Your support of these services supports the advocacy work of Single Track Communications (STC) to help trail organizations and the demands that are made of their volunteers. Contracting any of these services supports all of the articles published here at STC, in-kind services donated to trail organizations that need a leg up, and the overall mission of trail advocacy employed at STC.
CONSULTING
With experience in communication related to trails and fundraising for trails, many consulting topics will fall under these two primary headings. In addition to the below examples, consulting is available about any topic for which material has been published at Single Track Communications.
If a trail organization has a challenge that requires overcoming, an outside voice with experience from many trail organizations can be a surprising and effective tool in moving forward.
The following questions serve as examples of what Single Track Communications may assist with. Everything is tailored for the unique needs of the trail organization or municipality engaging in trails.
- Is there a need to conceptualize and then help plan and garner support for a new trail project?
- Is there some uncertainty on how best to announce plans for a new trail project, ensuring maximum exposure?
- Is assistance needed in communicating and building a relationship with elected officials or civic staff?
- Do you need help reviewing your organization’s existing fundraising plan or help in building and executing a new one?
- Is acquiring funding for maintaining existing trails a challenge and does that require new ideas?
- Are your volunteers tapped out and out of steam for writing grant applications?
If a city or municipality wants to assist an existing trail organization in their region, Single Track Communications can provide guidance and direction on behalf of the city or municipality to aid the trail organization in meeting the community’s goals.
Please inquire to book a no-cost discovery session where your needs will be assessed, ideas will be shared, and various options discussed based on my ability to serve.*
GRANT SERVICES
With experience in both grant writing and reviewing, Single Track Communications is dedicated to providing an array of grant services tailored for those involved in the planning, construction, and upkeep of single track trails.
Ongoing grant work means that the grant language we use is in a perpetual state of refinement. This approach ensures that the language and best practices derived from past project we have written grants for are harnessed to your organization’s advantage.
Our offerings range from in-depth research into available grants suitable for your specific region, organization, or project, to the creation of complete grant applications on behalf of your organization. Additionally, we can simple offer a thorough review of your prepared grant applications, conducted prior to their submission for evaluation and consideration.**
Grant Review & Editing
The grant review process initiates by developing an understanding of the funding body and their specific application prerequisites. Following this initial step, a comprehensive assessment is conducted of the grant application crafted by the organization. This evaluation takes place prior to the application’s submission for consideration to the intended grant provider.
Our review process entails furnishing written feedback encompassing the entirety of the grant application. An evaluation of the grant’s overall strength will be included, coupled with recommendations aimed at fortifying the overall application quality. The cost for a typical review would normally fall within the range of CAD $100 to $200*.
Grant Research & Writing
Full scale grant writing services involve many details to be sure the most powerful grant application comes out of the process. Specific aspects of this are subject to change, based on project or grant requirements, but may include any or all of the following:
- Developing a thorough understanding of the trail organization
- Undertaking a thorough review of the project(s) that require funding
- Identifying supporting partners for the project
- Creating project summary, organization history, and management documents
- Determining and creating fundraising forecast materials
- Assembling budget projections
- Producing additional relevant supporting materials
- Identify potential grants and/or sponsors relative to the project and/or region
- Consult database of known trail funders maintained by Single Track Communication (database currently under development)
The strongest possible grant applications share the story of a project in motivational and compelling language and demonstrate the competence of the organization planning to undertake it. A quality grant application also demonstrates the importance of the project and how it serves to benefit a wide range of the community in various ways (lifestyle, health outcomes, tourism, economic benefits, etc.).
Any of the above mentioned steps in the grant research and writing process may be delivered independently from one another to an organization or municipality seeking funding for trails.
Please inquire to book a no-cost discovery session where your needs will be assessed, ideas will be shared, and various options discussed based on my ability to serve.*
FUNDRAISING SERVICES
Distinct from the above detailed grant services, fundraising takes on a more general grass roots approach. This may involve local efforts to engage your community (think merchandise sales, individual donations, raffles, etc.), seeking relationships with businesses for ongoing annual sponsorship, or the building of a comprehensive sponsorship package for a new capital project.
FACILITATOR
Leaning heavily on my previous career in the wedding and special events world, I am also available as a conference host and meeting or round table facilitator. From pre-event planning to day of coordination and onstage MC services, hosting live events has always been a specialty of mine and something I mentored other performers in. Whether you are looking for a facilitator that can skillfully manage a panel discussion or stakeholder meeting, or someone to host your live onstage event with an infectious energy from the opening welcome to the final session of the day, please get in touch. Bringing my past life to my current work in trail advocacy is something I am very passionate about.
* A portion of all billed hours are set aside for in-kind volunteer services. If your organization requires assistance but is unable to currently afford those services, please inquire about using some of the in-kind hours that may be available.
** For Manitoba organizations, Single Track Communications is unable to write grants for Trails Manitoba funding.