Chapter 15—Working With Funders and Volunteers
Sometimes, projects can be planned and constructed more quickly with outside help, such as volunteer assistance, funding, and partnership agreements. Researching such opportunities increases the likelihood of success and often builds support for the project. Chapter 16—Learning From Others includes several case studies that illustrate successful projects involving interagency cooperation, volunteer labor or materials, and grants.
Funding and Partnership Opportunities
Funds for trails, recreation sites, and bridges are available from government agencies and the private sector. Developers, associations, foundations, corporations, organizations, private companies, and individuals often fund trail systems or segments.
Sometimes, land developers build and dedicate recreation amenities—such as trail segments—on their developed lands. To do so, the developer or owner submits detailed improvement plans for approval to a land management agency, such as a municipality or county planning department. After completion, some developers dedicate trails and other improvements to the managing agency. These types of projects generally require a legally binding agreement that secures the easement of the trail route, access, and connections with other facilities.
Funding Proposals
Securing funds for well-planned projects or programs requires some form of proposal, application, or written request. Successful funding applications clearly state program goals, effectively substantiate need, and include reasonable budgets.
Identify potential funding sources for all or parts of the project. A coalition of partners can diversify and disperse funding responsibilities. Many private grants come from individuals as direct gifts or bequests. Many large corporations also have grant or assistance programs for projects that relate to their interests or geographic areas. In addition, government funding is often available from Federal, State, or local agencies.
Search the Internet, public libraries, and grant libraries for funding opportunities and possible partnerships. Focus the search to match resource eligibility requirements with project qualifications and needs. Prioritize funding sources by degree of match and the chance of success.
Each funding source has its own grant application process with a set of instructions and accountability requirements. Federal and State funds usually require a matching revenue source and have strict guidelines. Many grant applications require detailed supporting documents—budgets, timelines, monitoring plans, project justification reports, and anticipated outcome statements. Many funding agencies or organizations require a specific document format, completion of standardized forms, or a prescribed set of materials. Many funders provide guidelines and directions to help applicants complete the paperwork.
Resource Roundup
Write That Grant
The Grants Information Collection at the University of Wisconsin has a Web page devoted to Proposal Writing: Internet Sources: http://grants.library.wisc.edu/organizations/proposalwebsites.html with links to nongovernmental and governmental online resources, research articles, cooperating collections throughout the United States, and a list of printed materials.
Before beginning a grant request, verify that the grantor is still interested in funding trail or recreation site projects. Determine the current fiscal cycles and required submittal dates and get the latest application requirements. Grant and funding information changes constantly—contact the agency or visit the Web site for the most current information.
Resource Roundup
Online Funding Resources
Appendix B—Trail Libraries, Trail Organizations, and Funding Resources lists some organizations and agencies that offer databases or links to funding and partnership resources.
Creative Fundraising Ideas
When matching funds are required, organizations may have to supply 50 percent or more of the project's total cost. Read the funding source's definition of allowable matching funds carefully. Sometimes contributed labor and materials count as matching funds at specified rates. Many private groups hold fundraising events to augment financial resources and to build project support and awareness. In many cases, sponsorships offset fundraising expenses or underwrite specific portions of projects. Only imagination limits the possible fundraising activities. Choose a variety of events that will energize the entire community to support the project.
Resource Roundup
Fun With Fundraising
Many organizers of fundraising events charge an entry fee or admission price, offer sponsorships, or do both. Possible sponsors include local media, retailers, equipment manufacturers, recreation or health organizations, schools, and private individuals. Here are some fundraising ideas:
- Hoofs, heels, and wheels—Arrange a relay
race between teams of riders, mountain bikers,
and hikers. This event has the added benefit of
building positive relationships.
- Benefit trail rides—Arrange events around a
theme, such as riding with a celebrity, or plan
a ride to follow a special route, such as an
endurance course or historic trail.
- Fund-a-foot or trail catalog sales—Offer
sponsorships for proposed sections of trail.
