2024 Recreation Grant Program and Applications
Important dates
MetRec’s 2024 recreation grant schedule, encompassing the recreation grant program and application preparation through MetRec’s awarding of recreation grants, is as follows:
- January 18 – MetRec Rec Committee meeting
- January 24 – Advisory Committee Meeting
- January 31- Regular MetRec Board meeting to approve the Draft 2024 Recreation Grant Program and Budget
- February 5 – 2024 Recreation Grant Program and applications published online
- March 15 – Recreation Grant application deadline
- May 8 – Independent Grant Review Committee Meeting and Recommendation
- May 15 – MetRec Rec Committee meeting to formulate MetRec Board Recreation Grant Award Recommendations
- May 29 – Board awards Recreation Grants
Contact
MetRec encourages all prospective grant applicants to contact the Executive Director, Derrick Nehrenberg (719) 221-9125, about their grant application ideas before submission to ensure they are eligible and fit with the best funding purpose.
Recreation grant funding purpose
MetRec aims to create thriving environments that support its residents’ physical, mental, and emotional health.
Our grant funding will prioritize projects that solve our community’s vital recreation needs. By fostering collaboration between public and non-profit sectors, we strive to develop innovative facilities, operations, and programs that address our citizens’ unique requirements and aspirations. Emphasis will be placed on maintaining and upgrading existing infrastructure, supporting and elevating local recreation non-profit operations, catalyzing innovative recreation programs and projects, and strategic recreation planning.
MetRec is embarking on Parks and Regional Recreation Master Planning district-wide in the spring of 2024 to help guide recreation funding decisions and strategic planning. In 2023, we conducted a community-wide recreation survey to identify needs and orient our master planning efforts. Until MetRec adopts a master plan, the survey results are good data for determining your grant application alignment with our community recreation needs. Another good source is the 2022 North Subdistrict 6B ballot language approved by the voters (presented below) because we restructured our grant programs to fit the funding purposes in 2023. Here is a link to a .pdf file for the 2023 Community Survey Results.
2023 metrec Community survey results
Background
Colorado created parks and recreation special districts to promote its inhabitants’ health, wellness, and general welfare. Special districts are local governments governed by elected directors who are responsible for determining the vision and mission of a district and allocating funds generated through property taxes within the boundaries of a district.
The Gunnison County Metropolitan Recreation District (MetRec) encompasses most of Gunnison County and a small northwestern portion of Saguache County (map below). MetRec’s district is subdivided into a North Subdistrict, which coincides with the boundaries of the Crested Butte Fire Protection District, and a South Subdistrict, which includes everything outside the North Subdistrict and within the MetRec district. MetRec is unique because it enables our geographically associated groups of communities to pool their tax resources to create regional recreation solutions together.
In 2018, MetRec’s voters approved ballot issue 7D that repealed TABOR, returning the mill levy tax to 1 mill to fund qualifying expenditures district-wide. In 2022, MetRec voters within the North Subdistrict approved ballot issue 6B to increase their property tax mill levy by two mills for a total of 3 mills. The net two-mill levy tax increase collected in the North Subdistrict can only be spent on recreation purposes in the North Subdistrict and not TV translator services or administrative expenses.
To streamline MetRec’s funding opportunities, it has merged its grant programs into three funding purposes: capital construction, non-profit operation support, and community grants. These three recreation purposes are capital, operations, and community grants. They are designed to merge both the funding purposes of the 2022 North Subdistrict ballot issue and district-wide funding into a single streamlined application process.
MetRec stakeholders have consistently stated a need for multi-year grants to formulate and attain multi-year recreational goals. Hence, MetRec created multi-year operations and community grants in 2023, subject to annual appropriations.
Therefore, five types of grants are available this year.
- Capital
- Operations
- Community
- Multi-year operations
- Multi-year community
Please refer to the North Subdistrict Ballot Issue 6B language below for more information about qualifying grant expenditures.
MetRec encourages all applicants to discuss their intentions to apply for 2024 recreation grants with the district manager before submission to ensure their grant application idea is eligible and that it fits with the best funding purpose.
