Best Recreation Grants for Nonprofits

The Local Share Account (LSA) program in Fayette County, administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, aims to enhance community and economic well-being. Funded by local share assessments from licensed gaming facilities, LSA supports various projects focused on economic development and public interest. This initiative ensures that resources are allocated effectively to foster a resilient and thriving community, benefiting residents and local businesses alike.

The Access for All Abilities Mini Grants program, funded by the Paul V. Sherlock Center on Disabilities, supports local businesses and organizations in Rhode Island that enhance accessibility for individuals with disabilities. Grants are available for projects that promote social, recreational, and cultural engagement, such as installing accessible facilities or providing adaptive materials. Since 2009, over $180,000 has been awarded, fostering inclusive community participation and empowering diverse abilities.

The Instant Impact Grant, offered by the Greater Poweshiek Community Foundation, provides up to $1,000 to nonprofit organizations and public entities serving Poweshiek County. This program prioritizes innovative and collaborative projects that enhance community wellbeing through cultural, educational, recreational, and health initiatives. Eligible applicants can apply at any time, fostering support for impactful local endeavors.

The Canaan Foundation, established in 2000, provides annual grants ranging from $20,000 to $30,000 to support nonprofit organizations in North Canaan. With over $540,000 distributed to date, the foundation focuses on community programs in education, environment, recreation, arts, health, and social services. Applications are reviewed annually, with funding decisions made by the Board in March, ensuring that grants are utilized within the same calendar year.

About

Created by the community for the good of the community, the GLCCF is here to turn problems into opportunities through strategic grant making and initiatives created to address our region’s most pressing needs. We work with you to identify your charitable goals, and we ensure that they are carried out efficiently.

Work with us to make the kind of impact you want to see in your community. Let us take on the financial complexities and paperwork, while you focus on the important things like fostering good works throughout our community.

When you give to the Greater Lake City Community Foundation, you are making an investment that will benefit the community, now and in the future.

GLCCF Schreck Family Soccer Scholarship

To award annually a scholarship to a qualified applicant who intends to pursue education toward a 4-year college degree.

The Martis Camp Community Foundation (MCF), established in 2010, enhances the quality of life in the Truckee community by supporting local nonprofit organizations with a focus on education, youth development, human services, and recreation. Since its inception, MCF has raised nearly $1.9 million, granting over $1.7 million to various initiatives. With aims to increase participation from members, MCF strives to make a lasting positive impact on the community's well-being.

The Community Foundation of the Rappahannock River Region

The Community Foundation of the Rappahannock River Region works with individuals and families to create permanent gifts for our community. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that manages and distributes charitable giving in the counties of Stafford, Spotsylvania, King George, and Caroline, and the City of Fredericksburg.

For more than 25 years, The Community Foundation has been a devoted advocate for the vitality and well-being of the Rappahannock River region. Our vision is to be a trusted leader in engaged charitable giving and provide accessible, inclusive and sustainable philanthropy. 

The Togie Fund

The Togie Fund honors Charles "Togie" Wayne Payne Sr. Established by his children; Charlie, Frank and Julia, in memory of their dad's passion to provide opportunity to youth in the area he loved.

This fund will provide grants that open opportunities for students in our community. The Togie Fund firmly believes in providing equal opportunities for every student to access necessary equipment and participate in recreational programs, regardless of their financial circumstances. 

As part of our efforts to address this issue, we are offering grant funding through the Togie Fund to high schools and Parks and Recreation Departments in City of Fredericksburg, Caroline, King George, Stafford and Spotsylvania counties to enhance the educational experiences and recreational opportunities for low-income students. This initiative aims to bridge the opportunity gap and ensure that all students have an equal chance to thrive academically and personally.

Monarch Mountain Community Outreach Community Grants

Focus:

Aligns with Monarch Mountain’s core values of environmental sustainability, recreation, humanitarian efforts, and fostering a supportive community

The PCCF Community Impact Grants Program aims to support diverse charitable initiatives in Putnam County, Indiana. By providing funding to qualified non-profit organizations, the program fosters positive change across various sectors including animal welfare, education, health, and community development. The Putnam County Community Foundation encourages innovative projects that uplift residents and strengthen community ties, making a lasting impact on local lives.

At Raley’s, we believe that giving back is one of the most important things we do. We have re-aligned our giving strategy to ensure our community giving reflects our company’s vision of changing the way the world eats, one plate at a time.

Through our two corporate giving programs, Raley’s Purposeful Giving and Raley’s Extra Credit Grants, we are able to support thousands of organizations throughout our company footprint.

