Home
About Us
Join Us
Festival
Trail Map (PDF)
Grant Program
Safety & Education
Unique Features
News & Events
Links
Grant Program
The Cedar Trails Partnership Grant Program
The Cedar Trails Partnership awards grants to projects committed to Partnership goals of expansion and improvement of the Cedar Valley trail system. Grants are awarded periodically based on available funds. Mini grants, up to $500, may be applied for throughout the year.
Grant applications for projects of up to $10,000 are currently being sought. Applications are due January 15, 2009. Click here for a downloadable Application and Guidelines (PDF).
Eligible Projects
Cedar Trails Partnership grant moneys may be used as matching funds or primary funds for trail projects in Black Hawk and contiguous counties. Eligible projects include those that will:
- expand or improve the recreational trail system
- maintain the trails to the highest obtainable standards of safety, beauty and utility
- promote the trail system as a recreational resource and a vacation and tourism destination
- educate trail users in trail etiquette and safe trail use
Minimum grant: $500
Maximum grant: $10,000
Application deadline: January 15, 2009
Announcement of grant awards: March 15, 2009
Recognition Stipulation
Any project funded partially or in whole by the Cedar Trails Partnership must bear the words "Provided by the Cedar Trails Partnership," or words to that effect. The Partnership shall have final approval of all media releases concerning the grant and of the recognition of the grant as a funding source for the project.
Policies
Cedar Trails Partnership grants will be awarded periodically with funds generated by the Cedar Trails Festival and other activities. The Partnership gives higher priority to projects which provide long-term benefits to the Cedar Valley recreational trail system and its users.
Grant Decisions
All requests for funds are voted upon by the Board of the Cedar Trails Partnership and awarded through a majority vote of the voting-eligible members present at a regularly scheduled February meeting. Board Members who are employed by or otherwise involved with the applicants shall abstain from the vote, though they may participate in the discussion of the applications. The Partnership will send written notice to all applicants informing them of the Board's decision.
Grant Project Scoring Criteria
Applications shall be judged on the basis of the following criteria, though the project's score may not be the only factor considered in the decision:
- Degree to which the project impacts all trail users (20 points maximum).
- Degree to which the project impacts the safety of trail users (20 points maximum).
- Degree to which the project enhances the trail environment (20 points maximum).
- Degree to which the project uses grant funds to leverage greater public or private investment in the form of services and materials as well as dollars (15 points maximum).
- Degree to which the project promotes and recognizes the Partnership (10 points maximum).
- Degree to which the project involves other community groups (10 points maximum).
- Grantee's future commitment to the project (10 points maximum).
- Degree to which the project promotes increased trail usage and local tourism (10 points maximum).