Rec Grant Recipients
Grant and award process
MetRec desires to fund grant applications promoting vital recreation opportunities and excellence for our communities. The process and decision-making framework are as follows:
- MetRec seeks to make the 2024 Recreation Grant Program more competitive.
- There will be one grant cycle for all recreation grants.
- An independent grant review committee will score and rank order applications within each of the five grant funding purposes.
- The grant reviewer scores will be submitted to the MetRec Recreation Subcommittee.
- MetRec’s Recreation Committee will provide funding options to the MetRec board for discussion and approval. District-wide funds can be awarded to organizations within the North and South Subdistricts, and North Subdistrict funds can only be awarded to organizations located within the North Subdistrict.
- The MetRec board will award the recreation grants at its regular board meeting on May 29, 2024. The elected MetRec board is solely responsible for awarding recreation grant funds annually to ensure that the funds align with the grant reviewers’ scores, our residents’ recreation needs, and MetRec’s strategic aims.
- Note that all grant applications are subject to the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA). We recommend that applicants mark sensitive information as confidential and that MetRec redact grant applications in accordance with the CORA confidential information exception. If challenged, this does not guarantee exemption from public disclosure if required by law.
2024 recreation budget
MetRec’s 2023 Recreation Grant Program is funded by two distinct tax revenue sources: a District-wide property tax and a North Subdistrict property tax. Organizations located in the South Subdistrict and North Subdistrict may be funded from the District-wide fund, whereas only organizations located in the North Subdistrict qualify for North Subdistrict funds.
For the North Subdistrict, MetRec is required to distribute the annual property tax funds as follows:
- Capital: 30-60% (spent annually or held in capital reserve)
- Operations: 30-60% (paid annually)
- Community: 10-40% (paid annually or held in capital reserve)
In 2024, for the North Subdistrict fund, the district has tentatively budgeted the grant award funds as follows:
- Capital: 58% (held in capital reserve)
- Operations: 32% (budgeted)
- Community: 10% ($50,000 budgeted and $83,544 held in capital reserve)
2024 recreation grant awards and 2024 recreation program budget comparison
In 2023, MetRec budgeted $531,524 for its Recreation Grant Program. We awarded 26 out of 27 grant applications, totaling $427,541. In 2024, MetRec’s total Recreation Grant Program budget is $727,341, representing a 70% increase in the 2024 Recreation Grant Program budget compared to the total amount awarded in 2023.
2024 total Recreation budget
MetRec’s total recreation budget includes our Recreation Grant Program, a contribution to the 2023 Gunnison County Steward Fund, the CB2CBS Rec Path 10% design, and the estimated cost of our Parks and Recreation Regional Recreation Master Planning effort.
2024 north subdistrict Capital reserves planning
One of MetRec’s primary goals is to build our capital reserve fund. Hence, we are in a position to promote vital recreation projects identified through our Parks and Recreation Master Plan. At the end of 2024, MetRec projects to have accrued $1,371,075 in capital reserves.
2024 recreation Grant applications
Description
MetRec’s capital grants are financial awards provided to municipalities, government agencies, or non-profit organizations to fund the planning, development, and improvement of recreational facilities or spaces. These grants can be used for various projects, including but not limited to planning and building new parks, playgrounds, sports fields, trailheads, trails, trail amenities, and indoor recreation facilities.
These grants aim to promote community health and wellness by providing accessible and enjoyable recreation opportunities for people of all ages and abilities.
Eligibility
- Municipalities, government agencies, and non-profits
- Based within MetRec’s district boundaries
- The product of the capital project must be available to the public
Program Goals
- Support the development of recreational facilities, amenities, spaces, trails, and trailheads that meet vital recreation needs.
- Focus recreation capital development near or between population centers
- Leverage funding outside Gunnison County
Project Budget & Match Requirements
A 75% match of the total project cost is required, of which 10% must be a cash match from the project sponsor.
Funding Minimum and Maximum
$10,000 and 100,000
Capital Construction Grant Application link
Attachments:
- Detailed capital project budget
- Proof of non-profit status
- Letters of support from community partners
- Any additional supporting documentation
Complete the Google Form application and upload the attachments as a single PDF document on our contact page. Incomplete grant applications will not be reviewed.
