Peer and Circuit Rider Grant Programs

The Peer and Circuit Rider Grants are administered through the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Bureau of Recreation and Conservation, as part of the Community Conservation Partnerships Program (C2P2). These programs aim to enhance local capacity in recreation, parks, and natural resource conservation by supporting collaborative planning and professional staffing across municipalities, counties, and councils of governments throughout Pennsylvania. Peer Grants are designed to assist municipalities in improving their recreation and park services through structured collaboration with experienced professionals. These grants support special-purpose planning projects focused on issues such as intergovernmental cooperation, facility management, strategic and site-specific planning, revenue assessments, and board development. The grant facilitates contracts with seasoned professionals who provide technical assistance and mentorship. Projects that result in the creation of new intergovernmental recreation agencies are considered a high priority by DCNR. Circuit Rider Grants offer multi-year funding to help counties or partnerships hire a full-time professional dedicated to initiating new programs and services within a regional or multi-municipal area. This professional’s role is to expand access to recreation, parks, greenways, open space, and conservation services in areas that lack the financial capacity to maintain dedicated staffing. These grants are structured to support salary expenses on a decreasing scale over four years, along with limited training and mentoring costs. Applicants must provide matching support to sustain the position over time, and a peer review is typically required before Circuit Rider applications can be approved. The Peer and Circuit Rider grants accept applications on a rolling basis. Eligible applicants include counties, municipalities, councils of governments, authorities, and official intergovernmental entities. While the maximum Peer Grant award is generally $18,000 with a 10% cash match, Circuit Rider grants may cover up to 100% of salary costs in the first year, decreasing annually over a four-year period. Circuit Rider applicants must also provide funding for employee benefits, office support, and long-term continuation plans. To begin an application, organizations must obtain a Non-Procurement Vendor Identification Number and a Unique Entity ID (UEI), contact their assigned Regional Advisor, and conduct an internal assessment of strategic priorities. Applicants are also encouraged to contact Jason Boris (jaboris@pa.gov, 717-783-5874) before submitting an application to discuss project scope and grant alignment. Submissions must include a resolution from the applicant’s governing body, match commitment letters, and a budget outlining staff involvement. Although there is no fixed deadline, applicants are encouraged to plan ahead to ensure completeness and competitiveness. Projects funded under these grants are expected to be completed within the timeframes defined by DCNR and must adhere to all guidelines for professional services and intergovernmental cooperation. Funding decisions are typically made within several months of application, and awardees are reimbursed according to state disbursement policies.

Secure match and resolution early; contact regional advisor and Jason Boris before applying; use experienced peer consultants; Peer review is often required before Circuit Rider approval.