Roanoke Outside invites proposals to help us take care of our incredible outdoor assets. If you have an idea for improving our great outdoors, let us hear it.
Grants are made possible through individual and corporate donations made to the Roanoke Outside Foundation on behalf of Project Outside, as well as proceeds from the annual GO Outside Festival.
Established in 2020 by the Roanoke Outside Foundation, Project Outside is a community fund created to support outdoor capital improvement projects, maintain key outdoor assets, and help launch and support businesses in the outdoor sector (think hiking, biking, paddling, camping, fishing, etc.).
Project Outside is a partnership between the Roanoke Outside Foundation and local land managers of identified regional outdoor assets. The intent of this grant is to serve as a flexible, adaptable tool to be used to fill maintenance funding gaps in projects or initiatives and pool resources to tackle new outdoor infrastructure projects, or assist businesses or organizations in the outdoor sector. Project Outside is designed to help ensure that outdoor assets remain in top condition for residents and visitors.
Learn more – and contribute – to Project Outside.
To date, Project Outside has funded 24 different projects to the tune of $150,000. The third round of grant funding is now open with $25,000 to allocate.
Applications we due on January 21, 2024. We are currently reviewing application.
Total amount to be awarded in Spring 2024 will be $25,000. It is our goal to continue raising funds for Project Outside and have additional grants in the future.
The breakdown is as follows: $15,000 allocated for maintenance of existing assets applicants, $6,250 allocated for new infrastructure applicants, and $3,750 allocated for support of new or existing outdoor organizations/businesses/programs.
You project must be related to one of the outdoor assets listed below. The only exception is if you are applying for Organizational Support category, which then must be related to outdoor recreation and located in our funding footprint (see locality list below).
Outdoor assets located in the Roanoke Region, identified by the Advisory Council, eligible for funding are: Appalachian Trail, Blackwater River, Blue Ridge Parkway, Carvins Cove, Craig Botetourt Scenic Trail, Explore Park, Green Hill Park, Jackson River, Jackson River Scenic Trail, James River, Mill Mountain, National Forest Service trails, Philpott Lake, Pigg River, Read Mountain Preserve, Rivers Edge Park, Roanoke River, Roanoke Greenways (Tier 1), Smith Mountain Lake, and Waid Park. Please note projects must be located in one of the following localities: Alleghany, Botetourt, Franklin, and Roanoke Counties, Town of Vinton, Covington, Roanoke, and Salem.
Our goal is to make this as easy as possible. If you have a question about the eligibility of a project, give us a call or send us an email.
Applicants must be located within one of the following localities: Alleghany, Botetourt, Franklin, and Roanoke counties, cities of Covington, Roanoke, and Salem, or the town of Vinton.
We’re sorry. We are no longer accepting grant applications at this time.
If awarded, the following reporting requirements are due no later than January 30, 2025:
Reach out to Pete Eshelman, pete@roanoke.org.
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