Find recreation grants for nonprofits supporting youth sports, community activities, parks, and inclusive play
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$120.5M
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$6.5K
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Department Information
Department History
The mission of the North Dakota Game and Fish Department is to protect, conserve and enhance fish and wildlife populations and their habitat for sustained public consumptive and nonconsumptive use.
Sponsorship/Education/Conservation Grants
Sponsorship/Education/Conservation Grants provide funding to organizations for projects/events that closely relate to or assist in fulfilling the Department’s mission.
The RTP provides Federal funds to States to develop and maintain land and water-based recreational trails and trail-related facilities for motorized and non-motorized recreational trail uses. Some of these uses include pedestrian (hiking, running, wheelchair, snowshoeing), road/mountain biking, equestrian, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, off-road motorcycling, off-highway vehicle riding, paddle sports, personal watercraft, and motorized boats.
Administered by the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA), this program is a reimbursable grant program that matches federal funds with local funds or in-kind contributions to implement these trail projects. Projects can be sponsored by a county, a municipal government, or a non-profit agency.
The Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) encourages non-profit organizations and government agencies to utilize the RTP to fund land and water-based recreational trail-related projects. This manual has been developed to provide a broad overview of project reporting and financial management requirements. Minor adjustments and refinements may be made to address specific project needs.
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:
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.
North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation
The North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation manages over 250,000 acres of iconic landscape across our state in our parks, recreation areas, and natural areas, with a mission dedicated to conservation, education, and recreation. The state parks system welcomes more than 19 million visitors annually.
Our Mission: The North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation exists to inspire all through conservation, education, and recreation.
About Trail Grants
The Recreational Trails Program is a $1.5-million federal grant program designed to help states provide and maintain recreational trails for both motorized and non-motorized recreational trail use. The program is administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration.
RTP is a reimbursement grant program. Funds must be spent and then reimbursed upon completion of deliverables. Eligible applicants must be a state, federal or local government agencies or qualified nonprofit organization. All applications are reviewed by the North Carolina Trails Committee and recommendations are made to the Secretary of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. The Secretary makes the final determination on grant awards.
RTP Safety and Education Grants
Safety and Education grants may be awarded for trail-related safety and education instructor fees, speaker fees, displays, signage and other uses. Please contact your regional trails specialist for questions about the grant.
The DNR works in partnership with the National Park Services to expand outdoor recreation through the federally funded Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grant program. LWCF grants provide local units of governments, tribes, and school districts opportunities to receive grants for outdoor recreation activities.
About Oil Region Alliance
The mission of the Oil Region Alliance of Business, Industry & Tourism is to manage the Oil Region National Heritage Area and to increase the prosperity of the Oil Region by enticing all people to live, work, learn and play in “the Valley that Changed the World” through the preservation, promotion, development, and support of historical, educational, natural, recreational, residential, commercial and industrial destinations.
Recreation, heritage Mini-grant
The Oil Region Alliance of Business, Industry and Tourism invites eligible entities to apply for the 2026 Outdoor Recreation and Heritage Mini-Grant Program to fund projects and programs that sustain, promote or enhance outdoor recreation offerings in the Oil Region National Heritage Area.
The historical significance of the Oil Region National Heritage Area (ORNHA) is the birthplace of the modern oil industry. ORNHA, which is managed by the ORA, includes all of Venango County, along with Titusville, Hydetown and Oil Creek Township in Crawford County.
Eligible entities may apply for more than one project so long as the total costs for the projects do not exceed $25,000 and the total grant request does not exceed $5,000.
A 50% match is required.
Indiana Department of Health
The Indiana State Department of Health became the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) in July 2021 after the Governor signed legislation updating the agency's statute. That same year the Department was also awarded accreditation by the Public Health Accreditation Board, joining the ranks of 36 other states and territories.
Mission: To promote, protect, and improve the health and safety of all Hoosiers.
