Qualifying nonprofits are invited to apply for Moab City’s Community Recreation, Arts and Parks (RAP) Grants no later than February 21, 2025. The application form, grant guidelines, and additional information about the program will be available no later than January 20, 2025, on the City website at www.moabcity.gov/RAP.
“The Moab Community has a diverse array of nonprofits that have great ideas for community programs and events, and the RAP Tax grant funds are a great way to assist in realizing these ideas,” said Moab City Arts and Special Events Director Kelley McInerney. “We are looking forward to funding another round of projects that benefit our city’s recreation, arts, or parks this year.”
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), 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 City Council typically allocates the majority of RAP Tax revenue to qualifying City projects. The remainder goes to help fund the community grants for qualifying projects proposed by local nonprofit organizations. The percentage of RAP Tax revenue allocated to community grants is reviewed annually during the City’s budgeting process and may change from year to year.
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.
This spring, the City will be updating the Swanny Park playground with RAP Tax revenues. The playground will feature all abilities equipment, shade structures, and classic playground favorites. RAP Grant awards in 2024 funded 16 different organizations with projects spanning from music and film festivals to bicycle repair clinics and youth-oriented sports clinics.
For more information about the RAP Tax and the RAP grant program visit moabcity.gov/RAP.