Requirements

Read this list carefully. Proposals that fail to include the required information cannot be considered for a grant.

1. Applicants must be a governmental agency or have 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status.
2. Investment will be within the state of Oregon but out-of-state partnerships are encouraged.
3. Projects must meet interpretive standards equal to those of the National Association for Interpretation, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, or the American Association of Museums.
4. Priority is given to projects that interpret, preserve, or maintain trail-related resources. Funding also can be used for marketing, education, advocacy, or research related to historic trails.
5. Funds cannot be used for administrative or general operating expenses.
6. Large capital construction projects will not be considered.
7. Grants require a 1:1 cash match, and the matching funds must be available before the OHTF grant is paid. Matching funds must be secured within one year of the grant award date. Also, funds used to match the OHTF grant may be used for purposes other than the project described in the OHTF grant.
8. Projects must be completed within one year of the grant payment, unless an extension is permitted by OCF.
9. Funds are distributed when projects are ready to proceed.
10. Grantees are required to submit reports, including the documentation of expenditures, within two months of completing the project.

The proposal deadline is September 1 each year. Applicants should submit 10 copies of the following (two-sided, if possible):

1. Completed application form
2. Activities and timetable for project
3. Detailed project budget
4. IRS letter verifying nonprofit status if not a governmental organization
5. Organization budget for current year (if organization is large, departmental budget only)
6. List of board of directors, if applicable.