KTA Mini Grants Awarded
November 4, 2019
$25,000 dedicated to our direct community
Kingdom Trails awarded grants for 9 projects. Grant recipients were selected through a competitive application process, scoring projects on such criteria as community need, impact, sustainability, inclusiveness, public support, and a realistic, effective work plan and budget.
The Kingdom Trails Board of Directors is pleased to announce the following recipients of 2019 KTA Mini Grant awards:
H.O.P.E : Awarded $4,500 to support the weekly Backpack Program, providing food for children throughout the weekends between school.
Fairbanks Museum : Awarded $4,500 for its innovative Earth & Space Science program for 3rd, 5th and middle school students in Burke
Town School and Lyndon Town School, in collaboration with the Kingdom East Afterschool Program.
Lyndonville Downtown Revitalization Group : Awarded $3,000 for the Depot & Church Downtown Satellite Gallery, elevating the area’s creative economy and the arts in a highly visible location.
NEK Aquatic Swimmers : Awarded $2,870 for the purchase of needed pool equipment, such as lane lines and kick boards, to help youth swimmers improve their swimming skills in a safe environment.
Lyndon Institute : Awarded $2,500 for the GO! Get Outside! program, purchasing a yurt to erect on LI’s Binney Woods property to serve as an outdoor, place-based learning classroom for students and the public.
Lyndon Outing Club : Awarded $2,500 for the design and implementation of a potential bike park on the grounds of Shonyo Park where riders can learn and improve skills in a safe, public environment.
Upright Steeple Society : Awarded $2,200 to paint the spire of the York Street Meeting House, an historic public building available for community events, meetings, lectures, and concerts.
OneBurke : Awarded $2,000 for a West Burke Downtown Visioning & Economic Development Study to delineate the community’s expectations and goals for future development.
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EAST BURKE, VT – October 27, 2025 – Kingdom Trails, a leading non-profit organization dedicated to the development and maintenance of recreational trails in the Northeast Kingdom, today announced it has received a monumental gift of $100,000 from Bear Den Partners, the owners of Burke Mountain, and Kingdom Trails’ single largest private landowner. This unprecedented corporate donation is the largest in Kingdom Trails’ history and signifies a powerful commitment to the economic vitality and future of recreation in the Northeast Kingdom. The $100,000 investment comes as both organizations continue to expand their collaborative efforts to enhance outdoor tourism and provide world-class experiences for visitors and local community members alike. This funding will be immediately directed toward critical trail maintenance, infrastructure improvements, and sustainable trail development projects across the network, allowing Kingdom Trails to build important new connections and keep the trails in top shape. “We are overwhelmed by the generosity and vision demonstrated by the leadership at Burke Mountain,” said Georgia Gould, Interim Executive Director of Kingdom Trails. “This is more than just a donation; it’s an unprecedented investment in the future health of our trails, our organization, and the entire Northeast Kingdom community. This investment ensures we can not only maintain the current quality of the Kingdom Trails experience but also pursue long-term sustainability and innovative projects.” The gift came during an evening of music and celebration of Kingdom Trails’ Landowners hosted by Bear Den Partners at the Burke Mountain Hotel. The event brought together the landowners, community members, and friends who make Kingdom Trails possible. The evening featured a powerful joint performance by national touring artists Adam Gardner of Guster and Stephen Kellogg, whose music captured the warmth, connection, and spirit that define the Northeast Kingdom. The relationship between Burke Mountain and Kingdom Trails has been instrumental in positioning the region as a premier mountain biking and outdoor destination. Burke Mountain’s contribution emphasizes a shared goal of drawing visitors to the region while ensuring responsible stewardship of the natural resources. “Burke Mountain is a proud neighbor and partner to Kingdom Trails,” said Jon Schaefer, CEO of Bear Den Partners. “We understand that the trails are a critical driver of our local economy and an important amenity for our guests. Making this $100,000 commitment was a clear decision—it ensures the longevity of this incredible network and helps secure the Northeast Kingdom’s reputation as a top-tier outdoor destination for generations to come.” The organizations encourage the public and corporate partners to view this as an inspiration for collective responsibility in protecting and preserving the trails that define Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom experience. Kingdom Trails extends its sincere gratitude to Bear Den Partners for their integral support of this investment and their dedication to the future of the trails. About Kingdom Trails Kingdom Trails is a non-profit organization dedicated to the development and maintenance of a 100+ mile network of non-motorized multi-use trails in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. Utilizing a land-use agreement model with 106 private landowners, Kingdom Trails provides recreational access that promotes healthy lifestyles, economic vitality, and sustainable use of resources. About Burke Mountain Located in the heart of Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom, Burke Mountain Resort is an independent, four-season destination owned by Bear Den Partners. Burke delivers 178 acres of world-class skiing and riding in the winter, and lift-served mountain biking and hiking in the summer. Burke’s bike park is adjacent to the world-renowned Kingdom Trails network, a mecca for mountain bikers. Year-round, Burke and the Burke Mountain Hotel host events and activities that reflect the culture and community of Vermont: down-to-earth, uncorporate and driven by the spirit of the mountain and the people who ride it. For more information, visit SkiBurke.com or follow on all major social platforms including Instagram , Facebook and YouTube .
