Grants for Nonprofits - Recreation

The Catalyst Endowment Fund, managed by the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, is offering a competitive funding opportunity centered on "Empowering Future Leaders and Community Builders through Youth Sports in Greater Hartford." This initiative aligns with the foundation's broader mission to foster well-being and development within the community. The program aims to leverage the positive effects of youth sports, such as developing teamwork, leadership, and promoting physical and mental health, to create resilient, confident, and empowered individuals. The fund's focus on bridging access gaps to youth sports directly supports the foundation's strategic priority of creating sustainable support systems for the region's youth. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are youth in Greater Hartford, particularly those in underserved communities who face barriers to accessing sports programs. The overarching impact goal is to empower these young individuals, transforming them into future leaders and community builders. By focusing on sustainable support systems, the program seeks to create lasting positive change beyond the grant duration, addressing systemic inequalities in access to enriching activities. This aligns with a theory of change that posits that providing equitable opportunities in youth sports will lead to enhanced individual development and stronger, more engaged communities. The program's priorities and focus areas are clearly defined to achieve these goals. Infrastructure Development aims to improve existing sports facilities and equipment, ensuring long-term accessibility. Training and Capacity Building initiatives will equip coaches, volunteers, and staff with the skills to deliver high-quality programs, fostering a robust support network. Partnerships and Collaborations are encouraged to strengthen relationships with schools, community organizations, and local businesses, pooling resources and support. Finally, Health and Wellness Integration seeks to embed physical and mental health services within youth sports, promoting holistic well-being and sustained participation. Expected outcomes and measurable results include improved accessibility to youth sports in underserved communities, an increased number of trained coaches and volunteers, stronger community partnerships supporting youth sports, and enhanced physical and mental well-being among participants. The program anticipates fostering increased participation in youth sports, leading to the development of critical life skills such as leadership, teamwork, and resilience. Ultimately, the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving expects these initiatives to contribute to a more equitable and vibrant Greater Hartford, producing a generation of empowered individuals who are prepared to lead and build their communities. The fund has $69,000 available to award, with one or more grants totaling this amount, contingent on the project's size, funding need, and the quality of the proposals submitted in response to the forthcoming Request for Proposal.

This funding opportunity provides up to $5,000 for neighborhood groups in Montgomery County to implement projects that enhance community pride and improve quality of life through collaboration with local government.

The Sensata Foundation, established in 2017 as the philanthropic arm of Sensata Technologies, is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to strengthening local communities. Its mission aligns with Sensata's sustainability priorities, focusing on community development and STEM education. The Foundation provides grants for specific programs and projects rather than general operating support, prioritizing agencies that serve communities where Sensata employees live and work in the U.S. The Foundation's strategic priorities are centered around two key focus areas: STEM Education and Community Support. In STEM Education, the Foundation aims to ensure equitable access to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics for all youth in grades K-12, particularly those from underserved communities, including racial and ethnic minority groups, students with disabilities, and girls. The goal is to empower critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and to inspire future leaders by providing additional learning avenues like mentorships to further educational growth in STEM. Under Community Support, the Foundation addresses prevailing needs within local communities. Key focus areas include combating food insecurity through support for food banks and distribution centers, assisting individuals experiencing homelessness with shelter and transition services, promoting social and economic mobility to enhance personal stability and quality of life, and supporting environmental programs that create clean and green outdoor spaces for community enjoyment. The expected outcomes and measurable results from these grants involve direct support for qualifying charitable entities, leading to strengthened local communities and advancements in the Foundation's sustainability priorities. While specific metrics are not detailed, the focus on specific programs/projects suggests that the impact will be seen in the successful implementation and outcomes within the two focus areas. The grants typically range from $5,000 to $25,000, are usually one-year awards, and are given to active 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations that have a presence or service area where Sensata Technologies has facilities or employees, and adhere to a non-discrimination policy.