Sponsors purchase, for example, a portion of
the tread or a trail gate. Offer various cost
levels to encourage broad support.
- Equine Expo—Showcase the world of horses
and their kin through public demonstrations,
exhibits, and educational offerings. An
equestrian art exposition is a variation of this
idea.
- Limited edition or specialty sales—Raise money with royalty programs for specialty license plates (figure 15–1), trail products, or services. These approaches may be a good way to help pay for recurring expenses such as trail maintenance.
For even more ideas that can be adapted to local or regional projects and funding, refer to Eighty-five Creative Funding Ideas for Trails and Greenways (Macdonald 2003). The information, along with other fundraising articles, is available at http://www.americantrails.org/resources/funding.
Figure 15–1—Specialty license
plates appeal to many people
who otherwise might not
participate in a fundraising
activity.
Volunteer Opportunities
Many equestrian clubs arrange special events that foster partnerships with agencies, landowners, developers, and others that can help create trails, trailheads, and campgrounds.
Volunteer equestrians generally have a great sense of stewardship and respect for the natural environment—a reflection of their desire to preserve riding habitats for themselves and future generations. Riders and their stock are particularly well suited to help on trail and recreation site projects, in part because the stock can haul heavy items (figure 15–2). Volunteers also assist with funding, construction, cleanup, and similar efforts. Such contributions supplement the resources of land management agencies and increase public awareness of volunteer stewardship projects.
Figure 15–2—Equestrian volunteers and their stock can
contribute significantly to the success of a trail project.
The Three Rs of Volunteer Stewardship
One approach to an equestrian volunteer program includes a three-part, continuous cycle of activity—recruiting, retaining, and rewarding volunteerism. Each of these activities enhances the ongoing availability of well-informed, trained volunteers and stewards.
Recruit
The first phase of any volunteer program is to recruit groups or individuals who are willing to work. A volunteer recruitment campaign might:
- Distribute fliers, posters, and announcements
to public land management offices, equestrian
businesses and facilities, outdoor retailers, and
equestrian publications.
- Announce volunteer opportunities through Web
sites and e-mail notices.
- Post volunteer signup forms at equestrian
events and distribute the forms to community
organizations.
- Distribute videos to public schools, libraries, and
community organizations.
- Distribute announcements to youth groups—4-H clubs, Scout programs, pony clubs, youth corps, junior equestrian organizations, and so forth.
Retain
Successful volunteer programs provide activities that keep volunteers interested and increase their skills and knowledge. They might:
- Provide information about available levels of
volunteer activities.
- Provide a stewardship orientation program for new
volunteers.
- Ask volunteers to sign a stewardship agreement
formalizing their commitment.
- Establish a mentoring program that encourages
an experienced volunteer to work with a new
volunteer.
- Conduct construction, maintenance, and safety
workshops to educate volunteers about proper
techniques.
- Establish a program to train trainers and reach
more volunteers.
- Provide fun rides and events to sustain volunteer
interest.
- Record volunteer hours accurately and offer
incentive rewards or acknowledgement.
- Inform volunteers about changes that affect communication.
Reward
Volunteers enjoy recognition for their efforts—particularly by their peers or the media. There are many ways to recognize a volunteer's contribution:
- Provide a signature item that designates a level
of accomplishment, such as a special pin, badge,
bandanna, hat, saddle pad, saddlebag, bridle
ornament, or jacket.
- Provide written recognition using newsletter
articles, media releases, Web site articles, and
magazine interviews.
- Provide certificates of appreciation or recognize a
volunteer at regular community or organizational
meeting.
- Arrange an interview between a local radio
personality and the volunteer to promote an event
or to recognize a successful volunteer effort.
- Post volunteers' hours in newsletters, at meetings,
and at other locations that provide opportunity for
recognition.
- Establish award levels, such as the Most
Outstanding Volunteer Work Event or Volunteer of
the Year.
- Install a recognition plaque along the trail or in the recreation site.
