Maintenance support to already developed trails and greenways.
As part of the 100th anniversary celebration of Ralph C. Wilson Jr.’s birth and legacy of community investment, the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation established a $10 million endowed fund at the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan to support the long-term maintenance of trail systems throughout our region.
The Trails Maintenance Fund supports the repair, renovation, and maintenance of existing capital trail infrastructure to help ensure regional trails continue providing safe, accessible, and connected recreational experiences for communities across the region.
The opportunity is intended primarily for government entities, trail authorities, conservancies, and nonprofit organizations responsible for the ownership, management, or stewardship of regional trail systems and associated infrastructure.
Applications for the 2026 cycle will be by invitation only.
Organizations must be invited by the Community Foundation to apply. Please contact: [email protected] to schedule time to discuss your project. Selected organizations may be invited to submit a full application through the Foundation’s online grant portal (MyCF).
Key Details
- Typical Award Size: $100,000–$500,000
- Grant Term: Typically 12–24 months
- Type of Support: Maintenance, including repair and renovation, of capital trail facilities
- Eligible Applicants: Government entities, trail authorities, conservancies, and nonprofit trail managers
2026 Timeline
- Reach out to express interest in applying: Now-June 10, 2026
- Invited Applications Open: June 10, 2026
- Initial Conversations & Eligibility Review: June–July 2026
- Invited Applications Due: 11:59 p.m. EST on July 8, 2026
- Grant Decisions Announced: August 2026
Before You Apply
Organizations must review the full program guidelines before reaching out or applying.
View Trails Maintenance Fund Guidelines
Interested in Applying?
Organizations interested in funding must contact the Community Foundation to discuss project eligibility and alignment with fund priorities prior to submission. Selected organizations may be invited to submit a full application through the Foundation’s online grant portal (MyCF).
Please contact: [email protected] to schedule time to discuss your project.
Eligible Projects
Eligible activities may include:
- Repaving or resurfacing paths
- Repairing bridges, lighting, or trail structures
- Repairing and renovating existing trail infrastructure and capital assets
- Maintenance of regional trail gateways or trailheads
The fund does not support:
- Routine maintenance activities, such as grass cutting, tree trimming, snow removal, payment of utilities, etc.
- New trail construction
- Parks or public space improvements unrelated to regional trail infrastructure
