Capital Trail outdoor Equity Fund
The Virginia Capital Trail Foundation (VCTF) exists to protect, promote, and enhance the Virginia Capital Trail, and to serve as a resource, community builder, and connector to other trails throughout the Commonwealth. The Capital Trail Outdoor Equity Fund was established in 2021 with the goal of increasing equitable access to the Capital Trail. All Virginians deserve access to safe, protected bike-and-pedestrian infrastructure and outdoor recreation.
Our funding goals are outlined as:
Increase access and equity to low-income neighborhoods through outdoor recreational programs that provide outdoor experiences and utilize the Virginia Capital Trail.
Provide recreational and fitness programming for underserved communities with an emphasis on BIPOC (black, Indigenous and people of color), tribes, and people with physical or intellectual disabilities.
This grant will fund programs or projects that serve BIPOC, tribes, low-income neighborhoods, and people with physical or intellectual disabilities utilizing the Capital Trail. These programs and projects will work toward building equity and access in outdoor recreation involving the Capital Trail.
Who Can Apply? Any certified nonprofit organization or state, local, regional, tribal, educational or government entity. For-profit companies and individuals are not eligible.
How Much Funding Is Available? Grants will be given a minimum of $1,000 to a maximum of $5,000. A total of $20,000 is available. We're grateful to Dominion Energy and Bon Secours for funding the Capital Trail Outdoor Equity Fund. VCTF is also funding this program because of our belief in equity in the outdoors.
What Will Be Funded? Program and operating expenditures.
How To Apply? Apply through our online application by August 19th 2023.
Are There Final Report Obligations? Grantees must complete a final report by December 9th 2024. If a final report is not received, funding may be asked to be returned to the Virginia Capital Trail Foundation. In order to reapply for the next grant cycle (next summer), the final report must be submitted.
When will applicants be notified of their status? At the beginning of October.
Questions? Email info@virginiacapitaltrail.org.
To access the Capital Trail Outdoor Equity Fund Final Report, click here.
The next round of applications will open in the Summer of 2024. Please watch this page and our social media accounts for updates.
Outdoor equity FUnd awards over $70K
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 Bon Secours, Dominion Energy, our board of directors, and our Trail supporters for helping provide quality outdoor experiences for our underserved communities.”
Congratulations to our 2024 Grant Recipients!
AUTISM SOCIETY OF CENTRAL VIRGINIA
BEYOND BOUNDARIES
BLACK GIRLS RUN! FOUNDATION
BLUE SKY FUND
THE FOUNDATION FOR ART AND HEALTH
GIRLS IN GEAR
GIRLS WHO HIKE VIRGINIA
RICHMOND CYCLING CORPS
RICHMOND URBAN COLLECTIVE
SPORTABLE
VIRGINIA DOWN SYNDROME ASSOCIATION
For more information about the Outdoor Equity Fund and this year’s recipients, please click here.
