Local Recreation Grants

The Town of Matthews Tourism Grant Program offers financial assistance to organizations that host events or programs aimed at boosting visitation and tourism within Matthews. This initiative directly aligns with the town's mission to enhance local economic activity and showcase Matthews as a desirable destination. The grant is specifically funded by tourism-related taxes, including hotel occupancy, prepared food and beverage, and car rental taxes, ensuring that the program's funding mechanism is directly tied to its mission of promoting tourism. The primary beneficiaries of this program are non-profit organizations capable of delivering events or programs that effectively attract visitors to Matthews. The overarching impact goal is to increase tourism and visitation, which in turn supports local businesses and generates revenue for the town. The program prioritizes projects with short-term and/or long-term potential for attracting visitors, ensuring a sustainable impact on the town's tourism landscape. Key focuses for successful applications include demonstrating a clear goal of promoting tourism and visitation to Matthews, as well as outlining how the proposed program will achieve this. Eligibility criteria emphasize that organizations must hold current non-profit status and that their programs must take place between July 1, 2024, and June 13, 2025. This timeframe allows for the support of both upcoming and recently concluded initiatives that meet the program's objectives. Expected outcomes include an increase in the number of visitors to Matthews and the successful execution of tourism-promoting events and programs. Measurable results will be assessed through mandatory post-project reports submitted by grant recipients. These reports will likely detail attendance, visitor origin, economic impact, and other relevant metrics, providing data to evaluate the program's effectiveness. Any unspent grant funding must be returned by June 30, 2025, ensuring accountability and efficient use of public funds. The program’s strategic priority is to leverage local events and programs as catalysts for sustained tourism growth, aligning with a theory of change where targeted financial support for tourism initiatives directly translates into increased visitor numbers and economic benefits for the community.

This grant provides $10,000 to support impactful projects that benefit youth in the community, specifically targeting initiatives rather than general operating expenses.

The City of Maple Valley is offering grants to local agencies and organizations that provide services and events within the community, with a deadline of July 10, 2024. The program aims to support initiatives that contribute to the city's economic development, community engagement, and human services. The grants are categorized into Economic/Community Events and Human Services, reflecting the city's commitment to fostering a vibrant and supportive environment for its residents. The Economic Development Commission (EDC) and the City's Finance Committee are responsible for reviewing applications and allocating funds, ensuring alignment with municipal purposes such as community participation and economic development. The grant program targets non-profit corporations that can demonstrate significant value to the citizens of Maple Valley. For Economic Events, beneficiaries include organizations that attract regional, state, and national participants, bringing economic benefit to the city. Examples like the Lake Wilderness Triathlon and the Be the Hope Walk illustrate the type of events that align with this focus. Community Event grants are intended for organizations that attract local participants and spectators, such as the Maple Valley Youth Symphony and Maple Valley Days, emphasizing local engagement and cultural enrichment. Human Services grants support agencies dedicated to providing essential services to the community. The program prioritizes events and services that serve valid municipal purposes, specifically community participation and economic development. For Economic Events, the focus is on attracting visitors from outside Maple Valley to stimulate the local economy. Community Events prioritize local engagement and enrichment. Human Services grants are aimed at addressing critical community needs through direct services. The evaluation process for Economic/Community Events is managed by the EDC, which recommends organizations to the City’s Finance Committee. The Finance Committee directly oversees the Human Services grant process. Expected outcomes include increased community participation, enhanced economic activity within Maple Valley, and improved access to vital human services. Measurable results for Economic Events could include visitor numbers from outside the city and economic impact assessments. For Community Events, success might be measured by local attendance and resident feedback on community engagement. Human Services grant outcomes would likely be assessed by the number of individuals served and the impact of those services on community well-being. The City of Maple Valley's strategic priority is to invest in its community through initiatives that offer both economic and social returns, thereby strengthening the overall fabric of the city.

