Best Recreation Grants for Nonprofits in New Mexico

Nonprofit and public entities developing outdoor recreation areas and facilities in New Mexico can seek reimbursement grants up to US $500,000 for acquisition, development, and expansion projects. The New Mexico Energy Minerals and Natural Resources Department administers the Land and Water Conservation Fund to support recreation, education, resource protection, and wetland acquisition across the state.

New Mexico recreation and outdoor organizations promoting firearms safety, shooting sports, or hunting education can access funding through The NRA Foundation for charitable, educational, or sports competition programs. Eligible applicants include 501(c) entities, government agencies, and state-recognized nonprofits, with typical awards ranging from US $3,000 - US $5,000 for program-related equipment and activities.

Nonprofit and community organizations providing youth outdoor recreation programs in New Mexico can receive US $5,000 - US $40,000 to deliver transformative outdoor experiences. The Outdoor Recreation Division’s Outdoor Equity Fund supports activities that increase equitable access to nature, build stewardship of lands and waters, and connect youth to outdoor recreation career pathways.

Nonprofits and local entities planning or improving outdoor recreation trails in New Mexico can seek US $25,000 - US $99,999 to enhance publicly accessible trail infrastructure and related amenities. Grants from New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Division support projects that boost local economies, expand recreation access, and promote equitable, nature-based recreation opportunities.

New Mexico nonprofits and public entities planning or improving regional outdoor recreation trails and related infrastructure in New Mexico can apply for US $100,000 - US $499,999, requiring matching funds. New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Division’s Tier 2 Trails+ grants prioritize projects with regional economic impact, public recreation access, and strong multi-partner collaboration, including on Tribal and rural lands.

Outdoor recreation and trail-focused organizations in New Mexico can seek funding to plan, develop, or improve regional trails and related infrastructure, with awards of US $500,000 - US $1,000,000. New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Division provides this Tier 3 Trails+ grant for projects that deliver regional economic impact and expand public recreation access, including on Tribal lands.

Eligible New Mexico state agencies, public educational institutions, political subdivisions, and tribes or pueblos can seek funding for conservation easements and land restoration projects that support recreation, wildlife habitat, and working lands. Focused on protecting the state’s natural heritage, the New Mexico Energy Minerals and Natural Resources Department invites projects that enhance forests, watersheds, outdoor recreation, and trails.

Nonprofits, tribes, and public agencies in New Mexico can fund short-term youth conservation and recreation projects with up to US $225,000, including park access, greenways, and community facility improvements. With a mission to support recreation and outdoor conservation, New Mexico Energy Minerals and Natural Resources Department provides reimbursement-based grants requiring a 10% match and hiring local youth corps members.

The RMEF Grant Program lies at the core of advancing our mission.

RMEF established the program in 1986 to provide financial and logistical support to projects that align with our priorities and goals. Grant funds raised by RMEF members, volunteers and generous donors from across the country translate into significantly more conservation accomplishment when matched with partner funds. The RMEF Grant Program also aims to build recognition for RMEF’s work, grow engagement, and boost local fundraising efforts.

Governed by clear guidelines and criteria, the RMEF Grant Program seeks to foster meaningful collaborations and long-term impacts in the conservation of natural resources and outdoor traditions. Grant project partners include federal, state, local, and tribal wildlife and land management agencies, private landowners and local stakeholders, sportsmen and women, and conservation organizations, universities, foundations and the outdoor industry. Eligible projects primarily focus on habitat stewardship, land conservation and access, wildlife management, and hunting heritage.

We support organizations recognized by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as a 501(c)3 entity, federal, state, local, or tribal government entities, sportsmen’s organizations, or educational institutions. All applicants must have a Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) issued by the IRS. RMEF does not offer grants to individuals.

Hunting Heritage

Ensuring our hunting heritage is central to RMEF’s mission. Hunters—America’s first conservationists—remain the driving force behind wildlife conservation. RMEF funds hunting heritage and conservation education to help more people experience the outdoors, learn the skills of hunting, and carry forward the traditions that define big game country, including outdoor skills programs/events, hunter or conservation outreach, mentored hunts, and other similar activities.

The Make a SPLASH! Grant Contest, co-hosted by Inside Edge Safety Surfaces, offers two all-expenses-paid awards for Life Floor safety surfaces, aimed at enhancing community splash pads. The Need-Based Award targets municipalities and non-profits demonstrating financial need, with design options including planks, bubbles, and geometric shapes. Grant values range from $50,000 to $65,000, depending on project size, ensuring safety and accessibility for all users.

Municipal entities, JCCs, YMCAs, and other nonprofit organizations with existing splash pads in New Mexico can receive in-kind safety surfacing and installation for inclusive, accessible outdoor recreation areas. MNY Group’s Make a SPLASH! Inclusive Design Award provides Life Floor tiles and installation, with grant values of US $50,000 - US $65,000 for qualifying U.S. projects.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations partnering with public land agencies can receive up to US $10,000 for nature-based recreation projects that support veterans’ physical and mental health, including in New Mexico. Grants from National Environmental Education Foundation help fund services, materials, administrative costs, and billed labor for outdoor activities on accessible public lands.

