Grants for Nonprofits - Recreation

The Madison Area Sports Commission (MASC) Youth Grant Program provides financial assistance to connect underserved youth in Dane County, Wisconsin, aged 17 and under, to sports activities. The program aims to foster lifelong enjoyment and health benefits through sports, aligning with MASC's broader mission to promote healthy lifestyles and combat childhood obesity. Established with contributions from the Ironman Community Foundation, individuals, corporations, and annual fundraisers, the grant program is a key initiative of MASC to serve its community. The primary target beneficiaries are Dane County youth, aged 17 and under, who are from populations underserved by existing sports programs. The program's impact goals are to assist children in developing healthy lifestyles by introducing them to sports that match their interests and abilities. This includes combating childhood obesity, creating positive emotional connections, and instilling commitment and daily structure in their lives. Key priorities and focuses for grant consideration include ensuring the child or children served are Dane County residents, aged 17 and under, and from underserved populations. MASC also prioritizes a mutual commitment between the sports program and individuals, and considers a broad scope of sports, including "minor" and individual sports. The quality of the sports program and the alignment of individuals with a suitable sport are crucial. Consideration is also given to the number of people impacted, the non-duplication of efforts, and the potential for program growth and quality maintenance. Transportation requests and capital construction (under specific conditions) are also considered. Expected outcomes include increased participation of underserved youth in sports, leading to the development of healthy lifestyles, improved physical and emotional well-being, and enhanced commitment and daily structure. The program's success is measured by the reach of the grant application, the growth and quality of participating sports programs, and the ability of the programs to meet the interests and abilities of the youth. MASC's strategic priority is to create sustainable opportunities for youth development through sports, with a theory of change centered on the idea that access to appropriate sports activities directly contributes to healthier, more engaged youth in the community.

The Youth Climate Action Fund (YCAF) Micro-Grant Program, a collaboration between the City of New Orleans and the Greater New Orleans Foundation, is designed to empower young individuals aged 15-24 to address urgent climate challenges within their community. This initiative is part of a larger effort supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies, aiming to activate youth-led projects that align with the New Orleans Climate Action Plan. The program's core mission is to foster environmental stewardship and facilitate tangible climate solutions at a grassroots level, thereby directly contributing to the city's broader environmental goals. The primary beneficiaries of this micro-grant program are youth between the ages of 15-24 residing in Orleans Parish, whose projects are intended to directly benefit the City of New Orleans. The program seeks to engage and mobilize this demographic, providing them with the financial resources and support necessary to translate their innovative ideas into impactful climate action. The overarching impact goal is to cultivate a new generation of environmental leaders and to implement effective, youth-led initiatives that tackle critical climate issues within the community. Projects funded through the YCAF Micro-Grant Program must align with one or more of the New Orleans Climate Action Plan priorities. These key areas of focus include Energy Efficiency, Transportation, Nature-Based Solutions, Circular Economy & Waste Reduction, and Data, Research & Engagement. This ensures that all supported initiatives contribute to the city's established climate strategy, maximizing their collective impact. The program prioritizes projects that demonstrate clear objectives and a strong potential for achieving measurable results in these critical areas. Successful applicants will receive micro-grants ranging from $1,000 to $5,000, distributed through the Greater New Orleans Foundation in August/September 2024. These funds can be utilized for various project-related expenses, such as materials, equipment, and community outreach activities. The expected outcomes include the successful implementation of diverse youth-led climate projects, increased community engagement in climate action, and a measurable reduction in environmental impact across the specified priority areas. While the document does not explicitly detail the Greater New Orleans Foundation's strategic priorities or theory of change, its partnership in this program strongly indicates an alignment with community development, environmental sustainability, and youth empowerment.

The Conservancy may fund activities within or benefitting the Delta and Suisun Marsh as defined in Public Resources Code section 85058 (a map can be found at this link: https://www.deltacouncil.ca.gov/pdf/delta-plan/figure-1-1-delta-boundaries.pdf). The Conservancy may fund an action outside the Delta and Suisun Marsh if the Board makes all the findings described in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Reform Act of 2009 (CWC, div. 35, §§ 85000 – 85350). The Conservancy will fund planning projects, which include pilot projects. Allowable activities for planning projects include, but are not limited to, project scoping (partnership development, outreach to impacted parties, stakeholder coordination, negotiation of site access or land tenure); planning and design (engineering design, identifying appropriate best management practices); and environmental compliance (permitting, California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) activities, Delta Plan consistency). The Conservancy will fund implementation projects, which include acquisition projects. Implementation projects are specific, on-the-ground projects that result in the construction, improvement, or acquisition of a capital asset that will be maintained for a minimum of 15 years. Implementation projects are "shovel-ready" projects. Applicants must submit a concept proposal, as found on the Conservancy’s website, before submitting a full proposal. Partnerships are encouraged but not required. There are no limitations on number of submissions by organizations. Applications are received via email for concept proposals and by uploading files to a designated site for full proposals. Awards are announced at a Board Meeting and applicants are informed with a letter.

