How much funding does Implementation Grant Program provide?

Implementation Grant Program provides Varies by project (historically $5,000 - $150,000+) in funding.

When is the deadline for Implementation Grant Program?

The funder has not published a deadline for this grant.

Who is eligible for Implementation Grant Program?

Eligible applicants: 15-county region spanning North and South Carolina; Includes areas in North Carolina: Gaston, Cleveland, Lincoln, Catawba, Iredell, Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Rowan, Stanly, Union, and York counties; Includes areas in South Carolina: Lancaster, Chester, and Cherokee counties; County governments; Nonprofit organizations.

How often is Implementation Grant Program offered?

Implementation Grant Program runs on an annual cycle.

Implementation Grant Program

Carolina Thread Trail

Foundation Annual Recreation Grants Community Development Grants Grants for Land Conservation Environmental Grants

Funding Amount

Varies by project (historically $5,000 - $150,000+)

Deadline

Deadline not published

Grant Type

Foundation

Deadline history & next window

Cycle: Annual
Tracked since: April 2026

Source: the cycle recorded on this listing. Confirm dates with the funder.

Can we apply?

Check your organization against each line. Taken from the listing; confirm with the funder's guidelines.

Eligible organizations

15-county region spanning North and South Carolina
Includes areas in North Carolina: Gaston, Cleveland, Lincoln, Catawba, Iredell, Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Rowan, Stanly, Union, and York counties
Includes areas in South Carolina: Lancaster, Chester, and Cherokee counties
County governments
Nonprofit organizations

Other requirements

Municipal governments (cities and towns)
Special purpose districts (e.g., water districts, recreation districts)

Overview

The Carolina Thread Trail's Implementation Grant Program provides funding to communities and nonprofit organizations to support trail-related projects across a 15-county region in North Carolina and South Carolina.

Geographic Scope:

15-county region spanning North and South Carolina
Includes areas in North Carolina: Gaston, Cleveland, Lincoln, Catawba, Iredell, Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Rowan, Stanly, Union, and York counties
Includes areas in South Carolina: Lancaster, Chester, and Cherokee counties

Funding Focus Areas:

Trail construction
Trail design and engineering
Land acquisition for trail corridors
Corridor planning
Blueway development and access improvements

Project Types Funded:

Greenway extensions and new segments
River access (canoe/kayak launches)
Bridge construction and repairs
Trailhead development
Trail corridor studies and feasibility planning
Property acquisition for trail rights-of-way

Eligibility:

Municipal governments (cities and towns)
County governments
Nonprofit organizations
Special purpose districts (e.g., water districts, recreation districts)

History & Track Record:

Over 11 years of funding (as of 2023): awarded over $8 million in catalytic grants
Over 370 miles of greenways and trails open to public
170 miles of blueways open to public
Regular funding rounds (typically annually)

Recent Award Examples (2023):

City of Concord: $70,000 (trail construction)
City of Conover: $40,000 (trail corridor study)
Cleveland County Water Commission: $125,000 (trail construction)
City of Shelby: $30,000 (trail corridor study)
Gaston County Parks and Recreation: $92,375 (trail construction)
City of Lowell: $127,080 (trail construction)
Town of McAdenville: $150,000 (trail construction)

Contact Information:

Community Coordinator: Jane Love
Phone: 704-342-3330 ext. 2224
Email: jane@carolinathreadtrail.org
Director: Bret Baronak
Phone: 704-376-2556 ext. 216
Email: bret@carolinathreadtrail.org
General: info@carolinathreadtrail.org
Website: www.carolinathreadtrail.org

What Carolina Thread Trail actually gave

Source: IRS Form 990, 2022

Grants in 2022: 18
Total given: $8.39M
Median grant: $35K
Range: $8,000–$7.46M

By dollars: North Carolina >99%, South Carolina <1%. Top recipient cities: Charlotte, NC; Richfield, NC; Shelby, NC.
0% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.