The 2024 Choose Henry Fund-Community Grants, offered by the Henry County Community Foundation (HCCF), aim to address the broad needs of Henry County, Indiana. As a community foundation, HCCF's mission is to support diverse areas within the county, including health and medical, social services, education, cultural affairs, and civic affairs. This grant program is aligned with the foundation's overall mission to be responsive to changing community needs, be flexible, and focus on projects with the greatest benefit per dollar granted. The target beneficiaries of these grants are non-profit organizations serving Henry County, specifically those that have been selected through a letter of intent process. The impact goals are to support various programs and facilities that improve the quality of life within the county across the five key areas of interest. This includes, but is not limited to, supporting hospitals and rehabilitation centers, human service organizations, programs for children, youth, and the aged, educational initiatives from pre-school to post-secondary, cultural programs, and civic activities related to criminal justice, community development, and leadership training. The HCCF prioritizes change-oriented and problem-solving initiatives, emphasizing project support rather than ongoing general operating support. The foundation also encourages participation from other contributors through matching challenges and other grant techniques. Additionally, the HCCF aims to coordinate its programs with other funding sources, such as government, other foundations, and associations, to maximize impact. A key focus is to induce grant recipients to achieve objectives like increased efficiency, improved fundraising capabilities, and enhanced product or service delivery. Expected outcomes and measurable results are implicitly tied to the grant evaluation criteria. The foundation assesses whether there is an established need for the requested program or project, its appropriateness for HCCF funding, the adequacy of HCCF resources to respond, and the overall benefit to the community. While specific metrics are not explicitly detailed, the focus on "greatest benefit per dollar granted" and inducing recipients to improve efficiency and service delivery suggests an emphasis on demonstrable positive change and effective resource utilization within Henry County.

The Community Foundation of South Alabama (CFSA) offers competitive program grants to local nonprofits in Mobile, Baldwin, Escambia, Monroe, Conecuh, Choctaw, Clarke, and Washington Counties, Alabama. These grants are funded through the Foundation’s unrestricted and field of interest funds, established by donors to address critical community needs. The program aligns with CFSA's mission to support sustainable initiatives that produce meaningful results on community priorities. For 2024, the Foundation is exclusively awarding one-year program grants, focusing on specific projects that benefit the community and demonstrate potential for efficacy and sustainability. CFSA's grant-making is strategically guided by six key focus areas: Family, Education, Work, Racial Equity, Arts and Culture, and Mental and Behavioral Health, all within its eight-county footprint. For 2024, the Foundation has defined six specific priorities for grant applications. These include promoting parenting education; expanding opportunities for young people to secure well-paying jobs through workforce training; increasing access to preschool education and youth extracurricular activities; advancing racial equity with a focus on underprivileged youth; increasing youth access to equitable, high-quality arts and culture; and providing mental and behavioral supports for individuals and families. The target beneficiaries are individuals and families within the eight-county region, particularly underprivileged youth, who will directly benefit from these programs. The expected outcomes and measurable results revolve around the successful implementation of projects that address the stated priorities. CFSA seeks to support programs that can demonstrate a positive impact on community priorities and needs. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed for each priority, the emphasis on "meaningful results" and "efficacy and sustainability" suggests that applicants will need to articulate their intended outcomes and how they will measure success. For instance, programs focusing on workforce training would aim for increased job placement rates, while those on preschool education would look at improved school readiness. The Foundation's theory of change is implicitly rooted in the belief that by funding targeted programs within its six focus areas, it can create a ripple effect of positive change across the eight-county region. By supporting initiatives that promote parenting education, workforce development, early childhood education, youth engagement in arts and culture, racial equity, and mental health, CFSA aims to foster a more resilient, equitable, and thriving community. The preference for programs not exceeding 50% of their total budget also indicates a strategic priority for diversified funding and community buy-in, ensuring broader impact and sustainability beyond CFSA's initial investment. Grant amounts range from $5,000 to $15,000, with requests not to exceed $15,000.

This grant provides financial assistance for transportation to local baseball and hockey games for accredited schools and nonprofit organizations in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan that demonstrate a need.

The Visit BG Ohio 2025 Tourism Grant Program offers financial support ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 for projects, events, and activities that promote tourism, increase overnight stays, and provide economic benefits to the City of Bowling Green, with a focus on capital improvement, sports, conferences, festivals, large events, and arts and culture.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations and government entities to support projects that enhance community life in Worth County, Iowa, across various sectors such as arts, education, health, and environment.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for nonprofit organizations in Arizona to distribute free HIV self-test kits to at-risk communities, aiming to improve access to testing and reduce barriers related to HIV.