Raley's Extra Credit Grants

Raley’s proudly supports causes that make significant impacts in our schools and align with one or more of our Extra Credit pillars:

• Nutrition Education
• Food Literacy
• Play

Through Extra Credit Grants, we also support:

• School Shopping Days: Store fundraiser where 20% of store sales (up to $5,000) on a mutually agreed upon date will go back to the school.
• Store Tours: Opportunities for students to learn how to shop healthy, read nutrition labels, and more!

Raley's offers 3 primary forms of support:

• Monetary support for programs
• Healthy Food and Snack Items
• Raley's Gift Cards

Dallas Community Foundation

It all started with an idea – a charitable fund that would benefit the present and future needs of the Dallas community. In 1995, that idea was transformed into reality with the establishment of the Dallas Community Foundation. The Foundation helps people put their charitable dollars into their own community, giving a hand up to those in need. With over $2 million in assets under management, the Foundation gives back to the Dallas community through an annual grant and scholarship distribution.

Grants

Through its annual grant distribution, the Dallas Community Foundation gives back, investing in solutions to address local needs. The Foundation funds a wide variety of programs and projects, reflecting the diverse needs and opportunities in the Dallas community, benefiting residents of all ages. Preference is given to proposals that serve urgent needs and/or have a broad and meaningful impact on the community. The Foundation grant funds are intended to assist those in need and improve quality of life to make Dallas a better, more vibrant place, in every corner of the community.

Funding Priorities

The Foundation will prioritize funding requests for the following project types and funding categories:

• Project types: new or existing projects/programs, equipment purchases, general operations. The Foundation may consider, but does not encourage, applications for capital projects or capacity building.
• Funding categories: educational, charitable, civic, recreational, cultural, youth, seniors, health and safety, general welfare.

For the 2026 grant distribution, the Foundation will focus particularly on the following funding priorities:

• Health and Wellbeing of Vulnerable Populations
• Opportunities for Youth and Seniors
• Community Livability

The Columbus Foundation

In 1943, during the darkness of World War II, a group of passionate citizens, led by Columbus businessman Harrison M. Sayre, envisioned a way to improve the well-being of the community and the quality of life in central Ohio. With little more than this sound idea and faith, The Columbus Foundation was established.

Our Mission

To assist donors and others in strengthening and improving our community for the benefit of all its residents.

Opportunity Youth Grants

Funds recreational programs benefiting youth and ensure that all young people enter adulthood prepared to pursue opportunities to live well.

In 2015, The Columbus Foundation commissioned a research report from Jobs for the Future to better understand the challenges youth and young adults in Franklin County ages 18 to 24 were facing. At that time, it was found that 20,500 young people, referred to as opportunity youth, were not on track to graduate and/or were disconnected from society. This presented an opportunity for our community to reach out to them, intensify our efforts to reconnect, and facilitate pathways to success and self-sufficiency.

A cross-sector group of community stakeholders, including The Columbus Foundation, worked in collaboration to arrive at the theory of change that all youth should be able to enter adulthood prepared to pursue opportunities to live well. Six focus areas were identified: Civic Engagement, Education, Health and Wellness, Housing, Support Systems, and Workforce.

This Opportunity Youth coalition continues to work together to create a continuum of support that both engages youth who are currently disconnected while working upstream to ensure all youth enter adulthood prepared to pursue opportunities to live well.

The Currituck-Dare Community Foundation Grant, part of the North Carolina Community Foundation’s Community Grantmaking Program, supports charitable organizations across 67 counties. It funds diverse local needs such as education, health, and environmental initiatives. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) public charities and local government units. Grants are not available for political purposes or operations restricted by faith. The foundation aims to enhance community welfare through philanthropic efforts.

The Futrell-Mauldin Community Fund for Greater Rocky Mount supports local nonprofit organizations by providing annual grants ranging from $500 to $7,500. Established in 2005, the fund is overseen by a local advisory board that identifies and addresses community needs. It encourages diverse organizations, including tax-exempt charities and local government units, to apply for funding to enhance the quality of life in the Rocky Mount area, promoting inclusivity and community engagement.

Jaws Youth Playbook

Jaws Youth Playbook (JYP) - formerly Jaws Youth Fund - is the foundation of Former Eagles QB and NFL Analyst, Ron Jaworski and his wife, Liz Jaworski. Our 501(c)(3) non-profit has been working hard to improve the overall health and wellness of at-risk youth in the Greater Philadelphia Region for 40+ years! We invest in our youth and their future through the building of playgrounds and ballfields, providing much needed sports equipment, supporting Summer Meals programs and healthy nutrition in underserved communities AND MORE!

Grants

Together as a Community, we can spread joy & change the lives of at-risk youth throughout our shared spirit of giving. Children do not have the choice of their zip code. We take great pride in providing underprivileged youth in the Greater Philadelphia area with access to much needed safe places to play, access to healthy food and programs to keep them on the right track. We strive to make our community healthier & happier for all.

What is the Grant?

