Recreation Grants for Nonprofits

Last updated October 9, 2026

Grantable tracks 700 active recreation grants for nonprofits in its free grants database, drawn from state and foundation sources and updated daily. 15 of them have a verified open deadline or accept applications on a rolling basis. 346 list an award amount, with a median of $43K.

Grants tracked: 700; from 425 funders
Median award: $43K; middle half $7,500–$233K
Total listed funding: $159.8M; across 346 grants that list an amount
Rolling deadlines: 14; 40 with a published date

On this page: State Foundation · Updated daily

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Grant	Deadline ▲	Amount
Delta Community, Environment, and Climate Grant Program Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy · State Oct 23, 2026 · $10M – $200M The purpoose of the Delta Community, Environment and Climate Grant Program is to fund multibenefit projects in the Delta and Suisun Marsh.	Oct 23, 2026	$10M – $200M
Division of Boating and Waterways Aquatic Center Boating Safety Education Grant FY26 Department of Parks and Recreation · State Oct 30, 2026 · $100 – $6.2M Provide boating safety education to the general public. These grants are available to organizations that offer on-the-water boating safety education courses.	Oct 30, 2026	$100 – $6.2M
Carls Foundation Grant The Carls Foundation · Foundation Nov 1, 2026 · $5K – $50K The Carls Foundation Grant focuses on enhancing children's welfare in Michigan and preserving natural areas. It supports non-profit organizations that are innovative and effective in their missions.	Nov 1, 2026	$5K – $50K
Community Grants (Community Foundation of West Alabama) Community Foundation of West Alabama · Foundation Nov 1, 2026 · Varies The Community Foundation of West Alabama makes grants for arts and humanities, children and youth, education, elder care, environment, health and medicine, recreation and social welfare.	Nov 1, 2026	Varies
Community Grants Community Foundation of West Alabama · Foundation Nov 1, 2026 · Varies The Community Foundation of West Alabama makes grants for charitable purposes to benefit communities in the West Alabama area. Grants may be made for the following charitable purposes: Ordinarily, they do not make grants for:	Nov 1, 2026	Varies
The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) – R27 Department of Parks and Recreation · State Nov 2, 2026 · Varies The purpose of the Recreational Trails Program is to provide for well managed OHV Recreation by providing financial assistance to eligible agencies and organizations that develop, maintain, operate, expand, support, or contribute to well…	Nov 2, 2026	Varies
Endowment Grants Road Runners Club of America Traverse City Track Club Inc · Foundation ~November · Varies The Traverse City Track Club (TCTC) Grant Program supports projects that align with its mission of promoting and encouraging health, fitness, fellowship, community service, family recreation and competition via running and walking.	~November	Varies
Regional Everyone Outdoors Grant Program Community Foundation of the Ozarks Inc · Foundation Nov 12, 2026 · Up to $10K The Regional Everyone Outdoors Grant Program, offered by the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, aims to enhance community engagement with the natural resources of the Ozarks.	Nov 12, 2026	Up to $10K
Paulding County Area Foundation General Grants Paulding County Area Foundation · Foundation Nov 14, 2026 · Varies The Paulding County Area Foundation offers grants to support community projects and initiatives. The foundation has implemented a simplified process for grant project submissions.	Nov 14, 2026	Varies
Physical Activity Grant Program Chatham County Partnership for Children · Foundation ~November · $10K Grants to promote physical activity for children and/or adults in Chatham County through innovative projects.	~November	$10K
USMS Adult Learn-to-Swim Grants United States Masters Swimming Inc · Foundation ~November · Varies In 2021, the USA Swimming Foundation and U.S. Masters Swimming entered into a philanthropic partnership to create greater support for learn-to-swim efforts.	~November	Varies
Tourism Infrastructure & Amenity Support Erie Canalway Heritage Fund Inc · Foundation ~November · $5K – $24K Projects should demonstrate how they will achieve one or more of the following:	~November	$5K – $24K
Event Support Erie Canalway Heritage Fund Inc · Foundation ~November · $500 – $3K Events should demonstrate how they will achieve one or more of the following: Canal-related events and tours generate $1.3 billion in economic impact for Canal Corridor communities annually.	~November	$500 – $3K
Competitive Grant Program Clinton County Community Foundation Inc · Foundation ~December · Varies	~December	Varies
Montecito Community Foundation General Grants Montecito Community Foundation · Foundation Dec 4, 2026 · Varies	Dec 4, 2026	Varies
Lintilhac Foundation Grant Lintilhac Foundation Inc · Foundation Dec 15, 2026 · $5K – $30K The Lintilhac Foundation Grant aims to foster a stronger, healthier Vermont by supporting nonprofit organizations in various core areas such as clean energy, water quality, forest health, and sustainable outdoor recreation.	Dec 15, 2026	$5K – $30K
Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program (SPP) – Round 5 – Proposition 4 Department of Parks and Recreation · State Dec 17, 2026 · $20M – $850M The Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program (SPP) that helps support the acquisition and development of new parks and the renovation or expansion of existing parks in critically underserved and climate-vulnerable…	Dec 17, 2026	$20M – $850M
Community Grants Merrick Foundation Inc · Foundation ~January · Varies Merrick Foundation provides competitive grants to support diverse programs and organizations serving Merrick County.	~January	Varies
OHV Organization Support The Right Rider Access Fund Inc · Foundation ~January · Varies The Right Rider Access Fund is a charitable community benefit organization created in 2011 to support off-highway vehicle enthusiasts directly.	~January	Varies
2026 Bridge Run Grants The Cooper River Bridge Run Inc · Foundation ~January · Up to $5K	~January	Up to $5K
NFL Foundation Grassroots Program Grant Local Initiatives Support Corporation · Foundation Jan 15, 2027 · Up to $250K The NFL Foundation Grassroots Program, in partnership with the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), aims to enhance the quality, safety, and accessibility of community football fields.	Jan 15, 2027	Up to $250K
Measure U Grants Mammoth Lakes Recreation · Foundation ~January · $225K MLR invites community partners to apply for Measure U Grant funding.	~January	$225K
CMCF Mall Family Endowment Grant Central Montcalm Community Foundation · Foundation Jan 31, 2027 · Varies The Mall Family Endowment (Central Montcalm Community Foundation, MI) provides annual funding for grants intended to help beautify the exterior facades of a building or park within the downtown business district in the Central Montcalm…	Jan 31, 2027	Varies
Division of Boating and Waterways Local Assistance Statewide Ramp Repair and Modification Grant Program FY27 Department of Parks and Recreation · State Feb 1, 2027 · Varies Provide resources to local agencies to repair or renovate public boating access facilities.	Feb 1, 2027	Varies