New Mexico outdoor recreation and conservation organizations can seek funding for ecosystem-improving projects, habitat restoration, and nature-based access and education programs. Focused on ecosystem health, hunting-related mentorship, and collaborative stewardship, W.L. Gore supports U.S. and Canadian projects with US $3,000 - US $20,000 grants, by invitation following a brief initial inquiry.

Conservation districts, state and territory conservation associations and agencies, Resource Conservation & Development Councils, and Tribal organizations in New Mexico can apply for National Association of Conservation Districts technical assistance grants; awards Approximately US $18,000,000 to hire staff for conservation outreach, education, and technical assistance. Projects may support outdoor recreation, environmental justice, and community resilience.

Nonprofits and public agencies planning large-scale park or outdoor recreation acquisitions or facility development in underserved communities, including New Mexico, can apply for matching support through the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program. Focused on parks and outdoor recreation, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection offers US $300,000 - US $15,000,000 for eligible projects nationwide.

State, commonwealth, and territory agencies in New Mexico seeking to acquire, develop, or renovate parks and outdoor recreation areas in urban, underserved communities can apply for this funding; awards range from US $300,000 - US $15,000,000. With a mission to expand outdoor recreation access, the National Park Service provides subgrants to local governments, Tribes, and community organizations through the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program.

Individuals and small teams planning U.S. climbing or outdoor recreation objectives, including those from New Mexico, can receive US $250 - US $2,000 to advance inclusive climbing goals. New Mexico recreation groups supporting historically underrepresented climbers may be eligible for American Alpine Club’s Catalyst Grant, especially projects that build skills, create programs, and engage the broader community.

U.S.-based 501(c)(3) public charities or fiscally sponsored groups that connect historically excluded communities to the outdoors can seek support for outdoor equity and recreation initiatives, including in New Mexico. With a mission to advance nature-based well-being, REI Cooperative Action Fund provides grants for programs that connect people outside, create outdoor spaces, or center health outside.

Nonprofit organizations and public institutions in New Mexico running outdoor recreation or conservation projects can receive up to US $5,000 for specific programs, events, or improvements. Bass Pro Shops & Cabelas Outdoor Fund supports efforts that conserve wildlife and habitat or connect new audiences to the outdoors, such as youth clinics, adaptive access, gear libraries, or trail work.

Nonprofits, municipalities, and public institutions in New Mexico hosting recreation or outdoor-focused fundraisers can receive in-kind merchandise or gift cards up to US $2,500. Grants from Bass Pro Shops & Cabelas Outdoor Fund help conservation and military-focused organizations boost events like banquets, raffles, and giveaways near their retail store locations.

L.L.Bean Charitable Donations supports outdoor initiatives that bring communities together. The program encourages partnerships with inspiring individuals and organizations. To apply, ensure requests are made at least eight weeks before the event. Please note that the program does not fund individuals, advertising, specific schools, or projects outside the U.S. For more information, visit their website to learn how to get involved.

About Levitt

The Levitt Family Foundation exists to strengthen the social fabric of America. We partner with communities to activate underused outdoor spaces, creating welcoming, inclusive destinations where the power of free, live music brings people together and invigorates community life.

Festival Grants

The Levitt Foundation is offering grants of up to $5,000 to U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits presenting free outdoor music festivals in 2026. 

The Larson-Veneklasen Outdoor Education Scholarship, established by Ken Larson and Diane Veneklasen, supports Tri-Cities residents pursuing outdoor educational experiences. Inspired by the Outward Bound philosophy, it aims to foster character development and self-discovery through adventure. Applicants can access multiple foundation scholarships with a single application. Required documents include transcripts and any additional materials specified for specific scholarships. Notably, financial need is not a priority, and high school seniors are not restricted from applying.

American Camp Association

The American Camp Association is a community of camp professionals who, for over 100 years, have joined together to share our knowledge and experience and to ensure the quality of camp programs. Because of our diverse 10,000 plus membership and our exceptional programs, we’re uniquely able to unleash the life-changing power of camp. Our work gives more children and adults the opportunity to learn powerful lessons in community, character-building, skill development, and healthy living — lessons that can be learned nowhere else.

Character at Camp Grant Program

The purpose of this program is to provide financial support, training, and technical assistance for selected day and overnight camps in the U.S. who are interested in starting, enhancing, expanding, or celebrating character development programs or projects. By the end of the Character at Camp initiative, we anticipate camps in the US will represent one of the largest and most potent contexts for character development in the learning and development ecosystem.

Eligible organizations can apply for a Planning Grant, an Implementation Grant, or a Network Implementation Grant.

Planning Grants

Planning Grants are designed for organizations that need a year of planning, training, and capacity building before they can develop and implement a full character program or project.

