Best Recreation Grants for Nonprofits in Wyoming

About Us

Wyoming Game and Fish Department currently has ten fish hatcheries, eight fisheries management crews, and six aquatic habitat biologists taking care of Wyoming waters and the fish that live in them. New positions have also been developed such as instream flow biologists who help assure that water flows remain at a level suitable for fish, fish passage habitat biologists who help fish navigate man-made hazards like dams, canals and diversions. Other positions to study nongame fish and native species of interest and concern have also been developed to meet changing needs.

Shooting Range Grants

The shooting range grants program is intended to encourage the development and improvement of Wyoming ranges.

Goals

The shooting range grants program is intended to encourage the development and improvement of Wyoming ranges in order to: 

• Support safe and accessible access to ranges for those who participate in hunting and shooting sports
• Support hunter education by providing spaces for live-fire education activities and encourage hunters to become more proficient with their hunting equipment
• Provide opportunities to recruit, retain, or reactivate a diverse audience of people into hunting and shooting sports

Grant funding amount: Up to $25,000 in shooting range grants will be awarded each year through a competitive application process, as funds are available. Organizations may only apply for and receive one grant per grant cycle. All grant requests, no matter the amount, must be approved by the WGFD director’s office. 

The NRA Foundation: Wyoming Grants provide essential funding for charitable initiatives that align with the Foundation's mission. Eligible organizations must have a valid IRS 501(c)(3) recognition or be governmental entities. The grants support activities that promote firearms education, safety, and research. Projects must demonstrate a clear public benefit, particularly in supporting youth and community engagement. Ineligible organizations include private businesses and individuals, ensuring funds are directed towards community-oriented programs.

About Us

The Wyoming Office of Outdoor Recreation champions responsible outdoor recreation to improve communities and diversify Wyoming’s economy.

Wyoming Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Trust Fund (ORTTF)

The Wyoming Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Trust Fund (ORTTF) is a long-term investment established by the State of Wyoming to support the planning, development, improvement, and maintenance of outdoor recreation infrastructure across the state. The fund is designed to help communities enhance public access to outdoor recreation opportunities while strengthening Wyoming’s outdoor recreation and tourism economy.

ORTTF was created through legislative action to provide a sustainable, dedicated funding source for outdoor recreation infrastructure. The trust fund structure was established by the Wyoming Legislature in 2023 through House Bill 74, which created the permanent trust and associated income account in statute. In 2024, the Legislature passed House Bill 67 to establish the program’s administrative framework, governance structure, and grant authority. Both measures were signed into law by Mark Gordon, reflecting strong executive and legislative support for long-term investment in outdoor recreation and tourism.

Funding Sources and Stewardship

The trust fund is supported by biennial legislative appropriations from the Wyoming tourism reserve and projects account, which is funded through the statewide lodging tax. The fund may also receive direct legislative appropriations and may accept federal grants and other contributions, including grants, gifts, transfers, bequests, donations of money or personal property, and certain real property interests, as authorized by law.

This structure reflects Wyoming’s recognition that outdoor recreation and tourism are closely linked and that investments in recreation infrastructure directly support residents' quality of life, visitor readiness, local economies, and community vitality.

ORTTF represents a collaborative effort among the Wyoming Office of Outdoor Recreation and the Wyoming Office of Tourism, aligning outdoor recreation planning with the statewide tourism strategy and economic development goals.