Grants and Cooperative Agreements Program (GCA) – G26

The Grants and Cooperative Agreements (GCA) Program, administered by the California Department of Parks and Recreation, serves to support well-managed Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) recreation throughout the state of California. This state-funded grant program seeks to ensure the sustainable use and responsible management of OHV trails, roads, and recreation areas by providing financial assistance to public agencies, nonprofit organizations, tribal governments, and other eligible entities. The overarching goal is to balance recreational use with environmental stewardship, ensuring that wildlife habitats, soil integrity, and ecological systems are maintained for long-term enjoyment and use. The GCA Program provides funding for a broad scope of activities associated with OHV use and conservation. These include planning, acquisition, development, maintenance, administration, operation, enforcement, and restoration efforts within designated OHV areas. The program also supports initiatives related to OHV safety and education. Projects eligible for funding must be located on public lands within California, and must contribute to the creation or maintenance of high-quality OHV experiences while preserving the natural resources that support them. Eligible applicants encompass a wide range of organizations including cities, counties, districts, state and federal agencies, educational institutions, California Native American Tribes, Certified Community Conservation Corps, and 501(c)(3) nonprofit entities. Nonprofits must submit documentation verifying their nonprofit status, such as their IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter and their most recent IRS Form 990 or its equivalent. The inclusion of a diverse set of eligible applicants reflects the program’s commitment to statewide collaboration in supporting sustainable outdoor recreation. One of the core requirements of the GCA Program is a matching fund obligation. For most project types, applicants are required to contribute at least 25% of the total project cost in matching funds, which can be provided through financial contributions, services, or materials. However, projects that fall under the “Restoration” category benefit from a reduced matching requirement of 10%. This cost-sharing mechanism helps ensure that grantees have a vested interest in project success while maximizing the use of state resources. The application process for the current cycle closes on March 2, 2026, at 5:00 PM. The application is submitted through an online portal, and applicants are encouraged to review the full grant guidelines prior to submission. While there is no requirement for a letter of intent, applicants must provide a detailed project cost estimate as part of their submission. Awards are expected to be announced by September 4, 2026. Projects selected for funding will typically have a performance period ranging from one to three years, depending on the nature and scope of the proposed work. For additional support or questions regarding the GCA Program, interested parties can contact the program’s administrative team at 1-916-324-4442 or via email at [email protected]. While the program currently accepts applications, it is also noted to recur annually, indicating ongoing funding opportunities in future cycles. Entities involved in OHV-related land management, safety, and education are encouraged to apply for this competitive but valuable funding source.