Private Recreation Grants

The POISE Foundation's Community Impact Grants are designed to support the Black community in achieving self-sustaining practices through strategic leadership, collective giving, grantmaking, and advocacy. This aligns directly with the foundation's mission to empower and uplift the Black community. The program offers small grants, typically between $1,000-$5,000, to nonprofit organizations in the Pittsburgh Region. These grants are generally for one-year durations and are specifically targeted at Black-led, Black-serving organizations. The target beneficiaries of these grants are nonprofit organizations serving the Black community in the Pittsburgh Region, with a focus on programs that lead to empowerment and self-sufficiency. The impact goals are broad, aiming to foster pathways from poverty to prosperity, advance educational achievement, create and develop Black businesses, support the well-being of young ladies, and strengthen Black families. This is achieved by investing in programs that build capacity, engage in civic participation, make decisions, and advocate for the well-being of Black communities and residents. The program prioritizes several key areas: Community & Economic Development, Education, Entrepreneurial Activities, Young Ladies, and Strengthening Black Families. Within these areas, there's a strong focus on community engagement, understanding issues, and promoting economic, social, environmental, political, and psychological well-being. For Strengthening Black Families, specific priorities include being family-driven, building family development, increasing family interaction, being culturally responsive, assisting with support networks, providing advocacy tools, and promoting family healing and wellness. Expected outcomes include increased civic participation, improved educational achievement for Black youth, growth in Black businesses and cooperatives, enhanced well-being for young ladies, and the restoration of the Black family as a core, thriving institution in Pittsburgh. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed in terms of quantifiable metrics, the foundation's theory of change is evident in its investment in programs that provide direct services and seek to bring about change that leads to empowerment and self-sufficiency within the Black community. The preference for Black-led organizations further demonstrates their strategic priority of empowering community-driven solutions.

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation is offering a grant program aimed at expanding access to mental and behavioral health services and resources for youth. This initiative aligns with the foundation's mission to improve the health and well-being of North Carolinians by focusing on critical health needs. The program seeks to support models that are effective in the short term (1-3 years) and leverage a trained workforce beyond traditional specialty-trained clinical roles. This strategic approach emphasizes immediate impact and sustainable community engagement, reflecting a theory of change that posits empowering a broader range of professionals will lead to more accessible and responsive mental health support for young people. The primary target beneficiaries of this grant are youth in North Carolina, particularly those in communities facing significant barriers to accessing care. The program aims to address the critical need for mental and behavioral health support by increasing the availability of resources and services. Impact goals include fostering early identification of distress, trauma, mental health changes, or substance use among youth, and facilitating their connection to appropriate resources. The foundation prioritizes approaches that engage diverse communities and can operate in various settings, such as communities, schools, health systems, and faith-based organizations. The program's priorities include strengthening organizational capacity and infrastructure, connecting care across different settings, increasing access to training opportunities for a diverse workforce, and enhancing the availability of culturally and linguistically relevant resources and materials. The focus is on a trained workforce that can identify, understand, and respond to signs and symptoms of mental health challenges, providing initial support and resource connection. This strategy aims to create a more integrated and accessible support system for youth mental and behavioral health. Expected outcomes include a measurable increase in the number of youth accessing mental and behavioral health services, improved early intervention for mental health concerns, and a more robust network of trained professionals capable of supporting youth. The grant allows for proposals ranging from $75,000 to $500,000 per year for up to three years, indicating a commitment to significant, multi-year projects. Eligible organizations include nonprofits, fiscally sponsored programs, government entities (including schools and tribal governments), and coalitions, fostering a broad and inclusive approach to addressing youth mental health needs across all counties in North Carolina.

This grant provides funding to Massachusetts-based non-profits and organizations to expand and enhance previously funded projects that collect and share underrepresented narratives and experiences from the Commonwealth.

This grant provides funding to organizations for innovative educational programs that support students in Title I schools in Polk County, Florida, particularly those in grades K-8, to improve academic outcomes and address challenges like absenteeism and behavioral issues.

The Island Foundation is accepting applications for a grant program, with a deadline of 10/23/2024, aimed at supporting 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in Maine, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island that focus on environmental conservation, social change in New Bedford, alternative education, and addressing inequality for womxn and girls.

This funding opportunity supports local nonprofits, schools, and government entities in Kandiyohi County, Minnesota, to implement projects that foster community connections, inclusivity, and long-term positive change.

