For IMBA and our grassroots partner organizations, building healthy and effective relationships and creating a solid foundation for supporting community trail systems are necessities. Watch the video below, participate in the IMBA Leadership Labs webinar series, and read on to learn more about core actions you can take today to ensure you are leading a high-functioning nonprofit.
Build a High-Functioning Trails Organization
IMBA's Leadership Labs Webinar Series
Foundations to Funding: More Than Membership
October 15th, 2025 5pm Eastern/2pm Pacific
Funding is the fuel that brings a trail organization’s vision to life, but it doesn't have to be a constant scramble for grants and donations. This webinar shifts the mindset from fundraising as a task to fundraising as a strategic pathway to stability and growth. We will explore the building blocks of a comprehensive and diversified funding strategy, discuss the pitfalls of relying on a single funding source, and outline the core components every organization needs to build a strong, sustainable foundation. This session will provide you with the framework to turn fundraising from a challenge into an opportunity.
Learning Objectives:
1. Analyze the risks of relying on a single funding source.
2. Recognize the key organizational components for building a sustainable fundraising program.
3. Define the building blocks of a comprehensive and diversified funding strategy.
Use this resource, to explore practical ways to position your organization for success, and ensure the success of the trails and outdoor spaces we champion.
Building a Successful Trail Organization: Ten Actions for Success
1. Strategic Organization Planning
Strategic planning is essential to the success of trails organizations. Develop a data-driven, five-year strategy to ensure financial health and trail stewardship. Set clear benchmarks for growth, funding, and advocacy impact.
IMBA Resources for Strategic Planning
2. Build Your Community
By strategically connecting with local partners trail organizations can effectively leverage a wide array of skill sets, resources, and funding opportunities. This ongoing process of fostering meaningful partnerships is crucial for strengthening the trail community, generating widespread support for new and existing trails, and ultimately delivering on your community trail vision.
Trails contribute to healthy communities and healthy people. Your organization plays a key role in the community's vision for your area. To achieve your shared goals and move toward that vision, you will need to find the right partners. Engage agencies, local businesses, tourism agencies, municipal government and organizations with common goals related to economic development, outdoor recreation, and public and community health. Explore the creation of Memorandum's of Understanding (MOU's) with partner organizations to detail how you will work together, share resources and expertise.
IMBA Resources for Building Your Community
Assess the Efficacy of Your Organization, take IMBA's Organization Assessment
Learn about Economic Impact, Investing in Trails
Learn about Health and Wellness Benefits, Beyond the Ride
3. Land Management Partnerships
Building strong partnerships with land managers is essential for securing and protecting mountain biking access, and it requires active and consistent engagement at local and state levels. This involves proactively engaging with land managers to understand existing land use plans for target parcels, knowing and discussing your state's Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) and vision for outdoor recreation, and becoming a partner in visioning and planning processes for new trail opportunities. Begin this process by reaching out and making a personal connection. Then, commit to building that collaborative relationship with the representative of our land management agencies. As a trusted partner, you will be able to discuss and advance the vision for new or improved trail development that benefits your nonprofit and the goals of the agency.
Tips for Partnership:
- Engage Agencies and organizations with common goals related to economic development, outdoor recreation and public & community health.
- Engage with local businesses, outdoor brands and municipal governments.
- Explore the creation of MOUs with partner organizations to share resources and expertise.
4. Improve Local Advocacy
As a local trail organization, you play an important role in expanding and protecting trail access in your community. You also advocate for the funding to support existing trails and create new ones. Beyond building relationships with local land managers, you can engage the community to create a powerful voice for trails, and collaborate with other recreation groups. Work to understand your state's recreation economy, as it can be leveraged to help secure diverse funding for trail development and maintenance.
On a national level, IMBA is constantly working on advocacy support at the local, state, and federal levels. You can expand the reach of your nonprofit by tapping into IMBA's expertise in policy, legal, and administrative issues that impact trails and mountain biking. The IMBA team has a commitment to providing long-lasting, sustainable access solutions for mountain bikers across the U.S.
IMBA Resources for Advocacy
IMBA Local Member Benefit: The Action Cultivator Tool (ACT) allows partners to reach more people and engage them on timely and relevant issues affecting the mountain biking community. Local Member Organizations and Affiliates can tap into IMBA’s expertise in the planning stages of an advocacy campaign, as well as mobilize IMBA’s wide network of members and partners.
Build relationships with your lawmakers.
