Deadline: 27-Aug-21
The Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation (FPR) is offering Vermont Outdoor Recreation Communities Pilot Grant Program to community(ies) that can show measurable success supporting and growing their local economies through leveraging outdoor recreation.
Goals
The program is closely tied to the goals of the VOREC steering committee which are to:
- Grow outdoor recreation-related businesses.
- Increase participation in outdoor recreation activities among all demographics.
- Strengthen the quality and extent of outdoor recreation resources.
- Increase stewardship of outdoor recreation resources and environmental quality.
- Promote and enjoy the health and wellness benefits of outdoor recreation.
Recognizing the wonderful variety and complexity of Vermont’s existing outdoor recreation infrastructure, assets, and use, it is important to note that outdoor recreation is defined by VOREC and the community grant program as leisure, sport and therapeutic recreation activities pursued outdoors, mainly in a natural setting. Outdoor Recreation encompasses a wide scope of potential activities and the role of VOREC and the grant program is to elevate the knowledge base and potential of traditional and growing outdoor recreation activities.
Eligible Activities
- Wayfinding & Interpretation: Public access improvements including maps and/or other informational materials.
- Environmental Stewardship: Program or material needs related to environmental quality and stewardship of recreation assets.
- Recreational Programming: Program, material, or equipment support for existing or new outdoor recreation events and programs.
- Land Acquisition: Acquisitions are limited to municipalities (ex. Buying/conserving a town forest).
- Capital Projects: Signage/kiosks/maps, or small scale/leveraged outdoor recreation infrastructure improvements.
- Community Marketing: Marketing activities (a percentage of a project/the program).
- Community Planning: Planning activities, including assessments or and/or mapping (a percentage of a project/the program; application cannot be for planning only).
- Administrative Support: Administrative activities (a percentage of a project/the program).
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must establish a dedicated project team which includes a broad range of stakeholder representation (e.g. municipal staff/volunteers, education, businesses, RPCs, RDCs, outdoor recreation, social justice or environmental organizations).
- Municipal entities
- Preferential consideration will be given to municipalities that are a state designated downtown or designated village center.
- A consortium of municipalities is also welcome to apply. Consortiums must designate a “Sponsoring Municipality” in the application. The sponsoring municipality will be the team lead and fiscal agent.
- Non-profit organizations
- Must demonstrate community support and include municipal team member(s)
- Must be nonprofits with missions compatible with VOREC (recreation, conservation, trails, health among others)
For more information, visit https://fpr.vermont.gov/recreation/recreation-grants/vorec-community-grant-program
