ACF Community Collaborator of the Year

Trail Fund Honored as ACF Community Collaborator of the Year

 Sedona, AZ (June 06, 2025) 

The Sedona Red Rock Trail Fund (SRRTF) has received the Community Collaborator of the Year award from the Arizona Community Foundation (ACF), honoring the nonprofit’s extraordinary partnership efforts and pivotal role in maintaining the region’s iconic trail system.

The award was presented at ACF’s annual Spirit Awards in Sedona this spring. Accepting on behalf of the organization were President Dick Williams, Program Director Camille Cox, and Directors Dreama Aldredge and Kelley Malek.

Founded in 2014, SRRTF has become a national model for trail stewardship, raising more than $3.5 million to support the maintenance and enhancement of over 400 miles of non-motorized, multi-use trails in the Coconino National Forest’s Red Rock Ranger District – one of the most heavily used trail systems in the country.

“This award is a testament to the long-standing partnerships we’ve built and the deep community commitment behind our mission,” said President Dick Williams. “We’re honored to be recognized, but more than that, we’re motivated to keep going – undaunted by the current funding climate.”

One initiative cited as particularly impactful was SRRTF’s leadership during a 2024 funding crisis. When the U.S. Forest Service imposed a national freeze on hiring seasonal workers due to budget constraints – threatening essential trail maintenance in Sedona – the SRRTF stepped in.

Unable to directly manage payroll for the seasonal crew, the SRRTF partnered with Wheel Fun, another Verde Valley nonprofit, to act as the administrative arm of an urgent workaround. Within days, agreements were signed, funding transferred, and 13 seasonal crew members were onboarded for a six-month term at a cost of $360,000–entirely covered by SRRTF.

“This was not a typical collaboration — it was a high-stakes rescue of a trail season,” said Williams. “It required trust, agility, and the strength of our network.”

The ACF praised the SRRTF’s ability to mobilize diverse stakeholders – from federal agencies and local nonprofits to business sponsors and individual donors – despite being operated by a volunteer board and just one full-time professional staff member.

With the annual cost of trail maintenance nearing $1 million and federal support covering just 8 – 12% of that, the SRRTF continues to bridge the cash funding gap through grants, donations, and community partnerships.

More information about the Sedona Red Rock Trail Fund and its ongoing efforts can be found at redrocktrailfund.org.