Funding Opportunities in the South Mountain
We are excited to be offering this list of funding opportunities in the region, but we need your help to populate the list! Know of a funding source in the South Mountain? Email Julia Chain at jchain@appalachiantrail.org
Please use this list as a starting point, and please remember to confirm eligibility and information as programs can change from year to year.
| Name | County | Funding Type | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adams County Parks, Recreation and Green Space | Adams | The Program Goal is to provide funding for the preservation of agricultural lands, open space, parklands, historical and cultural resources and the development of recreational and trail projects. | $25,000 |
| HGAC’s Barn Preservation Project and Grant Program | Adams | Matching funds may be requested for the stabilization and rehabilitation of barns that are: 1. Listed on the HGAC Adams County Barn Registry 2. Originally constructed for the shelter of livestock and/or storage of farm equipment or agricultural products. 3. Over 50 years old. 4. In need of substantial repair, and retains a significant degree of historic character and material. | $2,500 |
| South Mountain Partnership Grant Programs | Adams, Cumberland, Franklin and York | Flex and Mini Grant serve to fund projects protecting landscape resources across the South Mountain Region. | |
| Wild East Action Fund | All | Land protection and organizational capacity-building projects that have accelerated the pace of conservation within the Appalachian Trail landscape. | Up to $25,000 and $100,000 |
| Coldwater Conservation Implementation Grants | All | used to pay for equipment, materials, meeting expenditures, construction activities and other services to implement recommendations. | up to $10,000 |
| Coldwater Conservation Planning Grants | All | for the creation of a Coldwater Conservation Plan that will ultimately conserve and protect the coldwater streams of Pennsylvania. | up to $7,500 |
| Greenways, Trails, and Recreation Program (GTRP) DCED | All | Projects which involve development, rehabilitation and improvements to public parks, recreation areas, greenways, trails, and river conservation. | up to $250,000 |
| Watershed Restoration and Protection Program (WRPP) | All | Projects which involve the construction, improvement, expansion, repair, maintenance or rehabilitation of new or existing watershed protection Best Management Practices (BMPs). | up to $300,000 |
| The Trail Capacity Program | All | The Trail Fund’s vision is to engage the trail, outdoor recreation, and conservation industry giving community to partner with critical stewardship organizations to save our trails. | $2,000-$15,000 |
| PA DCNR Community Conservation Partnerships Program Grants | All | DCNR’s Bureau of Recreation and Conservation (BRC) assists local governments and recreation and conservation organizations with funding for projects related to: Parks, Recreation and Conservation | Varies |
| Healing the Planet Grant Program | All | To improve the health and quality of waterways which will help protect water resources and improve the overall health of communities. | Varies |
| America the Beautiful Challenge | All | The ATBC vision is to streamline grant funding opportunities for new voluntary conservation and restoration projects around the United States. This RFP consolidates funding from multiple federal agencies and the private sector to enable applicants to conceive and develop large-scale, locally led projects that address shared funder priorities spanning public and private lands. | $200,000 ++ |
| Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) | All | Grants for historic preservation planning and construction and Certified Local Government. | Varies |
| Trail Grants Program | All | Through our Trail Grants Program, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) emphasizes strategic investments that support significant regional and community trail development goals. Many of our funded projects are small in scope and scale and can be hard to finance within traditional funding streams. These projects are essential to building, maintaining and managing the trails that so many of us love and that communities rely upon for recreation, transportation and economic vitality. | |
| Land Partnerships Grant Program | Cumberland | The Land Partnerships Grant Program provides financial assistance to municipalities and non-profit organizations for the purpose of agriculture preservation, natural resource protection, creation of parks, trails & greenways and planning and ordinance assistance projects. | Up to $20,000-$100,000 |
| York County Open Space and Land Preservation Grant Program | York | Funds to acquire land for natural resource protection or parkland. Funding is also available to York County municipalities to conduct planning studies and to develop portions of comprehensive plans and ordinances to address the County Comprehensive Plan’s open space, land protection, sensitive natural features, and agricultural protection-related goals and objectives. | Up to $25,000-$100,000 |
| Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant Program (CFI) | All | The Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant Program (CFI Program) is a new competitive grant program created by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to strategically deploy publicly accessible electric vehicle charging and alternative fueling infrastructure in the places people live and work – urban and rural areas alike – in addition to along designated Alternative Fuel Corridors (AFCs). | |
| Network for Landscape Conservation Catalyst Fund | All | The Catalyst Fund strives to accelerate the pace and practice of landscape conservation and stewardship across the United States by making strategic investments in strengthening the collaborative capacity of place-based, community-grounded Landscape Conservation Partnerships. | one- or two-year grants of up to $25,000 in total |
