Best Recreation Grants for Nonprofits in New York

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in New York City offering recreation, youth, education, or family programs can seek funding to support their work. Grants from Achelis and Bodman Foundation help New York nonprofits in arts and culture, recreation, health, employment, and youth and family services, primarily in the five boroughs and nearby northern New Jersey counties.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving children with developmental, medical, intellectual, learning, behavioral, or mental health disabilities in Western New York can seek funding for programs, services, research, capital projects, and capacity building. Focused on special-needs children, Children’s Guild Foundation invites New York recreation and related providers to propose impactful, community-grounded initiatives with clear objectives and timelines.

Focused on youth recreation and well-being, Pincus Family Foundation invites New York 501(c)(3) organizations to seek funding for programs in play and recreation, health, education, and creative arts. Grants can support projects, programs, or general operations serving preK–12 youth in marginalized or under-resourced communities, with a required eligibility quiz and LOI to begin.

Nonprofit and tax-exempt intermediary organizations in Western New York can apply for Ralph C. Wilson Foundation grants to support youth sports, recreation programs, and parks, trails, and green design projects. Recreation-focused nonprofits in counties like Erie, Niagara, and Monroe may be eligible if their projects address significant community needs with creative, collaborative approaches.

Roche Corporate Donations and Philanthropy (CDP) focuses on impactful projects that foster sustainable development, engage employees, and leverage Roche's expertise. Their philanthropic efforts prioritize humanitarian, educational, environmental, and cultural initiatives, aiming to build stronger communities and support innovative projects. Eligibility is limited to local organizations, while ineligible projects include those with political or religious ties. The foundation strives to create a positive societal impact through collaboration and strategic partnerships.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving Schenectady County can seek capital funding for recreation-related green space projects, such as parks, gardens, and beautified public areas in New York. The Carlilian Foundation’s Green Space Initiative supports transformative urban improvements in underserved neighborhoods, optimizing outdoor spaces for leisure, community connection, and healthier environments.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and aligned for-profits in New York can seek the Storytelling Grant to share the impact of their preservation, education, or wellness work through compelling narratives. Jesse W Couch Charitable Foundation awards more than US $50,000, which may benefit recreation and outdoor recreation programs that fit its three pillars.

Recreation and park-support nonprofits in New York that partner with state parks, trails, historic sites, or public lands can seek capacity-building support for organizational effectiveness projects. Grants from New York State Office of Parks Recreation & Historic Preservation help New York outdoor recreation and conservation groups strengthen operations, expand reach, and enhance stewardship, with awards up to US $200,000.

Nonprofit partners of New York state parks, trails, and historic sites can use these professional development grants to hire or expand permanent staff for recreation, outreach, and stewardship work in New York. The New York State Office of Parks Recreation & Historic Preservation supports long-term organizational capacity building with awards up to US $150,001, requiring a 20% cash match.

New York recreation and conservation nonprofits supporting state parks, trails, and public lands in New York can use these Step-Up Grants for 501(c)(3) formation costs and consultant-led organizational assessments. New York State Office of Parks Recreation & Historic Preservation offers up to US $20,000 with a $500 cash or in-kind match required.

Nonprofit organizations in New York that formally partner with state parks, trails, historic sites, or DEC public lands can use these grants to expand stewardship, public access, interpretation, and promotion. Grants from the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation provide up to US $300,000 in matching funds to build organizational capacity for outdoor recreation and related programs.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in New York offering recreation, education, health, human services, arts, or community programs can seek more than US $1,000 for capital projects or well-established programs. With a mission to support local communities, George And Margaret Mee Charitable Foundation also considers start-up funds and new initiatives in eligible New York and nearby Pennsylvania counties.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations working on community services, environmental conservation, or peacebuilding projects in New York may be eligible for funding that supports their recreational or outdoor engagement efforts. With a mission to foster positive change, Dudley T Dougherty Foundation provides flexible support for initiatives that respect people, the environment, and all life.

The TJX Foundation Grants support nonprofit organizations located within 15 miles of a TJX store that align with their community mission. Eligible areas include basic needs, education for at-risk youth, workforce training, and safety from domestic violence. Organizations must be a registered 501(c)(3) for at least 12 months and have a nondiscrimination policy. Applications are invited through a Letter of Inquiry, with funding decisions based on community impact.

The Lawrence Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2000, dedicated to granting funds for environmental and human services causes. Eligible organizations include 501(c)(3) nonprofits and public schools, with grants typically ranging from $5,000 to $10,000. The foundation supports unrestricted grants for various projects, including disaster relief and environmental programs, but does not fund individuals or for-profit entities. Applications are evaluated based on alignment with the foundation's priorities.

