Susquehanna Greenway Mini-Grant Program

The Susquehanna Greenway Mini-Grant Round 5 is administered by the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership, an organization working with local, state, and national partners to complete and improve the Susquehanna Greenway trail corridor and expand access to outdoor recreation along the Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania. The Susquehanna Greenway is a corridor of trails, parks, conserved lands, river accesses, and communities extending for more than 500 miles along the river. The Mini-Grant program provides funding and support to partner organizations and public entities for projects and programs that advance the Greenway vision by connecting communities, trails, natural spaces, and people with the Susquehanna River. Eligible projects and programs must be located within the Susquehanna Greenway corridor and within one of the 22 Pennsylvania counties through which the river flows. Projects outside the Greenway corridor will not be considered. Applications must fit within one of four eligible project categories: Education and Outreach; Wayfinding and Signage; Parks, Land and Water Trails, and Active Transportation; or Temporary Placemaking. Examples include educational programs and events, maps and guides, media pieces, wayfinding and interpretive signage, planning and engineering, feasibility studies, improvements and construction involving parks or trails, active transportation projects, and temporary placemaking projects involving public spaces, trails, parks, river accesses, bikeability, walkability, signage, community engagement, road holidays, or safe routes to school. Applicants are encouraged to incorporate green and sustainable practices such as recycled or sustainable materials, native plant use, reduced travel, non-toxic materials, renewable energy, sustainable construction practices, and waste reduction. The funding round provides a total of $70,000 for awards, with grant requests capped at $25,000. The guidelines state that requests can range from $1 to $25,000. Only one award will be made to each applying entity, although an entity may submit more than one application for consideration. A 50/50, or 1:1, match is required. The match may consist of cash, non-cash in-kind contributions, or a combination of both. Eligible in-kind contributions may include donated materials, professional services, volunteer time, and uncompensated in-house services. Match funds may not originate from other Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources funds, and this Mini-Grant may not be used as match for another DCNR-funded project. Match expenses cannot be incurred before the contract start date. Successful applicants may request 80 percent of the grant funding after the grant contract is fully executed, with the remaining 20 percent paid after project completion and approval of final reporting and budget information. Grant funds may not be used to purchase operations equipment such as computers or cameras or maintenance equipment such as lawn mowers or chainsaws. They also may not support political activities, legal disputes, lobbying, fundraising, property easements, property acquisition, or food, drinks, and other hospitality items used for general promotion of the grantee organization or unrelated to overnight travel expenses. Awarded projects must comply with applicable DCNR grant guidelines and eligible expense policies. Projects must also acknowledge the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership and DCNR on signage, marketing materials, and or media releases. Projects and programs must be completed within 10 months of contracting. Eligible applicants are public entities, including counties, municipalities, and municipal agencies, and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that are eligible to apply for DCNR-supported funding and are registered with the Pennsylvania Bureau of Charities. Awarded nonprofit entities will be asked to provide certification of their charitable status with the Internal Revenue Service and Pennsylvania Bureau of Charities. Organizations that do not independently meet the eligibility requirements are encouraged to partner with an eligible entity, in which case both parties must sign a letter of agreement. Applicants collaborating with another organization that will provide cash or non-cash match are also strongly encouraged to obtain a letter of support identifying that organization's contributions. Applicants must indicate whether required match funding is secured or unsecured and, if unsecured, provide an explanation and or timeline for securing it. Applications are submitted through the online Mini-Grant application form at https://susquehannagreenway.org/mini-grant-program-application/. Applicants unable to use the online form may submit by email to info@susquehannagreenway.org or by mail to Susquehanna Greenway Partnership, Attn: Grant Committee, 301 Market Street, Unit #649, Lewisburg, PA 17837. Review is conducted by a committee composed of active Susquehanna Greenway partners and DCNR. Evaluation considers a concise project summary and realistic community benefit, a well-developed scope of work and timeline, alignment with the SGP mission and vision, incorporation of green and sustainable practices, partner collaboration, a realistic and researched budget, and identified and secured match. Projects located in a designated Susquehanna Greenway River Town or on a designated Susquehanna Greenway Trail receive bonus consideration. The committee may request additional proposal information when needed for review. Grant Round 5 opened September 2, 2026, and applications are due October 31, 2026. Award announcements are anticipated in December 2026. The contract period is January 1, 2027 through October 31, 2027, and closeout materials are due November 30, 2027. The guidelines do not identify a required letter of intent, concept paper, pre-proposal, or other pre-application gating deadline, and they do not state a recurring annual or other fixed schedule for future rounds. Program questions may be directed to info@susquehannagreenway.org or 570-478-0178.

Provide a concise summary with a realistic community benefit; clearly connect the project to the Susquehanna Greenway mission and vision; present a well-developed scope and realistic timeline; incorporate green and sustainable practices; demonstrate partner collaboration; use a realistic and researched budget; identify and secure the required match before contracting when possible; projects in a designated Susquehanna Greenway River Town or on a designated Susquehanna Greenway Trail receive bonus consideration.