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 is proud to offer the Route to Parks grants program to local organization who are helping people develop a connection, appreciation, and love for nature.
Donor Name: Parks California
State: California
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 08/05/2022
Size of the Grant: $15,000
Grant Duration: 1 year
Details:
The Route to Parks grants program is focused on providing experiences in State Parks to underrepresented communities. Studies have shown that communities of color continuously have unequal transit access to large public green spaces1. For example, in Los Angeles, 41% of lower-income households do not have immediate access to a park, and many large regional parks, including state parks, do not have direct transit line access. By supporting local organizations that are addressing the physical and mental barriers to access that park-poor communities face, they collectively support communities in their personal journey to connecting with the outdoors.
In the first two years of the Route to Parks grants program, grantees have connected thousands of people with their State Parks and Beaches providing positive and memorable experiences outdoors. For many participants, these programs marked their first visit to a State Park or Beach, and 83% of participants reported wanting to expand their visits.
Funding Information
- Parks California anticipates grant awards will average $15,000.
- Programs should be completed within the grant cycle year, November 2022 – October 2023.
Eligibility Criteria
- For the 2022-2023 Route to Parks grants cycle, they are seeking proposals that address the following criteria:
- Provide transportation to a California State Park or Beach;
- Offer valuable and positive recreational, environmental, cultural, or historical learning experiences;
- Reach underrepresented communities who may face financial challenges getting to or enjoying parks (often defined by government agencies as disadvantaged); and
- 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;
- Programs that foster collaboration and partnership with California State Parks.
Who can apply?
Nonprofits including 501 c3; California State Park partners such as cooperating associations, friends’ groups, etc.; K-12 institutions and City/County.
For more information, visit Parks California.
