Grants for Nonprofits - Recreation

Grant Opportunity: Short-term Teaching Artist Residency Program (Illinois) The Short-term Teaching Artist Residency Program in Illinois supports elementary schools, community centers, and public libraries in engaging teaching artists for short-term residencies. The program prioritizes advancing equity and access in the arts, particularly for underserved audiences such as BIPOC communities, individuals with disabilities, older adults, and those with limited access to the arts. Eligible applicants can request a minimum of $250 and a maximum of $4,500 to cover 75% of residency costs. Additional percentages can be added under specific conditions. Applicants must be tax-exempt organizations or units of government in Illinois, while the selected artists must be based in Illinois. The application deadline is at least eight weeks before the project start date. For more information, visit Short-term Teaching Artist Residency Program.

The Youth Sports and Education Grants, sponsored by Lewis County (NY), invite applications for programs that provide structured sports activities for youth aged 6-17. This grant program aims to foster youth development through sports and educational programming. The project period for these grants runs from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025, with a grant duration of one year. Eligible programs must demonstrate basic competency in governance, monitoring and evaluation, partnership, and financial stewardship, ensuring that the grants support well-managed and effective initiatives. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are youth aged 6-17 residing in New York State. The impact goals include promoting healthy physical activity, providing educational opportunities, and ensuring a safe environment for participants. A crucial focus is on child protection, requiring all funded programs to have a child protection policy in place that adheres to local, city, agency, school district, and state guidelines. This commitment underscores a strategic priority to safeguard young participants while promoting their engagement in sports and education. Priorities for funding include programming costs directly related to youth activities. This encompasses expenses such as coaches, instructors, direct service staff, and mentors, including their training and professional development. Additionally, funding can cover equipment, educational programming costs, and facility or field usage. A key focus is on maximizing direct service to youth, with a cap of 15% of funds allocated for administrative and overhead costs for the implementing agency. Expected outcomes include increased participation in structured sports activities among New York State youth, enhanced educational attainment through integrated programming, and the establishment of safe and well-managed environments for children. Programs are also required to collect registration data, including participant demographic information, to facilitate accurate reporting of anonymized aggregate data to the OCFS, allowing for measurable results and ongoing program evaluation. The foundation's strategic priorities align with promoting youth well-being and development, utilizing sports and education as key tools for positive community impact.

This funding opportunity supports community programs that teach and engage diverse families in fishing, boating, and aquatic conservation efforts throughout California.

The Swim Safe Access Grant, spearheaded by Mayor Michelle Wu, the Office of Human Services (OHS), and the Boston Centers for Youth & Families, is a critical initiative aimed at enhancing water safety and increasing access to swimming lessons for Boston families. The program's core mission aligns with public health goals to address the threat of drowning, which is a leading cause of death among children in the U.S. The grant seeks to mitigate this risk by providing free and easily accessible swim lessons, directly supporting a strategy proven to reduce drowning risk by up to 90 percent. This directly reflects a strategic priority of improving community health and safety through preventative measures, particularly for vulnerable populations. The primary beneficiaries of the Swim Safe Access Grant are Boston residents, with a specific focus on low-income families and socially and economically disadvantaged, historically underrepresented, or underserved groups. The program's impact goals center on improving water safety knowledge and skills among these residents, ultimately reducing the incidence of drowning. By making beginner-level swim programs free and accessible, the grant aims to lower existing barriers to access, ensuring that a broader segment of the community can acquire essential water safety skills. The grant prioritizes beginner-level swim programs operating within the city of Boston, emphasizing foundational water safety skills over intermediate or advanced instruction. Funding is specifically available for ongoing programs, explicitly excluding one-time events, to ensure sustained impact and skill development. Eligibility criteria further specify that applicants must be non-profit 501(c)3 tax-exempt organizations, with Boston Public Schools-affiliated entities encouraged to apply. Programs must also demonstrate either direct operation of an aquatics facility or a partnership with one that can accommodate the proposed activities. This focused approach reflects a theory of change that by investing in foundational, accessible, and sustained beginner swim instruction, a significant and measurable improvement in public water safety can be achieved across the city. Expected outcomes include a substantial increase in the number of Boston residents, particularly children from underserved backgrounds, who possess basic water safety skills. Measurable results will be tracked through regular reports on program outcomes, which award recipients are required to submit. These reports will provide data on participation rates, skill acquisition, and potentially anecdotal evidence of increased water confidence and safety awareness among participants. The total available funding of $250,000, with individual awards up to $49,999 per organization, underscores the program's commitment to supporting multiple community-based initiatives to achieve its broad safety and access goals.