Deadline for submission: March 15, 2024
Description
MetRec’s operations grants are financial awards to support and elevate non-profit organizations’ operations, including but not limited to supporting recreation staff payroll, ongoing operations, equipment purchases, and maintenance of recreational facilities, amenities, trails, and spaces.
Eligibility
- Non-profits only
- Based within MetRec’s district boundaries
Program Goals
- Elevate vital operations of non-profit recreation organizations
- Leverage fee-based or donor revenue
- Leverage funding outside Gunnison County
- Supporting staff acquisition, development, and retention in the non-profit recreation sector
- Improving access to recreational opportunities for under-served communities
- Supporting the preservation and maintenance of public recreational facilities
- Enhancing the quality and safety of existing recreational facilities, amenities, trails, and spaces
Project Budget & Match Requirements
A 75% match of the total operations cost is required, 10% of which must be a cash match from the organization.
Funding Minimum and Maximum
$10,000 to $50,000
operations grant application link
Attachments:
1. Detailed annual operations budget. An operating budget consists of all revenues and expenses an organization uses to plan and execute its operations.
2. Proof of non-profit status
3. Letters of support from community partners
4. Any additional supporting documentation
Complete the Google Form application and upload the attachments as a single PDF document on our contact page. Incomplete grant applications will not be reviewed.
Deadline for submission: March 15, 2024
Description
MetRec’s collaboration grants are financial awards to municipalities, government agencies, and non-profit organizations to support creative recreation initiatives, including but not limited to programs, services, amenities, and smaller-scale capital development and operations efforts.
Eligibility
- Municipalities, government agencies, and non-profits
- Based within MetRec’s district boundaries
Program Goals
- Catalyze the development of innovative recreation amenities, services, programs, or operations
- Focus on recreation services and projects near population centers
- Leverage funding outside Gunnison County
Project Budget & Match Requirements
A 50% match of the total collaboration effort is required, of which 10% of which must be a cash match from the project sponsor.
Funding Maximum
- $10,000 maximum
Community Grant application link
Attachments:
1. Detailed collaboration budget.
2. Proof of non-profit status
3. Letters of support from community partners
4. Any additional supporting documentation
Complete the Google Form application and upload the attachments as a single PDF document on our contact page. Incomplete grant applications will not be reviewed.
Deadline for submission: March 15, 2024
Description
The grants are financial awards to non-profit organizations, including but not limited to ongoing operations and maintenance of recreational facilities, amenities, trails, and spaces. Based on feedback about our 2023 Recreation Grant Program and the fact that MetRec is required to spend North Subdistrict Operations funds annually, we will increase the maximum funding from $100,000 to $150,000 annually. If your organization has already been awarded a multi-year grant and desires to increase the amount of your annual award, submit a new application. If you were awarded a multi-year grant in 2023, submit a progress report for 2023 and a request for awarding the second year of your grant in 2024.
MetRec has consistently received two main pieces of feedback over the past few years:
- Recreation non-profits desire operational support.
- Recreation non-profits desire a streamlined operations grant process considering the multi-year nature of operations strategic planning, staff development, and retention, including operations administration.
Eligibility
- Meet with the Executive Director before applying
- Non-profits only
- Are based within MetRec’s district boundaries
- Have been previously funded by MetRec
- Will submit a three-year strategic plan
- Have been financially stable
- The organization’s operational products must be available to the public
Program Goals
- In year one, applicants submit financial information, a three-year strategic planning document, and other application materials.
- In years two and three, applicants submit a short operations and financial progress report, which the grant review committee reviews. The MetRec committee recommends an up or down vote to the MetRec Board of Directors. The MetRec board votes on whether to continue awarding operations support at a regularly scheduled board meeting.
- Colorado law requires MetRec to vote on its budget and expenditures annually. Therefore, funding in future fiscal years is subject to annual appropriations and cannot be guaranteed.
Project Budget & Match Requirements
A 75% match of the total operations cost is required, of which 10% of which must be a cash match from the project sponsor.
