Grants for City or township governments - Recreation

The Vermont Community Foundation's grant program seeks proposals from Vermont villages, towns, and cities to close the opportunity gap by fostering inclusion and belonging for people of all races and backgrounds. This initiative aligns with the Foundation's mission to support local governments in removing structural barriers and building a more inclusive and diverse state. Developed in collaboration with the Vermont League of Cities and Towns and Vermont’s Office of Racial Equity, the program primarily supports communities participating in the IDEAL (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Action, and Leadership) Vermont program, though limited grants are also available for non-participating communities. The target beneficiaries of this program are all people within Vermont communities, particularly those who may feel excluded, discriminated against, or fear visiting, living, or conducting business due to a reputation for exclusion, intolerance, or bias. The program specifically aims to benefit Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) individuals by ensuring they feel safe and supported, thereby enabling their recruitment and leadership in businesses and local governing bodies. The overall impact goal is to cultivate communities where all residents feel connected and safe, regardless of their background or how long they have resided there. The program prioritizes a range of activities designed to meet locally defined community needs. These include funding for consultant-led work, such as introductory and implicit bias trainings, equity assessments, planning efforts, and reviews of hiring practices. Additionally, the program focuses on supporting community-wide conversations, the creation and work of municipal equity committees, and providing stipends for community members to ensure their involvement is appropriately compensated (e.g., for time off work, childcare, or transportation). This flexible approach acknowledges that communities are at different stages in their equity journey and require varied support. Expected outcomes include a reduction in feelings of fear or exclusion within communities, increased recruitment and leadership of BIPOC individuals in local businesses and governance, and enhanced capacity for educators, students, local leaders, and families to address discrimination and bias effectively. Measurable results will stem from the progress municipalities make in their learning and actions related to equity and inclusion. While not explicitly detailing a 'theory of change,' the Foundation's strategic priority is clearly to empower local governments as leaders in fostering a more equitable and inclusive Vermont by providing resources that facilitate ongoing progress rather than expecting a single project to resolve all challenges.

South Lake Tahoe Cannabis Community Benefit Grant Program - Summary Grant Program Open! The City of South Lake Tahoe is offering grants funded by Cannabis Community Benefit Fees. These grants aim to mitigate potential impacts of the cannabis industry while also supporting the city's strategic priorities. Who can apply? Non-profit organizations or public agencies located in or serving South Lake Tahoe Must have a current City business license (free for non-profits) One application per organization Past recipients must be in good standing with previous grant reporting What can the grant be used for? Projects that address the City's strategic priorities (Built Environment, Recreation, Community, Economic Development, Government Services) Mitigating potential impacts of the cannabis industry Grant Details: Amounts: $1,000 - $50,000 Funds must be used within one year Up-front disbursement of 90%, remaining 10% upon successful completion Allowable indirect cost rate: 10% (unless a separate rate is approved) Important Dates: Application window: Open Now (as of April 15) until May 15, 2024 (11:59 pm) Awards announced: June 2024 Grant renewed every year.

The Tier 1 Local Projects under the 2023 Outdoor Recreation Trails+ Grant aim to support conservation-oriented, shovel-ready projects that benefit specific communities. These projects must be publicly accessible and demonstrate economic benefits through improved quality of life, public health outcomes, and eco-tourism. Eligible applicants include Tribes, Pueblos, Nations, municipalities, counties, public schools, colleges, soil and water conservation districts, and land grant associations. Nonprofits are not eligible. Projects must be completed within 24 months, with grants awarded up front and applications accepted on a rolling basis starting July 1, 2023 until funds are expended or June 30th 2024 (for FY24)

This program provides funding to municipalities, park districts, tribes, and nonprofits in Pierce County to preserve open spaces and enhance community recreational areas.

This funding program provides financial support to Kansas cities and counties for building sidewalks and trails that improve access to essential services for low- and moderate-income residents.

