State Recreation Grants

This funding opportunity supports community organizations in Washington, D.C. that are dedicated to reducing gun violence through innovative intervention strategies targeting at-risk individuals aged 18-35.

This grant provides funding for organizations to facilitate college tours for underserved high school students in Washington, D.C., helping them explore Historically Black Colleges and Universities and prepare for higher education.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations and government agencies for projects that promote wine and culinary tourism in Oregon, with a focus on increasing visitor numbers and overnight stays.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations, public agencies, and tribal governments managing boating facilities in California to enhance their efforts in preventing the spread of invasive mussels and protecting water resources.

The FY25 Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant Program is a $5 million fund aimed at helping fire departments across the Commonwealth purchase essential safety equipment that meets NFPA and OSHA standards, with applications open from September 19 to October 17, 2024.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to local workforce development boards and partner organizations in Pennsylvania to enhance collaboration among businesses and address workforce needs within priority industry sectors.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to certified convention and visitors bureaus in Illinois for projects that enhance tourism infrastructure and visitor experiences along Route 66, particularly in anticipation of its 100th anniversary.

Impact Projects grants support arts organizations for collaborations between local artist(s) and community members to develop and express their own creative and artistic goals and address a community-defined need. Collaborative projects will utilize various creative practices to impact social issues affecting their communities, including but not limited to systemic marginalization, incarceration/justice systems, arts learning, poverty/economic disparity, health disparities, accessibility for people with disabilities, housing insecurity, violence, food insecurity, cultural/social justice, intergenerational/multigenerational learning, veterans’ issues, and environmental sustainability

This program provides funding to rural Kansas communities with populations under 5,000 for projects that enhance quality of life, such as childcare improvements, public art, library upgrades, and food retail expansions.

This funding opportunity supports New Jersey Workforce Development Boards in creating partnerships to improve adult literacy and job skills for residents, helping them secure stable employment and achieve self-sufficiency.

The LGBTQIA+ National Grant, provided by Founders First Community Development Corporation, aims to empower eligible small businesses within the LGBTQIA+ community. This initiative directly aligns with Founders First's overarching mission to foster the growth of diverse founder-led businesses that generate over $1 million in annual revenues. By offering financial support and valuable resources, the program seeks to address the unique challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ entrepreneurs and contribute to their economic success and sustainability. The primary target beneficiaries of this grant program are LGBTQIA+ identifying business owners who serve as CEO, President, or Business Owner of an active, U.S.-based business. To be eligible, businesses must have an annual revenue not exceeding $5 million, employ between 2 to 100 individuals, and have been in operation for a minimum of one year. The impact goal is to make significant investments in 25 LGBTQIA+ led businesses across the United States, thereby facilitating their growth and increasing their capacity for job creation and community contribution. The program prioritizes businesses that meet the outlined eligibility criteria, focusing on those with a demonstrated need for capital and a clear potential for growth. Beyond the direct financial support of $25,000 grant packages, a key focus is providing access to resources. This includes connecting grant recipients with like-minded entrepreneurs through the Founders First family network, and offering exclusive access to webinars and other valuable educational resources designed to enhance business acumen and operational efficiency. The expected outcomes of the LGBTQIA+ National Grant include the direct financial empowerment of 25 small businesses within the LGBTQIA+ community. Measurable results will include the number of businesses receiving grants, their continued operation and growth, and their engagement with the provided resources. Founders First's strategic priorities are clearly centered on increasing the number of successful, diverse founder-led businesses, and this grant program serves as a critical component of their theory of change, which posits that targeted financial investment combined with robust support systems will lead to sustained economic impact and a more equitable entrepreneurial landscape.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to New Jersey counties for initiatives that improve communication and language access services for residents who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf-blind, ultimately aiming to reduce health disparities and enhance accessibility in public services.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to counties, municipalities, nonprofit organizations, and local tourism promotion groups outside of Cook County to enhance tourism marketing initiatives that attract visitors and boost regional economic activity.