Showing 1–24 of 694

Recreation grants for nonprofits by the numbers

How deadlines work

Rolling or ongoing: 14 2%
Upcoming date published: 40 6%
Stated cycle, no date yet: 106 15%
No deadline published: 540 77%

When dated deadlines fall

Share of the 40 grants with a published date, by quarter.

38%

Jan–Mar

Apr–Jun

Jul–Sep

57%

Oct–Dec

Funders with the most active recreation grants for nonprofits

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources 10 active
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks 10 active
Colorado Parks & Wildlife 9 active
Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office 9 active
Arizona State Parks & Trails 8 active
California Department of Parks and Recreation 8 active

425 funders have at least one active grant in this category.

Source: Grantable's grants database, compiled from funder websites, Grants.gov and state grant portals. Figures cover all 700 active recreation grants for nonprofits (with a deadline today or later, or none published) as of October 9, 2026, and refresh daily. Award amounts are each grant's listed maximum; 11 listed amounts over $10M are left out, since they're usually program-wide totals rather than single awards.

About recreation grants

Recreation grants support parks, trails, sports facilities, and outdoor recreation access for communities. The federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) provides matching grants to states and, through them, to local governments for acquiring land and developing public outdoor recreation facilities. State park and recreation agencies, community foundations, and corporate programs offer additional funding for fields, playgrounds, and recreation programs.

A long list is the starting point, not the shortlist. Our grant prospecting guide shows how to narrow recreation grants for nonprofits down to the funders most likely to say yes, using their giving records.

Recreation Grants by state

Browse recreation grants available to organizations in 17 states.

Top funders for recreation

Foundations and grantmakers active in recreation & sports — explore each funder's giving history, typical grant sizes, and what they fund.

View all 198 recreation & sports funders

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much money do recreation grants for nonprofits award?

Of the 700 recreation grants for nonprofits Grantable lists as of October 9, 2026, 346 publish an award amount. The median listed award is $43K, and the middle half fall between $7,500 and $233K. The largest is $10M. Amounts are each grant's stated maximum, so a typical award can be smaller.

Which funders offer the most recreation grants for nonprofits?

By number of active listings, the leading funders are Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (10), Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (10), Colorado Parks & Wildlife (9), Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office (9), and Arizona State Parks & Trails (8). In all, 425 funders have at least one active grant in this category.

When are recreation grants for nonprofits due?

Of 700 grants listed, 14 accept applications on a rolling basis, 40 have a published upcoming deadline, 106 run on a stated cycle (such as annual or quarterly) without a published date, and 540 don't publish a deadline, so check the funder's site. Among dated deadlines, 57% fall in October–December.

What grants are available for recreation?

Recreation grants fund parks and green spaces, trails, ballfields and sports facilities, playgrounds, water access, and recreation programming. The Land and Water Conservation Fund supports land acquisition and facility development through matching grants, and state recreation agencies, community foundations, and corporate giving programs fund a broad range of community recreation projects.

Who funds parks and recreation projects?

The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), administered federally and distributed through state agencies, is a key source of outdoor recreation funding for state and local governments. State park and recreation departments, community foundations, corporate foundations, and national recreation organizations also fund facilities, trails, and programs at the local level.

Who can apply for recreation grants?

Many major recreation grants, including LWCF awards, go to state and local government agencies, with funds often requiring a local match. Nonprofit recreation and conservation organizations can frequently apply for foundation and corporate grants directly, and community groups sometimes partner with a municipality or use a fiscal sponsor to access government funding.

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