A one-time grant between $500 – $25,000 for PROJECT-BASED resources (such as playgrounds, ball-fields, and community gardens) that enrich at-risk youths’ lives, giving them access to safe places to play and thrive!

City Council Project Fund (CCPF)

The City Council Project Fund was established in 2011 to provide financial support for events and programs that serve a municipal purpose and promote:

• the health, safety and welfare of the community
• family, social and economic stability
• community fitness/recreation
• community education and training

Available Funding

The Mayor's office and the ten Council Districts are each provided $50,000 through the City Annual Budgeting process which establishes the CCFP each fiscal year.

The National Life Group Charitable Foundation provides grants to nonprofits primarily in Vermont and Texas, focusing on proven programs that address issues like childhood hunger and family support. With an annual budget of $2 million, the foundation seeks proposals with a clear plan, community backing, and measurable success. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits, while ineligible projects include endowments, scholarships, and those that discriminate based on race, gender, or other factors.

The Kids Fund Grant is a charitable initiative dedicated to supporting disadvantaged children and youth in Dane County. As a tax-exempt organization, it provides grants up to $5,000 to public charitable organizations that aim to promote positive development, address challenges like substance abuse, and assist children with disabilities. The fund seeks to enhance community services and foster recreational activities, ensuring a brighter future for local families and children.

The Rebecca Pomroy Foundation provides annual grants to support charitable organizations that align with its mission to enhance community health, education, and recreation. With a focus on aiding girls, young women, and local community centers in Newton, Massachusetts, the Foundation welcomes applications for capital grants, operating support, and special projects. Grants typically range from $2,000 to $10,000, with a total annual funding of around $120,000, promoting diversity and inclusion in the application process.

The Clarinda Foundation Grant seeks to enhance community well-being in the greater Clarinda area by fostering private donations for public benefit. It aims to build permanent endowments and serve as a resource to address community needs. The foundation encourages proposals that exhibit enthusiasm, collaboration, commitment, clarity, and a comprehensive strategy to achieve impactful results. By prioritizing societal improvement over self-interest, the foundation aims to support projects that are well-planned and have the potential for broader replication.

The Saratoga Casino Hotel Foundation Grant supports charitable organizations aimed at enhancing the quality of life for residents of Saratoga County, particularly addressing issues related to problem gambling. Eligible applicants include not-for-profit organizations providing beneficial services to the local community. The foundation emphasizes funding activities that support youth, senior citizens, and the arts. Grant requests must be submitted once a year, ensuring a fair distribution of resources among applicants.

The George and Margaret Mee Charitable Foundation Grant supports nonprofit organizations in Delaware County, NY; Cameron County, PA; and Broome County, NY. It funds educational, community, health, and cultural projects with a minimum award of $1,000. Eligible organizations must have 501(c)(3) status and demonstrate sustainability. The foundation does not fund individual awards or religious organizations, and applicants must complete prior grants before submitting new requests.

The Hinton Area Foundation's Community Impact Fund Grant supports local charitable organizations in Hinton and Summers County. This grant focuses on enhancing education, arts, beautification, health, human services, and public recreation. By utilizing income from perpetual endowment funds, the foundation aims to create lasting benefits for the community, ensuring that the corpus remains intact for future generations. Join us in fostering a vibrant community through thoughtful philanthropic efforts.

The Ben B. Cheney Foundation Grant supports community improvement projects in areas where Mr. Cheney's lumber company operated. Focused on one-time project grants, the foundation emphasizes sustainability and local support. Eligible applicants include public charities and government units primarily in Washington, Oregon, and California. The foundation prioritizes projects that invest in long-lasting community needs and demonstrate innovative solutions. Since 1975, it has supported over 1,200 organizations, making a significant impact in local communities.

The Sam J. Frankino Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for children and families in need through monetary grants for education, health care, and community support. With a focus on initiatives that empower disadvantaged youth and support the Italian-American community, the Foundation aims to foster growth and development in Northeast Ohio. Guided by philanthropic excellence, it seeks to create lasting change through strategic partnerships and innovative programs for social betterment.

The Chelsea Groton Foundation, established in 1998, has awarded over $6.79 million in grants to nonprofits in Connecticut and Rhode Island. Committed to community growth, equity, and inclusion, the Foundation will implement updated grant procedures starting January 2025. Organizations must ensure prior grants are fully expended before applying for new funding, with a maximum grant request set at $10,000 to support more community partners effectively.

The Walter J. & Betty C. Zable Foundation Grant supports health and science research, youth programs, and sports initiatives in San Diego County. With an average grant of $20,000, it prioritizes funding for 501(c)(3) organizations. Applications are accepted year-round, with specific deadlines for review. The foundation aims to uplift underprivileged individuals and military personnel through its funding, ensuring that grants significantly impact the local community.