Funding Maximum
$10,000 minimum and $150,000 maximum per year
multi-year operations grant application link
multi-year operations year two request
Attachments
- Detailed annual operations budget. An operating budget consists of all revenues and expenses an organization uses to plan and execute its operations.
- Proof of non-profit status
- Letters of support from community partners
- Three-year organizational and operations strategic plan narrative
- Any additional supporting documentation
Complete the Google Form application and upload the attachments as a single PDF document on our contact page. Incomplete grant applications will not be reviewed.
Deadline for submission: March 15, 2024
Description
These grants are financial awards to municipalities, government agencies, and non-profit organizations to support creative recreation initiatives, including but not limited to programs, services, amenities, and smaller-scale capital development and operations efforts.
MetRec has consistently received two main pieces of feedback:
- Community stakeholders report that their yearly recreation program funding needs remain relatively consistent.
- Community stakeholders desire a streamlined grant process considering the multi-year nature of recreation strategic planning.
Eligibility
- Meet with the Executive Director before applying
- Municipalities, government agencies, non-profits
- Are based within MetRec’s district boundaries
- Have been previously funded by MetRec
- Will submit a three-year strategic plan narrative
- Have been financially stable
- The organization’s community collaboration products must be available to the public.
Program Goals
- In year one, applicants submit financial information, a three-year strategic planning narrative document, and other application materials.
- In years two and three, applicants submit a program and financial progress report, which the grant review committee reviews. The MetRec recreation subcommittee recommends an up or down vote to the MetRec Board of Directors. The MetRec Board votes on whether to continue awarding operations support at a regularly scheduled board meeting.
- Colorado law requires MetRec to vote on its budget and expenditures annually. Therefore, funding in future fiscal years is subject to annual appropriations and is not guaranteed.
Project Budget & Match Requirements
A 50% match of the total collaboration cost is required, 10% of which must be a cash match from the project sponsor.
Funding Maximum
$25,000 per year
multi-year community grant application link
multi-year community grant request year two
Attachments
- Detailed community project budget
- Proof of non-profit status (if applicable)
- Letters of support from community partners
- Three-year organizational and community strategic plan narrative
- Any additional supporting documentation
Complete the Google Form application and upload the attachments as a single PDF document on our contact page. Incomplete grant applications will not be reviewed.
Deadline for submission: March 15, 2024
Grant Scoring Rubric
The following scoring rubric is designed for the MetRec 2024 Recreation Grant Program. It aligns with the program’s emphasis on promoting vital recreation opportunities, including capital needs, support for local recreation non-profits, and community recreation projects and programs.
The rubric is divided into sections corresponding to each grant category: Capital, Operations, Community, Multi-Year Operations, and Multi-Year Community Grants. Each grant program has tailored criteria to reflect that category’s goals and requirements. It is designed to provide a comprehensive and fair assessment of grant applications. It ensures that applications are evaluated in alignment with the funding purposes of the MetRec 2024 Recreation Grant Program. The total possible score for all grant categories is 100 points.
Capital Grants
- Planning and Feasibility (20 points): Clarity, detail, and practicality of the project plan, including timelines, milestones, and risk management strategies.
- Strategic Alignment and Community Benefit (20 points): How the project aligns with MetRec’s strategic goals and its direct benefits to the community, including enhancing community wellness and engagement.
- Budget, Value, and Fiscal Sustainability (20 points): Comprehensive budgeting focuses on the reasonableness of the costs, the project’s value, and long-term financial sustainability.
- Collaboration and Support (20 points): Strength and breadth of partnerships, ability to leverage additional funds, and community support, emphasizing cooperative efforts and resource sharing.
- Community Accessibility and Inclusivity (20 points): The project’s commitment to universal design principles for accessibility, inclusivity for all demographics, and environmentally responsible practices in construction and operation.
Operations Grants
- Operational Objectives and Efficiency (20 points): Assessment of objectives and how well the organization utilizes resources to achieve its objectives, including cost-effectiveness and process optimization.
- Financial Management and Transparency (20 points): Evaluation of the organization’s financial management practices, including budgeting, accounting, and financial reporting transparency.
- Community Engagement and Service Delivery (20 points): Measure the organization’s ability to positively engage with the community and deliver services to meet the community’s recreation needs.