This grant provides funding to support BIPOC+ communities in the U.S. working to improve food systems and secure contracts with large institutions for sustainable food procurement.

The Monmouth County Municipal Park Improvement Grant Program is designed to assist municipalities by providing additional funding for park improvements in municipal parks and open spaces. This program aligns with the broader mission of enhancing community well-being and access to recreational opportunities. Previously, the Municipal Open Space Grant Program was limited to $2 million annually and up to $250,000 per project. The new and expanded grant program is now funded at $6 million a year, with up to $500,000 available per project, significantly increasing its reach and potential impact. The program's scope has also expanded to include dredging projects for parks and recreation purposes, and the application process has been simplified and streamlined to encourage broader participation. The target beneficiaries of this program are Monmouth County municipalities, which are the only eligible applicants. While municipalities are the direct recipients, the ultimate beneficiaries are the residents and communities who will gain access to improved park facilities and recreational areas. The impact goals are centered around improving land for parks and recreation purposes. This includes the development of new recreational facilities, the expansion or enhancement of existing recreational opportunities, the preservation of historic resources within parks, and the implementation of new or innovative approaches to provide local access to open spaces and recreational activities. The program prioritizes projects that focus on these key areas. Additional priority is given to State-designated Urban Aid Communities and Overburdened Communities, ensuring that resources are directed to areas with the greatest need. The program’s strategic approach includes setting limits on the number of applications and the dollars awarded to ensure that funding can support a larger number of municipalities rather than a few large projects. This also encourages a cooperative project model, with a required local contribution and local funding of ineligible expenses serving as a tangible demonstration of local commitment. Expected outcomes and measurable results include an increase in the number and quality of recreational facilities, expanded access to open spaces, and better preservation of historic resources within parks. The allowance for dredging projects directly contributes to improving and expanding access to recreational bodies of water. All projects must be for park, recreation, open space, and historic preservation purposes, with a deed of open space easement or other covenant restricting the use of the project site to these purposes required as a condition of the award. This ensures the long-term dedication of these sites to public benefit, reflecting a theory of change that by investing in local park infrastructure, communities will see improved quality of life, increased public health through active recreation, and enhanced environmental and cultural stewardship.

City of Chandler Diversity Education Mini-Grants are available for teachers, schools, nonprofit organizations, and community groups in Chandler or serving Chandler residents or students. The grants, up to $1,000 each, aim to support programs promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion for youth aged 5-18. Proposals must address dimensions of diversity such as age, culture, disability, ethnicity, gender, race, religion, or sexual orientation. Priority is given to K-12 education projects. Applications will be reviewed by the HRC Diversity Mini-Grant Committee based on their alignment with the city's DEI mission and clear budget proposals.

Neighborhood Grants: The Neighborhood Improvement Grant program offered by the city of Aurora provides funding opportunities for residents and neighborhood groups to improve the appearance of Aurora neighborhoods and strengthen community connections. The program offers competitive grants with a maximum award of $5,000 per project. Eligible projects include those that enhance a neighborhood's physical condition, increase pride and identity, improve neighborhood communication, and bring new assets to the community. Neighborhood organizations and residents are encouraged to apply, with eligible projects needing to be within Aurora city limits and involve at least three neighborhood households. Know Your Neighbor Mini-Grant: The Know Your Neighbor Mini-Grant provides resources to support connections among neighbors through small neighborhood block parties or clean-up events. Grant recipients receive a $100 gift card for either King Soopers or Home Depot, depending on the type of event. Funding is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until allocated funds are used. Eligible expenses may include food and supplies for the event, but religious, political, or personal/private events will not be funded. Printing Assistance Mini-Grant: The Printing Assistance Mini-Grant offers in-house printing assistance for flyers and posters to publicize neighborhood events. This grant is available to participants registered in the Aurora Neighborhood Registration Program. Grant recipients can receive up to 25 color or 500 black and white flyers, or 10 color or 20 black and white posters. Materials must be picked up at the Aurora Municipal Center. Small Neighborhood Mini-Grant: The Small Neighborhood Activity Mini-Grant provides up to $250 for developing sustainable neighborhood groups and organizing larger-scale neighborhood events. Examples of eligible expenses include entertainment for festivals, neighborhood t-shirts, sports tournaments, or supplies for social gatherings with neighbors. Grants are awarded on a reimbursement basis and require completion of an application form and budget estimates. Please note that specific application dates for each grant opportunity are not provided in the information given.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Western North Carolina that serve underserved populations, including youth, the elderly, and individuals facing physical or mental challenges.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations in New York City to enhance commercial district public spaces through projects like lighting, murals, and wayfinding tools, fostering vibrant and safe environments for local businesses.

