BOULDER, Colo. (June 29, 2026) — The International Mountain Bicycling Association has named nine recipients for its 2026 Trail Accelerator Grants, supporting trail education, fundraising, and strategic planning efforts in California, Colorado, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas.
Now in its ninth year, the Trail Accelerator Grant program helps communities create better trails for residents and visitors while strengthening the local advocacy organizations that build, maintain, and protect those trail systems. The 2026 grants will support Trail Care Workshops, fundraising and capital campaign education, and facilitated strategic planning for mountain bike and trail organizations.
IMBA designed the competitive grant program for communities working to create or improve model trail systems and build the advocacy capacity needed to sustain them. Successful projects must show strong partnerships among local leaders, government agencies, land managers, community partners, and mountain bike or trail associations, including IMBA Local organizations.
“Since the TAG program’s inception in 2018, IMBA has awarded 56 planning & design grants and 20 education grants,” said David Wiens, IMBA Executive Director. “A mix of rural, suburban, and urban communities have leveraged the deliverables and training to attract support and funding for their projects totaling more than $13M. At least 18 TAG projects have supported youth cycling and NICA venues.”
The 2026 projects reflect a range of trail-community goals, from health and wellness benefits and better outdoor recreation opportunities for families and youth to destination trail systems that can attract visitors and support local outdoor recreation economies. IMBA noted that communities such as Williamstown, Massachusetts, and Sioux Falls, South Dakota, have used Trail Accelerator Grants, IMBA Trail Solutions partnerships, IMBA Designations, and dedicated IMBA Local organizations to carry out trail visions and meet long-term trail goals.
2026 IMBA Trail Accelerator Grantees for Education: Trail Care Workshops
In Johnson City, Tennessee, SORBA Tri-Cities will use its Trail Care Workshop to train 20 trail stewards representing 18 regional trail systems. The organization aims to establish a shared standard of trail care across the region and build the foundation for a future Regional Trail Corps. The effort will also strengthen partnerships with municipal land managers and the U.S. Forest Service while supporting a broader vision for resilient, world-class trail experiences that benefit local communities, outdoor recreation, and regional economic recovery.
In San Diego, California, the San Diego Mountain Bike Association will use its Trail Care Workshop to expand its work connecting motivated volunteer leaders directly with land managers. The training will help those teams reduce maintenance backlogs, address erosion, and apply consistent technical knowledge across trail systems. SDMBA also expects the process to strengthen trust with land manager staff, support the addition of new legal trails, protect existing trail networks, and improve trail access throughout San Diego County.
2026 IMBA Trail Accelerator Grantees for Education: Funding Services
In Leadville, Colorado, Cloud City Wheelers will receive support as it works to rebuild the popular “Back Nine” trail system. IMBA will help the organization strengthen its long-term fundraising capacity, diversify revenue streams, and create sustainable support for its trail systems and community programs.
In Sugar Hill, Georgia, the city is raising funds for a 160-acre outdoor recreation park that will include more than four miles of multi-use trails. Located in metro Atlanta, the park is positioned to bring mountain biking to a densely populated area. IMBA will provide training and strategies to support fundraising for trail construction and upkeep.
In Monterey, California, the Monterey Off Road Cycling Association is leading an effort to develop a bike park at Laguna Seca Recreational Area in Monterey County. IMBA will assist MORCA with its major donor campaign.
In Niles, Michigan, the YMCA will receive support for Camp Eberhart, a 200-acre property that has welcomed campers for more than 100 years. The YMCA has seen growing demand for mountain bike programming, equipment, trails, and maintenance at the camp. IMBA will work with the organization to strengthen its approach to outdoor recreation and trail stewardship funding so it can expand mountain biking opportunities at Camp Eberhart.
In Lakeway, Texas, the Lake Travis Trails Coalition is building a five-acre neighborhood skills park. IMBA will help the organization create an effective, sustainable fundraising program that can support the current project and help the group scale its work beyond the park.
2026 IMBA Trail Accelerator Grantees for Education: Strategic Planning for Trail Organizations
In Colorado Springs, Colorado, Medicine Wheel Trail Advocates will use its award to build on its long history of community service and create a coordinated strategy for the next several years. The planning process will help the organization pursue new opportunities, navigate changing relationships with land managers and funders, and improve succession planning while preserving institutional knowledge and continuing to develop leadership skills.
In Cary, North Carolina, Triangle Off-Road Cyclists will use its strategic planning grant at a turning point for the organization. TORC recently hired its first executive director after more than 20 years of volunteer-led leadership. Through the IMBA-supported planning process, TORC will develop a roadmap to strengthen organizational capacity, improve data collection and volunteer management systems, guide future trail advocacy and stewardship efforts, and build stronger partnerships with landowners and public agencies across North Carolina’s Triangle region.
Communities and organizations interested in the 2027 Trail Accelerator Grant can use IMBA’s Applicant Toolkit, FAQ, and other materials to begin preparing for the next application period.
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