Park Authority

CONTACT INFORMATION: Open during regular business hours 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday
703-324-8740 TTY 711
12055 Government Center Pkwy.
Fairfax, Virginia 22035
Julie Tahan
Community Support Specialist

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Mastenbrook Grants: Good for Parks

The Mastenbrook Grant Program provides matching funds for eligible community-driven projects in Fairfax County Park Authority-owned parks and facilities. Funding comes from the Park Bond Program, approved by county citizens through referendum.

Note: Projects initiated prior to receiving Park Authority grant approval may be ineligible for Mastenbrook Volunteer Matching Fund Grant Program funds. Be sure to read the complete list of project eligibility requirements below.

The Park Authority is now accepting applications for Mastenbrook Grant projects. After an administrative review, the Park Authority Board has lifted the temporary hold on accepting grant applications and updated criteria for eligibility.

Submit an Application

A source of funds for ideas in parks

There is no shortage of great ideas, however without a bit of organization and financial backing many ideas never become reality. That's where the Fairfax County Park Authority's Mastenbrook Grant Program makes a difference.

Mastenbrook Grants provide limited matching funds for projects in Fairfax County parks. Since 1999, more than 219 Mastenbrook Grants have been awarded. These grants have helped to fund dog parks, playgrounds, athletic field and court improvements, picnic shelters tree plantings, and more.

In 1998, John Mastenbrook, a 21-year veteran of the Fairfax County Park Authority Board, suggested the creation of a grant program to encourage public and private ventures that would improve Fairfax County parks and park facilities. The program's aim was to fill a gap between limited bond funding and the community's desire for enhancements to neighborhood parks. This concept became the Mastenbrook Volunteer Matching Fund Grant Program which has resulted in wonderful ideas coming to life for more than two decades. 

Individuals or groups can apply for Mastenbrook grants for local park projects which are made possible by capital development funds approved by the Park Authority Board. This is a flexible program which allows volunteers to match the grant with dollars and/or in-kind volunteer services. The target maximum amount of grant funding is $20,000 per project, and matching funds cannot exceed 50% of the total project cost. An individual or group is eligible to receive more than one grant award per fiscal year, provided the grants are for different projects and the total grant funding does not exceed $20,000.

Each application is reviewed by a cross-divisional team of park staff, which then makes a recommendation to the Park Authority Board. The Board makes the final decision on funding. The proposed projects must address Park Authority needs and must serve the general public. Project designs must meet all Park Authority standards and code requirements and be consistent with relevant Park Authority master plans.

Neighborhood and homeowner associations, environmental groups, sports leagues, scouting organizations, friends groups and individuals have received Mastenbrook funds for projects.

 

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Mastenbrook Volunteer Matching Fund Grants Program Application Form

Eligibility Requirements

Park Authority staff will review each project and make recommendations to the Park Authority Board, which will make the final decision on funding. Projects will be reviewed using the following criteria:

  1. Proposals will be accepted anytime.
  2. Proposals will receive a response within 60 days of receipt. In situations where a park master plan modification is required, a project may receive approval contingent upon final approval of the master plan.
  3. Proposed projects must address Park Authority service needs.
  4. Parks with a total project cost exceeding $100,000 are ineligible for a Mastenbrook Grant.
  5. Completed park improvement projects must be available to the general public.
  6. Proposed project scopes and designs must meet all Park Authority standards and code requirements.
  7. Project proposals must demonstrate which and how many citizens will benefit from the proposed project.
  8. The grant may not exceed 50% of the total project costs.
  9. The applicant’s match may be in the form of in-kind services and/or cash.
  10. The grant funds will be primarily for material or contractor costs.
  11. The maximum amount of grant funding is $20,000 per project.
  12. An individual or organization may apply for more than one project per fiscal year, but the combined grant funds awarded may not exceed $20,000 within a fiscal year.
  13. The Park Authority Board must approve all projects.
  14. Funding for an approved project must be in place six months from the date of Park Authority approval. Otherwise the project may be subject to cancellation and ineligible for resubmission until all funding is in place.
  15. Proposals that have not received Park Authority approval within twelve (12) months of receipt of the application will be evaluated for viability.

 

Contact

For more information, contact Julie Tahan, Community Support Specialist, Fairfax County Park Authority Park Operations Division


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