This grant provides funding to neighborhoods in Surprise, Arizona, for community-driven projects and events that foster engagement, improvement, and collaboration among residents.

The City of Redmond's 2025 Tourism Grants program is designed to foster tourism development and promotion within the city. This initiative aligns with the city's mission to attract visitors from outside a 50-mile radius, specifically prioritizing overnight guests. Funding for these grants is derived from a 1% lodging tax collected on hotel rooms in Redmond, ensuring that the program directly reinvests in local tourism efforts. The program aims to enhance Redmond's appeal as a destination through various events, tournaments, and promotions. The target beneficiaries for these grants include a wide array of public and private organizations with a demonstrated ability to execute proposed projects. This encompasses business, community, cultural, educational, entertainment, heritage, historical, and sports organizations, as well as galleries, museums, and visitor information bureaus. The primary impact goal is to increase the number of visitors to Redmond, thereby stimulating the local economy and enhancing the city's vibrant community. The program prioritizes projects that align with specific state statutes and city ordinances governing the use of Tourism Promotion Program funds. Key focus areas include tourism marketing, the marketing and operations of special events and festivals explicitly designed to attract tourists, and the operations of tourism-related facilities owned or operated by IRC 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6) nonprofit organizations. Grants are competitive, evaluated by the Redmond Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) using official funding criteria and weighted scoring, with recommendations subject to City Council approval. Expected outcomes include a measurable increase in tourism activity and overnight stays in Redmond. While the grant duration is not specified, projects must clearly define the services or initiatives to be implemented. The minimum awarded amount is $1,000, and grants cannot exceed 50% of the total project cost. The program's strategic priority is to leverage lodging tax revenues to sustainably grow Redmond's tourism sector, operating under the theory of change that targeted investments in tourism promotion and infrastructure will directly lead to an influx of visitors and associated economic benefits for the city.

The City of Philadelphia's Community Resilience and Environmental Justice (CREJ) Fund is offering $15,000 grants to 20 Philadelphia-based organizations working on long-term environmental justice projects, with the aim to support grassroots activism, community resilience, and the removal of environmental injustices.

The Gratiot County Community Foundation in Michigan is accepting grant applications for projects that improve the quality of life in Gratiot County, focusing on areas such as community development, arts and culture, education, and health, with preference given to innovative, sustainable projects with wide-reaching benefits and strong local support.

This funding opportunity provides up to $1 million over two years to local nonprofits in Summit County for collaborative projects that address housing, mental health, and public safety while promoting diversity and sustainable community impact.

This grant provides funding to Arizona-based nonprofit organizations for projects that promote youth development, sports, and educational programming within the community.

The Transportation Alternative and Recreational Use FY25 Grant, administered by the Maryland State Highway Administration, aims to fund transportation alternative and recreational use projects within the state. This federal grant offers 80% reimbursable funds, requiring a 20% match from project sponsors. Projects should enhance the intermodal transportation system or support recreational trails and amenities. Approximately 60% of the funds are allocated to projects within the jurisdictions of three Maryland Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs): The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board, National Capitol Region Transportation Planning Board, and Wilmington Area Planning Council. Eligible sponsors include local governments, regional transportation authorities, transit agencies, natural resource and public land agencies, school districts, tribal governments, and 501c(3) non-profit agencies. Project sponsors are responsible for all aspects of their project, including design, management, construction, and maintenance.

