Recreation Grants

This program provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and sport tourism-related groups in Maryland to host youth and amateur sporting events that boost local tourism and youth participation in sports.

This program provides financial assistance to private landowners and organizations for planting new forests on non-forested lands of five acres or more in New York, helping to combat climate change and support local economies.

This funding opportunity is designed to support organizations that provide resources and programs to help pregnant and parenting families in Philadelphia enhance their children's early learning and development.

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.

This grant provides funding for innovative projects that enhance the quality of life, tourism, and economic vitality in Baytown, targeting nonprofits, businesses, and entrepreneurs looking to make a significant community impact.

This grant provides funding to support professional development and networking opportunities for teaching artists in the Philadelphia area, enabling them to deliver high-quality, inclusive arts education programs for youth.

This funding opportunity supports organizations in Greater Philadelphia that provide engaging arts education programs for young people aged 5 to 18, fostering creativity and personal growth through partnerships with skilled teaching artists.

This grant provides financial support to exceptional artists in the metro Detroit area, enabling them to further their creative practice and community impact.

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 funding opportunity provides financial support to state and local agencies, tribes, and community organizations for acquiring land and developing outdoor recreation facilities in urban areas to enhance public access to outdoor activities.

This grant provides funding to local governments, tribes, and nonprofits in Oregon to improve tourism infrastructure and promote inclusivity for underserved communities, boosting the state's visitor industry and local economies.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to small nonprofit organizations in Northeast Florida with limited budgets, helping them strengthen their operations or develop community-focused programs.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for the construction, maintenance, and improvement of trails and shared-use paths throughout Montana, benefiting local communities and outdoor enthusiasts.

This program provides financial assistance to nonprofit organizations for hosting community events that promote cultural and recreational opportunities for residents of Avon, Connecticut.

This program provides funding for innovative projects that address substance abuse, mental wellness, and violence among teens aged 12-18 in Michigan's tri-county capital region.

Frederick County’s Fiscal Year 2026 Community Partnership Grant Program invites eligible nonprofit organizations to apply for competitive funding to support programs and services for county residents. The application period opens on November 25, 2024, and closes on January 8, 2025, at 4:00 PM. This program underscores Frederick County’s commitment to fostering a strong and thriving community by partnering with nonprofits that address key local needs. The grant program focuses on four priority areas. These include Addressing Homelessness and Housing Solutions, such as affordable housing initiatives, financial literacy programs, and services to help individuals age in place. Quality of Life initiatives target childcare, youth empowerment, senior support, community inclusion, and transportation innovation. Public Health efforts focus on food insecurity, mental and behavioral health, substance use disorders, intimate partner violence, health equity, and maternal health. Additionally, grants aim to support the Arts, promoting access to cultural enrichment, placemaking, and community arts programming. Eligible applicants are nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations that serve Frederick County residents. Each organization may submit one application, and awarded grants include accountability standards to ensure effective program implementation. Nonprofits interested in applying can enhance their preparation by attending a virtual information session on November 21, 2024, at 1:30 PM. Details for this session will be provided to those who sign up for reminders and updates. Organizations can visit www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/CPG for comprehensive information about the application process, eligibility requirements, and grant guidelines. For further assistance, inquiries can be directed to CPG@FrederickCountyMD.gov or Janet Fogle at 301-471-8085. Nonprofits are encouraged to participate in this opportunity to expand their impact and strengthen the community through targeted, innovative programs.

The 2025 Small Grants Program, offered by Boulder County Parks & Open Space (BCPOS), provides funding for research and biological inventories on open space lands. The program aims to enhance resource management practices and improve visitor experiences through data-driven insights. Grants of up to $12,500 are available, with a proposal deadline of January 9, 2025. Applicants will be notified of funding decisions by February 20, 2025, and final reports must be submitted by December 8, 2025, to ensure complete payment. BCPOS has identified priority research topics in areas such as Plant Ecology, Wildlife, Forestry and Fire, Education and Outreach, and Invasive Plants. These topics include projects such as assessing the impacts of invasive species, evaluating fire behavior in cheatgrass-dominated areas, and creating habitat connectivity models. Proposals are not limited to these areas, and researchers are encouraged to propose innovative projects aligned with the department’s mission. Proposals must follow a specific format and include sections such as an abstract, introduction, methods, budget, and researcher qualifications. Applications must not exceed six double-spaced pages (excluding cover pages, maps, and resumes) and should be submitted electronically via the Research on Open Space webpage. Researchers are advised to contact BCPOS staff to discuss their topics before submission. If a proposal is initially incomplete, researchers may resubmit once before the deadline. Eligibility is open to universities, government agencies, private organizations, and individuals, including students with faculty sponsorship. Research must occur on BCPOS properties or conservation easements, with prior landowner permission if required. Overhead costs cannot exceed 15%, and there is no requirement for matching funds. Grant recipients are expected to deliver detailed reports, including raw data and mapping products, formatted according to BCPOS guidelines. For interdisciplinary projects, collaboration with other local entities, such as the City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks, is encouraged. For more information or to discuss proposals, applicants can contact program coordinator Raquel Robles at rrobles@bouldercounty.gov.

