Ground Work USA

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E. Application and Selection Process Establishment of a new Groundwork Trust involves a multi-step process as outlined below (timeframes are approximate) to determine the needs, opportunities, capacity, and level of commitment to establish a Groundwork Trust in the applicant community, and if appropriate, to receive federal funding and technical assistance to start and support the organization in its first critical years of operation. Community participation in the Groundwork Program should be sponsored by a locally convened “Groundwork Steering Committee” with broad and diverse representation from the community’s local government, civic leaders, business interests, neighborhood representatives and other organizations and individuals interested in the potential for establishing a Groundwork Trust in their community. Interested communities may request assistance with this process from their regional NPS Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program. RTCA Program and staff contact information is available at www.nps.gov/rtca. Step 1 - Letter of Interest (due December14, 2012 COB) Interested communities submit a Letter of Interest from the local Groundwork Steering Committee to the National Park Service that explains how the Groundwork Program might address the environmental, social and economic needs of the community. See the Guidelines for the Groundwork USA Letter of Interest in Section II B for the format and recommended content of this letter. Approximately ten (10) communities will be selected to participate in the assessment process below. Step 2 – Assessment/Proposal (February 1, 2013 – May 31, 2013 due date for final proposal will be June 28, 2013) Based on the Letter of Interest, representatives of NPS and Groundwork USA will meet with the local Groundwork Steering Committee and other community members as appropriate to explain the Groundwork Program in detail; visit local potential Groundwork project sites; learn more about the community’s inter

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