The 2025–2026 Granville County Parks, Greenways, and Recreation Mini-Grant Program supports the development of recreational activities for residents of Granville County, North Carolina. Administered by the Parks, Greenways, and Recreation Advisory Committee (PGRAC), the program provides funding to enhance both active and passive recreational opportunities, with a goal of broad accessibility across diverse populations. The application period runs from December 1, 2024, to January 31, 2025, with a submission deadline of 5:00 p.m..
Eligible applicants include local government entities in Granville County without dedicated recreation departments (currently limited to the Towns of Stem and Stovall) and registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. Nonprofit applicants must provide proof of their designation and comply with submission requirements, such as a W-9 form and project renderings or illustrations. Proposed projects must be open to the public free of charge and adhere to the North Carolina Constitution’s public purpose requirement.
Funding awards are capped at $20,000 for local government entities and $10,000 for nonprofit organizations. Full funding is provided upfront to encourage participation by smaller organizations that may lack cash reserves. While a financial match is not required, preference may be given to applications demonstrating a contribution toward the project. Eligible expenses include the construction or enhancement of recreational facilities, purchase of reusable equipment, and payment for temporary instructors. Ineligible expenses include personnel costs, consumable items, facility rentals, insurance premiums, and land acquisition.
Projects must align with priorities outlined in the 2024 Granville County Recreation Master Plan, which emphasizes amenities like walking trails, greenways, playgrounds, and inclusive recreation facilities. Applications for passive recreation activities, such as nature observation, yoga, or photography, are also welcome. While supporting amenities such as parking lots or restrooms may be considered, they are not prioritized.
Applications are evaluated between March 1 and May 31, 2025, with funding recommendations presented to the County Commissioners in July 2025. Awardees must comply with quarterly progress reporting, meet project deadlines, and prominently display a county-provided mini-grant sign at project sites. Noncompliance or significant changes to the project scope without approval may result in the forfeiture of funds.
For more information, applicants can contact Carlton Thornton, Assistant Planning Director, at carlton.thornton@granvillecounty.org or (919) 603-1331. Submissions can be made via email, mail, or hand-delivery to the Granville County Development Services office. Full guidelines and application details are available from the Granville County Parks, Greenways, and Recreation Advisory Committee.
