Community Grants

Mission: KMTA awards grants to community projects that recognize, preserve, and interpret the historic, scenic, and natural recreational resources and cultural landscapes of the Kenai Mountains-Turnagain Arm historic transportation corridor. Projects promote and facilitate public enjoyment of these resources.

Geographic Scope: Kenai Mountains-Turnagain Arm National Heritage Area (Alaska's only designated National Heritage Area)

Focus Areas:

• Trail restoration and maintenance
• Interpretive signage and education
• Historic building restoration
• Museum exhibits and development
• Citizen science programs
• Cultural and historical preservation
• Outdoor recreational resource enhancement

Eligible Applicants:

• Community organizations
• Non-profit organizations
• Government agencies
• Private individuals/businesses (must partner with a community, non-profit, or government organization as sponsor)
• Organizations that have not previously received KMTA funding: up to $10,000 limit
• Organizations with prior KMTA funding that performed well: up to $24,500 limit

Match Requirements:

• Cash contributions
• Volunteer hours
• Donated equipment rentals

What KMTA Funds:

• Leave No Trace education
• Wilderness area information and recreation opportunity signage
• Historical information including indigenous history
• Trail work and improvements
• Interpretive kiosk placement
• Community-based conservation programs

What KMTA Does NOT Fund:

• Interior work on private residences (exterior work only, must maintain historic appearance)
• Projects outside KMTA NHA region (unless directly addressing KMTA issues and aligned with NHA mission)

Special Requirements:

• For signage placed in ground: must communicate with State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) to adhere to Section 106 requirements
• If signage on land not owned by applicant: requires letter of support from landowner
• Historic property renovations must partner with community, non-profit, or government organization
• Projects on non-owned property require expressed approval of applicable landowner

Application Process

Timeline:

• Annual cycle with application period in January
• Deadline typically in March (e.g., March 6, 2020; March 12, 2021)
• Board review and award decisions in May

Required Materials:

1. Completed application form
2. Project narrative describing:
   • Project goals and objectives
   • Timeline and implementation plan
   • Budget and match funding sources
   • How project aligns with KMTA mission
3. Letters of support (if applicable):
   • Should describe who is writing the letter
   • Their relevance to the community and project
   • Their support of the project and community/organizational benefits
4. Evidence of matching funds or in-kind contributions
5. Organizational history and capacity documentation (for prior grant recipients)

Grant Agreement:

• KMTA issues formal grant agreement upon award

Reporting Requirements:

• Quarterly informal check-in via email or phone
• Quarterly narrative and expense reports (required for partial reimbursement)
• Final project reports required for final reimbursement and grant close-out
• Reporting deadlines typically at 3, 6, 9, and 12 month intervals

Reimbursement Process:

• Partial reimbursement available quarterly upon submission of reports
• Final reimbursement upon completion of final project reports