- Find Your State Lawmakers on State Legislature websites
- Find Your Federal Member on Congress.gov
5. Strengthen Your Fundraising Strategy
Securing robust and diverse funding is an important piece of a successful trail organization seeking to achieve its vision and ensure the long-term viability of trails. Relying on a single funding source, such as grants or events, often proves insufficient for ambitious goals. Your trail organization needs to strategically diversify its revenue streams, and proactive pursue a combination of memberships; grassroots donors; grants from local and regional foundations and charitable organizations; corporate sponsorships; and community events. A multi-faceted approach provides the essential capital needed for every stage of trail development and organizational sustainability.
IMBA Resources for Fundraising
Join IMBA on Wednesday, October 15th at 5pm Eastern/2pm Pacific for the first of the Leadership Lab webinar series: Foundations to Funding: More Than Membership.
Check out Funding for Natural Surface Trails
Get to know your SCORP and your state’s Office of Outdoor Recreation.
6. Expand People Power with Volunteer Engagement
Volunteers are the lifeblood of trail organizations: their dedication, commitment, and passion for trails fuels trails close to home in your community. Expanding and empowering your volunteer base is necessary for both the on-the-ground work and the overall health of your organization. Actively recruiting new volunteers, recognizing their contributions, and providing diverse engagement opportunities will build a robust and sustainable volunteer program.
Value volunteer time, according to the Independent Sector in 2024 values volunteer time at $33.49 per hour, although this may vary by state. This monetary value helps non-profits demonstrate impact, attract funders, and support strategic planning by translating hours into a tangible financial equivalent. Though this value cannot be reported as contributions on the IRS Form 990 it should be noted at the end. This volunteer contribution should be marketed as savings to land managers and funders.
IMBA Resources for Volunteer Engagement
IMBA Local Member Benefit: Visit your Local Leadership Dashboard for resources on volunteer engagement.
7. Develop Your Team and Move Toward Paid Staff
Develop a Paid Staff
Moving to a paid Executive Director position or expanding your team can be a big step for a growing organization. Learn what it takes to get ready: from understanding the true cost of a new hire, to creating sustainable funding, to building the internal systems that support staff success. Whether you're preparing to hire your first employee or grow your team, having clear strategies and practical tools will help you move forward with confidence.
Develop Crew Leaders and Pay Them
Investing in your trails is expected. Investing in your people is often overlooked, and necessary. Ensure you train the people that lead your volunteers. When possible, ensure your teams are certified in skills necessary for trail stewardship, volunteer management, and safety. Work with your Board of Directors to set goals and strategize toward paid staff positions.
IMBA Resources for Team Development
Work with your Board of Directors to set goals and strategize toward paid staff positions.
IMBA Local Member Benefit: Visit your Local Leadership Dashboard for resources on Board of Directors management and strategic planning.
8. Leverage Data & Storytelling
No one can tell your community’s stories better than you can, and pairing colorful anecdotes with data creates impact. Use trail counter data and economic impact reports big to showcase the importance of trails. Highlight community stories on social media and in newsletters that demonstrate the benefits of trails. Create mechanisms by which the people who love your trails can share their passion with the community and speak to the personal benefits of engagement with your organization and with the trails you steward.
IMBA Resources for Data & Storytelling
The Power of the Pedals: Unlocking Insights from MTB Data
9. Establish or Strengthen Membership Programs
Growing trails means growing membership, ridership, and donations. Give your members a reason to become and remain contributors to your progress. Give visitors to your trails a chance to support the local organization keeping the trails they drive to visit in great shape. Offer tangible benefits for members and leverage engagement opportunities like community events with the deep benefits of volunteering to grow and strengthen your community's commitment to your trails.
An effective membership program is central to a vibrant trails community. Provide new members valuable reasons to join and remain contributors to your progress. More than simply asking for donations; offer tangible benefits that provide real value and demonstrate the impact of your members' support.
Consider benefits such as:
Exclusive access: Early access to events, rides, or project updates.
Discounts: Special pricing on merchandise, local bike shop partnerships, or event registrations.
Recognition: Member spotlights, thank-you events, or inclusion in an honor roll.
Direct impact: Clear communication on how their membership dollars translate into new trails, maintenance, or advocacy wins.
Ultimately, a strong membership program fosters a sense of ownership and community, turning casual riders into dedicated supporters and ensuring the sustained growth and success of your trail organization.
IMBA Resources for Membership
IMBA Local Member Benefit: Visit your Local Leadership Dashboard for resources on membership management.
10. Leverage Your IMBA Partnership
Whether you are just getting your organization started, or hiring additional professional staff, IMBA has tools, resources, and connections you can use to meet your goals.
Join IMBA Local today
Visit the IMBA Resource Hub for guides, books and resources to support your trail development process.
IMBA Local Member Benefit:
Access your Local Leadership Dashboard for Affiliate program information and resources
Apply for Trail Accelerator Grants