| Keep Communities Flowing Grant Program | All | The American Water Charitable Foundation supports three pillars of giving: Water, People and Communities | |
| Water Trail Urgent Issue Mini-Grants | All | Grants are available for projects that can quickly and efficiently address an urgent issue on a designated Pennsylvania Water Trail. Urgent issues are those that are causing, or could reasonably be expected to cause, an unsafe or dangerous situation for those wishing to access the river for recreation. | up to $2,000, must include dollar-for-dollar match |
| Tourism Product Development Grant | Cumberland | The Tourism Product Development (TPD) Grant is intended to increase the number or products, experiences and services that draw overnight visitors to the Cumberland Valley. Awarded grant projects will increase the number of visits, length of stays and spending by visitors in the County. | Applicants for the TPD Grant can request between $25,000-250,000 |
| Tourism Recovery Grant | Cumberland | The new Tourism Recovery Grant is designed to help tourism-related industries recover from the Covid-19 Pandemic | Applicants can request between $2,500-$10,000 |
| Agriculture and Youth Grant Program | All | The Pennsylvania Ag & Youth Grant Program provides direct grants and matching grants to help fund eligible projects, programs and equipment purchases conducted or made by an organization composed mainly of youth, or an organization with programs that benefit youth, and organized to promote development in the areas of agriculture, community leadership, vocational training and peer fellowship. | |
| Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator Program | All | This program is designed to pair access to existing small business consulting services with financial resources up to $2,000 for creative entrepreneurs who aspire to start their own for-profit business or who operate an existing for-profit micro business. | Up to $2,000 |
| Small Business Advantage Grant | All | The Small Business Advantage Grant provides reimbursement grants ranging from 50% to 80% of eligible project costs to Pennsylvania small businesses to improve energy efficiency or reduce pollution or waste. | Maximum grant award amounts will vary from up to $5,000 to up to $8,000 |
| Kittatinny Ridge Conservation Landscape Mini-Grant Program | The Kittatinny Ridge Conservation Landscape (KRCL) Mini-Grant Program helps partners protect this globally important and locally cherished ridgeline by offering funding for projects that help advance the KRCL’s strategic goals, including: protecting land to advance wildlife and water conservation (non-acquisition work); building identity and ownership in the KRCL as a valued natural asset; municipal outreach and adoption of local programs and policies; and scientific research. | Grants up to $10,000 | |
| REI Cooperative Action Fund | All | REI offers the REI Cooperative Action Fund, a community-driven nonprofit that exists to provide support for nonprofit organizations across the country doing the deep and essential work to create a more equitable outdoors for everyone. | |
| Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) | All | The RACP is a Commonwealth grant program administered by the Office of the Budget for the acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational, and historical improvement projects. RACP projects are authorized in the Redevelopment Assistance section of a Capital Budget Itemization Act, have a regional or multi-jurisdictional impact, and generate substantial increases or maintain current levels of employment, tax revenues, or other measures of economic activity. | A RACP project must have a total cost of at least $1,000,000 and have a 50% match at the time of application. |
| Chesapeake Bay Innovative Nutrient and Sediment Reduction Grants | Chesapeake Bay Watershed | The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the federal-state Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP) partnership, is soliciting proposals through the Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund to restore water quality and habitats of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributary rivers and streams. | |
| EPA Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants Program | All | The Community Change Grants will fund community-driven projects that address climate challenges and reduce pollution while strengthening communities through thoughtful implementation. | Track I will fund approximately 150 large, transformational community-driven investment grants of $10 million – $20 million. Track II will fund approximately 20 meaningful engagement grants of $1 million – $3 million. Grants cannot exceed 3-years in duration. |
| Community Change Equitable Resilience Technical Assistance | Eligible sites for this technical assistance must be in a disaster-prone area and benefit a disadvantaged community. | The Community Change Grant Equitable Resilience technical assistance will provide free design and project development assistance, community engagement, and partnership development workshops that support climate resilience and environmental justice activities in disaster-prone areas. | |
| Clean Water Grant Program | Cumberland | The Clean Water Grant Program (CWGP) provides financial support for “shovel-ready” initiatives that aim to enhance local water quality in Cumberland County. | No minimum or maximum grant award amount. |
| Local Share Account (LSA) Category 4 Facilities Program | Cumberland, York | Projects in the public interest. Projects that improve the quality of life of citizens in the community. Eligible projects must be owned and maintained by an eligible applicant or a nonprofit organization and be located within a county hosting a Category 4 licensed gaming facility. | Grant amounts will vary based on the specific project requirements. |
