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WILTON – The Friends of Grant Cottage was awarded a $19,500 matching grant this month from the state Park and Trail Partnership Program Environmental Protection Fund (EPF), as a means to support a new administrative position.
The Grant Cottage nonprofit group will have to raise an additional $6,500 in matching funds to reach a total of $26,000.
“This year we are promoting our new Civil War Weekend alongside the Town of Wilton’s bicentennial celebration,” explained Friends of Grant Cottage Board President Tim Welch. “We are thrilled to receive this grant which will fund additional professional help to assist in the planning of this signature event and will allow us necessary support to turn it into an annual event.”
The EPF grant, announced on March 5, is one of 21 awards totaling $450,000 for organizations dedicated to the stewardship and promotion of New York state parks and historic sites. The grants will be matched by almost $200,000 in private and local funding to support various projects, and to enhance both public access and recreational opportunities across the state.
The state Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation administers the grants.
Parks and Trails New York, the Friends of Grant Cottage and other nonprofit advocacy groups—often made up entirely of volunteers—are essential to the stewardship and promotion of the state park system, according to Grant Cottage Executive Director Melissa Swanson. Such groups raise private funds for capital projects; perform maintenance tasks; provide educational programming; and promote public use through hosting special events.
In addition to those efforts, the Park and Trail Partnership Program complements the revitalization and transformation of the entire state park system through Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s “NY Parks 2020” plan.
The Friends of Grant Cottage plans to hire administrative staff as the organization focuses on developing sustainable income sources, including the two-day Civil War Weekend in August. That new event will provide a fundraising opportunity while helping to boost area tourism, educate more people about Ulysses S. Grant, and increase the organization’s visibility.
“The state’s investment in grassroots Friends groups will complement Governor Cuomo’s extraordinary commitment to the revitalization of the entire state park system,” said Parks and Trails New York Executive Director Robin Dropkin. “These grant funds will enable groups to leverage more private and federal funding, marshal more volunteer power, and augment the state’s historic investment in parks. We look forward to seeing the transformational results from these innovative and important projects.”
For more information, visit the website www.ptny.org or call 518-434-1583.