The Tourism and Cultural Investment Grant Program, offered by the City of Spokane, is designed to significantly enhance the city's tourism and cultural environment. The program's core mission is to promote cultural diversity, support various forms of cultural investment, and foster new opportunities for tourism and cultural enrichment within Spokane. This directly aligns with a broader objective of enriching the community and attracting visitors through vibrant cultural and recreational offerings. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are organizations, including non-profit, for-profit, and public agencies, that are actively involved in projects, programs, events, and facilities promoting tourism and cultural investment. The impact goals are centered on creating a more diverse and appealing cultural landscape, drawing more tourists, and ultimately boosting the local economy and quality of life for residents. The program prioritizes projects that contribute to cultural activities such as sports, arts, street/park festivals, film, culinary events, and music. This broad scope ensures that a wide array of cultural expressions can receive support, reflecting a strategic focus on comprehensive cultural development. The emphasis is on initiatives that can tangibly demonstrate their capacity to enhance Spokane's appeal as a cultural and tourist destination. Expected outcomes include an increase in diverse cultural events and attractions, a rise in tourism figures, and greater engagement from both residents and visitors in cultural activities. Measurable results would likely involve tracking the number and type of projects funded, attendance at cultural events, and economic indicators related to tourism. The City of Spokane's strategic priorities, as evidenced by this grant, involve leveraging cultural and tourism assets for community development and economic growth. The underlying theory of change appears to be that by strategically investing in cultural and tourism initiatives, the city can create a self-reinforcing cycle of cultural vibrancy, increased visitor numbers, and economic prosperity. By supporting a diverse range of cultural endeavors, the program aims to build a more dynamic and attractive city, thereby achieving its overarching goals of cultural enrichment and economic development. These grants, ranging from $5,000 to $10,000, serve as catalytic investments to achieve these broader strategic objectives.

The Brookline Community Foundation (BCF) is offering a Community Grant Program, providing funding between $10,000 to $100,000 for one year to programs that promote equity and address community needs such as health, wellness, climate sustainability, arts, culture, and more, with a preference for BIPOC-led organizations and those focusing on vulnerable populations.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations in Scott County, Iowa, and Rock Island County, Illinois, to implement projects that enhance youth education, promote financial stability, and improve community health.

This grant provides funding to small and larger communities in Kansas for the construction or renovation of public recreational facilities and libraries to enhance community engagement and well-being.

The Chautauqua County Tourism Product Development Grant Program, with a deadline of 10/01/2024, offers $10,000 to $100,000 for projects that enhance tourism and recreation opportunities, increase visibility, and promote overnight stays in the county, with a focus on event development, marketing, and attraction enhancement.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in Frederick County to address critical community needs such as housing insecurity, public health, quality of life initiatives, and cultural enrichment through the arts.

The Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation's 2024 Open Grant Round seeks to support community vitality through work that addresses six key areas: Community Connectedness, Economic Opportunity and Security, Education, Health, Housing and Transportation, and Human Services and Family Support. This grant program is deeply aligned with the Foundation's mission to foster community health and vitality by investing in solutions informed and led by those facing the highest barriers. The Foundation offers both general operating support and capital grants, aiming to provide flexible funding for nonprofits and support investments in buildings, facilities, and equipment within the East Metro area. The program targets a broad range of beneficiaries, with a strong emphasis on marginalized communities. This includes BIPOC communities, people with disabilities, low-income communities, LGBTQ+ individuals, formerly incarcerated people, women, veterans, and young people. The overarching impact goal is to advance equity and strengthen enduring community connections, heal and revitalize communities, and promote independence and stability for individuals and families. The Foundation's strategic priorities are evident in its focus on supporting organizations that prioritize marginalized communities and those that demonstrate a clear connection to the "Informs, Forms, Benefits" framework, where those experiencing barriers not only benefit from the work but also inform, form, and lead it. Key priorities and focus areas within the Community Connectedness pillar include arts and culture organizations amplifying narratives from marginalized communities, civic engagement building capacity and power among these groups, and environmental justice work contributing to a multi-racial movement for safe and clean environments. For Economic Opportunity and Security, the focus is on strengthening the entrepreneur ecosystem, increasing local ownership, expanding access to culturally appropriate services, and prioritizing employment pathways for those facing barriers to wealth creation. In Education, the Foundation prioritizes organizations blending academic, social, and emotional supports for young people impacted by educational inequity, and those working towards robust early childhood systems. Within Health, the Foundation prioritizes organizations focusing on health equity, increasing access to affordable and culturally relevant health services, and addressing the growing demand for mental health, urgent care, reproductive health, and trauma-informed care for vulnerable communities. For Housing and Transportation, the emphasis is on ensuring marginalized people experiencing housing instability and homelessness can access safe, decent, affordable, and prejudice-free housing with necessary supports, and work that addresses racial justice, climate justice, economic opportunity, and health equity in transportation. Finally, Human Services and Family Support prioritizes grants that help residents navigate life transitions, find safety and stability, and promote independence, with special attention to disability, child welfare, family, older adult, immigration, legal, and re-entry support services. Expected outcomes include a more equitable, connected, and vital East Metro region where all residents have opportunities to thrive.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for local, state, tribal, and non-profit organizations to restore and protect vital riparian and aquatic habitats in the headwaters of the Colorado and Rio Grande rivers, benefiting key species and promoting sustainable conservation practices.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to various governmental and nonprofit organizations for projects that assess and mitigate hazards from abandoned mines on public lands, promoting environmental restoration and public health.

The Sports Fund, established by the Community Foundation Middle Tennessee, aims to ensure that children across the community have the opportunity to participate in team-based programming. This initiative aligns with the foundation's broader mission to foster a sense of belonging and hope among youth, particularly during critical after-school hours. By supporting organizations that utilize a team approach, the fund directly contributes to the development of positive social skills, improved well-being, and increased community engagement for young individuals. The primary target beneficiaries of this grant are children and youth involved in programs that employ a team-based methodology, such as sports and performance troupes. The overarching impact goal is to instill a sense of belonging and hope in these young participants. The fund prioritizes programs that operate during after-school hours, recognizing this period as crucial for positive youth development and the prevention of negative behaviors. The Sports Fund focuses on supporting organizations that can demonstrate a clear team approach in their programming. This includes activities where participants collaborate, learn together, and support one another, thereby promoting camaraderie and mutual respect. The expected outcomes include an increase in youth participation in structured team activities, enhanced feelings of community and belonging among participants, and the development of important life skills through collaborative efforts. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed beyond the grant size and duration, the program implies a focus on the number of children and youth served by funded organizations and the qualitative impact on their sense of belonging and hope. Organizations may request grants up to a maximum of $5,000, with a grant period spanning December 1, 2024, to November 30, 2025. This funding is intended to support the operational and programmatic needs of eligible organizations, which must be 501(c)(3) public charities or government entities. The foundation's strategic priority is to invest in community programs that directly uplift and empower the next generation, with a theory of change positing that participation in team-based activities leads to improved social-emotional well-being and a more resilient community.

The Pennsylvania Water Trails Program Mini Grant, overseen by the Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC) in partnership with the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and the National Park Service, aims to address urgent issues on designated water trails that compromise safety or access. With a total of $2000 available, this grant supports projects that can quickly resolve situations like storm-induced damage, navigational obstructions, or critical sign destruction that impedes safe water trail access. Eligible projects must match the grant 1:1 with cash or in-kind services. The grant serves as a last-resort funding source for unforeseen issues affecting Pennsylvania's 28 designated water trails, emphasizing safety and accessibility while fostering recreational opportunities and sustainable natural resource use. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until September 30, 2024, with awards based on urgency and committee discretion.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for projects that enhance recreational access and visitor experiences on public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management, targeting state and local governments, Tribal organizations, educational institutions, and nonprofits.

This program provides funding to local governments and private organizations in Iowa for the development and maintenance of trails and parks for all-terrain and off-road vehicles.

