The program is co-administered by Parks & Trails New York and the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Its mission focuses on enhancing the preservation, stewardship, interpretation, maintenance, and promotion of New York State’s parks, trails, state historic sites, and public lands. Additionally, it aims to increase the sustainability, effectiveness, productivity, and volunteer and fundraising capabilities of not-for-profit organizations dedicated to these areas while promoting tourism and economic development through outdoor recreation.
The Park and Trail Partnership Grants aim to enhance and promote New York State parks, trails, state historic sites, and public lands through a $2 million capacity-building matching grants program. This program focuses on increasing sustainability, effectiveness, productivity, volunteer and fundraising capabilities of not-for-profit organizations. It also aims to promote tourism and economic development benefits of outdoor recreation. Additionally, Step-Up Grants support organizations by covering costs associated with achieving 501(c)(3) status and conducting organizational assessments. Grants can go up to $20,000 with a $500 match requirement.