You are viewing 11 posts with the tag grants
The Circuit is Center Stage in New Civic Commons Initiative Funded by the Willliam Penn & Knight Foundations
It may be snowing in Philadelphia today, but this week the city got a huge dose of sunshine from the William Penn Foundation and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. The two came together in Fairmount Park’s beautiful Horticultural Center to announce an $11 million grant to the Fairmount Park Conservancy that’s all about “Reimagining the Civic Commons.” The grant will leverage public and other private dollars to develop five public space projects in the city, including the Bartram’s Mile trail project. Part of the Circuit, Bartram’s Mile is a trail and greenway project, by Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and Schuylkill River Development Corporation, along the lower Schuylkill River that will transform industrial brownfields into an urban park.
The Circuit plays a critical role in this new Civic Commons work, as the region’s trail network will be a primary conduit for connecting these five public spaces and opening access to them for residents from all parts of the city. Here’s what William Penn’s Shawn McCaney (Creative Communities Program Director) had to say: “Philadelphia’s momentum is palpable. Because of its beautiful public spaces and civic assets, the city is increasingly recognized as a world-class destination for visitors and tourists. The Civic Commons initiative is designed to bring high-quality amenities, like the ones placing Philadelphia on a world stage, to all of our residents, especially those in our most underserved communities. And by connecting many of these destinations through the Circuit, we promote social and community inclusion within and between neighborhoods across the city, unite neighborhoods that presently may stand alone, and work to ensure that Philadelphia is, indeed, a place for all Philadelphians.”
Read more about Reimagining the Civic Commons in some of the week’s news coverage: Plan Philly, Philadelphia Tribune
DVRPC Announces TCDI Planning Grant Funding
On March 5th the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) announced a new competitive round of Transportation and Community Development Initiative (TCDI) planning grants.
- Supporting local planning projects that will lead to more residential, employment or commercial opportunities in areas designated for growth or redevelopment;
- Improving the overall character and quality of life within the region to retain and attract business and residents;
- Enhancing and utilizing the existing transportation infrastructure capacity to reduce demands on the region’s transportation network;
- Reducing congestion by promoting the use of transit and bike and pedestrian transportation modes;
- Building capacity in our older suburbs and neighborhoods;
- Reinforcing and implementing improvements in identified Centers and;
- Protecting our environment through growth management and land preservation
If you municpality or County is interested in applying to TCDI they have to attend a mandatory meeting next Tuesday (March 18th) at DVRPC. The pre-proposal meeting will be held 4pm-6pm, Tuesday, March 18, 2014 at DVRPC Offices, 8th Floor of ACP Building, 190 N. Independence Mall West, Philadelphia, PA 19106. All attendees must RSVP for the meeting to .
A local government official (staff, elected or appointed) must represent the municipality or county. Consultants to the local governments are not considered representatives for this meeting.
To learn more about TCDI go to http://www.dvrpc.org/tcdi/
Navigating State and Federal Aid In New Jersey
Last weekend at the New Jersey Bike and Walk Summit, NJ DOT Local Aid and Economic Development Director Mike Russo and Safe Routes to School to Coordinator Elise Bremer-Nei gave a very informative presentation on the Bicycle and Pedestrian funding opportunities available for Local Public Agencies (LPA's). LPA's include Counties, Municipalities, Bridge/Transit Authorities as well as School Districts.
This presentation is very timely as NJ DOT and DVRPC are about to announce new funding rounds for 1) Transportation Alternatives/Transportation Enhancements (TAP/TE) and 2) Safe Routes To School (SRTS).
In the past TE and SRTS competitive funding rounds have been extremely popular and over subscribed. For the last round in 2012 NJDOT received TE 149 applications that requested a total of $78M. Of that $10M was awarded to 29 of those projects. This 2014 soliciatation will be $15.5M for TAP/TE and $5.6M for Safe Routes to Schools statewide.
NJDOT is working on a strategy to ensure that project sponsors get the information they need to develop good project applications and complete projects successfully. Follow this blog for announcements of upcoming training opportunities and seminars.
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, Northeast Regional Office now accepting applications for the Trail Assistance Mini-Grant Program in Pennsylvania
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, Northeast Regional Office is now accepting applications for the Trail Assistance Mini-Grant Program in Pennsylvania.
With funds provided through the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, RTC is able to distribute a small amount of match funding to rail-trail projects in Pennsylvania.
Grant awards average $5,000 or less, with a maximum of $10,000. All projects require a 50 percent (of the total project cost) match from the applicant.
The application deadline for 2014 is Feb. 28, 2014, and awards will be announced March 25, 2014.
The mini-grant program managed by RTC can assist trail organizations or municipalities that need to make small repairs and improvements to their trail outside of the regular PA DCNR grant schedule, and well below the higher-dollar amounts usually requested on major grants.