The City of Knoxville Parks and Recreation Department's annual Challenge Grant Program aims to support non-profit projects that enhance public parks and recreation facilities within the city limits. This initiative aligns with the department's mission to foster community engagement and promote the use of public spaces for recreation and well-being. The program's focus on projects associated with public parks and recreation facilities directly contributes to the department's strategic priority of maintaining and improving accessible recreational opportunities for all residents. The target beneficiaries of this grant program include various community groups such as 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), and 501(c)(6) status organizations, homeowner associations, schools, and Scout troops. The impact goals are to encourage activities within City Parks and Greenways, offer match funds for fitness classes like Yoga and Tai Chi, and support passive programming such as painting and birdwatching. These goals are intended to increase community participation in park activities and enhance the quality of life for Knoxville residents. The program prioritizes projects that take place on City-owned or -leased property and are related to facilities available to all residents on a yearly basis. This ensures that the grants directly benefit the broader community and support accessible public resources. The funding structure, which reimburses recipients 50 percent of the project cost up to $3,000, aims to make these projects more feasible for eligible organizations. Expected outcomes include an increase in diverse activities offered in city parks and greenways, a greater number of residents participating in fitness and recreational programs, and improved utilization of public recreational facilities. The measurable results would involve tracking the types of projects funded, the number of participants in various activities, and the overall engagement with city parks. The program's theory of change posits that by providing financial support for community-led initiatives in public spaces, the City of Knoxville can cultivate a more active, engaged, and healthy populace.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in Lorain to develop community services in areas such as health, mental health, youth and senior support, homelessness, and food accessibility.

This program provides funding to community groups and local organizations in Santa Rosa for projects that improve neighborhoods and foster community engagement, such as clean-ups, public art, and gardens.

This grant provides funding for nonprofit organizations in the greater Theresa area to support projects that enhance community well-being, education, and cultural initiatives.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to neighborhoods, community groups, and local businesses in Marysville, Washington, for projects aimed at beautifying their local areas.

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 nonprofit organizations and local government entities in Tennessee to use arts and culture for community revitalization and economic growth.

The Prince William County Department of Parks & Recreation is offering an Arts Grant to support nonprofit arts organizations in the Greater Prince William area, including Manassas and Manassas Park. This initiative aligns with the department's mission to enrich the cultural landscape of the community by fostering and sustaining artistic endeavors. The grant aims to ensure that both newly established and established nonprofit arts groups have the resources to provide diverse cultural and art performances to citizens across the region. The grant targets all nonprofit organizations engaged in dance, literary arts, media arts, music, theater, visual, and related arts. It has two main granting areas: the New and Emerging Grant, designed to assist start-up nonprofit arts groups within their first three years of existence, and the General Operating Grant, which provides sustained support for established nonprofit organizations. The impact goal is to strengthen the local arts community, promote cultural development, and ensure the continued availability of rich artistic experiences for residents. The program prioritizes organizations that are recognized as non-profits (with a 501(c)3 designation or applied for status for New & Emerging Grants), have completed a season of programs (exception for New & Emerging), and are based in Prince William County, Manassas, and/or Manassas Park. Furthermore, applicants must comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, ensuring inclusivity and non-discrimination. Organizations are also expected to have a significant portion of their members, participants, or services originating from or offered within the community. Expected outcomes include the successful establishment and growth of new arts organizations, and the sustained operation and continued provision of high-quality cultural and artistic programs by established groups. Measurable results could include the number of new organizations supported, the number of programs and performances offered, and the reach of these programs within the community. The grant period for activities is July 1 through June 30, with a deadline of May 8, 2024, for applications. This strategic approach ensures a continuous cycle of support for the arts, reflecting the department's commitment to a vibrant and accessible cultural environment.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations and government entities for projects that improve the quality of life in Franklin County, focusing on areas such as arts, education, health, and community development.

