Local Recreation Grants

This funding opportunity supports Anne Arundel County Public School clubs and youth organizations in implementing peer-led education programs focused on preventing substance misuse among youth.

The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI) Traffic Safety Division (TSD) is offering the Traffic Safety Improvement Program (TSIP) Grant, a funding initiative designed to reduce fatalities and severe injuries on Indiana's roads. This grant aligns with the ICJI's mission to enhance public safety by supporting projects that address critical areas of traffic safety. The program provides financial assistance to state agencies, units of local government, and nonprofits, enabling them to implement evidence-based strategies that lead to tangible improvements in traffic safety across the state. The TSIP Grant targets a broad range of beneficiaries, including various state and local government entities, universities, colleges, coalitions, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits. The primary impact goal is to significantly reduce injuries and fatalities resulting from traffic incidents in Indiana. This is achieved by funding projects that address a diverse set of priority areas, all aimed at fostering safer driving environments and behaviors. The grant prioritizes projects that focus on several key areas. These include reducing injuries and fatalities from excessive speed, promoting the proper use of occupant protection devices, mitigating impaired driving, preventing crashes involving motor vehicles and motorcycles, and reducing school bus crashes. Furthermore, the program emphasizes preventing crashes from unsafe driving behavior, improving law enforcement services related to traffic safety, enhancing driver performance, and improving pedestrian and bicycle safety. Other critical areas of focus include improving traffic records, crash investigations, roadside safety for emergency vehicles, and teen driver programs. Expected outcomes of the TSIP Grant include a measurable decrease in traffic-related injuries and fatalities throughout Indiana. By supporting initiatives in the identified priority areas, the program aims to create safer roads, promote responsible driving, and enhance the overall effectiveness of traffic safety measures. The requirement for grant recipients to comply with reporting standards, including submitting quarterly performance measures, ensures accountability and allows for the tracking of measurable results, demonstrating the program's impact in achieving its safety objectives.

The Community Sports Grant, funded by the City of Thousand Oaks in California, offers $2,000 to $7,500 to non-profit community and school groups for upgrading sports facilities or purchasing equipment, requiring 100% matching funds and excluding uniforms, with applications due by October 3, 2024.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Vancouver, Washington, to deliver essential supportive services and rental assistance for individuals and families experiencing homelessness, particularly those in Safe Stay and Safe Park sites.

The Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District is offering a grant of $100,000 to $500,000 for public agencies and nonprofit organizations to acquire land for the creation or expansion of parks, wildlife corridors, trails, and access facilities, with a focus on high-need, rural, and regional areas.

The Sheboygan County Planning & Conservation Department is currently accepting applications for the Sheboygan County Stewardship Fund Grant. This grant aims to foster recreational opportunities and conserve valuable natural resources within Sheboygan County. Applicants can submit projects under three main categories: project development, land acquisition, or discretionary, all subject to case-by-case review. Projects may include land and easement acquisition, development or restoration of parks and trails, protection of water resources, and habitat restoration, among others. Funds awarded by the Stewardship Grant cannot exceed 50% of the total cost of the project or acquisition. The deadline for application submission is May 3, 2024. A matching requirement of 1:1 is necessary for grant consideration.

This grant provides funding for youth-led projects in Forsyth County, North Carolina, aimed at addressing community challenges and creating positive impacts for local youth.

This grant provides financial support to artists in specific Minnesota counties to help them advance their careers through various artistic projects and professional development opportunities.

This funding opportunity supports youth-led projects in Fairfax County aimed at reducing mental health stigma and promoting suicide prevention among peers.

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.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Livingston County, New York, to enhance youth sports and educational programs that promote physical activity, leadership, and community engagement among local young people.

