Grant Programs

Arizona State Parks Conducts The FY 2012 Growing Smarter Grant Workshop

(Phoenix, Feb. 1, 2012) Arizona State Parks will conduct a grant workshop about the Growing Smarter grant application process. The workshop will take place at the Arizona State Parks Board Room, 1300 West Washington, in Phoenix, on Friday, March 30, 2012 at 10 am. The application deadline is June 29, 2012.

The passage of Proposition 303 on November 3, 1998 established an annual $20 million appropriation by the Arizona State Legislature from the General Fund to the Land Conservation Fund. This annual appropriation began in FY 2001 and ended in FY 2011. With the passage of Senate Bill 1071 in 2003, State Parks annually transferred $2 million to the Livestock and Crop Conservation Fund administered by the Department of Agriculture. As a result, an $18 million annual appropriation was available for the Growing Smarter grant program through FY 2011. Beginning FY 2012 only remaining unexpended funds are available for grant awards.

Political subdivisions of the state and non-profit organizations created with the purpose of preserving open space can all apply for these monies. The remaining funds available for distribution for this grant cycle is approximately $40.5 million. These funds are used to assist eligible applicants in purchasing or leasing State Trust land that has been reclassified for conservation.

This instructional session is designed to provide attendees with a clear understanding of how to complete a Growing Smarter State Trust Land Acquisition Grant application. Program requirements and procedures are discussed at the workshop, along with rating criteria and the grant scoring and award process. Manual and application form may be downloaded below.

Grant Update

Due to current budget constraints affecting the agency, the only grant programs currently active are:

Growing Smarter State Trust Land Acquisition Grant Program
Federal Recreational Trails Program (motorized, see OHV "Sticker Fund" and non-motorized, see Trails Maintenance Program)

For information regarding the Heritage Fund contact the Heritage Alliance

Grant Programs helped turn an empty lot on the river (left) into the child-friendly Yuma, Riverfront Gateway Park (right).

The Grants Section of Arizona State Parks is responsible for managing eight Grant Programs administered by the Arizona State Parks Board. More than $32 million is available annually to Arizona communities, resource managers and agencies to preserve and enhance Arizona’s significant natural open space, cultural and recreational resources. To see past years' grant awards distribution visit the Grant Award Recipient Library.

Programs include three components of the Arizona State Parks Heritage Fund: The Historic Preservation (HP) Grant Fund Program, the Trails Grant Fund Program and the Local, Regional and State Parks (LRSP) Grant Fund Program. In addition to the Heritage Fund Programs, the Grants Section also manages the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Grant Program, the Recreational Trails Grant Program (RTP), the State Lake Improvement Fund (SLIF) Grant Program, the Law Enforcement Boating Safety Fund (LEBSF) Grant Program, and the Growing Smarter State Trust Land Acquisition Grant Fund Program.

All grant programs operate on a reimbursement basis. Reimbursements to grantees are made according to the percentage specified in the participant agreement for eligible expenditures included within the project’s approved scope of work.

Grant administration is accomplished through the development of application guidelines and a priority rating system, the execution of Participant Agreements and Preservation Conservation Easement Deeds with grantees, and the subsequent monitoring of administrative compliance, expended funds, and project work.

To assist with this responsibility, the Grants staff works with the following advisory committees: the Historic Preservation Advisory Committee (HPAC), the Arizona Outdoor Recreation Coordinating Commission (AORCC), the Off-Highway Vehicle Advisory Group (OHVAG), the Arizona State Committee on Trails (ASCOT), and the Conservation Acquisition Board (CAB) to develop policies and criteria that enable the competitive, equitable distribution of grant funds. The advisory committees also review eligible project applications and make recommendations for grant funding levels for consideration and final action by the Arizona State Parks Board.

