2026 Education Grant Information
This is not a cash grant. Applicants will receive IMBA Education services that best fit their knowledge gaps, goals and vision.
IMBA Educational Programs:
IMBA Trail Care Workshop
This in-person, two-day training will equip volunteers and land management staff with the skills necessary to maintain modern mountain bike trails. The course will begin with sustainable trail design principles, with a focus on modern drainage techniques. Classroom discussion will help develop trail-wise eyes before heading out into the field to assess maintenance needs, identify appropriate solutions, and develop the techniques to implement solutions effectively. Learn more about Trail Care Workshops here.
- Value: $6500 for 10 field attendees; $12,000 for 20 field attendees. Additional people may attend the classroom session.
- Match: 20%
- Timeline: We will prioritize Trail Care Workshops that can be held in 2026.
Fundraising Education Services
This virtual-based consulting service empowers applicants with key strategies and best practices for fundraising and capital campaigns. IMBA will provide detailed coaching and grant research. Applicants will be asked to present a well-conceived project or campaign that is ready for fundraising in order to receive this support. Awardees must commit to availability for coaching support. If an awardee needs further support with grant or proposal writing services, that is available on a per hour charge basis. There is no guarantee that this counsel secures funding. This is a coaching and prospecting service.
- Value: 20 hours at $150 per hour.
- Match: 20%
- Timeline: Funding support sessions must begin promptly after being awarded.
Strategic Planning
This in-person, two-day facilitated planning process for grassroots mountain bike/trail organizations will help provide clear direction and focus by creating an impact roadmap ensuring the organization's work is intentional, coordinated, and measurable. Together, we will define long-term goals and priorities that help guide decision-making and resource allocation.
- Value: $6000 per event
- Match: Awardee must supply venue, food and supplies for the event.
- Timeline: To be discussed with awardee, but preferred in first half of 2026.
What types of education requests will be considered?
- Those that increase the knowledge and capacity of local organizations, land managers and their partners. Mountain biking must be included in the goals of the requesting organization, but of course all trail users should be included/considered in the outcomes.
- Those that address specific knowledge gaps in a community’s trail development and stewardship ecosystem.
- Those that scale up to larger goals; for example, to bring together various stakeholders/partners and foster the overall community vision for trails.
- A declined request does not imply that the request is not needed or valued. Those who do not receive a grant award may apply again in subsequent rounds.
Who Can Apply?
- Local, municipal, state, or federal government agencies, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits that actively manage parks and trails may apply.
- Mountain bike clubs and IMBA Local Membership Organizations.
- Religious organizations for religious purposes, private foundations, and political causes/candidates/legislative lobbying groups are not eligible to apply.
- Entities in the states of Florida and New York may not apply for a Trail Care Workshop, but can apply for funding and strategic planning support.
Applying for a Grant
- Each grant is an award of IMBA educational programming. Awardees will supply a match based on the type of education services they are requesting.
- Applications will be accepted April 1 - April 30, 2026
- In order to be considered, applicants must submit a completed application. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
- Calls may be scheduled with leading applicants to further discuss their proposals. If selected for a call, please do not consider this approval for a grant.
Frequently Asked Questions
Educational Programming
What criteria will be used to select awardees?
The application will ask you to describe how these educational opportunities will impact your efforts, both in the short and long term. For example, we want to hear how the knowledge gained might improve:
- Trail stewardship
- Community advocacy
- Partnerships
- Participation in and/or the larger effectiveness of your organization
- Progress on trail development through funding support
You’ll be asked to provide specific examples of these outcomes.
Can I request more than one program in a single grant round?
No, applicants should request education support for their single most pressing or impactful need, and apply again the next year for further support.
Will participants receive a certification?
No, IMBA does not provide certification in any of these educational areas. If needed, a letter of completion can be provided for the Trail Care Workshop.
Do I need approval from my land manager to hold a Trail Care Workshop on their property?
Yes. Trail organizations should discuss this grant with their land manager prior to applying to secure approval. Once the grant is awarded, IMBA will require an email from your land manager to proceed with scheduling the training.
What do I need to provide in order to host a Trail Care Workshop?
You will need:
- An appropriate indoor classroom space with audio/visual equipment
- An appropriate trail project
- Tools for attendees, including inclinometers
- Food, water and snacks
Apply
You must create an account and be logged in to apply for the Trail Accelerator grant. Applications can be saved as drafts and returned to at a later time. Create an account here. Applications are currently closed. Applications will be accepted April 1 - April 30, 2026.
