Grants for County governments - Recreation

The Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office administers the Farmland Preservation Grant program to purchase development rights on farmland so that it remains available for agriculture into the future. The program is part of the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program and was expanded by the Legislature in 2005 to include significant farmland preservation. Funding supports acquisition of conservation easements and related incidental costs, along with eligible enhancement and restoration that improve agricultural viability, and stewardship planning. Typical projects acquire easements on farmland threatened by development. Enhancement and restoration elements may not exceed one half of total acquisition costs including match, and farm stewardship plans may not exceed 10,000 dollars. Eligible applicants include cities, counties, nonprofit nature conservancy corporations or associations, and the State Conservation Commission. Ineligible activities include short term rights under 25 years, acquisition of land already owned by government, property obtained through condemnation, consumable supplies except for a one time application as part of restoration, elements not considered fixtures or capital items, cleanup of illegal activities, indoor facilities, operating or overhead expenses, purchase of maintenance equipment or supplies, restoration conducted before grant agreement, and transfer of development rights. Applications are due May 1, 2024 through the state’s process. Grant limits are not otherwise specified. Further details are available from the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office.

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.

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.

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 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.

This grant provides funding to organizations for developing a comprehensive outreach strategy to enhance awareness and participation in the Chesapeake Bay Program's restoration efforts across its watershed.

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.

The Project Grants initiative, offered by Working Assumptions, is a new program designed to support artists, writers, educators, social workers, therapists, and creatives in exploring the relationship between photography and family in expansive and inventive ways. Working Assumptions believes that photography can illuminate the complexities of family life and foster compassion, aligning with their mission to support projects that spur reflection and dialogue around family, care systems, and kinship. This program directly reflects the foundation's strategic priority to use photography as a medium for social commentary and understanding, operating under the theory of change that creative projects can significantly influence public perception and dialogue on critical societal structures like family. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are individual artists, collaborations, researchers, academics, journalists, educators, therapists, social workers, and creatives across disciplines who focus on photography and family. Applicants must have a prior track record of exploring family themes, be U.S. citizens or residents with a U.S. tax ID and bank account, and be at least 18 years old. The impact goals are to inspire audiences and participants to view family in new, meaningful ways through photography, fostering greater understanding and compassion for diverse family experiences. The program prioritizes projects that address underrepresented family arrangements, care work, memory, identity formation, and other related topics. While the grant offers unrestricted funding for creative freedom, it expects projects to be intended for public consumption, ranging from photography series and book projects to public art, mental health programs, long-form journalism, curriculum, performances, and digital or scholarly projects. This broad scope allows for diverse approaches to the central theme, ensuring a wide array of perspectives are brought to light. Expected outcomes include the creation and public dissemination of innovative photographic and interdisciplinary projects that provoke thought and dialogue. Measurable results will include the completion of 6 projects annually, each receiving $10,000 in funding over an 8-month grant period (September 15 to May 15). While the funding is unrestricted, the emphasis on public consumption implies that the success of these grants will also be measured by their reach and the degree to which they engage and inspire audiences to reflect on family dynamics and kinship.

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.

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

The FY25 LAND Grant Program, managed by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA), offers financial assistance to Massachusetts municipal conservation and agriculture commissions. The program supports the acquisition of conservation land to enhance outdoor recreation, conserve natural resources, and address climate change impacts. Eligible projects include purchases of land or conservation restrictions, and all properties acquired under this program are required to be open to the public for passive recreation. Grant renwed every year

Humanities Texas awards grants to nonprofit organizations and governmental entities for public programs grounded in the humanities. These programs aim to engage the general public, including adults and young people outside of traditional educational settings, as well as specific groups like K-12 teachers and ethnic communities. The foundation's mission is to support and promote the humanities by funding initiatives that foster open and informed inquiry and make humanities scholarship accessible to a broad audience. This aligns with a strategic priority to enrich public life through the humanities and ensure their relevance to diverse communities. The grant program targets a wide range of beneficiaries, from the general public participating in lectures, discussions, and exhibits, to K-12 teachers and community groups who benefit from specialized workshops and programs. The impact goals include increasing public engagement with humanities topics, fostering critical thinking, and promoting a deeper understanding of cultural and historical contexts. Through these programs, Humanities Texas seeks to strengthen communities by providing opportunities for shared intellectual and cultural experiences. Humanities Texas offers various grant types with specific focuses. Mini-grants fund up to $2,000 for smaller public humanities programs, such as speakers or traveling exhibitions, and are particularly accessible due to their rolling application basis. Major grants for community projects, up to $20,000, support comprehensive public programs like seminars, conferences, and interpretive exhibitions, emphasizing substantial participation from both humanities scholars and target audiences. Additionally, major grants for media projects, also up to $20,000, fund the development and production of humanities-related film, radio, television, or interactive programming, ensuring scholars play a key role in content. The expected outcomes of these grants include the successful execution of public humanities programs that are firmly grounded in the humanities and actively involve humanities scholars in their design and delivery. Measurable results could include attendance figures for events, participant feedback, the reach of media projects, and the development of new educational resources. The foundation's theory of change posits that by funding these diverse and accessible programs, it can cultivate a more informed and engaged citizenry, strengthening the role of the humanities in public discourse and community life across Texas.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and local government units in McLean County, Illinois, to enhance health and well-being initiatives that address health equity and social determinants of health for underserved populations.

This program provides funding to private and municipal landowners of conserved properties in Massachusetts to enhance wildlife habitats and improve public access for outdoor recreation.

This grant provides funding to organizations that will educate students and families in the Poverty Bay Shellfish Protection District about reducing fecal pollution through community outreach and culturally relevant materials.