The statewide advocacy group Parks & Trails New York (PTNY) recently awarded almost $15,000 in Growing the Grassroots capacity building grants to eight not-for-profit park and trail organizations. The groups will use the funds to increase organizational visibility, generate community support, grow membership, and attract additional volunteers.

Since it initiated the awards program in 2009, PTNY has assisted 54 organizations in 36 New York counties. The Oneida Improvement Committee, Inc. received $1,500 for the design of a website to help recruit volunteers, attract donations, and transform the organization as it leads the effort to create an 11 mile, city-wide multi-use trail network.

“The Oneida Improvement Committee is grateful to be awarded this grant, which will enable us to reach our goal of having all of our information in one location reachable by all. This website is sure to increase volunteerism, attract donations and awareness to the Oneida Rail Trail project,” said Joe Magliocca, Oneida Improvement Committee president.

PTNY’s program is unique in that it supports activities not normally covered by existing grants. Most grants available to not-for-profits fund capital projects and specific programs. PTNY’s Growing the Grassroots capacity building grants focus on developing and strengthening the skills, processes, and resources that will allow park and trail groups to thrive and better foster the expansion, stewardship, and promotion of New York’s parks and trails.

“Hundreds of not-for-profit organizations are working to build, protect, and promote our state’s parks and trails which contribute so much to our economy and quality of life,” said Robin Dropkin, Parks & Trails New York executive director. “With our Growing the Grassroots grant program, we can help propel these groups to new levels, enabling them to leverage more private funding and marshal more volunteer power to aid their stewardship efforts.”

Parks & Trails New York is the leading statewide advocate for parks and trails, dedicated since 1985 to improving the health and quality of life of all New Yorkers by working with community organizations and municipalities to envision, create, promote, and protect a growing network of parks, greenways and trails throughout the state for all to use and enjoy. The Oneida Improvement Committee, Inc. the not-for-profit partner of the Oneida Rail Trail echoes this mission by working to improve the quality of life for the residents of Oneida.

More information on the Growing the Grassroots grant program and Parks & Trails New York can be found at www.ptny.org or by calling 518-434-1583.