This summer, the County of Marin will again award up to $200,000 in Parks Measure A funding to community-based organizations to help overcome barriers and connect communities to parks. The maximum grant is $10,000 per award.
For the past 11 years, the Breathe Community Grant Program (Respira in Spanish), overseen by Marin County Parks, has provided thousands of residents with wellness programs and other community services in outdoor settings. This program has also strengthened the connection between Marin communities and their public lands. When people are introduced to new park locations, they are more likely to return with family and friends, fostering repeated visits. In the current year, grantee organizations are leading outdoor experiences for residents of all ages and backgrounds. For example:
- Marin City Swim is providing swimming lessons for young children in Marin City.
- Opening the World and Youth Transforming Justice are providing outings for youth involved with the juvenile justice system.
- The Marin Foster Care Association is leading outings for unaccompanied migrant youth.
Established in 2014, the Breathe/Respira program breaks down barriers faced by some residents in visiting the County’s outdoor facilities. Over the next month, local community organizations are invited to complete an online form to apply for the competitive grants that facilitate more visits to local parks, introduces new residents to recreation via public outreach, and provides bridges to enjoying the outdoors.
Information about how to apply, all qualifying criteria and funding restrictions, along with detailed information about the program and grant decision-making process, are available in the FAQ section on the Breathe/Respira Measure A Community Grant Program webpage. Grants will be offered on a reimbursement basis.
Parks will consider funding projects or programs that support an underserved community as long as that community is adequately described in relation to the Breathe/Respira program. Proposals will be reviewed after the May 9 application deadline, and grants will be recommended in July in partnership with the Parks and Open Space Commission. They will be announced in August following approval of grant agreements by the Board of Supervisors.
To find out more about the range of benefits this tax measure is bringing to your favorite outdoor places, check out the current Measure A annual report.
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