donation information
Any amount helps in our work to keep River’s Edge Trail a world-class trail and prized destination. Together, we can make this year the most productive in the history of River’s Edge Trail!
- For 31 years River’s Edge Trail has been a grassroots effort. Thanks to individual donations from people like you, we have built this world class recreational asset. Your tax deductible donations help us maintain River’s Edge Trail as a world-class trail system and prized destination. Together, we can protect, promote and improve this scenic recreational treasure.
- Today’s River’s Edge Trail is the result of public and private investments of millions of dollars and many thousands of volunteer hours. However, this 31-year-old aging trail needs consistent upkeep and investment in existing infrastructure in order to ensure safe use and access for all.
- Construction of today’s River’s Edge Trail is the result of successfully leveraging thousands of donated dollars into millions of public grant dollars. Together we fund the maintenance, improvement and development of more Trail for everyone.
- Maintenance of the Trail requires approximately $120,000 per year. River’s Edge Trail Foundation provides the majority of this funding as part of the public – private partnership between the Foundation and the City of Great Falls. Maintenance funding provides resurfacing, weed abatement, riverbank work, signage, equipment, and labor. In addition to maintenance, the Foundation supports improvements and new Trail development. We have big plans for River’s Edge Trail – join us in making those plans a reality!
- Your tax deductible gift is vital to the health of the trail and will be leveraged as a match for state and federal grant funding.
- Historically, we have procured $10 of grant funds for every dollar of private donations.
- River’s Edge Trail Foundation has always been an all-volunteer group. Therefore, 100% of your tax deductible gift goes to protecting, promoting, and improving River’s Edge Trail.
There is also a River’s Edge Trail Endowment Fund, and RETF will accept and manage charitable gift annuities.
Your donation will ensure the safety and accessibility to the trail for all who seek enjoyment of our beautiful outdoors.
upcoming projects & goals
For every dollar donated the River’s Edge Trail Foundation procures $10 of grant funds.
Replacing the oldest parts of the trail
We continue to work on replacing the original segment of trail on the railroad berm bordering Elks Riverside Park. This segment of trail, including the bridge, was celebrated at the official grand opening of the River’s Edge Trail on October 13, 1991.
It is currently quite degraded and beyond sealing. It needs to be replaced completely. Next steps are either capping the current asphalt with several inches of fresh asphalt or removing the current asphalt and replacing it with new.
Wilbert Graf Trail Safety Fund
Wilbert Graf was an avid River’s Edge Trail user. According to his nephew, Alan Graf, he ran on the trail almost every day. For his 90th birthday, Wilbert set a running goal of 10% of his age, nine miles. He ran the nine miles and didn’t stop until he had almost reached the ten mile mark.
Wilbert loved River’s Edge Trail enough that he left a substantial gift to the Foundation in his will. We used that gift to establish a new fund titled The Wilbert Graf Trail Safety Fund. Funds will be restricted for improvements in safety along River’s Edge Trail.
We are grateful to Wilbert and all the other generous donors who allow RETF to develop, maintain and encourage utilization of River’s Edge Trail.