The Green Bay Packers Foundation offers grants to organizations focusing on arts and culture, athletics, and education. While independent of the Green Bay Packers, Inc., the Foundation's mission aligns with supporting charities that foster a community environment promoting families and the competitive value of athletics, contribute to player and fan welfare, ensure the safety and education of children, and/or prevent cruelty to animals. This broad mission allows for diverse programs that positively impact the well-being of the community. The grants target organizations that serve the residents of Wisconsin, specifically those within any county of the state. The Foundation supports a wide range of beneficiaries, from children receiving educational support to families engaged in athletic programs, and animals benefiting from cruelty prevention efforts. The impact goals are centered around creating a stronger, safer, and more enriched community through these varied focus areas. The Foundation's priorities and focus areas are clearly defined as arts and culture, athletics, and education. Beyond these core areas, the broader goals of perpetuating a community environment that promotes families and athletic values, contributing to player and fan welfare, ensuring child safety and education, and preventing animal cruelty act as strategic priorities. Organizations applying for funding must demonstrate how their projects address at least one of these current year's focus areas, indicating a theory of change that links program activities to the desired community outcomes. While specific expected outcomes and measurable results are not detailed in the provided information, the Foundation's emphasis on specific program areas and broader goals suggests an expectation of positive community impact. For example, programs in education are expected to improve children's safety and learning, while athletic programs are anticipated to promote competitive values and family engagement. The grant size, ranging from $3,000 to $8,000, aims to provide meaningful support for these impactful projects. Eligibility criteria, such as being a 501(c)(3) for at least two years and located in Wisconsin, ensure that grants are awarded to established and local organizations capable of delivering on their proposed initiatives.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in Arizona that are dedicated to improving literacy skills for children and youth from birth through 12th grade.

Community Investment Grants Program in Indiana is offering funding to support new charitable programs and projects requiring durable equipment and capital items that are essential for organizations to carry out their charitable purposes. The grant decisions aim to enhance the quality of life for all citizens of Owen County and support projects addressing community needs with lasting value. The funding categories include education, nonprofit capacity building, youth philanthropy, human services, MYPath Trail System, attracting and retaining "Rising Generations" (25–40-year-olds), and may also include other areas of emphasis such as quality of place, arts & culture, trails & parks.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in specific California counties to improve educational outcomes for boys and men of color by enhancing access to post-secondary education and addressing systemic barriers.

The Community Foundation of East Central Illinois (CFECI) is offering the 2024 Community Commitment Grant, a program designed to support various essential sectors within the east central Illinois region. This grant aligns directly with the foundation's mission to address community problems and seize opportunities in the areas of arts and humanities, environment, education, health and human services, urban affairs, and youth activities. While all these categories are considered, the foundation seeks proposals that demonstrate practical approaches to community challenges, foster collaboration among agencies, and generate broad community support through both professional and volunteer engagement. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are charitable tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organizations or comparable non-profit public charities serving residents of east central Illinois. The impact goals are to strengthen the effectiveness and stability of these agencies and to improve the quality of life within the targeted communities. The grant specifically prioritizes proposals that promote cooperation, community involvement, and sustainable solutions to local issues. By supporting these organizations, the CFECI aims to cultivate a more resilient and vibrant community ecosystem. The focus of the Community Commitment Grant is broad, encompassing several key areas crucial for community well-being. These include cultural enrichment through arts and humanities, environmental stewardship, educational advancement, improved health and human services, positive urban development, and robust youth programs. The foundation encourages innovative proposals that not only identify problems but also offer actionable solutions, thereby contributing to a comprehensive approach to community development. Expected outcomes include enhanced services and programs offered by recipient organizations, increased collaboration among local agencies, and greater community engagement in addressing shared challenges. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed beyond the qualitative impact of strengthening agency effectiveness and generating community support, the historical grant range of $500 to $7,500 indicates a commitment to providing impactful, albeit varied, levels of financial assistance. The CFECI's strategic priority is clearly to empower local organizations to effect positive change, operating on a theory of change that by investing in practical, collaborative, and community-supported initiatives, significant and lasting improvements can be made across diverse sectors within east central Illinois.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in West Alabama to address critical community needs in areas such as arts, education, health, and social welfare through innovative and collaborative projects.

This fellowship provides funding and support for U.S. journalists to report on effective solutions for youth mental health issues, fostering community engagement and promoting equity in their storytelling.

This funding opportunity supports summer mathematics programs in the U.S. for talented high school students, promoting engaging and innovative mathematical experiences led by experienced mathematicians.

This grant provides $8,000 in unrestricted funds to support individual artists and collaborative groups in New York State or Tribal Nations, allowing them to pursue their creative vision without project-specific requirements.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in Herkimer and Oneida counties to support programs and services that promote healthy lifestyles and access to resources for older adults.

This contest invites photographers of all skill levels to showcase their images of the Cook County Forest Preserves, with a focus on capturing the area's natural beauty and outdoor activities.

