State Legislation Aims To Improve Nonprofit Grant Funding

Two Bills Could Transform How Organizations Like CAMTB and Its Affiliates Access Nonprofit Grant Funding

Great news for nonprofits like the California Mountain Biking Coalition (CAMTB) and our local trail partners who work on the ground in State Parks and on other public lands. Two nonprofit grant funding bills—AB 880 and AB 1039—are making their way through the legislature. Both have cleared the State Assembly and are moving on to the Senate. If they pass, they could make a huge difference in how our member and partner organizations fund, launch, and sustain trail projects.

What Are AB 880 and AB 1039?

AB 880 (Bennett) is crafted to ensure that nonprofits receive fair and timely reimbursement. Right now, those who access state grants are forced to front the costs for trail work, habitat restoration, or volunteer programs and then wait—sometimes for months—for the state to reimburse them. AB 880 would:

• Require the state to reimburse all nonprofits on time, regardless of contract size.
• Ensure nonprofits are compensated for our indirect costs (such as insurance, administration, and office space), not just the direct project expenses.

This “reimbursable grant” process makes it impossible for smaller organizations to utilize nonprofit grant funding unless they have sufficient funds to front the costs of their projects. 

AB 1039 (Hart) addresses the other side of the funding equation: securing upfront funding. This bill would:

• Require state agencies to provide advance payments—up to 25% of the total grant or contract—so projects can get started quickly.
• Make it clear in every grant announcement that advance payments are available.

Nonprofit Grant Funding for Mountain Biking and Trails?

If you’ve ever volunteered for a trail day or supported a local club, you know that even small projects require upfront spending—tools, supplies, training, and sometimes hiring seasonal crews. Under the current system, nonprofits often have to dip into reserves or take out loans while waiting for state payments. This can slow down projects, limit what gets taken on, or even keep smaller groups from applying for state funding in the first place.

Here’s how these bills could change the game:

• Faster Project Starts: With AB 1039, our member organizations could receive advance funds to purchase materials and hire crews before the work begins, instead of scrambling to cover costs.
• Sustainable Operations: AB 880 means our member orgs finally get reimbursed for the real costs of keeping our organizations running—not just what we spend directly on shovels and dirt, but also the behind-the-scenes work that makes every trail project possible.
• More Equity: Advance payments and fair cost coverage would especially help smaller, volunteer-driven groups and those working in underserved communities, opening the door for more diverse voices and projects on public lands.

What’s Next?

If passed, these bills would require state agencies—including State Parks—to update how they work with nonprofits. There may be some growing pains as everyone adapts, but the long-term benefits for California’s trails, parks, and outdoor communities are enormous. 

At CAMTB, we’re excited about the potential for AB 880 and AB 1039.  We’re supporting them as they could strengthen our partnerships with State Parks and empower our member organizations to get easier access to state funding, and do even more for mountain biking and trail stewardship statewide.