): Many trails feature the arts as a core component, such as along the Steel Valley Trail section of the Great Allegheny Passage near Pittsburgh. Funding sources for public art can often be found at the state level; arts agencies in Maryland and Iowa , for example, offer grant programs for public art. The National Assembly of State Arts Agencies can direct you to your state's arts agency with their national map . On the federal level, one of the most well-known resources is the National Endowment for the Arts , which operates numerous grant programs supporting public art. Federal transportation Enhancement funds (see above, "Federal Transportation Funding") can also be used to support public art and beautification along trails , such as Colorado's America the Beautiful Trail . The National Trails Training Partnership features a section on art for trails and greenways.
Still curious for more fundraising possibilities? The National Trails Training Partnership has a list of 95 innovative funding ideas to keep your creative juices flowing.
These various funding sources offer a wide range of options. In many cases, a project can be funded using a combination of local, state and federal sources. Creativity, combined with a comprehensive evaluation of all potential funding sources, can help your group find the money necessary to make your trail a reality.
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