501(c)(3) nonprofits in Western New York can receive US $10,000 - US $50,000 to plan, develop, or construct community spaces and infrastructure that support healthy outdoor recreation and active living. Grants from Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo may benefit projects improving walkability, bikeability, greenways, waterways, and recreation corridors in Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans, and Wyoming counties.

Nonprofits and fiscally sponsored charitable projects in New York seeking program or project funding for recreation, community facilities, trails, tourism, or related initiatives can apply for Cloudsplitter Foundation’s Program and Project Support Grants. With a mission to strengthen Adirondack communities, Cloudsplitter Foundation provides competitive, multi-issue support, prioritizing collaborations, long-term community impact, and organizations serving communities in need.

Nonprofit and community organizations running large environmental education and outreach projects in New York and the broader Lake Champlain Basin can apply for grants of US $15,000 - US $50,000. Grants from Lake Champlain Basin Program help groups develop programs that support water quality, wildlife, recreation, and cultural resource stewardship, which may benefit recreation-focused initiatives.

Nonprofit and community organizations improving water quality, wildlife, and recreation in the Lake Champlain Basin in New York can apply for Lake Champlain Basin Program Organizational Support Grants, with awards up to US $20,000. New York recreation-focused groups working on pollution prevention, habitat restoration, or related outreach in eligible basin counties may benefit.

Grants up to Up to US $50,000 support New York conservation and community organizations, municipalities, and Tribal Nations for climate resilience planning, capacity building, and land protection projects. Grants from The Nature Conservancy help groups conserve resilient floodplains and shorelines, enhance equitable community benefits, and may strengthen outdoor recreation access and nature-based opportunities.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) conservation and community organizations, municipalities, Tribal Nations, and agencies in New York and other Appalachian states can apply for The Nature Conservancy’s Resilient and Connected Appalachians Grant Program; awards up to US $100,000 for fee or easement land acquisition, related project costs, and community engagement that support resilient, connected, recreation-friendly landscapes.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and public entities serving Red Rock residents in New York can apply for Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation’s Quailwood Fund grants, awarding US $500 - US $10,000 for community support, recreation facilities, conservation work, fire and rescue, and scholarships. Recreation-focused projects that enhance quality of life and include a 1:1 match may be competitive.

Nonprofit organizations, municipalities, and fiscally sponsored entities in New York can seek funding to support tourism events, marketing, and capital improvements in Delaware County. Delaware County Economic Development offers up to US $25,000 for projects that attract out-of-county visitors and enhance recreational and tourism-related infrastructure and promotion.

The O'Reilly Automotive Foundation Grant focuses on enhancing community welfare through philanthropic initiatives that support economic stability, workforce development, health services, and disaster relief. Established in 2020, the Foundation seeks to empower underrepresented individuals and organizations in the U.S. by addressing vital community needs. It particularly aims to provide assistance to nonprofits that foster positive change and improve quality of life for those in need, ensuring a lasting impact in local communities.

Focused on community quality of life, Northern New York Community Foundation invites New York 501(c)(3) organizations serving Lowville residents to apply for funding. The George R. Davis Fund for Lowville offers up to US $20,000 for recreation, youth development, cultural activities, historic preservation, community events, and related programs in the Village and Town of Lowville.

Northern New York Community Foundation

Since 1929, the Northern New York Community Foundation has invested in improving and enriching the quality of life for all in communities across Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties. Its commitment to donors helps individuals achieve their charitable objectives now and for generations to come by preserving and honoring legacies of community philanthropy while inspiring others.

The Community Foundation is a resource for local charitable organizations, donors, professional advisors and nonprofit organizations. It also works to bring people together at its permanent home in the Northern New York Philanthropy Center to discuss challenges our communities face and find creative solutions that strengthen the region and make it a great place to live, work, and play.

Potsdam Community Fund

The Potsdam Community Fund is a permanent charitable resource dedicated to enhancing the quality of life throughout the Town and Village of Potsdam. Through annual grantmaking, the fund supports projects and programs that strengthen the community, address emerging needs and opportunities, and improve the lives of local residents. 

Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations and municipalities in New York can apply for Northern New York Community Foundation’s Rock Charitable Fund grants, awarding up to US $150,000 for historic church and cemetery preservation or veterans’ medical and recreational needs in St. Lawrence County. Recreation-focused nonprofits serving veterans or historic sites may be eligible if their projects meet these purposes.