The 2024 Parks, Fields, Trails Grant, funded by the Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority, offers $10,000 to $100,000 for capital projects that improve public parks, athletic fields, and trails in Erie County, Pennsylvania, aiming to promote healthy lifestyles, enhance local tourism, and rejuvenate neighborhoods, with a focus on projects that provide social, educational, cultural, health, recreation, and/or economic benefits to residents.

This grant provides financial support to artists in Franklin County, Ohio, for creating public exterior murals, requiring a secured location and partial funding from a commissioning organization.

The City of Marion has established a Hotel/Motel Grant Program funded by a seven percent room tax on overnight stays. This program redistributes these funds through the annual budget process and grants to organizations that aim to boost tourism in Marion. Eligible entities are those working towards increasing local tourism, including City of Marion events, commissions, and partners, which receive allocations during the annual budget process and do not require separate grant applications. A committee assesses applications to recommend funding allocations to the council. Funds are granted for the fiscal year only, with unclaimed funds reverting to the Hotel/Motel Fund. Marion City Council has budgeted $50,000 for the Hotel/Motel Grant Program for FY24-25. The grant application process will open on Tuesday, April 2, 2024. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual opening: April

Texas Pride Impact Funds (TPIF) has opened applications for its 2024 Community Grants, designed to strengthen the capacity and resilience of LGBTQ+ communities across the state of Texas. The program reflects TPIF’s mission to advance equity and justice for LGBTQ+ individuals through strategic investments in community-driven initiatives. By focusing its funding on historically marginalized and underserved populations, TPIF aims to foster sustainable progress on both immediate needs and systemic barriers impacting LGBTQ+ people, particularly those facing multiple, intersecting forms of discrimination. The Community Grants program provides flexible general operating support to nonprofit organizations, empowering them to deploy resources where they are most needed to drive transformational change. The grant program is guided by a deliberate focus on key communities and populations. TPIF places strong emphasis on supporting the safety, health, and rights of people of transgender experience, recognizing that this group faces disproportionate discrimination, violence, and systemic exclusion. Additionally, TPIF seeks to strengthen organizations serving LGBTQ+ individuals in under-resourced geographic areas, including rural regions, border communities, small towns, and underserved urban neighborhoods. This intentional geographic targeting ensures that funding reaches communities often left out of mainstream philanthropy, thereby addressing gaps in access to resources, advocacy, and essential services. The program’s target beneficiaries also include LGBTQ+ communities of color, such as Black and African American, Native and Indigenous Peoples, Hispanic/Latinx, and APIDA communities. TPIF’s theory of change acknowledges that race, ethnicity, gender identity, and sexual orientation intersect to create compounded barriers to equity. By channeling resources to organizations led by and serving these communities, TPIF aims to correct historical underinvestment and support culturally grounded solutions. The grant program further recognizes specific age-related challenges, supporting both LGBTQ+ seniors and elderly people as well as youth and young adults facing homelessness, family rejection, or other forms of displacement. Strategically, TPIF’s funding priorities are centered on equity, inclusion, and systemic transformation. Beyond supporting identity-based communities, the foundation also emphasizes the needs of displaced LGBTQ+ people—including immigrants, refugees, undocumented individuals, formerly incarcerated persons, and homeless youth. TPIF also prioritizes organizations working with people living with or at high risk for HIV/AIDS, as well as people with disabilities. By integrating these focus areas, TPIF aims to fund programs that not only provide direct services but also challenge structural inequities through advocacy, empowerment, and community capacity-building. The expected outcomes of the Community Grants program are both immediate and long-term. In the short term, TPIF anticipates increased organizational capacity, expanded access to services, and improved well-being for LGBTQ+ individuals across Texas. Over the long term, TPIF envisions a stronger, more equitable LGBTQ+ movement that includes rural, border, and BIPOC communities as central actors in shaping social change. Success metrics may include the number of organizations strengthened, the reach of community services provided, improved safety and health indicators, and the advancement of inclusive policies and practices. TPIF’s strategic priorities and theory of change emphasize that sustainable equity is achieved when those most affected by inequities lead the solutions. By providing unrestricted general operating support, TPIF removes barriers that often limit the flexibility of community organizations, allowing them to respond nimbly to evolving community needs. In doing so, the foundation is not merely funding programs—it is investing in the infrastructure of justice and the leadership of communities that have historically been underfunded, ensuring that progress for LGBTQ+ Texans is both inclusive and enduring.

