Recreation Grants

This program provides funding and product donations to nonprofit organizations and government entities for projects that enhance and maintain off-road trail systems, promote safe riding practices, and protect natural resources in the U.S. and Canada.

This program provides federal funding to Georgia for the construction and maintenance of sewage disposal facilities for recreational boaters, promoting cleaner waterways and responsible boating practices.

This grant provides funding to public agencies and nonprofit organizations for the development and maintenance of outdoor recreational activities that utilize nonhighway access, such as trails and parks.

This program provides funding to public and nonprofit entities for the development and renovation of outdoor athletic facilities that primarily benefit youth up to age eighteen, promoting community access and recreational opportunities.

This program provides financial assistance to local governments, nonprofit organizations, and tribal bodies in Wisconsin for developing and maintaining recreational trails and related facilities.

Grant Name: Snowmobile Enforcement Patrol Grant Funding Organization: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Contact Information: For more information on these grants, please contact your local recreation warden. Notice of intent must be submitted before June 1st of the patrol year. Grant Intent: This grant is issued to Wisconsin sheriff departments that participate in snowmobile enforcement efforts. The DNR can provide up to 100% of county net cost for the enforcement of snowmobile regulations. Actual funding received is based on total allotted funds split between participating agencies. Eligible Applicants: Sheriff departments are eligible to receive grants for snowmobile patrols. Forms Required: Prior to Patrol - Intent to Patrol [PDF], Patrol Activities - Enforcement Patrol Daily Log [PDF], Enforcement Patrol Monthly Report [PDF], Accident Forms - ATV/Snowmobile Operator Incident Report [PDF], ATV/Snowmobile Officer Report Form [PDF], Audit Paperwork - State Aid Application - Snowmobile/ATV [PDF], Salary Schedule [PDF], Travel, Materials, and Supply Schedule [PDF], Depreciation Schedule-Straight Line Method [PDF], Record of Violations [PDF]. Additional Information: The grant is renewed every year. A link to the manual can be found at https://widnr.widen.net/s/6zcxqwxcr2/le0503.

Program Name: LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND (LWCF) PROGRAM Funding Organization: Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Contact Information: For assistance with LWCF grants, contact Pam Rood, your regional DNR Stewardship contact. Award Details: Grants cover 50% of eligible project costs. Eligible Applicants: Towns, villages, cities, counties, tribal governments, school districts or other state political subdivisions. Eligible Projects: 1. Land acquisition or development projects that provide opportunities for public outdoor recreation. 2. Property with frontage on rivers, streams, lakes, estuaries and reservoirs that provide water-based outdoor recreation. 3. Property that provides special recreation opportunities such as floodplains, wetlands, and areas adjacent to scenic highways. 4. Natural areas and outstanding scenic areas that preserve scenic or natural values and are open to the general public for outdoor recreation use without impairing the natural attributes of the areas. 5. Land or development within urban areas for day-use picnic areas. 6. Land or development of nature-based outdoor recreation trails. 7. Development of basic outdoor recreation facilities. 8. Renovation of existing outdoor recreation facilities in danger of being lost for public use. Ineligible Project Examples: 1. Projects not supported by a local comprehensive outdoor recreational plan. 2. Acquisition and development of golf courses. 3. Projects where stormwater management is the primary purpose. 4. Lands that include cell towers. 5. Land that will be used for non-outdoor public recreation purposes. Deadlines and Funding Cycles: - Completed applications must be submitted to your regional Stewardship community service specialist by May 1 each year. - Department of Natural Resources regional staff review and rate eligible projects in early June. - Final project listing is compiled in July with projects ranking the highest selected for grants based on available funds. - Final selected projects will be reviewed and approved by the National Park Service before the sponsor receives an agreement with the DNR. Note: The grant is renewable every year, and the application period closes on May 1st each year.

Grant Opportunity: Sport Fish Restoration - Fishing Pier (SFR-FP) Funding Organization: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Contact Information: - Name: Faith M Murray - Email Address: Faith.Murray@wisconsin.gov - Work Phone: (920) 461-8206 - Work Address: NATURAL RESOURCES, DEPT OF, GREEN BAY, WI 54313 Intent and Eligibility: The Sport Fish Restoration - Fishing Pier grant program provides funding for the construction and renovation of fishing piers primarily designed to provide public access for shore fishing. Eligible applicants include counties, towns, cities, villages, tribes, sanitary districts, public inland lake protection and rehabilitation districts, and qualified lake associations. Matching contributions must come from non-federal sources. Application Deadline: Applications for the Sport Fish Restoration Fishing Pier grant must be submitted by October 1 each year. Application Materials: To apply for the grant, applicants must submit various materials including the Sport Fish Restoration Grant Programs Application (Form 8700-385), Grant Project Authorizing Resolution (Form 8700-388), project location maps, topographical maps of the project area showing land disturbance area, illustrations of the current condition of the project area, drawings or site plans of the proposed project area including buildings and facilities, preliminary or final engineering plans with pier designs, draft easement/lease/MOU documents if applicable, and copies of required permits if already received. Submission Process: All grant applications should be emailed to DNRBIGCVASFRGrants@wisconsin.gov. The subject line of the email should indicate the type of grant being applied for. Application materials should be saved in PDF format and not exceed 15 megabytes in size. If email size exceeds 15 MB, documents can be sent in multiple emails. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that their application is submitted by the deadline. Additional Resources: Applicants are advised to read the Program Guidance for U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Subaward Grant Program: Boating Infrastructure Grant, Clean Vessel Act, and Sport Fish Restoration for Boat Access and Fishing Piers [PDF]. Accessibility guidance for grant-funded projects (CF-031) and the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and

