Durham County Open Space Grant Program – USA – Funds for NGOs

Deadline: 13-Nov-24

The matching grant program is designed to assist non-profit organizations in County Durham, both inside and outside the city limits, in preserving open spaces and promoting new or improved recreational opportunities for the citizens of County Durham.

Grants help secure public lands and outdoor recreation facilities through civic initiative, support and participation.

Funding information

• Grant Amount: Up to $5,000

Eligible projects

• Projects eligible under the Matching Grant Program must fit within the broad range of open space and recreation objectives adopted by the DOST. The objectives of DOST are the following:
• Objectives of DOST
  • Its main mission is to plan the conservation of:
    • Environmentally significant sites such as those identified in the Durham Inventory.
    • The county’s scenic river corridors, especially the Eno River, Little River, Flat River and New Hope Creek.
    • Critical ecological lands, such as wetlands and watersheds.
    • Lands that represent Durham’s rural heritage, important farmland, scenic byways and important historic open spaces.
    • To provide opportunities for greenways, trails and rail-to-trail connections throughout the county, including corridors designed by the Urban Trails and Greenways Commission (now the Open Space and Trails Commission), the Triangle Greenways Council and the Mt. sea ​​path.
    • To support the provision of areas for active recreation.

Eligibility criteria

• Eligible groups are nonprofit organizations recognized by the Internal Revenue Service and the State of North Carolina or its agents that seek to provide recreational or open space opportunities in Durham County. Eligible applicants will meet the following additional criteria:
  • Groups with an outstanding Collaborative Grant project in County Durham will be eligible for a new grant if progress is demonstrated on the current grant and the additional grant complements or completes phases of the original grant.
  • The project is considered active until reaching the twenty-four (24) month completion date as specified in the Grant Agreement. If a project is not completed at this time, it will be considered incomplete unless a grant extension is granted.
  • The project will be considered complete only after the final report and reimbursement request have been received and accepted by county officials.
  • All groups or organizations administered by a common board or council will be considered a single entity for purposes of administering the Matching Grant Program.

Criteria for ineligibility

• Capital improvements for indoor primary recreation such as swimming pools, recreation centers, basketball courts, etc.
• Support facilities that constitute more than fifty percent (50%) of the total project costs.
• Staff or volunteer time spent on recreational programs or fundraising.
• Expenses for refreshments or food and beverages.
• Supplies and materials such as uniforms, bats, balls, medals, trophies, etc. purchased for recreational programs.
• Membership fees, such as a league franchise fee.
• Utilities such as water, electricity, telephone, etc., purchased routinely for a completed project.

For more information visit County Durham.