When it comes to funding, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) and 31 Maintaining Trail clubs have a complicated relationship. While it is not declared that the ATC distributes unevenly among the Trail clubs, it is a silent, acknowledged competition. This competition is surrounded by the Trail clubs' desires to have more activity, volunteer participation, and be well-known to receive substantial funding.

For example, there are awards that all of the Trail clubs are subjected to; these awards include honorable recognitions for the club. However, not all of the Trail clubs receive these types of awards. For example, the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club (PATC) has two awards for the club, while the Randolph Mountain Club (RMC) has not received any. These awards help the Trail clubs gain national recognition. However, another type of award, with financial benefits, are grants. In addition to obtaining other financial contributions, almost every Trail club receives grants from programs. The most recent grant for the RMC was back in 2013 for $17,000 under the New Hampshire's Recreational Trails Program. Furthermore, some clubs give awards to their volunteers, which allows for incentives among volunteer participation. 

These awards contribute to the annual reports that must be submitted to the ATC. As stated, the activity of the Trail clubs and volunteer participants are important to additional funding. However, every Trail club is different in its size and sections of the Appalachian Trail. For larger Trail clubs such as the PATC, they require more resources in order to maintain 240 miles of the A.T., while the RMC, one of the smallest Trail clubs, requires less to maintain only 2.2 miles of the A.T. Resources needed provides another motive for larger Trail clubs to receive more funding from the ATC. 

In the end, the higher the club's activity and volunteer participation, the more likely they will receive additional financial assistance from the ATC. While the Trail clubs main funding comes from membership dues, grants, donations, and fundraising, obtaining additional money is always an advantage for any type of organization. While considerable size, a vast membership, and broad recognition is essential to gain substantial funds from the ATC, this should not stop a club from having an abundance of activity. Overall, every Trail club has the ability to provide new opportunities and experiences to members, hikers, and visitors from around the country and world.