Grant Opportunity: County Conservation Aids (CCA) Funding Organization: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Contact Information: Bobbi Winebar, Grant Program Manager, WI Dept of Natural Resources, 2984 Shawano Avenue, Green Bay, WI 54313, 920-461-2595 Program Description: The County Conservation Aids (CCA) grant program provides financial assistance to county and tribal governing bodies participating in county fish and wildlife programs. The program aims to enhance fish and wildlife resources through the funding of various projects related to outdoor recreation use, habitat restoration/enhancement, stocking projects, maintenance projects, and miscellaneous projects. The grants are funded by the revenue generated from the sale of hunting and fishing licenses and state sales tax on hunting and fishing equipment. Eligibility: County and tribal governing bodies participating in county fish and wildlife programs are eligible to apply for this grant. Award Details: The statewide allocation for the current fiscal year is $148,500. Funds are allocated to each county in proportion to the ratio of the size of each county to the total area of the state. Unused funds revert to five regions available to county and tribal governments within region boundaries. Application Process: Interested applicants can download the County Conservation Aids (CCA) Application & Grant Agreement Form #8700-045A from the website. The form should be completed online and submitted via email or postmarked no later than October 1. Applicants may need to obtain permits if required or seek approval from the property manager if their project is occurring on DNR-owned land. A letter of final award notification will be sent out by October 31. Matching Requirement: If an applicant receives a grant of federal pass-through funds from the DNR, those funds can be used as a match for the 50% cost-share required by the CCA program. State funds cannot be used as a match for a CCA grant. Reimbursement Information: Expenditures made prior to the effective date of the appropriate DNR regional grant specialist approval will not be allowed. All work must be done within the project period. Local equipment rates may be used but should not exceed the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) equipment rate for the year of the project activities. Re

This program provides financial assistance to various governmental entities, organizations, and educational institutions in Wisconsin for the construction and improvement of shooting ranges.

This federal grant program provides funding to develop and renovate boating facilities targeting guest recreational boats 26 feet and larger. Grants also may be used for boater education. Typical Projects Renovating guest docks Installing utilities to moorage docks Building moorage docks and floats. Funding generally is awarded every 2 years. Funding comes through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from federal gas taxes deposited in the federal Aquatic Resources Trust Fund.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit Friends Groups dedicated to maintaining and operating Wisconsin's state parks, forests, trails, and recreation areas.

Grant Opportunity: All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) Enforcement Patrol Grant Funding Organization: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Contact Information: For information on these grants, please contact your local recreation warden [PDF]. Award Details: The DNR can provide up to 100% of county net costs for the enforcement of ATV regulations. Actual funding received is based on total allotted funds split between participating agencies. Eligibility: Sheriff departments in Wisconsin are eligible to receive grants for All Terrain Vehicle patrols. Application Process: 1. Read the Snowmobile/ATV Safety Patrol Manual (LE-503) [PDF] for details on how to apply. 2. Submit a Notice of Intent to Patrol (Form 8700-059) [PDF] on or before June 1 of the patrol year. 3. Submit the form to: DNR ATV Administrator, LE/8 PO Box 7921 Madison WI 53707-7921

The OCCF Community Investment Grant Program is accepting applications throughout the year, with no specific due dates or deadlines. The grants aim to provide broad and diverse funding to support a strong and vibrant Owen County community. Eligible applicants include charitable organizations, schools, churches, and governmental agencies in or serving Owen County. If an organization does not meet the criteria but their project aligns with OCCF's charitable goals, they may be able to partner with a fiscal sponsor. The grant awards range from $1,001 to $5,000, with the option for organizations to crowdfund up to $10,000 or leverage OCCF's dollars through a matching campaign. The application deadlines for the Grants Committee review in 2024 are May 31st and September 30th. The funding categories include improving access to information on local issues and events, parks, trails, recreational programs, high-quality childcare and early childhood education. Additionally, requests for initiatives related to community wellness, culture, economic development, transportation, agriculture, natural resources, broadband access, historic & archaeological resources, hazard mitigation, innovation & entrepreneurship, and quality of place will be considered. Organizations that have previously received grants must submit a final report before applying again. For more information and to access the application form: [Link](https://www.grantinterface.com/Form/Preview?form=1113651&urlkey=occf)

This program provides funding to public entities for the acquisition, development, and renovation of facilities that enhance access to motorized boating activities on waterways.

This grant provides financial support to individuals and organizations in Wisconsin for projects that promote safe and ethical hunting by recruiting new hunters, especially adults, women, and families, while addressing barriers to participation.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit groups and friends organizations in Wisconsin for improving recreational facilities and restoring habitats on state properties.

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.

This funding opportunity supports community-driven projects that enhance public spaces and amenities in Hastings, encouraging local partnerships and civic engagement.

The AARP Foundation is accepting applications for the Purpose Prize, a national award celebrating individuals aged 50 and older who are leveraging their life experiences to create positive change. Winners will receive $50,000 for their non-profit organization and access to various resources and events. Eligible applicants must be US citizens, at least 50 years old, and have founded a 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) non-profit organization. The work being recognized must have been initiated when the applicant was at least 40 years old. For more information, visit The AARP Foundation website.