Grants

Great ideas deserve great support.

Every year, supporters make it possible to award over $40,000 in grants for the development of trails and citizen trail organizations in Indiana. Trails include those for walkers/runners, cyclists, horseback riders, as well as water trails for canoeists and kayakers.

We are currently accepting grant applications for 2024 projects.  Maximum awards are $10,000 for trail projects and $1,000 for start-up funds (legal and IRS application fees) for those interested in establishing a nonprofit trail group.

Grant Information

Download the grant packet contents to get started:

To apply:

  1. Complete the documents

  2. Submit (upload) documents via email via “submit button” below

Because our goal is to assist communities throughout the state in realizing the economic, social and health benefits of linear parks, the Greenways Foundation of Indiana (GFI) will provide a fund matching and other forms of support to 501(c)(3) organizations to accomplish projects which protect, enhance, preserve or develop areas throughout Indiana for enjoyment and use by the public.

Grant Requirements:

Applicant will have a funding match of GFI’s grant funding 50% or less of the entire project. Requests for grants shall be in electronic format and shall consist of the following:

  1. A completed grant application cover sheet using the format provided.

  2. A project proposal (not to exceed two pages) containing the following information: a. Project name (as shown on cover sheet) and a brief description of the project (not to exceed two lines).

  3. Details of the project, including whether the project will be carried out by contract and/or by volunteer efforts, including the amount of volunteer effort (not to exceed 2000 characters).

  4. A budget, including specific information about the kinds of materials and equipment needed and probable sources of supply and cost. Include list of in-kind donations and other funding sources anticipated. (See sample.)

  5. Dates project will begin and end. Grant projects are expected to be completed within 1-year of grant approval. If additional time is needed to complete the project, an extension request can be submitted via written letter or email.

  6. A description of how the project will protect, enhance, preserve and/or develop greenways or blueways for the enjoyment and use by the public; or how an educational curriculum will promote the understanding of participants toward the protection, enhancement or preservation of greenways and/or blueways.

  7. Include a list of measurable objectives to be achieved by the project (not to exceed 2,000 characters).

  8. A brief overview of the applicant organization, including (not to exceed 2,000 characters):

    1. Information on its mission, history and membership profile.

    2. Its objectives in undertaking this project.

    3. Its plans for promoting, completing, operating and maintaining the project upon completion. d. Other organizations cooperating in the project.

  9. All grant applications will be submitted electronically.

For grant related questions or to submit a grant application, please submit by clicking “Submit Application” button below.