| Local Share Account (LSA) Statewide | Adams, Franklin | Projects in the public interest. Projects that improve the quality of life of citizens in the community. Eligible projects must be owned and maintained by an eligible applicant or a nonprofit organization. | Grant amounts will vary based on the specific project requirements. |
| Multifamily Weatherization Assistance Program (WAPM) | All | Pennsylvania’s Multifamily Weatherization Assistance Program provides a cost-effective approach to lowering operating expenses, maintaining affordability, and creating healthier, more comfortable living environments for low-income families living in buildings with 5 or more units. | Amount vary based on specific project requirements. |
| Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) | All | Tax credit program to encourage businesses to invest in projects which improve distressed areas. | Tax credit percentage varies |
| PA State Small Business Credit Initiative (PA-SSBCI) | All | PA-SSBCI includes three programs to support private financing for small businesses: Loans for small businesses, Equity investments in existing and emerging technology companies, and Loans for venture capital general partners to invest in PA small businesses. | |
| Public School Facility Improvement Grant Program | All | The Public School Facility Improvement Grant Program (PSFIG) provides grants to public school districts and area career and technical schools for eligible facility improvement projects. | Grants are available for eligible improvement projects with a total project cost of $500,000 or more. Grants shall not exceed $5,000,000 for any project. |
| Sports Marketing and Tourism Account Program (SMAT) | All | The purpose of the account is to attract high-quality, amateur, and professional sporting and e-sports events to this Commonwealth with the goal of advancing and promoting year-round tourism, economic impact, and quality of life through sport. | |
| Chesapeake Gateways Network Grants | Projects/Programs conducted within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed | The NPS Chesapeake Gateways Office is offering this competitive grant opportunity to strengthen communities’ ability to enhance public education of and access to the Chesapeake Bay watershed as detailed in the Chesapeake Bay Initiative Act of 1998. Categories for Funding include: “Linking Tourism and Economic Development” and “Event Support” | $10,000 – $100,000 depending on grant |
| Boating Infrastructure Grant Program | All | Eligible project activities include the construction, renovation and maintenance of transient tie up facilities. Boating infrastructure refers to features that provide stopover places for transient non-trailerable recreational vessels to tie up. These features include transient slips, day docks, floating docks and fixed piers, navigational aids, and dockside utilities including electric, water, and pumpout stations. | Tier 1 provides funding for small-scale projects (up to $300,000 available annually in PA). Tier 2 projects compete nationally for larger fund requests. |
| Pennsylvania Abolition Society (PAS) Grants | All | Funds programs that work to improve conditions of African Americans throughout Pennsylvania. Examples of proposals include projects confronting racism, preserving African American monuments, promoting multicultural arts, exposing children to multicultural opportunities, offering recognition awards, etc. | $500 – $2,000 |
| Network to Freedom Grant Program | All | The grant program aims to further the preservation, interpretation, and education of Underground Railroad history. | $1000 – $100,000 |
| Latinos in Heritage Conservation Grant Program | All | The grant program is designed to empower grassroots, Latinx-focused nonprofit organizations and community groups working tirelessly to protect and uplift Latinx history and cultural contributions across the United States. | $5000 – $100,000 |
| The Nature Conservancy’s Resilient and Connected Appalachians Grant Program | All | The grant program is designed to empower grassroots, Latinx-focused nonprofit organizations and community groups working tirelessly to protect and uplift Latinx history and cultural contributions across the United States. | $5000 – $100,000 |
| PA Environment Digest Grants & Awards Listing | All | Provides grants for fee and easement acquisition projects throughout the Appalachians. | up to $100,000 |
| Pedestrian and Bicycle Funding Opportunities: U.S. Department of Transportation Highway, Transit, and Safety Funds | All | This document indicates likely eligibility for pedestrian and bicycle activities and projects under U.S. Department of Transportation surface transportation funding programs. | Varies |
| Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission Keystone Historic Preservation Grant | All | The grant program is open to nonprofit organizations and municipal governmental entities who own and operate historic sites that are eligible for or are listed in the National Register of Historic Places. | Varies |
| Partnership for Better Health Grants | Northern Adams County, Western and Central Cumberland County | Grants fund work related to health equity and social determinants of health. Funding opportunities include General Operating Grants for Organizations Leading in Equity Work, Project Grants to Address Root Issues, and Spark Grants. | Varies |
| Mid-Atlantic Environmental Justice Fund | All | A grant program that leverages forestry to address environmental justice (EJ) issues in the Mid-Atlantic. | Varies |
| Clean Water Grant Program | Cumberland County | The CWGP provides financial support for “shovel-ready” initiatives that aim to enhance local water quality in Cumberland County. | Varies |