We're a volunteer organization that must raise all the money required to fund our projects. We:
- identify groups that provide funding
- determine if we meet their criteria
- prepare proposals
- wait (and hope!) that our requests are granted
- once granted, we manage the projects to completion
Over the last several years, our main funding partners have been:
1- Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
- we received funding through the Innovative Communities Fund (ICF) which "invests in strategic projects that build the economies of Atlantic Canada's communities"
- it provides investment in significant infrastructure to help improve our local environment, while helping attract people and business investment
- funds from ACOA are matched by funds from other sources and from donations and volunteer labour
- read more about the funding HERE
2- Nova Scotia Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) Fund
- this fund is for projects that provide increased access to safe, managed OHV trails and riding areas
- the fund comes from a $40/vehicle fee collected annually by the provincial government from each OHV owner when they register their ATV, Four Wheeler, Trail Motorcycle and/or Snowmobile
- in recent years, over 50% of our grants have come from the OHV Fund
- more about the fund : http://novascotia.ca/natr/ohv/fund.asp
3. Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage
- there are two programs available -- one for trail development and another for maintenance projects
- in recent years, over 20% of our grants have come from NSHW programs
- more about the programs : https://cch.novascotia.ca/trail-funding-programs
4. Municipality of the District of Lunenburg (MODL)
- our trail is within the MODL
- trails are an important part of MODL's recreation and active transportation plans
- in recent years, about 10% of our grants have come from the MODL
- more about MODL Trails : http://www.modl.ca/recreation/parks-trails/municipal-trails
5. Lunenburg County Community Health Board (LCCHB)
- serves as the 'eyes, ears, and voice' of the residents of Lunenburg County
- their Community Wellness Grant is for non-profit organizations that promote healthy lifestyles in our communities
- in recent years, less than 5% of our grants have come from the LCCHB
6. The National Trails Coalition (NTC)
- the national organization to build, maintain and promote trails and trail use across Canada
- in recent years, less than 5% of our grants have come from the NTC
- more at : http://www.ntc-
canada.ca
7. Annual Memberships and Donations
- membership fees ($10/person/year) and donations are a relatively small part of our budget, less than 1%
- we very much appreciate the memberships fees and the commitment it shows for our association
- volunteers contribute a huge amount of time and we could not operate without their tremendous support
- also, many local businesses also support trail development through donations of materials, labour, machinery and time