Funding Opportunities in the South Mountain

We are excited to be offering this list of funding opportunities in the region, but we need your help to populate the list! Know of a funding source in the South Mountain? Email Julia Chain at jchain@appalachiantrail.org

Please use this list as a starting point, and please remember to confirm eligibility and information as programs can change from year to year.

NameCountyFunding TypeAmount
Adams County Parks, Recreation and Green SpaceAdamsThe Program Goal is to provide funding for the preservation of agricultural lands, open space, parklands, historical and cultural resources and the development of recreational and trail projects. $25,000
HGAC’s Barn Preservation Project and Grant ProgramAdamsMatching funds may be requested for the stabilization and rehabilitation of barns that are: 1. Listed on the HGAC Adams County Barn Registry 2. Originally constructed for the shelter of livestock and/or storage of farm equipment or agricultural products. 3. Over 50 years old. 4. In need of substantial repair, and retains a significant degree of historic character and material.$2,500
South Mountain Partnership Grant ProgramsAdams, Cumberland, Franklin and YorkFlex and Mini Grant serve to fund projects protecting landscape resources across the South Mountain Region.
Wild East Action FundAllLand protection and organizational capacity-building projects that have accelerated the pace of conservation within the Appalachian Trail landscape.Up to $25,000 and $100,000
Coldwater Conservation Implementation GrantsAllused to pay for equipment, materials, meeting expenditures, construction activities and other services to implement recommendations. up to $10,000
Coldwater Conservation Planning GrantsAllfor the creation of a Coldwater Conservation Plan that will ultimately conserve and protect the coldwater streams of Pennsylvania.up to $7,500
Greenways, Trails, and Recreation Program (GTRP) DCEDAllProjects which involve development, rehabilitation and improvements to public parks, recreation areas, greenways, trails, and river conservation.

up to $250,000
Watershed Restoration and Protection Program (WRPP)AllProjects which involve the construction, improvement, expansion, repair, maintenance or rehabilitation of new or existing watershed protection Best Management Practices (BMPs).

up to $300,000
The Trail Capacity ProgramAllThe Trail Fund’s vision is to engage the trail, outdoor recreation, and conservation industry giving community to partner with critical stewardship organizations to save our trails.

$2,000-$15,000
PA DCNR Community Conservation Partnerships Program GrantsAllDCNR’s Bureau of Recreation and Conservation (BRC) assists local governments and recreation and conservation organizations with funding for projects related to: Parks, Recreation and ConservationVaries
Healing the Planet Grant ProgramAllTo improve the health and quality of waterways which will help protect water resources and improve the overall health of communities.Varies
America the Beautiful Challenge AllThe ATBC vision is to streamline grant funding opportunities for new voluntary conservation and restoration projects around the United States. This RFP consolidates funding from multiple federal agencies and the private sector to enable applicants to conceive and develop large-scale, locally led projects that address shared funder priorities spanning public and private lands.$200,000 ++
Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC)AllGrants for historic preservation planning and construction and Certified Local Government.Varies
Trail Grants ProgramAllThrough our Trail Grants Program, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) emphasizes strategic investments that support significant regional and community trail development goals. Many of our funded projects are small in scope and scale and can be hard to finance within traditional funding streams. These projects are essential to building, maintaining and managing the trails that so many of us love and that communities rely upon for recreation, transportation and economic vitality.
Cumberland Valley Visitors Bureau Tourism Grant ProgramCumberlandProjects representing heritage, cultural, agricultural and experiential tourism.Paused
Land Partnerships Grant ProgramCumberlandThe Land Partnerships Grant Program provides financial assistance to municipalities and non-profit organizations for the purpose of agriculture preservation, natural resource protection, creation of parks, trails & greenways and planning and ordinance assistance projects.Up to $20,000-$100,000
York County Open Space and Land Preservation Grant ProgramYorkFunds to acquire land for natural resource protection or parkland. Funding is also available to York County municipalities to conduct planning studies and to develop portions of comprehensive plans and ordinances to address the County Comprehensive Plan’s open space, land protection, sensitive natural features, and agricultural protection-related goals and objectives.Up to $25,000-$100,000