SORBA Chattanooga on Wednesday announced it has received a $50,000 grant from the Lyndhurst Foundation to support the expansion of trail stewardship and the mountain biking community in the Chattanooga area.
SORBA Chattanooga, a local all-volunteer nonprofit, currently maintains over 100 miles of trails, including notable areas such as Walden’s Ridge, 5 Points, Enterprise South and Raccoon Mountain. This grant will allow SORBA to start the process of hiring their first full-time, paid executive director, who will help develop and expand the vision for mountain biking in Chattanooga.
“We’re grateful that the Lyndhurst Foundation is supporting our vision to grow the mountain biking community and off road trail access in Chattanooga,” said Mike Gehard, president of the SORBA Chattanooga Board of Directors. “The mountain biking community and its infrastructure have grown to where they are today through the sweat and commitment of some truly dedicated volunteers. Hiring an executive director will allow us to build on that foundation and grow Chattanooga as a premier mountain biking destination in the Southeast.”
In addition to the initial $50,000 grant, the Lyndhurst Foundation will match every dollar that SORBA Chattanooga raises through the end of 2025 to support this position, up to an additional $50,000.
This funding will enable the organization to support partnerships with organizations like White Oak Bike Co-op, Two Bikes Chattanooga and Catalyst Sports, which work to connect and grow the mountain biking community through their outreach efforts. Additionally, it will enable SORBA Chattanooga to hire a team of full-time staff who will advocate for and maintain local trails.
“SORBA Chattanooga has played a major role in enhancing Chattanooga’s reputation as a community that values outdoor recreation, active living, land conservation, and the spirit of volunteerism,” said Bruz Clark, president of the Lyndhurst Foundation. “We are excited about the next phase of growth for SORBA and the potential to achieve additional leverage and impact that will be afforded through the hiring of a full-time executive director.”
Individuals interested in more information about the executive director position can go to https://www.sorbachattanooga.org/executive-director-position to read about the position.