- Strategic Alignment and Evidence-Based Practices (20 points): Aligning with MetRec’s strategic goals and incorporating evidence-based practices operations to ensure effective programming.
- Adaptability and Resilience (20 points): The organization’s ability to adapt to changing circumstances and challenges, ensuring the long-term resilience of its operations.
Community Grants
- Community Engagement and Project Description (20 points): Extent and depth of community engagement in determining their needs and depth of project planning.
- Project Relevance (20 points): The project’s relevance to local needs and potential for sustained impact.
- Budget Efficiency and Leveraging (20 points): The efficiency of budget use, the ability to maximize impact per dollar spent, and the potential to leverage additional funds or resources.
- Partnership Synergy and Community Support (20 points): Quality of partnerships, synergy between different stakeholders, and level of community support and endorsements received.
- Innovative Impact (20 points): The project’s innovativeness in addressing community needs and potential for adaptability.
Multi-Year Operations Grants
- Long-term Strategic Impact (20 points): Evaluation of the project’s potential for delivering sustained operational benefits and contributing to systemic improvements in service delivery.
- Financial Strategy and Risk Management (20 points): Assessment of the thoroughness of financial strategies, including risk management and the ability to secure funding in the future.
- Community Engagement and Value Creation (20 points): Examination of the depth of the engagement and the value the project creates for various stakeholders, ensuring broad-based benefits.
- Strategic Synergy and Outcome Measurement (20 points): Evaluation of how well the project’s goals solve community needs and the prospective effectiveness of the outcome measurement tools.
- Resilience and Adaptive Capacity (20 points): Consideration of the organization’s resilience to external pressures and its capacity to adapt to evolving needs and sector changes.
Multi-Year Community Grants
- Long-term Community Benefit (20 points): Evaluation of the project’s potential for delivering enduring benefits, including community health, well-being, and recreation access.
- Strategic Coherence and Impactful Planning (20 points): Alignment with identified needs and the presence of a clear-actionable plan that outlines tangible milestones.
- Fiscal Resilience and Diversification (20 points): Assessment of the project’s financial viability, organizational stability, cost management strategies, and diversified funding sources.
- Community Integration and Partnership Synergy (20 points): Depth of community integration, quality of partnerships, and collaborative impact.
- Adaptive Organizational Capacity (20 points): Organization’s ability to respond to changing community needs and external variables while maintaining program integrity and stability.
FAq
Can my organization apply for more than one grant?
Yes, however, MetRec strongly encourages organizations to apply for one grant per grant cycle that will provide the most vital recreation impacts for the district’s citizens. If your organization believes MetRec funding support for more than one grant is vital to our community, please get in touch with the district manager before submitting your applications.
How do I decide between submitting community vs. capital grants and community vs. operations grants?
Please refer to the ballot language below or contact the district manager. For now, operations grants are intended to elevate ongoing operations. In comparison, community grants are designed to support creative initiatives or support ongoing programs and services, or smaller capital and operations projects at a lower funding level. Furthermore, only non-profits can apply for operations grants.
Will the capital grant fund maximum remain at $100,000?
No. MetRec anticipates raising the maximum award substantially as our community’s strategic capital construction opportunities become more evident after we complete the Parks and Recreation Regional Recreation Master Plan in 2025.
Why does MetRec require a 75% match on Capital grants?
Until we complete our Parks and Recreation Master Plan and understand the full scope of recreation needs, MetRec intends to fund smaller, shovel-ready capital projects that are leveraged well by other funding sources.
Why is MetRec proposing $150,000 per year as a possibility for the pilot multi-year operations grant?
Most Parks and Recreation Districts provide recreation programming and amenities. Our community is unique because non-profits set up many recreation programs and amenities before MetRec’s capacity to offer them. Therefore, rather than trying to replicate their excellence, our strategy is to promote their efforts.
