Recreation, Arts & Parks (RAP) Tax Grant

The Recreation, Arts & Parks (RAP) Tax Grant, administered by the City of Moab, supports local initiatives that enhance the community through recreational, cultural, artistic, and park-focused programs and facilities. This program is funded through a voter-approved sales tax dedicated to enriching the community by investing in qualifying nonprofit projects and programs. The RAP Tax Advisory Committee (RAP TAC), comprised of community representatives, evaluates applications annually and submits funding recommendations to the Moab City Council, which retains the final approval authority. The RAP Tax Grant is designed to support a wide range of eligible projects, including art creation and presentation, recreation programs, park and facility development, capital improvements, and cultural festivals. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, or individuals or groups partnered with such nonprofits. All funded projects must occur within Moab city limits or on Moab city property and be completed within one year of receiving the award. Additionally, projects must publicly acknowledge the RAP Tax funding in all promotional materials. Grants may be used to support expenditures such as staff salaries directly related to the project, contracted services, marketing and promotion, travel and housing for performers or staff, administrative costs (limited to 10% of the requested funds), and program or production costs. Capital projects are eligible but must be available for public use for at least ten years. Notably, each applicant may request no more than 20% of the total RAP Tax Grant funds available for the year. For 2026, this funding ceiling is $17,000, out of a total pool of $85,000. There is a required match of at least 25%, which may be fulfilled through direct or indirect contributions. Applications must include a completed grant application form and budget sheet, which will be made available for download starting January 23, 2026. Awards are disbursed as a single payment upon contract finalization, and applicants with open projects from prior cycles may not receive new funds until previous projects are completed and final reports submitted. Projects will be evaluated on multiple criteria: the quality and clarity of the project proposal, demonstrated community need, anticipated benefits to Moab residents, and the applicant’s capacity to execute the project. This includes budget realism, staff qualifications, and past performance with RAP or City funds. The RAP TAC’s evaluation also considers alignment with the program’s mission to enhance the Moab community through arts, culture, parks, and recreation. The application window for the 2026 RAP Tax Grant will open on Friday, January 23, 2026, and close at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, February 27, 2026. All applicants are required to adhere to the RAP Program Guidelines and submit a final project report upon completion. For additional information, applicants may contact the RAP Tax Advisory Committee at [email protected]. The program’s official guidelines are published online and include specific criteria and requirements for funding, submission, and reporting.