The Early Care Spaces grant program, spearheaded by the Kenneth Rainin Foundation, is an open application initiative offering grants of up to $100,000. Its core mission aligns directly with the foundation's vision of a world where all Oakland children read at or above grade level by third grade. This program specifically targets early language and literacy development for Oakland children from birth to five years old, recognizing the critical window for literacy growth from early care through second grade. The foundation's strategic priority is to support equitable approaches to literacy during these formative years. The program's impact goals are multifaceted, focusing on expanding children's vocabulary and comprehension, increasing confidence in listening and speaking, and empowering parents and caregivers as leaders in their children's education. A key component of the foundation's theory of change is also the career advancement and upskilling for Black early care providers, enabling them to offer language-rich, developmentally appropriate, and culturally affirming care, thereby addressing systemic inequities. Early Care Spaces prioritizes funding for early care provided outside of traditional education systems, such as family resource centers and community spaces, while still welcoming organizations that partner with traditional systems. The program also places a strong emphasis on initiatives with deep connections to informal care providers or Family, Friend and Neighbor care. Furthermore, it seeks to support diverse organizations and providers that truly reflect the neighborhoods and communities they serve, with a particular focus on the Oakland flatlands, areas experiencing disinvestment and displacement of BIPOC communities. The expected outcomes include increased access to high-quality early literacy support for Oakland's youngest children, especially in underserved communities, and the strengthening of the informal care sector. Measurable results would likely include improvements in children's language and literacy skills, increased parental engagement in early education, and enhanced capacity and leadership among Black early care providers. This annual program, commemorating the foundation's 15th anniversary of formal grantmaking, aims to address existing gaps in Oakland's early care funding landscape and contribute to long-term literacy success for all children in the city.

The Porter County Community Foundation seeks to strengthen the community through lasting generosity and leadership by offering grants for humanitarian, cultural, educational, and environmental purposes. While the foundation acknowledges the importance of general operating support for nonprofits, it prioritizes funding requests that build organizational capacity, enhance efficiency, expand successful programming, or foster cooperation and collaboration among organizations for innovative initiatives. This approach aligns with their mission to ensure long-term growth and vitality within the community by strategically investing in projects with clear, impactful goals. The foundation targets organizations serving Porter County, Indiana, with a focus on proposals that demonstrate the potential for significant community benefit. Grants are awarded through an open process, and the committee considers several factors when making difficult choices due to limited funds. These factors include support from sources other than the foundation, evidence of meaningful financial support from the organization's board, the overall financial strength of the organization, and the request's impact on enhancing the organization's capacity to better serve Porter County. Key priorities for funding include initiatives that increase organizational capacity through planning, training, and professional development (excluding recurring annual conferences), as well as projects that enhance efficiency through equipment acquisition and extraordinary expenses difficult to budget for. The foundation also prioritizes expanding successful programming to reach new audiences and facilitating cooperation and collaboration among organizations for new, innovative programming. These focuses aim to foster a stronger, more efficient, and interconnected network of community service providers. Expected outcomes include increased organizational efficiency and sustainability, improved capacity to serve Porter County residents, and the successful expansion of programs to new audiences. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed for each funding area, the foundation's emphasis on "increased efficiency and sustainability" and "capacity to better serve Porter County" implies a focus on quantifiable improvements in service delivery, outreach, and operational effectiveness. The maximum grant amount is $10,000, and the foundation generally does not fund annual appeals, event sponsorships, multi-year grants, sectarian programs, political organizations, endowment campaigns, debt reduction, individuals (except scholarships), completed programs, travel for groups, camp scholarships, or re-granting organizations.

The Richard C. Munroe Foundation Grant Program is currently accepting applications, with a deadline of August 15, 2024. This program, offered by The Richard C. Munroe Foundation, provides grants ranging from $10,000 to $100,000, although typical grants are between $3,000 and $15,000. The foundation's mission aligns with supporting specific project or capital need expenses, rather than operating expenses, emphasizing a strategic use of limited funds and a preference against guaranteed future participation. The foundation primarily targets small organizations or programs with a minimum of three years of operational history. Beneficiaries include those involved in human services, particularly programs for at-risk youth and the impoverished, as well as arts programs that aid the at-risk population, and environmental initiatives. The foundation aims for the grants to serve as leverage, enabling recipients to successfully solicit funds from larger charitable organizations, thereby maximizing their impact. Geographically, the Richard C. Munroe Foundation prefers to focus on the metro Atlanta area to facilitate monitoring of recipients, unless a board member has specific information regarding an organization requesting a grant outside this area. This strategic focus ensures closer oversight and more effective deployment of resources. The grant's specific focus areas are human services, arts, and environment, all with an underlying goal of aiding vulnerable populations and fostering community well-being. Expected outcomes include the successful completion of specific projects or capital improvements by recipient organizations. While not explicitly detailed as measurable results, the foundation's preference for funding tangible needs suggests an expectation of observable progress and sustained impact within the communities served. By supporting smaller, established organizations, the foundation seeks to empower them to grow and attract further funding, creating a ripple effect of positive change.