Grant Programs Annual Reports

Grants Section Annual Report FY 2009 ( 153 KB PDF)
Grants Section Annual Report FY 2008 ( 247 KB PDF)
Grants Section Annual Report FY 2007 ( 252 KB PDF)
Grants Section Annual Report FY 2005 ( 220 KB PDF)

Grant Administration Manuals

Growing Smarter Manual & Application FY12 ( 600 KB DOC)
Administrative Guidelines Manual FY09 ( 2.8 MB PDF)
Grant Payment Request Form ( 106 KB DOC)
Quarterly Project Progress Report ( 81 KB DOC)
Detailed Expenditure Record ( 51 KB DOC)

Grant Programs Revenue Sources

Heritage Fund (Currently Inactive)

The Arizona State Parks Board Heritage Fund was established in November 1990 by voter initiative, provides up to $10 million annually to Arizona State Parks from Arizona Lottery proceeds (A.R.S. §41-503) There are three competitive grant programs offered annually from the Heritage Fund dollars to provide opportunities for the public to enjoy parks and outdoor recreation, and to help preserve natural and cultural resources. Seventeen percent of the State Parks Heritage Fund revenues are available annually (up to $1.7 million) through the Historic Preservation (HP) Grant Program.Thirty-five percent of the revenues (up to $3.5 million) are available through the Local, Regional and State Parks (LRSP) Grant Program, and five percent of the revenues (up to $500,000) goes to the Trails Heritage Fund, of which 95% is available through the competitive grant program..

Historic Preservation Heritage Grant Fund Program (HP)

Annually, Arizona State Parks receives up to seventeen percent of the Arizona State Parks Heritage Fund revenues (up to $1.7 million) to provide funding assistance for historic preservation projects. The Arizona State Parks Development Section and State Historic Preservation Office also receive portions of these funds annually.

Local, Regional and State Parks Heritage Fund (LRSP)

Thirty-five percent of Heritage Fund revenues available annually (up to $3.5 million) are allocated to the Local, Regional, and State Parks Heritage Fund, which assist municipalities, counties, and tribes to create outdoor recreation and open space opportunities. Grant funded projects include playgrounds, ball fields, picnic areas, and others.

Trails Heritage Fund

Five percent of the Heritage Fund revenues available annually (up to $500,000) are allocated for grants to support acquisition and trail improvements for Arizona’s non-motorized trail system. Arizona State Parks receives five percent of this amount to support trail recreation within the State Parks system; the remainder is awarded as competitive grants through the Trails Heritage Fund grant program.

State Lake Improvement Fund (SLIF) (Currently Inactive)

Arizona’s SLIF program was established in 1960 by the Arizona State Legislature (A.R.S.§5-382) to assist state and local units of government to fund projects on waters where boats are permitted. Revenues are generated from the following sources:

A percentage of the state motor vehicle fuel taxes attributed to watercraft
A percentage of the motorized watercraft license taxes paid at the time of boat registration
Interest income on fund

Recreational Trails Program (motorized and non-motorized)

Federal Highways: The 109th Congress enacted the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) It authorizes the RTP federal aid program and codifies it in Federal statutes under section 206 of title 23, US Code). (motorized, see OHV "Sticker Fund" and non-motorized, see Trails Maintenance Program)

Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) (On Hold)

The Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 (Public Law 88-578) became effective January 1, 1965. The Act provides financial assistance to states, their political subdivisions, and Indian tribal governments for the acquisition and development of public outdoor recreation areas and facilities. The Land and Water Conservation Fund was established by Congress through Public Law 88-578, as amended and receives its revenue primarily from the Outer Continental Shelf oil and gas leasing.

Growing Smarter State Trust Land Acquisition Grant Program

The Land Conservation Fund: The passage of Proposition 303 on November 3, 1998 established an annual $20 million appropriation by the Arizona State Legislature from the General Fund to the Land Conservation Fund. This annual appropriation began in FY2001 and continues through FY 2011. With the passage of Senate Bill 1071 in 2003, State Parks will transfer $2 million annually to the Livestock and Crop Conservation Fund administered by the Department of Agriculture. As a result, an $18 million annual appropriation is available for the Growing Smarter grant program.

Law Enforcement and Boating Safety Fund (LEBSF)

In 1981, the Arizona State Legislature established the LEBSF to provide grants to County Boards of Supervisors for the purposes of supporting boating law enforcement and safety activities. Eligible participants are limited to Boards of Supervisors of Arizona counties. The Statute (A.R.S. §5-383) specifies that LEBSF funds be granted for boating law enforcement, personnel, and equipment. LEBSF revenues are derived from a portion of watercraft license taxes paid by boaters at the time boats are registered.

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