AHS grants serve hiking trails across the country.
Since the early 1980s, the nonprofit American Hiking Society has helped protect trails and other outdoor recreation sites through advocacy and volunteerism. In addition to trail building, fund raising and conservation initiatives, the society offers yearly grants through its National Trails Fund. These grants help construct new foot trails and protect existing sites. Visit the American Hiking Society's website for the latest grant information and up-do-date application deadlines.
Basics
The American Hiking Society created the National Trails Fund in 1998. As of 2011, this fund is the only privately supported national grants program that funds grassroots organizations in their efforts to establish, maintain and conserve American foot trails. These grants award community organizations with the financial assets needed to secure labor and materials for foot trail building or maintenance.
Amounts
As of 2011, grants from the American Hiking Society's National Trails Fund have awarded 157 grassroots community organizations across the United States with a total of almost $487,000. Award amounts start at $500 and reach up to $5,000. The needs and scale of each proposed foot trail project determine the amount of the grant awarded by the AHS fund.
Requirements
National Trails Fund grants cater only to nonprofit community organizations with valid IRS designation letters. Only members of the Alliance of Hiking Organizations may apply for grants from the fund. Projects may last no longer than one year, with very few exceptions. The American Hiking Society considers awarding grants to projects that cater mostly to hikers, though it does consider some multi-use trail proposals. Commonly funded projects include securing trail lands, acquiring new trail corridors, improving ease of access, bolstering safety, restoring damaged trails and promoting constituency. The AHS posts up-to-date application information at its official website.
Past Recipients and Projects
In 2010, the American Hiking Society awarded 10 grassroots community organizations---including the Gray Community Endowment of Maine, the Friends of Thorn Creek Woods in Illinois and the Tahoe Rim Trail in Nevada---with National Trails Fund grants. In the past, recipients have used NTF funding for surveying, topographic mapping, purchase of gates and bridges, equipment expenses, debris removal, volunteer incentives, signage, promotional materials, administrative costs and more.
Tags: American Hiking, American Hiking Society, Hiking Society, National Trails, National Trails Fund, Trails Fund, community organizations
