Parks And Recreation Trust Fund

The North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) is a State grant program for local governments. The NC Division of Parks and Recreation (DPR) administers the PARTF program. Visit the Official PARTF Website for more information about the fund.

The 2012 PARTF Application Workshop was delivered at 13 locations across the state as a video teleconference on September 5, 2012. A section by section, indexed video recording of the workshop is available to view Here

The username to view the recording is: parkandrec

The password to view the recording is: parkandrec

Please note that the video requires the Silverlight player. If you have trouble vieiwing the video, head to www.microsoft.com/getsilverlight/ to dowload the plug-in for free.

PARTF Grant Cycle

The 2012 - 2013 Grant Cycle is underway with applications due no later than 5:00 pm on January 31, 2013. Schedule a time to discuss your project proposal with your Regional RRS Consultant.

Funding History of PARTF

RRS has received numerous inquiries regarding the funding history of PARTF. Below are links for summary documents showing the breakdown of PARTF grants awarded by County and by Region since the program began. A brief PARTF Fact Sheet is also available to provide a summary based on factors considered in the grant selection process.

View online Web Map of PARTF Projects. You may search for projects, view project details and print a map!

If you have additional questions, please feel free to contact RRS Director or Regional Consultants for more information.

Quick Links to official PARTF website

Applying for a Grant?

Provides application deadlines, eligibility requirements, and downloads:

http://www.ncparks.gov/About/grants/partf_grant.php

Download the 2012-13 PARTF Application Form from the DENR website.

Information for Active Grants

Forms and Instructions

After the Parks and Recreation Authority awards a PARTF grant to a local government, the grant recipient and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources administers the grant via a contract signed by both parties. The link below will provide you with access to documents and information necessary for successful grant administration.

http://www.ncparks.gov/About/grants/partf_recipient_forms.php

PARTF Funding Cycle FAQs

Application: availability and assistance

Award Timeline

Property Questions: taking title, property donation

Funding Tips

If our agency has an active PARTF grant may we apply for a new grant?

Yes, the administrative rules do not preclude awarding a new grant to an agency that has an active grant. However, facilities funded by each grant may not overlap. See additional information about eligibility on the PARTF website: http://www.ncparks.gov/About/grants/partf_eligibility.php

When is the application available?

The PARTF application is available no later than October each year. You may download a copy of the application in Word format from the official PARTF website: http://www.ncparks.gov/About/grants/partf_forms.php You may also contact your RRS Regional Consultant to request a copy.

When is the application workshop?

The application workshop is usually offered the first Wednesday in September as one of the RRS teleconferences. Please check the RRS Teleconference Series website to confirm the date, time, location and learn how to register.

How do we get assistance with our application?

Please contact your RRS regional consultant to discuss your park project and get assistance with your application.

When are applications due?

Applications are due no later than 5 p.m. on January 31. If the 31st falls on a weekend, the application is due the next business day.

When are grants selected?

The Parks and Recreation Authority meets two times in a year to award grants from the pool of eligible applicants for that year. The first meeting is in mid-May, when the Authority awards funds from the first 3 quarters of the fiscal year trust fund money. They meet in July to distribute the last quarter revenue in the trust fund.

When will we find out if we’re funded?

Awards are announced at the May and July Parks and Recreation Authority meetings. Grantees will receive written notification shortly after those meetings. Those not awarded grants will receive written notification by the first of August.

Not funded in May?

Projects not funded at the May meeting are still in the running to receive a grant at the July meeting. Those projects not awarded grant funds at either cycle should talk with their regional RRS consultant to discuss ways to improve the project application. They are eligible to submit an application for the following year’s grant cycle.

We’re funded, when can we start?

You may not begin to work on any part of the project outlined in your application until all grant contracts are signed and the project period listed on the grant contract has begun. Any work completed prior to the start of the project period will be an ineligible grant expense (not reimbursable)

Can the value of Land Donation be used as our match?

The Parks and Recreation Authority, in order to encourage donation of park land by private citizens, does allow the value of donated land to be used as part of the local match for the development portion of the grant project. Partial donation (sale of property at less than appraised value) is also eligible as local match. Strict rules and procedures are in place for this process.

How do we apply if land donation is involved?

Your PARTF application must be for acquisition and development. Even if you are not purchasing the property, you are acquiring it through donation and must follow all of the requirements for acquisition listed in the application (i.e. appraisals, survey of metes & bounds, history of conveyance).

When can the land acquisition (by purchase or donation) take place?

Acquisition should take place after the grant is awarded and project contracts are signed: the start of the project period. (Typically July or August after the grant is awarded). If the landowner has a need to sell or donate the property prior to that time, the applicant may request a Waiver.

What is the Waiver Process?

Please contact your RRS consultant to discuss the project and reasons for the need to take title prior to a grant being awarded. Your consultant will provide information you need to submit to request a Waiver from the Parks and Recreation Authority.

What if the property donation or purchase has already occurred?

If the applicant already has title to the property, the value of the donation is not eligible as local match. You may still apply for development on the site, matching the grant amount dollar for dollar. Similarly, the purchase amount of property already deeded to the applicant is not an eligible PARTF expense.

What’s the secret to getting funded?

Thoroughly plan you project through public input and carefully prepare your application. Our best suggestion is to read and follow directions in the application. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact an RRS consultant to discuss the project.