The Moore County Community Foundation (MCCF) is offering community grants to qualified charitable organizations serving the local community in Moore County, North Carolina. This grant program aligns with the foundation's mission to address local needs across a broad spectrum of purposes, ensuring the well-being and development of the community. The grantmaking program targets a wide range of beneficiaries through initiatives focused on human services, education, youth development, health, food/nutrition, and arts. The goal is to fund programs that meet essential local needs and create positive, measurable impacts within the community. The foundation prioritizes funding for initiatives that address a diverse set of local needs. While specific expected outcomes and measurable results are not explicitly detailed in the provided text, the foundation's emphasis on a broad range of purposes, including human services, education, and health, suggests a commitment to fostering holistic community improvement. Organizations are expected to offer programs and services without discrimination. The MCCF's strategic priority is to support organizations that can effectively serve the counties within its affiliate network. This indicates a localized approach to philanthropy, where the foundation aims to empower local non-profits, government entities, and even religious organizations (for social outreach programs) to drive positive change. The theory of change appears to be rooted in direct community investment and empowerment of local service providers to address pressing issues.

The County of Maui's Green Grants program offers approximately $1.7 million in funding to support projects promoting sustainability. Managed by the Department of Environmental Management’s Environmental Protection & Sustainability Division (EP&S), the program aims to advance critical initiatives in environmental protection, restoration, and sustainable development across Maui County. This aligns with the broader mission of fostering a more resilient and environmentally conscious community. The grants target a wide range of beneficiaries, including individuals, non-profit organizations, and for-profit businesses. The program particularly encourages projects led by, or with a focus on, women, youth, and traditional native Hawaiian practices and approaches. The overall impact goal is to enhance environmental protection, restore wetlands, promote renewable energy, encourage green building, and facilitate the acquisition of essential equipment for sustainability initiatives, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable Maui County. The Green Grants program prioritizes several key areas through its distinct funding streams. These include the Environmental Protection Grant, which supports invasive species management, environmental restoration, conservation, and sustainability (with a specific allocation for Waikapū community beautification). The Wetlands Restoration Grant focuses on organizations dedicated to wetland restoration. The Renewable Energy Grant supports initiatives promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency. The Green Building and Resilient Housing Grant encourages sustainable building practices, with a portion designated for Living Building Challenge participants. Finally, the Equipment Purchase Grant assists in acquiring necessary equipment for all sustainability and environmental initiatives. Expected outcomes include tangible improvements in environmental health, increased adoption of renewable energy, more sustainable building practices, and enhanced capacity for environmental initiatives through equipment acquisition. For instance, the Wetlands Restoration Grant aims to advance critical restoration efforts, while the Renewable Energy Grant seeks to enhance energy efficiency. The Green Building and Resilient Housing Grant promotes sustainable design and construction. Measurable results would include the number of restored wetlands, reduction in invasive species, new renewable energy installations, and the implementation of green building projects. The project period for grants is a full year, with options to align with either the Fiscal Year (July 1, 2024–June 30, 2025) or Calendar Year (January 1, 2025–December 31, 2025) in 2025.

