Money will support fundraising efforts
(Canastota, NY – March 2013) Capacity Building Grants totaling $18,000 were recently awarded by the statewide advocacy groups Parks and Trails New York (PTNY) to 11 not-for-profit trail organizations. The groups will use the funds to increase organizational visibility, generate community support, grow membership, and attract additional volunteers.
PTNY’s program is unique in that it supports activities not normally covered by existing grants. Most grants available to not-for-profits fund capital projects and specific programs while PTNY’s capacity building grants focus on developing and strengthening the skills, processes, and resources that will allow park and trail groups to thrive and become more engaged partners with state and local government.
“Hundreds of not-for-profit organizations are working to build, protect, and promote our state’s parks and trails—helping to provide not only places to engage in healthy physical activity and close to home recreation but also additional tourist dollars to strengthen local economies,” said Robin Dropkin, Parks and Trails New York Executive Director. “With this grant program, we have been able to propel groups to new levels and enable them to leverage more private funding and marshal more volunteer power to better fill the growing gaps in government spending.”
Since it initiated the awards program in 2009, PTNT has assisted 36 organizations in 25 New York counties.
The Great Swamp Conservancy received a $600 grant, which will be used to hire a professional who will train the Board of Directors in the different aspects of fundraising. “This will lead toward self sustainability for the GSC,” said GSC President Michael Patane. “The PTNY has formed a strong partnership with the GSC and funded us in the past. This grant will be another step forward to becoming self supporting.”
For more information about PTNY visit www.ptny.org.