No Child Left Inside Grant Program

The No Child Left Inside Grant Program, administered by the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office, aims to enhance outdoor experiences for underserved youth in Washington. Applications will open in late summer or early fall of 2026. Grants support various activities, including environmental education and outdoor adventures, with funding tiers ranging from $5,000 to $150,000. This initiative promotes community engagement and helps remove barriers to outdoor access, fostering improved health and academic outcomes for participants.

NOTE: This program will be accepting applications in late summer or early fall of 2026.
Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission's No Child Left Inside (NCLI) grant program provides quality opportunities for underserved, underrepresented, and historically excluded youth to learn, play, and experience the outdoors.
Research has shown that spending time outdoors produces powerful benefits for youth, including reduced depression and anxiety, improved focus, better social connections, and enhanced learning and creativity. NCLI supports essential youth outdoor programs across the state and helps to remove barriers for youth to access the outdoors.
NCLI provides grants for a wide range of outdoor education and recreation activities including environmental education, leadership development, outdoor recreation and adventure, stewardship activities, and camp programs. RCO administers NCLI for the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission.
Typical Projects
Water activities such as kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, boating, fishing, and raftingWinter activities such as snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, downhill skiing and snowboarding, and snow campingOvernight and day camp activities such as environmental education, outdoor skills development, hiking, and campingOutdoor adventure activities such as rock climbing, mountain biking, backpacking, and archeryOther activities such as outdoor cooking, survival skills, wilderness medicine, foraging, and culturally informed activities such as sense of place or nature scavenger hunts
Match Details
A match of 25 percent is required for Tier 2 and Tier 3 projects.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to provide matching resources to demonstrate a local commitment to the project and to make state funds available to more projects. To qualify, a match must be composed of elements that would be eligible in the No Child Left Inside program. Match may include the following:

• Appropriations and cash
• Donations of cash, materials, or the value of labor, equipment use, or services
• Applicant’s labor, equipment use, and materials
• Other grants

Eligibility

Who May Apply?Community-based programsLocal agenciesNative American tribesNonprofit organizationsSchool-based programsSpecial purpose districts, such as park and recreation districtsState agenciesOnly organizations that benefit youth in Washington State may apply.

Ineligibility

Ineligible projects:Annual community festivals, expositions, promotional or fundraising eventsEquipment only projectsFacility construction projectsOrganized youth sports such as a community league or school teamTeacher training programs that do not include hands-on student participation