The Youth Team Sports Funding is a grant program offered by Lewis County in New York, designed to support local community-based organizations and nonprofits in providing team sports activities for youth. The program's core objective is to foster youth development through organized physical activity, particularly targeting under-resourced communities within New York State. The grant period is from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025, and it emphasizes adherence to child protection policies and data collection for accurate reporting. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are youth under 18 years old residing in under-resourced communities within New York State. The program aims to increase participation in team sports, which are defined as organized physical activities where groups of two or more individuals compete. The impact goals include promoting physical well-being, fostering teamwork, and providing structured recreational opportunities for vulnerable youth populations. The grant prioritizes funding for programming costs directly related to supporting youth participation in team sports. This includes expenses for coaches, instructors, direct service staff, mentors (including training and professional development), referee fees, and the purchase of equipment or uniforms. Additionally, capital investments such as facilities, fields, fences, storage, and lighting are eligible. A notable focus is also on the purchase of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) by local organizations to meet current legal requirements. Expected outcomes of the program include an increase in the number of youth participating in organized team sports, improved access to sports activities for under-resourced communities, and enhanced safety through the implementation of child protection policies and the availability of AEDs. Measurable results will likely stem from the collected registration data, including participant demographic information, which OCFS requires for anonymized aggregate reporting. This data will allow for the assessment of the program's reach and effectiveness in serving its target population and achieving its outlined objectives.

The Philip S. Miller Resource Grant Program (PSMRGP), funded by the Philip S. Miller Trust Fund, is dedicated to supporting social and human services within Castle Rock. This program aligns with its foundation's mission by addressing fundamental community needs through targeted grant funding. The Town of Castle Rock serves as the donor for this grant, demonstrating a local commitment to enhancing the well-being of its residents. The program's primary beneficiaries are organizations that provide essential necessities of life to the community. The impact goal is to ensure that these vital services, specifically water, energy, food, and shelter assistance, are accessible to those in need. The grant seeks to strengthen the capacity of qualifying organizations to deliver these critical resources, thereby fostering a more stable and supportive environment in Castle Rock. The PSMRGP prioritizes funding requests that directly address at least one of the listed necessities: water, energy, food, or shelter assistance. While the grant duration is not specified, the funding information indicates that the Town has budgeted $45,000 for up to five organizations this year. This strategic allocation aims to distribute resources effectively among multiple organizations, maximizing the program's reach and impact within the community. Eligibility for the grant is restricted to organizations that have been approved and operating for a minimum of five years, pursuant to the terms of the Internal Revenue Code as either 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(19) entities. This criterion ensures that funding is directed towards established, legitimate organizations with a proven track record of service. The expected outcome is a sustained and enhanced provision of crucial social and human services, contributing to the overall welfare and resilience of Castle Rock.

This funding opportunity supports organizations in Philadelphia and Camden that create free outdoor programs to help underserved communities access and enjoy parks, trails, and waterways.

The Women's Fund of Porter County, an initiative of the Porter County Community Foundation, provides grants to nonprofit organizations serving women and children within Porter County, Indiana. Its core mission is to foster collective giving and address the critical needs of women and children in the community. This aligns with the Foundation's broader goal of improving lives and strengthening the region through philanthropic efforts. By focusing on programs with positive outcomes for this specific demographic, the Fund ensures its grants directly contribute to the well-being and advancement of a significant portion of the community. The target beneficiaries of this grant program are women and children residing in Porter County. The primary impact goal is to improve their lives through various programs and initiatives. While the specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed in the provided text, the fund emphasizes supporting programs that "demonstrate positive outcomes." This implies an expectation that funded projects will have tangible and observable positive changes in the lives of women and children, such as improved access to resources, enhanced safety, educational attainment, or better health outcomes. The Women's Fund's priorities and focuses are clearly defined by what they will and will not fund. They prioritize projects that directly address issues facing women and/or children. This includes a broad range of potential areas, as long as they contribute to the overarching goal of improving their lives. Conversely, they explicitly exclude scholarship programs (including daycare and program participation fees), annual appeals, membership contributions, event sponsorships, sectarian or religious programs, political organizations, endowment campaigns, debt reduction campaigns, individuals, already completed programs or contracted equipment, and travel for various groups. These exclusions highlight a strategic focus on direct programmatic support over other forms of funding. The foundation's strategic priorities, as indicated by the Women's Fund, center on supporting impactful, well-organized nonprofit organizations that can demonstrate positive outcomes. Their theory of change appears to be that by collectively pooling resources and strategically investing in programs that target the specific needs of women and children, they can create significant, positive, and lasting change within the Porter County community. The eligibility criteria, which require recipient organizations to be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, also speaks to their commitment to working with established and accountable entities to achieve their philanthropic goals.