The Lola Wright Foundation is a private, non-profit charitable foundation dedicated to supporting community-based organizations. Its overarching mission is to bolster entities that are granted tax exemption under the Internal Revenue Code, Section 501(c)(3), particularly those operating primarily within a 50-mile radius of Austin, Texas. This geographic focus ensures that the Foundation's efforts are concentrated on local community development and impact, aligning its grant-making activities directly with the needs of the Austin area. The Foundation targets a diverse range of beneficiaries, including children and youth, individuals in need of public health and human services, and groups benefiting from education and community development initiatives. It also extends its support to arts and culture organizations. Specific populations like minorities, the homeless, and the elderly are explicitly mentioned as funding emphases, indicating a strategic priority to reach vulnerable and underserved segments of the community. The impact goals revolve around fostering social well-being, promoting health, supporting educational advancement, and enriching cultural life within its defined geographic area. The Foundation's priorities and focuses are clearly delineated across several key fields of interest: Children and Youth, Public Health and Human Services, Education and Community Development, and Arts and Culture. These areas represent the strategic pillars of its grant-making. The Foundation generally does not provide funding for day-to-day operating costs or expenses, preferring to support projects and initiatives that align with its broader objectives. This suggests a focus on sustainable, project-based impact rather than routine operational support. While specific expected outcomes and measurable results are not explicitly detailed as quantitative metrics in the provided text, the Foundation's theory of change appears to be rooted in strengthening community infrastructure through strategic investment in key social, health, educational, and cultural sectors. By supporting 501(c)(3) organizations, it aims to empower local groups to address pressing community needs. The restriction on reapplying for a grant for at least twelve months after receiving one suggests a desire to allow funded projects sufficient time to demonstrate impact before further consideration, promoting a cycle of focused investment and evaluation.

Grant Opportunity: Parcel Assessment and Strategy Development for Permanent Preservation in the South Branch Flint River - Description: This grant opportunity supports a deeper analysis of two parcels totaling 1200 acres in the upper Flint River Basin. The analysis includes on-the-ground ecosystem assessment, habitat delineation, mapping, valuation/appraisal, title search, and overall environmental evaluation. The goal is to prepare for making an offer and potential campaign to acquire the properties or a conservation easement. - Eligibility: Open to organizations of all types across the USA seeking grant opportunities. Grant Opportunity: Shiatown Park Improvement Readiness - Description: This grant opportunity supports various improvements at Shiatown Park along the Shiawassee River. Funding will be used for wetlands determination and assessment, installation of park boundary and trail markers, historic interpretive signage, floodplain determination, and enhancing community resilience. - Eligibility: Open to organizations of all types across the USA seeking grant opportunities. Grant Opportunity: Gladwin City Park FAA Site Invasive Species Eradication and Habitat Restoration - Description: This grant opportunity supports the restoration and revitalization of a 1.3 acre section of land near Gladwin City Park. Funding will be used for invasive species eradication, habitat restoration, benches, plantings along the trail, interpretive signage, and educational components. - Eligibility: Open to organizations of all types across the USA seeking grant opportunities. (Note: The breakdowns for other grant opportunities are not included due to character limitations.)

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations that implement programs benefiting the communities of Dalton, Marshallville, and Orrville, Ohio, focusing on youth development, life skills, emergency assistance, and health services.

The Community Foundation's Impact Grant program offers broad support for various purposes, including field of interest and special purpose funds, as well as assistance for individuals served by nonprofits or government agencies. This program aligns with the foundation's mission to address diverse community needs within Frederick County, Maryland, by providing flexible funding to a wide array of organizations. The target beneficiaries for these grants are the residents of Frederick County, Maryland, who benefit directly from the programs and services offered by eligible organizations. The impact goals are to improve various sectors including health and human services, historic preservation, the arts, agriculture, civic causes, animal well-being, education, and youth programs. By supporting these areas, the foundation aims to foster a stronger, more vibrant, and healthier community. The program prioritizes organizations that demonstrate a direct benefit to Frederick County. Eligible applicants include existing 501c3 nonprofit organizations, government/quasi-governmental agencies seeking funding for extraordinary projects not covered by tax revenue, religious organizations requesting support for non-sectarian activities, and civic groups that are not 501c3s but are working on community causes. The minimum grant request is $500, with grants typically being less than $1000 and lasting for a one-year duration. Expected outcomes include enhanced service delivery in critical areas, preservation of cultural assets, promotion of civic engagement, and improved well-being for individuals and animals in Frederick County. The foundation's strategic priorities are to provide accessible funding that supports a broad spectrum of community needs, ensuring that a diverse range of organizations can access resources to implement impactful programs. This approach reflects a theory of change where strategic investments in key community areas, through diverse and capable organizations, lead to significant and lasting positive change for the residents of Frederick County. Grants must be used between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2025.