In November 2003, Collin County voters approved an $11 million bond for the development and improvements in parks and open space within the county. Over the next five years (2004-2008) $2.2 million will be made available for funding assistance.

The Collin County Parks Foundation Advisory Board administers the Project Funding Assistance Program. This is a reimbursement program. Applicants must have at minimum dollar for dollar in matching funds, comprised of direct cash or in-kind services, for the project being proposed.

Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, nonpolitical groups, or any unit of local government including municipalities, school districts, or county located in Collin County, Texas. Faith-based organizations are eligible to apply as long as inherently religious activities, such as worship and religious instruction are not conducted.

Proposed project goals must be similar to and support or advance the mission published in the Collin County Parks and Open Space Strategic Plan (October 2001). The executive summary of this plan is made available on the Collin County website or you may request a complete copy by emailing openspace@collincountytx.gov.

Information regarding the Project Funding Assistance Program is available in the General Guidelines and Instructions. The Funding Application* is now a fillable form. A detailed summary of projects funded by the 2003 Parks & Open Space bond has been made available along with various project photos.

The application submission deadline is July 8, 2008, with the award announcement in October 2008. An original and 11 copies (total of 12) of your application packet should be submitted to Collin County Special Projects, 825 N. McDonald St., Suite 145, McKinney, Texas 75069. For expediency please staple upper left corner on ALL packets of information submitted.

General questions can be addressed by phoning 972-548-3744.

* Note: If you have trouble opening or using the Funding Application document, please check that your Microsoft Word macro security is not set too high. To change this setting within Microsoft Word, go to the "Tools” menu and then select "Options”. Then click on the "Security” tab and click on the “Macro Security” button. On the next window that appears, select the "Security Level" tab, change the level to “Medium” or lower, and then click the "OK" button.