The Iron Belle Trail Fund
by Steve DeBrabander, IBTF Executive Director
History
The story of the Iron Belle Trail Fund (IBTF) cannot be told without first briefly describing the Iron Belle Trail (IBT) itself. At over 2,030 miles, the IBT is the longest state-designated trail in the nation. There are two routes, a designated hiking route which primarily follows the route of the North Country Trail and a biking/hiking route which utilizes existing trails where possible (see attached map). Both routes of the IBT start and end in the same locations: Ironwood in the western Upper Peninsula and Belle Isle in Detroit. The trail goes through and connects 48 different counties and 240 different townships and as of today’s date is 70% completed. Connecting Michigan and providing free public outdoor recreation opportunities are just two of the many benefits of the IBT. With such a large project, it was clear this trail could not be funded with public dollars alone. Thus, the IBTF, a 501(C)3 entity, was created. The mission of the IBTF is as follows: The mission of the Iron Belle Trail Fund is to secure and distribute private resources that will be used to assist in the expansion and connectivity of the statewide recreation trail system which links communities, connects people to place through heritage, improves local economies, promotes health and wellness for all ages, and maintains Michigan’s position as The Trail State.
The IBTF Team
The IBTF is led by a robust Board of Directors and is currently chaired by Ms. Peaches McCahill of the McCahill Group based in Grand Rapids.
Other board members include:
Tom Bailey, fmr. Executive Director, Little Traverse Conservancy, Petoskey
Larry Brinker, Owner, Brinker Group, Detroit
Julie Clark, Executive Director, Traverse Area Recreation and Transportation, Traverse City
Glen Chown, Executive Director, Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy, Traverse City
Amy Ghannam, Executive Director, Michigan Fitness Foundation, Lansing
Jeff Hardcastle, Owner, Hardwood Solutions, Inc., Washtenaw County
Robert L. Hughes, Advantage Benefits Group, Grand Rapids
Chris McGinnis, Owner, Crystal Mountain Resort, Thompsonville
Peter Remington, The Remington Group, Detroit
Craig Sharp, Merrill Lynch, Grand Rapids
Special advisors:
Sam Cummings, CWD Real Estate, Grand Rapids
Steve Hamp, Hamp Advisors, Ann Arbor
The role of the board is to provide guidance to the organization, to provide suggestions and make connections for fundraising opportunities and to approve the distribution of funds (primarily grants).
Other members of the IBTF team include:
Executive Director, Steve DeBrabander
Fundraiser – Peter Remington, The Remington Group
Lessons learned
Originally, the IBTF sought state-wide funding opportunities for the IBT, however, due to lessons learned over time, the mission and fundraising techniques used by the IBTF have changed. Fundraising and fund distribution have now expanded to not just the IBT but to all multi-use regional trails state-wide. In addition, the fundraising methodology has evolved to a more regional or project specific approach. Although, both project specific fundraising and state-wide fundraising methods are still used depending on the specific circumstances of a fundraising opportunity.
Success
The IBTF is proud of its accomplishments to date and have assisted in raising over $25 million for trail development. With an active grant issuing program, grants have been provided to many local units of government and trail entities throughout the state. The IBTF continues to be very active in fundraising and in the distribution of funds for trail development.
Iosco Exploration Trail
While funding is a key component of trail development, it is imperative that a local entity or organization exist that is focused on the creation and development of a trail for such a project to be successful. The IBTF was very pleased to learn, early on, of the existence of the Iosco Exploration Trail (IET), a 501(C)3 organization, that existed for the purpose of building recreation trail in the Iosco County area. Specific to the IET (which is part of the IBT), the IBTF has provided 3 grants over the last couple of years towards the development of the trail. These include: two grants to Plainfield Township for trail construction and one grant to AuSable Township for land acquisition. These projects provide a great example of how private funds can be used in combination with public funds to build recreation trails in Michigan.
Future
We, at the IBTF, are excited about the future of trail building in Michigan. While fundraising became a bit challenging during the Covid epidemic, those challenges seem to be fading and we are looking forward to more success in the fundraising arena. During the Covid epidemic, the use of recreation trails increased nearly 200% in Michigan. It was never clearer that having a free to use, outdoor recreation amenity, such a trail was critical to our citizens mental and physical health. The IBTF intends to build on this momentum and continue to provide funds to local entities, such as the IET, to complete trail projects throughout the state of Michigan.
Or contact Steve DeBrabander, IBTF Executive Director at 517-285-4096 or [email protected]
