Qualifying nonprofits are invited to apply for Moab City’s Community Recreation, Arts and Parks (RAP) Grants no later than March 1, 2024. The application form, grant guidelines, and additional
information about the program are available on the City website at www.moabcity.org/RAP.
“If you’re looking for funding and your project is taking place within Moab City limits and benefits recreation, arts or parks – apply for RAP Grant funding,” said Moab City Parks, Recreation and Trails Director Brianna Bowker. “Last year, we were able to support more than a dozen nonprofit organizations with over $90,000 in total funding. Help us help you in supporting our community.”
These community grants are available specifically for projects related to arts, culture, recreation, and parks projects or programs. Funds will be distributed through a competitive process rated by the five-member Recreation, Arts and Parks Tax Advisory Committee (RAP TAC), which was established in 2022 based on community feedback. Members of the citizen committee were appointed by the mayor and approved by the Moab City Council. The committee reviews all community grant applications and makes recommendations for project funding to the City Council.
The Recreation, Arts and Parks Tax is a sales and use tax approved by voters in 2020. It went into effect in April of 2021. The RAP tax is a one-tenth of 1 percent sales tax included on eligible sales and uses within Moab City limits. The tax amounts to 1 cent for every $10 spent. Unprepared food items and fuel are exempt from the tax.
According to Utah Code, RAP Tax revenues can only be used for recreational, cultural, arts and parks programs and facilities provided by the city, or by qualifying nonprofit groups. The City has discretion regarding how decisions are made for projects funded through the RAP Tax.
The City typically allocates the majority of RAP Tax revenues to City projects and the remainder goes to help fund community grants for qualifying projects proposed by local nonprofit organizations. The allocation percentage of RAP Tax revenue is reviewed annually during the City’s budgeting process and may change from year to year.
The RAP Tax revenue reserved for City projects will be used to update outdated park amenities and failing park infrastructure and to provide new recreation, arts, and parks opportunities for the community. Many of these projects were prioritized in the City’s Parks Master Plan, which was developed during an extensive public involvement process in 2023. These City projects may be substantial, requiring more than a one-year allocation, City officials have said.
For more information about the RAP Tax and the RAP grant program visit www.moabcity.org/RAP.