Access digital copies of guides and regulations publications from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.
Issue link: http://digital.outdoornebraska.gov/i/1521208
Bring in potential local and private funders early. There is an old saying "If you want advice, ask for money. If you want money, ask for advice." Build relationships with these funders and connect your goals with theirs. Be clear on what you are asking for and what will be delivered. Make your timeline clear and realistic so there are no major surprises. Present your project in the context of community and how they can be a part of that. You want to be able to stay connected with them throughout the process and beyond. Keep them in the loop on how the project is progressing. Find a fiscal agent for your trail project. This would be an organization that can accept and distribute funds. The Nebraska Trails Foundation, a community foundation, or other 501c3 organizations are great options. Fiscal agents can also purchase land, accept land donations, and hold land for future use. Small trail projects may be easily funded by the community through fundraising and donors or may fit within a current land manager budget. Large projects may need grants, large fundraising campaigns, outside donors, and/ or inclusion in future budget planning. Grant proposal processes can take months to years from proposal to award. Getting a project into a public entity's budget may require advocacy for the next fiscal year's budget. Investigating your options early will help in setting a realistic timeline for your project. APPLYING FOR GRANTS Application, management, and funding requirements are different for every grant. Research potential options early so you know what you need and what to expect. Tips • Using data that justifies your ask is essential in all grants. Consider utilizing the state and regional information available in the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP, found on Nebraska Game and Parks' website). • You might want to also use information provided to you by your constituents; see more in the Design section of what that could look like. • Carefully review the request for proposal. Does your group and project meet the eligibility requirements? Does the timing of the grant make sense for your project? Will you be able to fulfill the reporting requirements? • Many grants require "match." Match is the amount of money you must provide in addition to the grant award. The grant will outline what types of match funding is or is not allowed. Matching funds are typically cash or in-kind resources. • In-kind match funding can come by leveraging staff, equipment and resources already in your group. For example, volunteer trail builder hours can be logged and calculated at a local standard wage. This dollar amount can then be included as match. Using a Fiscal Agent: The Dark Island Trail The City of Central City purchased the abandoned railway from Hwy 30 to 1 mile south of Central City in October of 2014. In order to develop the trail, the Nebraska Trails Foundation (NTF) worked with the city as their fiscal agent. A Peter Kiewit grant awarded to the NTF allowed for developing this new segment of the 10-mile trail. The trail surface was developed in addition to parking areas along the trail and at the trailhead. Grant management by NTF made this possible. Cross-country skiing at Branched Oak State Recreation Area. 18 FUNDING