Where Does the Money Go?

Trail Alliance Friends sometimes wonder “How does the Alliance operate?” or “Why do we collect dues”.

The St Johns River-to-Sea Loop Alliance is a Florida nonprofit corporation.  The alliance was founded in 2016 and we are still a small all-volunteer organization. We do not have any employees. The dues we collect pay to run the association, provide member benefits and cover some expenses for our full-time volunteers.  We are proud to have been selected by Florida Bicycle Association as Trails Promoter of the Year. 

  1. Picnic Rides, informative presentations and other events
  2. Raise awareness for the benefits of trails and increase trail usage
  3. Promote regional trails through brochures and maps both printed and online
  4. Signs and kiosks on the trail and at railroad stations
  5. Work with state, county and city governments and organizations to complete the Loop and advance trails and bike-friendly places
  6. Be active in Tranportation Planning Organizations to assist trail projects 
  7. Plan, advocate and advance safe routes to trails and important destinations
  8. Federal lobbying for cycle friendly legislation
  9. Support for trail and cycling advocacy and advancement
  10. River2SeaLoop.Org website operation
  11. “In the Loop” Newsletter and maintain our 1700 entry contact database
  12. Special Projects like our “Lost HIstory Week” to reach people who would not normally use trails
  13. Active Social Media presence
  14. Office operations including accounting and federal and state filings to maintain nonprofit status as a 501(c)3 charitable organizaton, maintain liability insurance and maintain the computer hardward and software licenses needed to accomplilsh our mission
  15. Develop relationships and partner with other organizations to increase impact

We work hard at all these things. That’s why we recently awarded the title of “Trail Promoters of the Year” by Florida Bicycle Association.

We are proud to have earned the Guidestar/Candid Gold Seal of financial transparency.  

River2Sea Loop Gold Seal of Transparency
Benefits of River2Sea Loop

We want to keep our dues low, but we need funds from other sources to keep the alliance actively pursuing our mission to advance, advocate, support, promote and protect trails and bikable/walkable places.  When possible we identify and apply for grants for specific projects help advance our cause. Recent grants have enabled us to design, produce and install map sign kiosks at Jacob Brock Avenue near Deltona and at the DeBary Sun Rail Station, to develop maps and to present “Lost History Week” highlighting African and Native American history sites accessible by bicycle or on foot.

Your support through your Friends and Family membership dues, sponsorships or partnerships, combined with your generosity in volunteering your time,  are what makes it possible for us to pursue our mission. We are asking you to donate so that we can continue to pursue our mission.