The Vision Partnership Program (VPP) – Cash Grant is offered by Chester County to its municipalities and multi-municipal groups. Established in 1996, and revised in 2010 and 2019 to align with Landscapes and then Landscapes2 and Landscapes3, the program aims to improve planning efforts at the local level. This grant program is deeply aligned with Chester County's comprehensive plan, Landscapes3, by promoting consistency and implementation of its goals, objectives, recommendations, and map. The core mission of the VPP is to foster cooperation between local governments and the County to achieve impactful, lasting, and positive benefits through innovative municipal and multi-municipal planning. The VPP targets all Chester County municipalities that have endorsed or acknowledged Landscapes3, including single municipalities or multi-municipal groups. The program aims to achieve a variety of impact goals, such as advancing consistency with the county comprehensive plan, accomplishing positive benefits for municipalities through innovative planning, and addressing community concerns through new and revised municipal plans, ordinances, and planning studies. The program prioritizes projects enabled by the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (MPC), Act 247, and also includes "Planning Studies" for projects not adopted under the MPC. The VPP focuses on a broad range of eligible projects. These include comprehensive plans, open space, park, and recreation plans, zoning and subdivision ordinances and amendments (covering topics like agriculture, historic resources, natural resources, housing, and traditional neighborhood development), official maps and ordinances, urban center revitalization plans, resource protection/stewardship plans, environmental and community sustainability/resilience plans, community design guides, village master plans, heritage interpretation plans, historic resource surveys, housing plans/studies, economic development studies, transportation corridor plans/studies, streetscape master plans, multimodal plans/studies, trail feasibility studies, and plans/ordinances that support the transition to renewable or alternative energy, as well as agricultural economic development plans. Expected outcomes of the VPP include the successful adoption of plans or ordinances, for which grants of $50,000 are provided, with an additional $10,000 for each additional municipality involved. For planning studies, the expected outcome is acceptance, with grants of $30,000 plus $5,000 for each additional municipality. The strategic priorities of Chester County, as evidenced by the VPP, are to support local governments in developing robust planning programs that align with the county's comprehensive vision, ultimately leading to well-planned, sustainable communities. The theory of change is that by providing financial incentives and guidance, municipalities will be empowered to implement the principles of Landscapes3, resulting in tangible community improvements and a coordinated approach to regional development.

Grant Opportunity: Outdoor Education Partnership Phase II Date: Jul 2019 Description: This grant opportunity is open to multiple organizations, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ducks Unlimited, and Chippewa Nature Center. The goal of the project is to develop and expand place-based environmental and sustainability education at schools. Funding will support the creation of outdoor education areas that can be utilized by local public and private schools in their curriculum. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program will restore habitat through habitat restoration projects, with financial assistance from Ducks Unlimited. Chippewa Nature Center will lead the curriculum and program development for each site, tailoring it to the State of Michigan curriculum and school preferences. Approximately 3,000+ students are estimated to be educated in the outdoor classrooms every year. Eligibility: Open to organizations of all types across the USA (nonprofits, startups, researchers, local governments, small businesses etc.) Grant Opportunity: On-The-Ground Saginaw Bay Watershed Habitat Project _ MUCC Date: Dec 2014 Description: This grant opportunity is established by the Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) and aims to partner with local groups, MUCC members, and others in improving wildlife habitat across the state. The project focuses on implementing habitat improvement projects on conservancy-owned properties as well as state-owned game areas in our region. Eligibility: Open to organizations of all types across the USA (nonprofits, startups, researchers, local governments, small businesses etc.) Grant Opportunity: Michigan Waterfowl Legacy Implementation in the Saginaw Bay Region Date: Nov 2012 Description: This grant opportunity supports an expanded Saginaw Bay component of the Michigan Waterfowl Legacy program. The program aims to promote wetland use by hunters, new hunters, and birders in order to improve waterfowl populations and habitat, increase waterfowl hunting participation, and engage citizens in conserv