The City of Champaign's Community Matters youth program, founded in 2007, offers funding for the 2024-2025 program year. This initiative aligns with the city's mission to address critical areas such as safety, academic support, technology, recreation, career exploration, and employment among its youth. The program seeks to support public or private non-profit agencies that provide services meeting the needs of Pre-K through 18-year-old students residing within Champaign. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are youth from low-income families within the City of Champaign. The program's impact goal is to have a lasting positive effect on the community by fostering well-rounded development in its youth. While open to low-income youth from any Champaign neighborhood as space and funding allow, a key prioritization is given to programs serving youth from specific target areas: Beardsley Park, Bristol Park, Garden Hills, and Douglass Park, ensuring that resources are directed where they are most needed for community transformation. Proposals should focus on activities that can be carried out with Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. These activities are broad and include the rehabilitation of residential and non-residential structures, building demolition, construction and rehabilitation of public facilities, and public services. However, activities related to the general conduct of government, political activities, and new housing construction are generally ineligible. This focus ensures that the funded programs directly contribute to community improvement and youth development. The expected outcomes include enhanced safety, improved academic performance, increased technological literacy, greater recreational opportunities, and better career exploration and employment prospects for the youth participants. While specific measurable results for the 2024-2025 allocation are dependent on the yet-to-be-announced CDBG annual allocation, the previous year's public service allocation of approximately $133,000 provides an indication of the funding scale. This funding, limited to 15% of the City of Champaign’s total CDBG award, underscores the strategic priority of public services within the broader community development framework, aiming for a significant impact despite funding constraints. The funding period runs from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025.

This grant provides funding to organizations in Maui County that offer mental health services or support for immigrants and migrants, helping to improve community well-being and access to essential resources.

The City of Chandler is offering mini-grants up to $1,000 for projects that support diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) for youth aged 5-18, prioritizing diversity education in K-12 schools and favoring proposals that address various dimensions of diversity, with eligibility open to teachers, schools, nonprofits, and community groups in Chandler.

The Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) is offering the 2023-2024 Public-Space Activation Fund (PAF), a grant program aimed at supporting activities that revitalize public spaces within the City of Los Angeles, California. This initiative aligns with the DCA's mission to enrich the cultural life of the city by fostering community engagement and providing accessible cultural experiences. The grant seeks to fund projects that transform public areas into vibrant hubs of activity, reflecting a commitment to broad public benefit and cultural accessibility. The primary beneficiaries of the PAF are the residents and visitors of Los Angeles, particularly those who participate in or attend the various public events and activities supported by the fund. The impact goals include enhancing community cohesion, celebrating cultural diversity, and providing opportunities for cross-cultural learning. By supporting a range of accessible events, the fund aims to improve the quality of public life and create inclusive environments for artistic and cultural expression. The PAF prioritizes projects falling under four main categories, with specific emphasis on International Festivals & Intercultural Foods (IFIF). IFIF grants, typically ranging from $7,500 to $10,000, are designed for pop-up or festival-style events such as community picnics, outdoor festivals, block parties, and food/food-truck festivals. Additionally, creative enhancements to farmers' markets that incorporate live performing arts and cultural activities are highly encouraged. These projects are expected to embrace multicultural themes and feature entertainment suitable for family-friendly, street-adjacent spaces like public parks, schoolyards, and parking lots. Expected outcomes include a measurable increase in public attendance at cultural events, greater community participation in organized activities, and a visible enhancement of public spaces. The success of IFIF projects, for instance, will be measured by their ability to promote opportunities for cross-cultural learning and engage diverse audiences through multicultural entertainment. The DCA's strategic priority is to activate public spaces, and this grant program serves as a direct implementation of that theory of change, believing that by funding accessible cultural events, they can foster a more connected and culturally rich urban environment.

The Community Foundation for Monterey County offers grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 to support initiatives that increase awareness, promote acceptance, and improve the quality of life for the LGBTQ+ community in Monterey County, CA, with a focus on arts and culture, education, civil rights, health, mental health, organizational capacity building, and programs for youth and seniors.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in Cass County to promote tourism through marketing initiatives or to enhance local attractions with capital improvements.

The Community Pride Foundation offers grants to support youth activities that encompass arts, athletics/sports, education, and leadership. Eligible applicants include public schools, youth organizations, nonprofit organizations, and public/governmental agencies. The grant does not fund individuals. Proposals must be youth-centered, involve active youth participation, and focus on the program rather than equipment. Collaboration and leveraging other funding sources are important evaluation criteria. Applications must be submitted by email or post-marked by the deadlines of May 1 or November 1. Awards range from $500 to $2,500 with total available funding of $10,000 annually.

This grant provides financial support to organizations hosting family-friendly events in Downtown Hagerstown to strengthen community ties and stimulate the local economy.