The Women's Fund, administered by the Spencer County Community Foundation, offers grants to support charitable projects and activities within Spencer County, Indiana. This initiative aligns directly with the Foundation's broader mission to foster community well-being and development across various sectors. The grant program is designed to empower local charitable organizations by providing financial resources for projects that address identified community needs and contribute positively to the lives of Spencer County residents. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are the residents of Spencer County, served by nonprofit organizations and governmental agencies. The program aims to achieve significant impact by funding initiatives in diverse areas such as Arts and Culture, Community Development, Education, Health, Human Services, and Other Civic Endeavors, which include Environment, Recreation, and Youth Development. The goal is to improve the quality of life, promote community engagement, and enhance essential services available to the county's population. The Women's Fund prioritizes funding requests from organizations that are tax-exempt under sections 501(c)(3) and 509(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, as well as governmental agencies. Projects from nonprofit organizations not classified as 501(c)(3) may also be considered if they are charitable and address a community need, sometimes requiring a fiscal sponsor. The program specifically excludes funding for religious purposes, political campaigns, endowment creation, debt reduction, general operating costs not directly tied to a program, capital campaigns, annual appeals, membership contributions, and travel requests for groups or individuals. Expected outcomes include enhanced cultural experiences, improved community infrastructure, advancements in educational opportunities, better health outcomes, strengthened human services, and enriched civic life. While specific measurable results are not detailed in the provided text beyond "Awards up to $5,000," the emphasis on various program areas suggests that successful projects will demonstrate tangible improvements in the designated fields. The Foundation's strategic priority is to invest in community-led solutions that create lasting positive change, operating on a theory of change that by supporting a broad range of charitable activities, it can collectively elevate the overall well-being and vitality of Spencer County.

This grant provides funding to Colorado artists, activists, and organizations to implement projects that use the arts to promote social justice and improve community welfare.

The New England Area Community Foundation (NECF), an affiliate of the North Dakota Community Foundation, is seeking applications to enhance community well-being and quality of life. As a nonprofit, tax-exempt corporation under IRS code 501(c)(3), NECF aligns its mission with fostering positive community development within the New England area. The grant program primarily focuses on improving the overall quality of life for residents by supporting initiatives that address critical community needs. The grant program targets a broad range of beneficiaries, including youth, senior citizens, and organizations engaged in leadership and community development. Impact goals include supporting projects and programs that benefit a larger number of residents within the New England community. The foundation prioritizes requests that demonstrate the applicant will seek or has already secured other funding sources, indicating a desire for sustainable and collaboratively supported projects. High-priority areas for funding include organizations serving youth, senior citizens, and those focused on leadership and community development. Projects that can demonstrate a widespread benefit to a greater number of residents are also highly favored. Conversely, requests for multiple-year funding, operating funds, or day-to-day expenses are considered low priority, suggesting the foundation aims to support specific, impactful projects rather than ongoing operational costs. Grants are awarded exclusively to organizations designated as 501(c)(3) nonprofit tax-exempt groups by the IRS or government agencies. Groups without this designation may apply through a fiscal sponsor. All funded organizations must operate within the New England community. Grants to religious organizations are strictly limited to non-denominational activities that serve the entire community, ensuring inclusivity and broad public benefit. Applications are due annually by April 30, with extensions possible at the Advisory Committee's discretion. The committee also retains the right to fund approved requests either fully or partially, based on their assessment of merit and alignment with strategic priorities.

The National Park Service (NPS), the Department of Defense, Defense Health Agency (DoD) have a partnership focused on promoting the health and wellness of active-duty military service members and their families through positive engagement experiences with national parks, public lands, and waterways. These experiences will promote healthy lifestyle habits and inspire families to become environmental stewards of national parks.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to various organizations in California for improving the sorting and processing infrastructure of beverage container recycling to enhance material quality and reduce contamination.

This program provides funding to nonprofit organizations in Centre County, Pennsylvania, to support projects that positively impact local youth, focusing on areas like mental health, educational equity, and access to extracurricular activities.

This program provides funding to non-profit organizations in Pennsylvania to develop and promote tourism initiatives that encourage overnight stays through events, facility improvements, and marketing efforts.