The Trail Care Grant (TCG) provides funding to promote and build volunteerism to ensure ongoing care of and support for the trail sector. We encourage all trail operators/trail groups of a registered Trans Canada Trail section to apply for the grant, provided they have the proper permissions in place to complete the work Grants up to $1,250 will be awarded and can be used for a wide range of activities in promoting volunteerism. The support that groups receive will be determined by Trans Canada Trail, based on the program guidelines and on the number of applications received.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Objective of the guidelines
- Application details
- Eligible trail activities
- Evaluation of applications, funding decisions and payments
- Activity report
- Promotion and acknowledgement
- Group support
- Contact information
- Application
1. OBJECTIVE OF THE GUIDELINES
These guidelines will assist trail operators/trail groups (this includes groups that lease the section seasonally or actively use the section for their activities), in the process of applying for the TCG and in joining Trans Canada Trail in helping to maintain the Trail from coast to coast to coast.
2. APPLICATION DETAILS
Applicants are encouraged to submit their proposals as early as possible. The deadline to submit an application is February 28, 2025, at 5:00 P.M. (Pacific Time). All applications must be submitted using our online form.
Eligibility Criteria
Any local trail operator/trail group of a section of the Trans Canada Trail is eligible for funding under the TCG, provided the appropriate permissions and proof of insurance from the trail operator/owner are in place.
The eligibility of a TCG application will be evaluated according to the following criteria:
- The proposed activity is located on an existing section of the Trans Canada Trail.
- The application focuses on engaging volunteers in a safe and appropriate activity.
- The project aligns with trail activities presented in Section 3 below.
- A detailed description of how the funds will be used is provided.
- Only one group per local Trail section may apply. If the trail operator and/or trail group is not the owner, permission from the owner must be obtained and provided, along with proof of insurance.
- Applicants must be in good standing with Trans Canada Trail.
- The group applying for the grant should have valid liability coverage for the desired activity on the Trail.
Project Timing
Applicants are encouraged to schedule their Trail Care Grant volunteer activities on International Trails Day (the first Saturday of June) to kick off the summer trail season. The final deadline for project activities and final report submission is July 18, 2025.
Eligible applicants can receive up to $1,250. No matching funds are required. The size of the grant will depend on the total number of applications received by Trans Canada Trail.
Trans Canada Trail reserves the right to make all final decisions.
3. ELIGIBLE TRAIL ACTIVITIES
The Trail Care Grant is intended to promote volunteerism along the Trail. We encourage all trail operators/trail groups to find activities that involve their dedicated volunteers and lead to the recruitment of new volunteers! Activities that require extensive contractor–focused work to complete will be guided to the Trail Maintenance stream.
Trail activities promoting volunteers:
- Volunteer training (hands-on workshops, first aid and safety training, environmental stewardship, tool use and maintenance, etc.)
- Volunteer appreciation activities (volunteer picnic or BBQ, recognition bench/signage, volunteer swag bags, etc.)
- Tree-planting events
- Installation of habitat features (bird houses, bat boxes, etc.)
Minor maintenance and upgrade activities involving volunteers:
- Preparing for a trail opening
- General repairs – signage, barriers, fencing, surface, etc.
- General cleanup – brush cutting, clearing, invasive species management, etc.
- Improvements – replacing boards, etc.
4. EVALUATION OF APPLICATIONS, FUNDING DECISIONS AND PAYMENTS
During the evaluation of applications, Trans Canada Trail may contact groups for additional or missing information. Notification of funding decisions will be provided before March 14, 2025, at which time all eligible groups will be informed, via email, of the funding amount they will receive.
Electronic funds will be issued upon completion of the project and submission of a Final Report. To receive the Trail Care Grant, all applicants must fill out and submit the Electronic Funds Transfer Authorization form with their application. Acceptance of these funds engages groups in an agreement with Trans Canada Trail to complete the activity, submit a final report, and adhere to program and acknowledgement guidelines.
5. ACTIVITY REPORT
A final report detailing the Trail Care Grant activities must be submitted to Trans Canada Trail on or before July 18, 2025. Failure to submit the report on time without prior notification may affect eligibility for future Trans Canada Trail funding from any stream that we offer. Payment in the amount of the grant awarded will only be issued upon receipt and approval of this final report. The report must be submitted using our online template and must include the following information:
- A description of how the Trail Care Grant funds were used
- Total number of volunteers and total number of volunteer hours (volunteer hours recorded as number of hours per person) – please make sure to account for these hours accurately
- Estimated value of the activity
- A minimum of four (4) photographs of the activity to be included in the final report submission, including:
- The Trail section before the activity has taken place
- People taking part in the activity while it is happening
- Trans Canada Trail brand shown on shirts, hats, signs, etc. and/or Trans Canada Trail sponsors branded items
- The result(s) of your activity
- The number of kilometres of Trail involved in the activity, if applicable, OR the number of kilometres maintained by the volunteers.
- Proof of grant acknowledgment (social media posts, posters, etc.)
- Any other documents, as requested by Trans Canada Trail (e.g., proof of insurance)
All content submitted, including from any authorized third parties, (stories, photos, videos, reports, etc.) may be used in and/or for promotional Trans Canada Trail materials, without payment or any other consideration.
6. PROMOTION AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We ask that all recipients who are funded for activities through this program reach out to local community members to engage them as volunteers in the proposed activity. As funding recipients, all groups are required to publicly acknowledge Trans Canada Trail’s contributions. To support this, Trans Canada Trail will provide a promotional toolkit to all grant recipients. The toolkit will guide trail operators/trail groups in how to acknowledge Trans Canada Trail’s funding and Trail Care-related community activities across various channels and platforms.
7. GROUP SUPPORT
Whether Trail Care funds are used to organize a trail cleanup, complete a small maintenance project, or run a community or volunteer driven event, Trans Canada Trail will be providing resources that can be used to help achieve the goals. Groups who are successful in receiving a Trail Care Grant will receive information and resources. These will provide information on how to promote the group/organization along with the planned initiative, how to reach out to local media to advertise, how to generate community support, and how to run a trail event.
8. CONTACT INFORMATION
If you have any questions about the Trans Canada Trail or these guidelines, please send an email to Chrissy Cusack at ccusack@tctrail.ca.