The Local Parks Grant Program offers five individual grants to assist local government units in Texas with the acquisition and/or development of public recreation areas and facilities. This program aims to enhance public access to recreational opportunities, dedicating all grant-assisted sites to parkland in perpetuity. Funded by a portion of the state sales tax on sporting goods and federal off-shore gas royalties, the program supports projects that ensure sites are properly maintained and open to the public.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations associated with Illinois' seven nationally designated scenic byways for research and marketing initiatives that promote tourism and economic development along these scenic routes.

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is currently accepting grant applications for the Encouraging Tomorrow’s Hunters Program. This initiative aims to support wildlife, shooting, fraternal, and nonprofit civil organizations in recruiting the next generation of hunters and shooters. Priority will be given to hunting events over shooting-only events. Eligible expenses for reimbursement include advertising and promotion, event insurance premiums, rental of specific equipment and facilities, hunting and safety equipment, nonmonetary landowner appreciation gifts, and costs related to ammunition, targets, clay throwers, etc. The program has previously funded various youth pheasant and waterfowl hunts, along with trap and shooting events such as archery and rifle shooting. A 25% in-kind match, which can include volunteer time valued at $28/hr or other expenses, is required for all events. Grant renewed every grant. Grant Annual deadline: May 1st.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (Iowa DNR) is offering its Community Forestry Grant Program, a state-funded initiative designed to support community-based tree planting for derecho recovery. This program is rooted in the Iowa Legislature's appropriation of state infrastructure funds, specifically earmarked for urban and community forestry services. The core mission of this grant program aligns with enhancing Iowa's natural environment and aiding in the recovery of communities affected by derecho events through strategic tree planting on public lands. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are state and local government entities, schools, volunteer organizations, and service organizations actively involved with local urban and community forest services. The overarching impact goal is to facilitate the purchase and planting of trees on publicly owned lands across Iowa, contributing to environmental restoration and community resilience following natural disasters. Eligible planting areas include, but are not limited to, street right-of-ways, parks, school grounds, courthouse lawns, public buildings, fairgrounds, cemeteries, libraries, and trails, ensuring broad community access to the benefits of reforestation. Grant priorities emphasize several key areas to maximize impact and ensure effective resource allocation. Priority will be given to projects demonstrating clear need stemming from derecho impact, cost-effectiveness through a $1 for $1 cash match, robust community involvement, alignment with Tree City/Campus/Line USA designation, and a focus on species/genera diversity and environmental impact. These priorities reflect a strategic approach to fostering sustainable urban and community forests, promoting ecological health, and encouraging local engagement in environmental stewardship. The expected outcomes of the Community Forestry Grant Program include the successful planting of a diverse range of suitable trees across publicly owned lands in Iowa. Measurable results will be tied to the number of trees planted, the extent of community involvement, and the degree to which projects address the specified priorities, particularly in derecho-affected and EAB Reforestation eligible counties. The program's strategic priorities are centered on recovery, environmental enhancement, and community engagement, working towards a theory of change where targeted tree planting leads to stronger, more resilient communities and improved ecological well-being throughout the state. The grants, ranging from $500 to $10,000, are specifically for the purchase and planting of trees, with special requests for other landscape plantings requiring detailed justification.

The Land and Water Conservation Fund offers matching grants to states and local governments for acquiring and developing public outdoor recreation areas and facilities. Aligning with Michigan's 2023-2027 Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP), this grant focuses on assessing current resources and demands, evaluating trends, and setting strategic priorities for outdoor recreation improvements over the next five years. Applications are evaluated based on criteria that ensure alignment with the SCORP, and funding decisions are made by the National Park Service upon recommendation from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Application deadlines are set annually, with a process involving submission, evaluation, and final approval stages. Applicants must have a DNR-approved community five-year recreation plan to be eligible. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual deadline: April 1st

This funding opportunity provides $750,000 to Minnesota communities for projects that enhance resilience against climate impacts on stormwater, wastewater, and public health services.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for municipalities and nonprofit organizations to implement community development projects that promote smart growth and environmental protection in the Adirondack and Catskill Parks.