Edward M. SmathersWe could not have reached our goals without you!
2019 was the biggest year to date for Dig The Falls. As you may know, we were founded in 2005 and began as a website devoted to gathering as much information for every waterfall in New York State. The past four years have made many additions to that original goal, and we have many more we plan to add.
The Dig The Falls Team has grown (we still need to add more to our Team Page!!), and our impact has increased exponentially. We have begun getting involved directly with local projects, like the Narrows: Cascades & Heritage Trail in Troy, NY. We are also looking to get involved with state parks; Mine Kill State Park is the first we have been in contact with, and will be looking to become a Friends Of group for the park by year end.
Funding:
We held our first ever can drive last year which was wildly successful. Stress Fracture LLC held a huge fundraiser that benefited Dig The Falls as well. Our team collected some donations while onsite at some of our clean up days, too. Altogether, we were able to raise over $1,700. This was the very first year we ever broke over $100 in total donations from outside contributors, and we are completely humbled!
We have submitted a Step Up grant through Parks &Trails New York, for which we have set aside a portion of the funds raised. The grant will aid in the creation of a formal 501c3 (not for profit) organization for Dig The Falls to operate under. We will know in March if we have been awarded the grant funding, but until then we are continuing in our plans to grow Dig The Falls in our volunteer efforts.
Other budget considerations: website, maps, plugins, advertising, SEO, social media, cleanup supplies and tools, software, travel, patches and stickers, sponsorship of other organizations, and a plethora of other equipment and items – All of these are generally funded out of pocket by the Dig The Falls team. We believe in Dig The Falls and consider it an honor to add value to what we are doing; online and in person!
What if we are not awarded the grant?
Nothing changes. Our goals remain the same, although our timelines may change a little. We will meet the goal of becoming a not for profit and gain 501c3 status no matter what!
In the meantime, we will also continue adding as much information as we can to each page of the website. We have a new map in development that will include many features that will help in planning trips to each location. We also have a few projects in the works that we will be announcing in separate blog posts. You wont want to miss them!! Sign up below if you have not yet, to receive updates via email.
Looking Toward The Future
With last year exceeding almost every goal we set for ourselves, we are setting even bigger goals for this year. This includes web content, work days, more challenges, etc. With your help we will exceed these goals and more!
I want to thank each and everyone that has participated in one or all of the challenges we have published thus far. I consider myself very lucky to have met some of you in person!
There have been many that have been directly involved with the addition of content to the website, while others add to the great communities we are trying to build on Facebook and other social channels. Thank you all for your contributions!! Without all of you, our community, or team, would not be the same.
I look forward to meeting many more of you in person this year.
Happy Waterfalling,
Ed
Founder of Dig The Falls