The 2025 REC for All Support, Engagement, and Events (SEE) Grant, offered by the DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), aims to support community organizations in delivering engaging recreational programming for underserved youth in the District of Columbia. This initiative aligns with Mayor Bowser’s vision of creating inclusive opportunities that enhance physical, social, and emotional well-being. Applications are due by January 8, 2025, at 4:00 PM EST, and must be submitted electronically via the DPR Grants Management System. Late or incomplete submissions will not be accepted. The SEE Grant provides funding in three categories. The Support Grant offers up to $5,000 for purchasing equipment, supplies, or materials to improve existing programs in areas such as sports, cultural arts, and youth development. The Engagement Grant provides up to $10,000 to fund field trips and other youth engagement activities. Finally, the Event and Travel Grant allocates up to $10,000 to support events, tournaments, or travel for youth athletic competitions. Applicants may choose one category and must clearly demonstrate how the funding will enhance their programming. Eligible applicants include nonprofit, community, and faith-based organizations, as well as public and private service providers with a demonstrated track record of effectively engaging youth. Proposals must address the program’s core values of equity, inclusion, empowerment, community, sustainability, and innovation. Applications should include a program description, participant demographics, and an itemized budget with a narrative detailing how the funds will be utilized. Personnel costs are generally disallowed, except for transitional needs. A pre-application meeting will take place on December 17, 2024, at 11:00 AM, offering applicants an opportunity to learn more about the grant requirements and application process. Interested organizations must register by emailing DPR.Grants@dc.gov. Grantees are required to maintain records for three years post-grant, comply with all reporting and audit requirements, and submit final deliverables no later than 30 days after the program ends. The SEE Grant program has a total funding pool of $550,000, with multiple awards anticipated. Funded programs must operate within the District of Columbia and provide proof of site ownership or occupancy. For additional information or assistance, applicants can contact LaShaun N. Basil at Lashaun.basil@dc.gov. Detailed application instructions and resources are available on the DPR Grants webpage. This funding opportunity is an excellent chance for organizations to expand recreational offerings and create impactful experiences for youth across the city.

The City of Boston has launched the Third Annual Community Empowerment Grants, offering a total of $500,000 to strengthen capacity and expand programming for organizations supporting men and boys across Boston’s neighborhoods. Administered by the Mayor’s Office of Black Male Advancement (BMA), these grants provide up to $20,000 per organization to enhance programs aimed at empowering Black men and boys. Applications are open now and must be submitted by January 6, 2024, at 5:00 PM. The grants focus on seven key areas: Mentoring and Out-of-School Time, Youth and Young Adult Pathways, Housing Mobility, Economic Inclusion and Wealth Building, Workforce Training and Development, Fatherhood Engagement, and Mental Health and Wellness. Programs in these areas should foster social, economic, and emotional wellbeing for men and boys, providing pathways to success in education, housing, employment, and mental health. Building on the success of prior grant cycles, this year’s initiative introduces enhanced capacity-building support through the BMA Capacity Building and Impact Institute and mentoring opportunities in collaboration with Mass Mentoring. These programs offer personalized coaching, nonprofit training, and expert resources to help grantees amplify their impact and build long-term sustainability. To further promote collaboration, the BMA will facilitate a community of practice for grantees to share insights and strategies. Eligible applicants must be Boston-based organizations with a demonstrated history of positively impacting Black men and boys. Interested organizations can attend a virtual information session on December 11, 2024, at 12:00 PM via Zoom, with registration available on the BMA website. For further questions, applicants may contact the City of Boston grants team at grants@boston.gov. In previous cycles, $1.5 million in Community Empowerment Grants has been awarded to 115 community-based organizations. This ongoing investment aligns with the BMA's mission to create equitable opportunities and lasting change for Black men and boys across Boston. For more details on this and other grant opportunities, visit www.boston.gov/grants.

The Community Grant Cycle, hosted by the Eau Claire Community Foundation (ECCF), is now open, with applications accepted until noon on January 15, 2025. This opportunity is available to tax-exempt nonprofit organizations serving the greater Eau Claire area, particularly those with programs impacting Eau Claire County. Eligible nonprofits can apply for three types of grants: Program Grants, Asset Grants, and Operations Grants. Program Grants support programs and services addressing significant community needs in the Eau Claire area, with most of the impact focused on Eau Claire County. Asset Grants provide funding for specific purchases or improvements, such as new equipment or technology upgrades. Operations Grants assist nonprofits facing financial challenges due to transitions, unexpected revenue losses, or unusually high expenses. Operations Grant requests are capped at $10,000 and are not intended for ongoing financial support. All applications must be submitted electronically through the ECCF Grant Portal, as paper or emailed applications will not be considered. PDF copies of the application forms are available for review to help applicants prepare before beginning the submission process. Along with completing the application, organizations are required to adhere to ECCF’s Grantmaking Guidelines and may find additional resources such as Grant Writing Tips and details about Field of Interest Funds useful in crafting their proposals. Grant recipients are required to submit a final report within 30 days of the grant period’s conclusion. Extensions or changes to the grant’s purpose can be requested, but such requests must be submitted at least 60 days before the grant period ends and require approval from the ECCF Board. This grant cycle provides a valuable opportunity for nonprofits to secure funding for impactful projects, operational needs, or critical improvements that benefit the Eau Claire community. Interested applicants are encouraged to begin their application process early and carefully review ECCF’s guidelines to maximize their chances of success.