Improvements completed through this program should represent added value to the trail either by increasing the existing length or by way of new construction that makes the trail more usable. Examples of likely projects include bridge decking, culverts, gates/bollards, bridge inspection, landscaping, signage, toilet facilities, trailhead improvements and way-finding signs. Purchase of a major piece of equipment may be considered.
Guidelines for the program, along with a list of projects previously funded, is available on the RTC website.
Please contact Patricia Tomes directly (717.238.1717 or ) with any questions regarding the eligibility of your project.
PA's Greenways, Trails Funding Program Deadline is July 31
Download the guidelines for a complete understanding of the program and the requirements.
Overview
Act 13 of 2012 establishes the Marcellus Legacy Fund and allocates funds to the Commonwealth Financing Authority (the “Authority”) for planning, acquisition, development, rehabilitation and repair of greenways, recreational trails, open space, parks and beautification projects using the Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program (GTRP).
The application deadline for the program is July 31, 2013 for consideration at the November 13, 2013 CFA Board meeting.
Guidelines
GreenwaysTrailsRecreation_Guidelines-2013.pdf
Uses
Projects which involve development, rehabilitation and improvements to public parks, recreation areas, greenways, trails and river conservation.
Funding
Grants shall be awarded to eligible applicants for projects that do not exceed $250,000. Most projects require a 50% local match of the total project cost. Applications from municipalities with a population of fewer than 5,000 require a 20% match of the total project cost. Match may be cash or non-cash and must be directly related to the approved scope of work.
Eligibility
- Municipalities
- Councils of Governments
- Authorized Organization
- Institution of Higher Education
- Watershed Organization
- For-Profit Businesses
How to Apply
Regional Trail Program Phase III Opens for Applications
The third round of trail funding has been announced by the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC). This round will be available for design and construction of trails within the Circuit. Applications are due on April 5th. More information is on the Funding Opportunity Announcement. Up to $4 million is available and no project may receive more than $500,000.
The Regional Trail Program was created by a grant from the William Penn Foundation. The first two rounds provided grants for planning, design and construction of 29 projects throughout the nine county region covered by DVRPC.
Rails to Trails PA Trail Mini-Grants Available
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, Northeast Regional Office is now accepting applications for the Trail Assistance Mini-Grant Program in Pennsylvania.
With funds provided through the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is able to distribute a small amount of match funding to rail-trail projects in Pennsylvania.
Grant awards average $5,000 with a maximum of $10,000 and all projects require a 50 percent (of the total project cost) match from the applicant.
The application deadline for 2013 is February 28, 2013 and awards will be announced March 25.
The mini-grant program managed by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy can assist trail organizations or municipalities that need to make small repairs and improvements to their trail outside of the regular PA DCNR grant schedule, and well below the higher-dollar amounts usually requested on major grants.
Improvements completed through this program should represent added value to the trail either by increasing the existing length or by new construction that makes the trail more usable. Examples of likely projects include bridge decking, culverts, gates/bollards, bridge inspection, landscaping, signage, toilet facilities, trailhead improvements and way-finding signs. Purchase of a major piece of equipment may be considered.
Complete details, including an application form, guidelines and list of projects which have been funded are available on our web site.
Please contact Pat Tomes directly with any questions regarding the eligibility of your project.
Patricia Tomes
Program Manager, Northeast Regional Office
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
717-238-1717
March Deadline for Keystone Preservation Projects & Construction Grants
These grants are available in amounts between $5,000 - $25,000 and require a 50/50 cash match. The deadline to apply is March 1, 2013.
The Keystone Historic Preservation Projects & Construction grants “support projects that identify, preserve, promote and protect historic and archaeological resources in Pennsylvania” and are available thru the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund. The grant is are available for historic resources listed, or eligible for listing, in the National Register of Historic Places. Questions could be directed to Karen Arnold at or 717-783-9927
Project and construction grants are available, but applicants may apply for only one type of grant. Project applications may include municipal planning initiatives for historic resources or project-specific planning goals. Construction grants are available for rehabilitation, preservation and restoration activities for historic resources that are publicly accessible.
Additional details can be found under "Grants and Funding" at www.phmc.state.pa.us
NJDEP Accepting Recreational Trails Grant Applications
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection is accepting applications for Recreational Trails Program (RTP) grants. The deadline for applying is February 15th, 2013
These grants are relatively small, the maximum allowable award is $25,000. But these grants can be combined with other funding sources and on their own can fund signage, trail maintenance/rehabilitiation or complete small sections of pathway in parks. RTP grants cannot pay for feasibility studies or land aquisition for non-motorized trails.
For details on the State Rec Trails Program go to http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/natural/trail_grants.htm.