This funding opportunity supports projects that preserve historic resources, such as surveys and restorations, benefiting the public and requiring matching funds from the grantee.

This funding opportunity supports non-profit organizations in Knoxville that provide workforce readiness programs and social-emotional development for youth aged 12-24, helping them gain essential skills and resilience for future careers.

The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee is currently accepting applications for its Lillian Ashley Fund, a grant program established by Manchester, Tennessee native Lillian Ashley. This endowment reflects Lillian's desire to give back to her beloved community, focusing on areas close to her heart: children, animals, and environmental conservation within Coffee County. The program's core mission aligns with the foundation's broader goal of supporting community well-being by channeling resources to vital local initiatives. The primary beneficiaries of the Lillian Ashley Fund are the children, youth, and animals of Coffee County, as well as local environmental and conservation efforts. The fund aims to support the overall well-being of children and youth, provide for the care and welfare of animals, and bolster initiatives that protect and preserve the environment. The expected outcomes include improved quality of life for young residents, enhanced care and protection for animals, and a healthier, more sustainable environment within the county. The fund's strategic priorities are clearly defined: supporting the well-being of children and youth, ensuring the care and welfare of animals, and promoting environment and conservation efforts. These focus areas are intended to create a tangible impact on the community, addressing specific needs identified by the donor. While measurable results are not explicitly detailed in terms of specific metrics, the grant period of December 1, 2024, to November 30, 2025, suggests an expectation of progress within that timeframe, contributing to the broader theory of change that targeted funding can lead to significant positive community development in these key areas. Eligible organizations for this grant include 501(c)(3) public charities and governmental entities such as libraries or departments. Nonprofits can request grants up to a maximum of $15,000, with the overall fund size ranging from $10,000 to $100,000. This targeted approach allows the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, through the Lillian Ashley Fund, to strategically invest in local organizations that are directly addressing the program's goals and contributing to the sustained betterment of Coffee County's children, animals, and environment.

This funding opportunity is designed for academic or institutional partners within the Colorado Plateau CESU network to conduct research on riparian restoration in the Colorado River Basin, focusing on improving ecological health and supporting avian populations.

Grants for Workforce Development Innovation Initiatives in the District of Columbia are available to support innovative solutions for residents to enter and sustain employment, ultimately contributing to the District's economy. The grant program encompasses various areas such as youth programs, initiatives for returning citizens and adults with barriers to employment, labor market research, workforce and federal programs, labor standards, unemployment insurance outreach, paid family leave support, and infrastructure job assistance. Service categories include work readiness, job readiness, occupational skills development, job placement assistance, research, and education/outreach efforts.

