ROUTE TO PARKS
GRANTS PROGRAM
Photo Credit: City Heights Community Development Corporation
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At Parks California, we believe everyone deserves a world-class park experience and the opportunity to create a lifelong connection with nature. However, barriers like limited transportation options can prevent many from enjoying the great outdoors.
To bridge this gap, we launched the Route to Parks grants program in 2020. This initiative supports local organizations in overcoming transportation challenges, ensuring historically marginalized communities can visit and enjoy California State Parks.
Together, we’re fostering connections with nature. In just four years, we’ve supported 85 organizations to create transformative outdoor experiences. We’re excited to continue this journey and proud to offer the grants program for a fifth cycle, bringing nature closer to all.
To help ensure that all communities, including people who have been historically marginalized, have an opportunity to visit and enjoy California State Parks, Parks California launched the Route to Parks grants program in 2020 to support local organizations that are best able to address transportation and other obstacles faced by these communities.
Together, we are helping people develop a connection, appreciation, and love for nature. Over the past three years, we have provided grants to more than 40 organizations across the state that, in turn, have been able to create transformative experiences in nature for their communities. Focused on providing experiences in State Parks to underrepresented communities, we are proud to offer this grants program for the fifth cycle.
This program is made possible through a public private partnership, supported by private fundraising by Parks California, and the California Department of Parks and Recreation’s Waterway Connections Initiative. Route to Parks is aligned with the goals of California Natural Resources Agency’s Outdoors for All program. Through this partnership, Parks California is excited to expand the Route to Parks grants program this year with increased opportunities for water-related outdoor access and experiences. Through this program, we aim to improve park access for all Californians so they can create authentic connections with nature.
Big City Mountaineers
For the 2025 grant cycle, we are seeking proposals that address the following criteria:
Preference will be given to proposals that:
Eligible applicants include:
Parks California held a webinar on July 8, 2024 to discuss Route to Parks Grants goals and address common questions regarding the application process.
Watch the webinar replay here.
Under this grant cycle, Parks California anticipates grant awards will average $25,000. Applicants should apply for projects that start January 1, 2025, intending to be completed by December 31, 2025. A preview of the grant guidelines can be accessed here. Proposals will be submitted through Parks California’s grants management system.
Important Note — Applicants are required to discuss the proposed project with California State Park staff in each District where programming is proposed. Due to the summer’s busy season, we highly encourage you to begin conversations with the park, beach and/or land manager you intend to visit as soon as possible. These early conversations can help inform your on-site activities and resources needed. You will need to provide the name and contact information of the State Parks employee with whom you discussed your proposal.
Proposals are due by 5 pm on August 28, 2024.
2025 ROUTE TO PARKS
GRANT CYCLE AND IMPORTANT DATES
Office Hours
Staff will be available during “community office hours” on July 17th, July 25th, August 5th, and August 21st from 10-11 am. To sign up for “community office hours,” please select a session here.
Staff will also be available for 15 minute slots during individual “office hours” at select times. To schedule an individual “office hour” session, please select an available time at this link . If none of the formal office hour times work with your schedule, please email grants@parkscalifornia.org.
Proposals Due
Wednesday, August 28, 2024 at 5 pm PST
Grant Awardees Notified
Early December 2024
Grant Agreements Due
Mid-December 2024
Past Grant Recipients