According to MetRec’s feedback, losing recreation staff due to the cost of living in our area is a top threat to non-profit organizations. Hiring, training, and keeping passionate and experienced people working in the recreation sector are key to our recreation community’s success. If MetRec’s goal is to support and elevate recreation operations, MetRec would like to truly make a strong impact. The amount sounds like a lot, and it is. But the amount is also relative to an organization’s operating budget. Some organizations have large operating budgets, and it could take a step change in MetRec’s traditional funding levels to elevate operations in a sustainable and impactful way.
Appendix
North subdistrict ballot language
Passed November 2022
SHALL THE NORTH SUBDISTRICT OF GUNNISON COUNTY METROPOLITAN RECREATION DISTRICT TAXES BE INCREASED BY AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $930,000.00 IN 2023 (THE FIRST FISCAL YEAR) AND BY WHATEVER AMOUNTS MAY BE GENERATED ANNUALLY THEREAFTER BY AN IMPOSITION OF AN ADDITIONAL MILL LEVY OF 2.0 MILLS FOR A NEW TOTAL MILL LEVY OF 3.0 MILLS UPON TAXABLE PROPERTY WITHIN THE NORTHERN SUBDISTRICT, OR SUCH LESSER AMOUNT AS THE BOARD OF THE GUNNISON COUNTY METROPOLITAN RECREATION DISTRICT MAY ANNUALLY DETERMINE COMMENCING WITH TAXES COLLECTED IN 2023 FOR TAXES DUE FOR 2022.
THE FUNDS SHALL BE USED WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF THE NORTH SUBDISTRICT FOR THE FOLLOWING PURPOSES:
30-60% OF SUCH FUNDS SHALL BE ALLOCATED FOR THE PURPOSES OF CAPITAL CONSTRUCTION OF TRAILS, FIELDS, HOCKEY RINKS, CULTURAL CENTERS, RECREATION CENTERS, OR OTHER PHYSICAL IMPROVEMENTS, ACCESSIBLE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC, THAT SUPPORT CULTURAL OR ACTIVE RECREATION (OTHER THAN TELEVISION) AND/OR THE ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY OR EASEMENTS THAT PERMANENTLY PROVIDE OR SUPPORT ACCESS TO SUCH RECREATION. SUCH FUNDS MAY BE SPENT ANNUALLY OR PUT IN A CAPITAL RESERVE FUND;
30-60% OF SUCH FUNDS SHALL BE ALLOCATED FOR THE PURPOSES OF SUPPORTING LOCAL NON-PROFITS THAT SUPPORT RECREATION, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO OPERATIONS, TRAIL MAINTENANCE, ACCESS, EDUCATION, SAFETY, AND EQUIPMENT. THE DISTRICT MUST SPEND THESE FUNDS ANNUALLY;
10-40% OF SUCH FUNDS SHALL BE ALLOCATED TO ANY MUNICIPALITY OR GOVERNMENT AGENCY OR LOCAL NON-PROFIT FOR THE PURPOSES OF MAINTAINING THE QUALITY OF RECREATIONAL EXPERIENCES BY PROPERTY TAX OWNERS ON LANDS ACCESSIBLE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC, INCLUDING OPERATING AND/OR CAPITAL COSTS, SUCH AS BUT NOT LIMITED TO CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF TRAILS, BATHROOMS, PARKING, SIGNAGE, EDUCATION, AND ENFORCEMENT. SUCH FUNDS MAY BE SPENT ANNUALLY OR PUT IN A CAPITAL RESERVE FUND.
AND SHALL THE DISTRICT BE AUTHORIZED TO COLLECT AND RETAIN AND SPEND ALL REVENUES FROM SUCH TAXES AND THE EARNINGS FROM THE INVESTMENT OF SUCH REVENUES WITH FUNDS MANAGED IN AN ACCOUNT DEDICATED TO SUPPORTING INITIATIVES IDENTIFIED IN THIS BALLOT MEASURE AND NECESSARILY SEPARATE FROM GENERAL DISTRICT FUNDS AS A VOTER APPROVED REVENUE CHANGE AND AN EXCEPTION TO THE LIMITS WHICH WOULD OTHERWISE APPLY UNDER ARTICLE X SECTION 20 OF THE COLORADO CONSTITUTION OR SECTION 29-1- 301 COLORADO REVISED STATUTES OR ANY OTHER LAW?
Metrec map