Tactical Urbanism Demonstration Projects Supporting Active Transportation
The Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) is providing funding for Indiana communities to assist in the design and implementation of low-cost pop-up, tactical urbanism demonstration projects that support active living in Indiana. This funding will assist grantees in the planning, preparation, and implementation of one or more tactical urbanism demonstration projects in their communities. Eligible applicants include cities, towns, counties, regional planning agencies (such as MPOs), school corporations, and not-for-profit groups. This grant is managed by the Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity.
About Us
Indiana State Parks traces its history back to 1916. Colonel Richard Lieber, an Indianapolis businessman and German immigrant, recommended that a state park system be created as part of Indiana’s celebration of its centennial. Lieber became a national leader in the state parks movement and assisted other states in forming their own systems as well. He became the first Director of the Indiana Department of Conservation, serving for more than a decade.
Indiana Trails Program
The Indiana Trails Program (ITP) is a grant program to support the development of trails throughout the state. The program uses state funds to help connect Hoosiers to outdoor recreation opportunities and natural environments without needing to rely on the use of a vehicle.
How much grant funding is available to applicants?
About WDFW
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is dedicated to preserving, protecting, and perpetuating the state’s fish, wildlife, and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities.
Headquartered in Olympia, the department maintains six regional offices and manages dozens of wildlife areas and hundreds of water access areas around the state, offering fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing, and other recreational opportunities for the residents of Washington.
Watchable Wildlife Grant Program
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) created the Watchable Wildlife Grant Program in 2021 to support wildlife viewing opportunities and foster stewardship of wildlife in Washington. Funds to support the Washington Watchable Wildlife Grant come from the Wild on Washington: Bald Eagle license plate – one of WDFW’s specialized license plates.
Wildlife viewing is a recreational activity of observing fish or wildlife or signs of them in their habitats (e.g. tracks, nests, scat). This includes exploring habitat in person or online to better understand fish and wildlife.
WDFW’s Watchable Wildlife Program as defined by RCW 77.32.560 includes but is not limited to: Initiating partnerships with communities to jointly develop watchable wildlife projects, building infrastructure to serve wildlife viewers, assisting and training communities in conducting wildlife watching events, developing destination wildlife viewing corridors and trails, tours, maps, brochures, and travel aides, and offering grants to assist rural communities in identifying key wildlife attractions and ways to protect and promote them.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department provides outdoor recreational opportunities by managing and protecting wildlife and wildlife habitat and acquiring and managing parklands and historic areas. It has inherited the functions of many state entities created to protect Texas' natural resources.
Mission: To manage and conserve the natural and cultural resources of Texas and to provide hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation opportunities for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.
Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) Grants
The Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) program is a competitive grant initiative under the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Act, aimed at enhancing parks, recreational opportunities, and conservation areas in underserved, urban areas. These investments enable urban communities to create new outdoor recreation spaces, reinvigorate existing parks, and form connections between people and the outdoors.
Managed by the National Park Service (NPS) and funded through the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), the nationally competitive ORLP program provides matching grants (up to 50% of total project costs) to assist communities with little to no access to outdoor recreation opportunities in urban areas. Funds can be used for the acquisition and/or development of, or substantial renovation of public parks and other outdoor recreation spaces. Development should encompass essential public outdoor recreation activities and the necessary support facilities for public use. Projects could involve a combination of land acquisition and site development. These projects can cater to a diverse range of public outdoor recreation activities and facilities required to enhance the use and enjoyment for the public. These include, and are not limited to community parks, campgrounds, playgrounds, sport fields and courts, picnic facilities, trails, etc. While facilities that support the use of the recreating public, such as restroom, visitor contact infrastructure, and maintenance facilities can be eligible, most indoor recreation and other buildings such as nature centers, community centers, or education center are ineligible for funding.
Only State Lead Agencies are eligible to submit applications for ORLP grants. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is the State Lead Agency. TPWD may submit on behalf of themselves or an eligible sub-recipient.
ORLP projects must meet two eligibility criteria: The required population in census tracts is set at 25,000 people and the project must be within an underserved community.