The Huron County Community Foundation (HCCF) is currently accepting applications for its fall grant cycle, inviting projects that aim to make a positive impact on Huron County, Michigan. As a nonprofit community corporation, HCCF's mission is deeply rooted in supporting the people of Huron County by fostering prosperity. This is achieved through a focus on Community & Economic Growth, aligning the grant program directly with the foundation's core purpose of enhancing the well-being and development of the region. HCCF's strategic priorities are designed to cultivate a thriving environment within Huron County. These include retaining and attracting a talented, trained workforce, creating vibrant and dynamic communities, and cultivating an environment conducive to business development. Projects addressing these areas are given preference for unrestricted grantmaking dollars. This focus reflects the foundation's theory of change, which posits that by investing in these key areas, they can catalyze broader community and economic growth, leading to a more prosperous future for all residents. Beyond the strategic priorities, the HCCF also encourages applications for projects that address numerous other interest areas, indicating a broad scope for potential beneficiaries. These areas include Arts and Culture, Education, Health & Medicine, Basic Needs Services, Beautification of Huron County, Natural Areas Preservation, Disadvantaged Youth, Recreation, and Women in STEM. This diverse range of focus areas ensures that a wide array of community needs and interests can be supported, reflecting a comprehensive approach to community development and impact. Applicants are required to submit a detailed project narrative, outlining the project's description and purpose, including its location and the number of people it will serve. This narrative should also address the project's long-term impact and measurable results, demonstrating how the grant from HCCF would be recognized. Furthermore, applicants must describe their evaluation methods to determine if their purpose was accomplished, and provide a budget with estimated income and expenses. These guidelines are designed to ensure accountability and to help the HCCF assess the potential effectiveness and sustainability of each proposed project, ultimately aiming for impactful and measurable outcomes that align with the foundation's mission.

This funding opportunity supports Orange County nonprofits in creating arts and cultural projects that engage historically underrepresented communities and enhance the cultural life of Chapel Hill.

The 2025 Community Grants program, offered by the Community Foundation for the CSRA, invites applications from organizations dedicated to serving individuals in specific counties of Georgia and South Carolina. This program directly aligns with the Foundation's mission to support various community needs, encompassing arts/culture/history, education/youth enrichment, health/environmental, and people in need. The Foundation seeks to foster innovative and high-quality programs that deliver positive, tangible impacts within these strategic areas, ultimately aiming for community betterment and individual empowerment. The target beneficiaries for this grant program are individuals residing in Aiken and Edgefield counties in South Carolina, and Burke, Columbia, Richmond, and McDuffie counties in Georgia. The Foundation aims to achieve significant impact goals, such as enhancing cultural and historical engagement, providing educational and enrichment opportunities for disadvantaged children, youth, and adults, improving health and environmental outcomes, and offering essential human services to vulnerable populations. Through these grants, the Foundation intends to address critical community challenges and improve the quality of life for residents in its service area. The program prioritizes several key areas. In arts, culture, and history, it encourages innovative and high-quality initiatives. For education and youth enrichment, the focus is on programs that provide educational opportunities and skills training for disadvantaged individuals, including job skill training, after-school programs, leadership development, tutoring, GED, and literacy initiatives. Within health and environmental, the Foundation supports areas such as environmental research, animal services, sustainable gardens, medical clinics, drug rehabilitation, and programs for individuals with disabilities and mental illness. Finally, the "People in Need" category broadly supports human service programs, including those addressing hunger, housing insecurity, financial assistance, homelessness, and re-entry programs for recently incarcerated individuals. The expected outcomes of the Community Grants program include a measurable increase in access to educational resources, improved health indicators, enhanced cultural participation, and greater support for vulnerable populations. For instance, educational programs are expected to lead to improved literacy rates or job placement success. Health initiatives anticipate better access to medical services or environmental conservation efforts. Programs for people in need are expected to provide stable housing, food security, or financial independence. The Foundation's theory of change posits that by investing in these critical areas through local organizations, it can foster a stronger, more resilient, and equitable community for all residents within its geographic focus. Requests for funding should not exceed $15,000 to maximize the reach of the grants.

The Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines offers Leadership Grants, ranging from $100,000 to $500,000, to initiatives that aim to strengthen the community through equity-centered strategies and collaboration with diverse stakeholders, focusing on improving the quality of life in Greater Des Moines.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations in East Hawai‘i that are working on community projects related to education, health care, economic sufficiency, and recreational activities.