2020 KTA Mini Grant Program
July 7, 2020
The mission of the Kingdom Trail Association is to provide recreation and education opportunities by managing, maintaining, and building trails to foster the health of our local community, surrounding environment, and regional economy. We strive to accomplish this mission by offering quality, non-motorized, multi-use trails for all levels of ability, conserving the natural diversity and heritage of Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom through collaboration and stewardship.
What makes our communities and trail network one of the greatest destinations in North America are the generous landowners who allow Kingdom Trails to manage and maintain trails through their beautiful properties. Our 99 landowners play a key role in vitalizing our region, providing a quality experience, and a healthy outlet for local residents and visitors.
Kingdom Trails believes our KTA Mini Grant program will help highlight and advance valuable local endeavors that promote Recreation, Health & Wellness, Education & Training, Environmental Stewardship, Economic Viability, Heritage & Culture, and Creative Arts.
The KTA Mini Grant program will award funds to projects that benefit the communities of Burke, East Haven, Kirby, and Lyndonville, the towns where Kingdom Trails currently exists. Funds will further Kingdom Trail’s mission, increase the capabilities and capacity of other local organizations and groups, focus on developing a sustainable economy and improve the quality of life for people in these communities while promoting diversity and inclusion.
For the 2020 KTA Mini Grant program, $25,000 will be available. Requests for funds may not exceed $5,000 per project. Applications are due by 4PM on Friday, September 25, 2020. Applications will then be read and scored by the KTA Mini Grant Committee. Funding decisions will be made no later than 1 month following the submission deadline.
Eligible applicants include nonprofit 501(c)3 organizations, schools, governments or collaboratives. Applicants also may include individuals, teachers, or groups (2 or more) of youth or adults who are working on projects in the community and who need resources to move their projects forward.
The KTA Mini Grants will be awarded once a year. Grant applications will be available for download at https://www.kingdomtrails.org/kta-mini-grant. If you would like to be on the Kingdom Trail’s grant distribution list, or if you have any questions regarding the process or eligibility of the grant process, please see further details on the website or email grants@kingdomtrails.org.
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 .
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