American Camp Association

The American Camp Association is a community of camp professionals who, for over 100 years, have joined together to share our knowledge and experience and to ensure the quality of camp programs. Because of our diverse 10,000 plus membership and our exceptional programs, we’re uniquely able to unleash the life-changing power of camp. Our work gives more children and adults the opportunity to learn powerful lessons in community, character-building, skill development, and healthy living — lessons that can be learned nowhere else.

Character at Camp Grant Program

The purpose of this program is to provide financial support, training, and technical assistance for selected day and overnight camps in the U.S. who are interested in starting, enhancing, expanding, or celebrating character development programs or projects. By the end of the Character at Camp initiative, we anticipate camps in the US will represent one of the largest and most potent contexts for character development in the learning and development ecosystem.

Eligible organizations can apply for a Planning Grant, an Implementation Grant, or a Network Implementation Grant.

Implementation Grants

Implementation Grants are designed for organizations that have a specific character program or project in mind and sufficient capacity to successfully implement that program or project starting in 2027. 

We welcome both individual and joint applications to the Implementation Grant Program.

Individual Applications 

Individual applications are for programs and projects that will be implemented by and for a single organization. Single organizations can propose programs and projects to be implemented across multiple sites — this would be considered an individual application as there is a single coordinating entity, and the small number of sites (less than six) operate more or less the same within this organization.

Joint Applications

Joint applications are for programs and projects that will be implemented by up to five organizations that will receive one grant award to implement programs and projects across each of the organizations. In this case, the organizations are either distinct and functionally independent from each other or are sites that operate more or less independently or with different programmatic foci from one another. One organization will submit the application and serve as the primary point of contact. Applicants submitting a joint application will be asked to identify the additional organizations in the application and to reflect budgetary allocations to these organizations

American Camp Association

The American Camp Association is a community of camp professionals who, for over 100 years, have joined together to share our knowledge and experience and to ensure the quality of camp programs. Because of our diverse 10,000 plus membership and our exceptional programs, we’re uniquely able to unleash the life-changing power of camp. Our work gives more children and adults the opportunity to learn powerful lessons in community, character-building, skill development, and healthy living — lessons that can be learned nowhere else.

Character at Camp Grant Program

The purpose of this program is to provide financial support, training, and technical assistance for selected day and overnight camps in the U.S. who are interested in starting, enhancing, expanding, or celebrating character development programs or projects. By the end of the Character at Camp initiative, we anticipate camps in the US will represent one of the largest and most potent contexts for character development in the learning and development ecosystem.

Eligible organizations can apply for a Planning Grant, an Implementation Grant, or a Network Implementation Grant.

Network Implementation Grants

Network Implentation Grants are designed for organizations that serve as the coordinating entity for 6+ camps that are eager to implement a character program or project with their on-site program teams. 

Pincus Family Foundation

PFF is driven by the values that our founders David and Gerry Pincus lived by: “to get involved, not just think about your own life, you are supposed to do things for other people.” Today, the second and third generation of Pincus Family members have added their ethos, while keeping the founders’ legacy alive.

Pincus Family Foundation Grant

Mission Alignment: We support our non-profit partners to develop and enhance programs that improve the lives of children, their families, and their communities.

PFF Funds Projects, Programs, & General Operating Support in Four Priority Areas

Creative & Performing Arts

The Pincus Family Foundation’s Creative and Performing Arts portfolio supports programs where young people use art as a tool to address the structural inequities they face. Five strategic priorities:

• Arts for Social Change Focus – Integrating artistic practice with community organizing, policy advocacy, and/or systemic change efforts
• Hyperlocal Community Integration – Deep community embedment with extensive local partnerships
• Teaching Artist Investment – Commitment to the professional development and well-being of teaching artists
• Cultural Responsiveness – Programming that incorporates community cultural wealth with community input
• Environmental Justice Integration – Authentic integration of environmental themes from community-identified priorities

Target Constituency: Organizations serving preK-12 youth from marginalized communities with arts for social change programming that connects them to the power of art to question and transform systems.

Education

High school readiness for many low-income students, largely is a result of poor preparation in middle school. PFF is funding programs/projects that support middle school engagement and focus on achievement filling a funding gap. 

Target Constituency: We support non-profit organizations serving middle school students who face gaps in comprehensive high school readiness. These organizations implement innovative programming that creates challenging yet nurturing environments—preparing students for achievement while inspiring them to become engaged, confident citizens ready to contribute to their communities.

Health & Wellness

Goal: Advance children’s health and well-being by supporting nonprofits that strengthen social conditions, empower youth, and build healthier environments in marginalized communities.

Target Constituency: Nonprofits whose work strengthens social determinants of health for children in marginalized communities.

Play & Recreation

Goal: Advance children’s social-emotional development and physical well-being by supporting nonprofits that create inclusive play-based programming, competitive sports opportunities, and outdoor recreational experiences in under-resourced communities.

Target Constituency: Non-profits whose work promotes access to quality recreational programming for children ages 6-18 in under-resourced communities.

For all grants, the organization’s mission and scope must align with the Foundation’s mission. For the latter, these grants can be either unrestricted or restricted to a particular program or project. The type of grant and what it is used for will dictate the goals and objectives to be met.