The City of Flint has launched a new Youth Climate Action Fund, a microgrant program designed to empower youth-led climate initiatives. This program aims to support projects that advance critical community goals related to climate resilience, environmental sustainability, and community engagement. The fund's mission aligns with the broader objective of fostering a more sustainable and resilient Flint by investing in its younger generation as agents of change. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are youth aged 15-24 residing in Flint, who will collaborate with local groups, organizations, nonprofits, and schools to implement their projects. The impact goals are far-reaching, intending to cultivate youth leadership, increase community participation in climate action, and produce tangible environmental improvements within the city. This approach recognizes that youth are not only vulnerable to climate change impacts but also possess unique perspectives and innovative solutions. The fund prioritizes a diverse range of youth-led projects, including awareness, education, research, and development initiatives such as climate education programs, hackathons, surveys, and public art campaigns. It also supports youth-driven climate mitigation and adaptation projects like community gardening, tree planting, reforestation, urban farming, recycling, waste reduction, and disaster preparedness programs. Additionally, the fund encourages co-governed youth climate action plans, fostering partnerships between city leaders and youth groups to inform climate-related policy and the formation of youth climate ambassadors or advisory boards. Expected outcomes include a more informed and engaged youth population, a reduction in environmental waste and an increase in green spaces, improved community resilience to climate-related challenges, and the development of new climate-related policies influenced by youth perspectives. Measurable results will likely involve the number of youth engaged, the types and scale of projects implemented, the amount of waste diverted, the number of trees planted, and the development of new community programs or policies. The City of Flint's strategic priority through this fund is to build a foundation for long-term climate action by investing directly in its youth, thereby creating a sustainable future rooted in community-led solutions and a strong theory of change that empowers the next generation to tackle pressing environmental issues.

This program provides funding to nonprofit organizations in Turlock to support services that assist low- to moderate-income individuals, such as food assistance, homeless services, and youth programs.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and government entities that enhance the welfare of residents in Fayette County, Iowa, through projects in areas such as arts, education, health, and community development.

This program provides financial support to commercial property owners and business tenants in Boyd to improve the exterior appearance and accessibility of their properties through renovations and enhancements.

The Creative Learning Grant Program, sponsored by the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (LMCC), is designed to foster the growth and capacity of Manhattan-based teaching artists and small arts organizations. Its core mission aligns with promoting community-based arts education projects for youth, adults, and older adults. The program is funded through a combination of City funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs’ Greater New York Arts Development Fund and State funds from the New York State Council on the Arts’ (NYSCA) Statewide Community Regrants program, indicating a strategic partnership to broaden arts access. The primary beneficiaries are Manhattan's teaching artists and small arts organizations that are unable to directly apply for City and/or State arts funding. The program targets the development of sequential, skill-building arts study and participatory arts projects. The impact goals are to enrich communities through accessible arts education, delivered in local settings such as senior centers, recreation centers, public libraries, and community centers, thereby strengthening the cultural fabric of Manhattan. The program prioritizes organizations and individual artists with a core artistic mission or a history of arts programming, and those based in Manhattan with proof of nonprofit status (for organizations). A key focus is on supporting entities that do not directly apply to LMCC’s Creative Engagement program or for DCLA (GNYADF) or NYSCA (Statewide Community Regrants) funds in another county/borough for the same fiscal year. First-time applicants are required to attend an information session webinar to ensure understanding of the program's guidelines and expectations. Expected outcomes include the successful implementation of high-quality, community-based arts education projects and an increase in the capacity of teaching artists and small arts organizations. Measurable results are demonstrated through the awarding of grants in amounts of $4,000 and $8,000, with projects taking place between January 1 and December 31, 2025. This structured approach ensures a clear project period and defined funding tiers for evaluation. LMCC's strategic priorities, as evidenced by this program, revolve around fostering local arts initiatives and ensuring that arts funding reaches a diverse range of artists and organizations who might otherwise face barriers to direct funding. The theory of change suggests that by empowering these local artists and organizations through financial support and capacity building, there will be a direct positive impact on community engagement with the arts and the overall well-being of Manhattan residents of all ages.

The City of Tucson is offering a two-year grant ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 to local organizations and businesses for programs in areas such as relief for families and workers, small business support, community reinvestment, workforce development, and affordable housing, with a focus on long-term, data-driven investments to address inequities and expand community services.

This funding provides up to $2,000 for specific projects that benefit women, children, and families in Licking County, focusing on tangible outcomes rather than broader programs.

JustReinvest is offering a grant of up to $75,000 for community-based organizations in Maricopa County, Arizona, to fund programs that address priority areas such as violence prevention, economic development, neighborhood beautification, and health and wellness improvement, particularly in historically under-resourced neighborhoods and marginalized populations, funded by the Justice Reinvestment Fund which is supported by state tax revenues from the sale of recreational marijuana.

This funding opportunity supports arts and culture projects in the Aurora Cultural Arts District to boost economic development and engage diverse audiences, welcoming applications from local organizations and individual artists.