Mission
The mission of The IRONMAN Foundation is to make a positive and lasting impact through the provision of grant funding and volunteerism. This commitment is realized by offering support to a diverse range of charitable organizations worldwide, including areas such as athletics, community, health, and public benefit.
Community Grant Program
The IRONMAN Foundation Community Grant program supports organizations within select North American and international race communities.
Grant funding provides an opportunity to create positive, tangible change in our race communities and leave the IRONMAN Legacy behind long after race day.
Since 2003, over $60 million has been provided through giveback programs led by the IRONMAN Foundation to more than 10,000 local, regional, national and global nonprofit initiatives.
Mission
The mission of The IRONMAN Foundation is to make a positive and lasting impact through the provision of grant funding and volunteerism. This commitment is realized by offering support to a diverse range of charitable organizations worldwide, including areas such as athletics, community, health, and public benefit.
Community Grant Program
The IRONMAN Foundation Community Grant program supports organizations within select North American and international race communities.
Grant funding provides an opportunity to create positive, tangible change in our race communities and leave the IRONMAN Legacy behind long after race day.
Since 2003, over $60 million has been provided through giveback programs led by the IRONMAN Foundation to more than 10,000 local, regional, national and global nonprofit initiatives.
Mission
The mission of The IRONMAN Foundation is to make a positive and lasting impact through the provision of grant funding and volunteerism. This commitment is realized by offering support to a diverse range of charitable organizations worldwide, including areas such as athletics, community, health, and public benefit.
Community Grant Program
The IRONMAN Foundation Community Grant program supports organizations within select North American and international race communities.
Grant funding provides an opportunity to create positive, tangible change in our race communities and leave the IRONMAN Legacy behind long after race day.
Since 2003, over $60 million has been provided through giveback programs led by the IRONMAN Foundation to more than 10,000 local, regional, national and global nonprofit initiatives.
Recreation grants for nonprofits provide funding to support parks, sports programs, and community activities. The following grants empower organizations to create inclusive spaces and programs that encourage physical activity, well-being, and community engagement.
Explore 200+ funding opportunities for recreation programs, with $24M in resources. Instrumentl connects nonprofits with funding sources, deadline tracking tools, and funder insights to foster healthy and active communities.
How common are grants in this category?
Common — grants in this category appear regularly across funding sources.
Over the past year, when are grant deadlines typically due for Recreation grants for Nonprofits?
Most grants are due in the fourth quarter.
Nonprofits offering community recreation programs, sports, outdoor activities, or inclusive play areas are eligible for recreation grants. Organizations promoting fitness, well-being, and youth involvement through recreational programs can also apply.
Grants in recreation typically have the highest concentration of deadlines in Q4, with 42.8% of grant deadlines falling in this period. If you're planning to apply, consider prioritizing your applications around this time to maximize opportunities. Conversely, the least active period for grants in this category is Q2.
The main goal of recreation grants is to increase access to recreational activities, boost community health, and encourage active lifestyles. Funders want to support programs that create safe, welcoming, and inclusive spaces for sports and outdoor fun. By providing funding for recreational facilities, programs, or events, these grants aim to enhance the overall well-being of communities and make certain that everyone, regardless of background or ability, has the opportunity to enjoy them.
On average, grants in recreation provide funding between $250 and $7,650,000, with typical awards falling around $9,000 (median) and $131,339 (average). These insights can help nonprofits align their funding requests with what grantmakers typically offer in this space.
Recreation grants are funded by government agencies, private foundations, and corporate sponsors committed to health and wellness. For example, the National Park Service may fund projects that develop or improve outdoor recreational areas. Private foundations focused on health and wellness and corporate sponsors in the outdoor gear industry or sports organizations may also offer grants.
To improve the chances of being awarded recreation grants, applicants should:
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Instrumentl simplifies the process of applying for recreation grants by offering an intuitive platform that helps nonprofits discover relevant funding opportunities, track deadlines, and analyze funder-giving patterns. The platform's automated alerts ensure users never miss a deadline, while detailed funder insights help organizations tailor their applications to align with grantor priorities.
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