2026 Friends Group Work Plan Incentive Grant

Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota proudly offers a grant program that will award six Friends Group Partners a $500 grant each ($3,000 total) to support their efforts in establishing and implementing 2026 work plans.

Grant Overview

Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota proudly offers a grant program that will award six Friends Group Partners a $500 grant each ($3,000 total) to support their efforts in establishing and implementing 2026 work plans.

Eligibility

Applicants must be a Friends Group Partner (FGP) of Parks & Trails Council (P&TC).

Timeline

November

P&TC announces the grant opportunity.

February 15 – July 31, 2026
or until grant funds run out

FGPs submit applications.

P&TC reviews applications as they are received and will award grant funds on a first-come, first-served basis, until grant funds run out.

January 15, 2027

FGP submit final report to P&TC.

Funding distribution method

The distribution method varies by the type of organization:

  • Fiscal clients of P&TC: Funds deposited into the designated fiscal client account.
  • 501c3 Nonprofits: Check issued to the nonprofit entity.
  • Unincorporated associations: e., groups that are neither fiscal clients nor registered 501c3 nonprofits: please contact us to discuss options.

 

Evaluation Process

The only evaluation for this round of grants is that the submitted work plan has a signed approval from:

  • The Friends Group main contact, and
  • The appropriate agency representative.

 

Reporting

Grant recipients must submit a final report by January 15, 2027, which lists the group’s 2026 accomplishments.

 

Questions

If you have any questions about this grant, please contact:

Lisa Filter, External Relations Director, lfilter@parksandtrails.org, 651-370-7901

Grant Application

Please submit your application here anytime from February 15 through July 31, 2026, or until grant funds run out. 

Grant Status

Grants are being accepted starting Feb. 15, 2026

Grant Report

Please use this PDF report template to submit your final report.