CAPITAL TRAIL OUTDOOR EQUITY FUND AWARDS $21,360

Established in 2021, the Capital Trail Outdoor Equity Fund has now awarded over $70,000 for recreational programs that build equitable outdoor access utilizing the Virginia Capital Trail, a 52-mile recreational resource connecting communities from Richmond to Williamsburg.

“We were impressed with the diversity of the projects being requested and are thrilled to be able to support twelve organizations this year,” shares Cat Anthony, executive director of the Virginia Capital Trail Foundation. “I am grateful to The AES Corporation, Dominion Energy, our board of directors, and our Trail supporters for helping provide quality outdoor experiences for our underserved communities.”

2 0 2 5 G R A N T R E C I P I E N T S

AUTISM SOCIETY OF CENTRAL VIRGINIA

Project: Outdoor Recreational Opportunities for Autistic Adults to Increase Health & Wellness

Description: The ASCV has been proud to serve as one of the region’s premier sources of education, advocacy, services, and support for individuals with autism, their families and friends, and professionals. The funding will support their partnership with Beyond Boundaries to provide hiking, fishing, boating, and rafting adventures along the Virginia Capital Trail for adults with autism.

Mission: The mission of the Autism Society of America is to create connections, empowering everyone in the Autism community with the resources needed to live fully.

BEYOND BOUNDARIES

Project: Biking is for Everyone!

Description: Beyond Boundaries provides outdoor adventure and environmental education opportunities to individuals with disabilities, at-risk youth, substance recovery programs, and veterans. They will utilize the funding to purchase a program called 'All Kids Bike.' This program comes with an online training certificate curriculum that will allow their staff and volunteers the ability to learn and get certified to teach youth and adults with all abilities how to ride a bike. The program also comes outfitted with a fleet of 8 bikes (adult/youth balance bikes), helmets, and pedal adaptions.

Mission: The mission of Beyond Boundaries is to offer individuals of all ability levels, no matter physical, cognitive, or economic situation, the opportunity to experience outdoor activities with the surrounding community.

BLACK GIRLS RUN! fOUNDATION

Project: Black Girls RUN! University (BGR! U)

Description: Funding will support a 10-week training program that teaches African American women in Richmond ages 21 and up how to successfully complete a 5K. The participants will be outfitted in appropriate gear and paired with a personalized coach. The program will consist of masterclasses taught by a coach, dietitian, and physical therapist, and will culminate with participants running a 5K on the Virginia Capital Trail.

Mission: Black Girls RUN! wants to encourage African-American women to make fitness and healthy living a priority. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 80% of African-American women are overweight. BGR! wants to create a movement to lower that percentage and subsequently, lower the number of women with chronic diseases associated with an unhealthy diet and sedentary lifestyle.

Charles City County Public Schools

Project: Bike Rodeo

Description: To host a Bike Rodeo that would also serve as a School Engagement event for students, parents, and the community. Funds will be used to purchase bicycles to be used at the rodeo for students/parents who may not have their personal bicycles, and to provide safety equipment to attendees. The program will include a partnership with the Charles City Parks and Recreation, Charles City Sheriff's Department, and other ocal bicycle shops and organizations.

Mission: Charles City Public Schools provides educational excellence to all students by offering diverse learning experiences, multiple career pathways, and real-world exposure to develop well-rounded citizens.

the foundation for art and health

Project: Connecting Communities: Enhancing Outdoor Experiences on the Virginia Capital Trail

Description: This 9-month initiative will focus on organizing inclusive outdoor events and activities that promote physical fitness, community building, and enjoyment of the natural environment along the Virginia Capital Trail.

Mission: To use creative arts to improve health and well-being.

gIRLS IN GEAR

Project: Fall Season in Williamsburg and Richmond

Description: Expand program reach and provide an additional 30 girls with the opportunity to participate in an eight-week season of Girls in Gear. Funds provide scholarship funding, bikes, and helmets to ensure that financial barriers do not prevent any girl from joining, and support training and ongoing support of our volunteer coaches.

Mission: Helping girls to become the biggest, boldest, and bikiest versions of themselves, one mile at a time.

Pretty Purposed

Project: Pretty Purposed Girl Circles

Description: Pretty Purposed provides programs to adolescent and teen girls residing in the Tri-Cities (Petersburg and Hopewell) and surrounding counties of Dinwiddie and Sussex. Outdoor education increases academic engagement, supports mental health, and physical fitness, and exposes girls to nature. The trail provides participants with an opportunity that may lead to a love of the outdoors. Girls engage in leadership by planning a trip, giving them both voice and choice.

Mission: Pretty Purposed inspires communities to empower girls and young women.

RAG & bONES bICYCLE cO-oP

Project: Camp Spokes Overnight Adventure

Description: Camp Spokes is a free week-long bicycle adventure day camp for Middle and High School aged girls and gender variant youth created by Rag and Bones Bicycle Cooperative and Groundwork RVA. Since 2021, they have worked together to create a camp in which young girls and gender-variant youth can come together in their love of cycling and feel empowered to learn how to work on their own bikes and go on new biking adventures. Funding will provide the essential expansion of the Camp Spokes fall programming which teaches bike camping and helps build stamina for long-distance adventure cycling.

Mission: Rag & Bones is a member-driven and volunteer-run non-profit educational space that aims to provide near universal access to bicycle repair and technical knowledge, affordable bicycles and parts, and a space within which to feel safe and welcome while learning and repairing.

Richmond Cycling Corps

Project: Elevate the Kickstand

Description: The Kickstand is a bicycle rental shop that is uniquely located near the James River Park System and is directly on the Virginia Capital Trail. Funding would help lift the Kickstand so it is not quite so susceptible to damage from normal fluctuations in river level and high-volume rain. This would include beautification projects, wooden deck repair, seating or a picnic table for trail users to enjoy, and curb appeal with nice landscaping and sun shades.

Mission: To educate and empower the lives of Richmond youth living in the heart of the East End by constantly pivoting towards relevant outreach.

rICHMOND ouTDOOR gEAR lIBRARY

Project: Hiking 101

Description: Funding will provide two hiking workshops. The first “Hiking 101 Workshop” will take place in April 2025. This free half-day program will cover introductions to basic safety, gear, navigation, and outdoor First Aid. Participants can also explore and practice identifying local plants, trees, and animals. Each portion of the workshop will emphasize key factors related to hiking in Richmond’s spring climate. In October we will have a second workshop focused on Richmond’s fall climate.

Mission: To increase access to the outdoors for the community by providing gear and information.

sportable

Project: Adaptive Cycling for Adults and Youth with Physical Disabilities

Description: Sportable offers the largest adaptive cycling program in the region designed for youth and adult athletes with physical disabilities and visual impairments. Athletes will be fitted to the appropriate cycle from our inventory of hand cycles, recumbents, tandems, and adapted upright cycles and tricycles. The program is divided into two tracks and holds separate sessions for each. Recreational cycling is geared towards athletes new to the sport or just seeking an option for regular exercise and enjoyment. Coaches teach athletes about safety, proper form, and skills development, tailored to each athletes’ abilities and interests within the sport. One of their recreational cycling programs takes place at Dorey Park over three 8-week sessions in the spring, summer, and fall.

Mission: To make sports accessible and inclusive for people with physical disabilities and visual impairments.