Route to Parks Grants
At Parks California, we believe that everyone deserves a world-class park experience in California and that all can benefit from a lifelong connection with nature.
To ensure the California State Park system is more welcoming, accessible, and relevant to all visitors, Parks California is proud to launch the second year of the Route to Parks Grants program. Through this program we aim to improve park access for all Californians so they can create authentic connections with nature.
Do you share our passion for increasing access to California state parks?
2021-2022 GRANT ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
For this round of funding, we are seeking proposals that address the following criteria:
- Provide transportation to a California state park or beach, and offer a valuable recreational, environmental, cultural, or historical learning experiences;
- Reach underrepresented communities who may face challenges getting to or enjoying parks;
- Address those parts of the state with the greatest transportation needs;
Preference will be given to programs that:
- Deliver memorable experiences in state parks through collaboration with other stakeholders to build expertise and deliver programs that they alone would not be able to provide
- Provide participants with multiple meaningful outdoor experiences in parks
- Have an innovative transportation approach
Under this grant cycle, Parks California anticipates grant awards will average $15,000. Applicants should apply for projects that start November 1, 2021 with an intention of completion by October 31, 2022.
Parks California will hold a webinar on June 15, 2021 to discuss Route to Parks Grants goals and address common questions regarding the application process. Potential applicants are encouraged to attend though it is not required that you be on the webinar to submit a proposal. Registration link.
Grant guidelines are attached here for your reference. Proposals will be submitted through our grant software launching in June 2021. You’ll find the link to the grant management portal here!
Proposals are due by 5 p.m. on August 6, 2021
2021 ROUTE TO PARKS
GRANT CYCLE AND IMPORTANT DATES
| Informational Grant Proposal Webinar | Parks California will host a webinar on June 15, 2021 at 2 p.m. to discuss Route to Parks Grant goals and address common questions regarding the application process.
Click here to sign up for the webinar. |
| Office Hours | Staff will be available during “office hours” from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. to answer questions by phone on June 22, 23 and 24, 2021.
To schedule a 15-minute meeting during “office hours”, please email grants@parkscalifornia.org. Meetings will be accepted and confirmed after the June 15 webinar. |
| Proposals Due | Friday, August 6, 2021 at 5 p.m. PDT |
| Grant Awardees Notified | Week of October 18, 2021 |
| Grant Agreements Due | Friday, October 29, 2021 |
| Grantee Welcome Call (1 hour) | Tuesday, November 2, 2021 at 10 a.m. |
| Mid-Year Report Due | Monday, May 31, 2022 |
| Final Report Due | Wednesday, November 30, 2022 |