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
Homer Foundation General Grant Program Homer Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies Support non-profit organizations and community initiatives	Not published	Varies
Conservancy Trail Grants New York State Hudson River Valley Greenway · Foundation Not published · Up to $250K The Conservancy Trail Grants, offered by the New York State Hudson River Valley Greenway, support recreational trail projects that align with the goals of the Greenway Trail Program.	Not published	Up to $250K
Supporting Outdoor Programming RFP Grant The William Penn Foundation · Foundation Not published · $100K – $300K The Supporting Outdoor Programming RFP invites projects aimed at enhancing equitable access to outdoor programming in Philadelphia and Camden.	Not published	$100K – $300K
Austin City Limits Music Festival Park Grants Program: Neighborhood Grants Austin Parks Foundation · Foundation Not published · $500 – $5K The Austin City Limits Music Festival Park Grants Program offers Neighborhood Grants ranging from $500 to $5,000 for community-led park improvement projects.	Not published	$500 – $5K
Whitecaps Community Foundation Donation Requests Grant Whitecaps Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The Whitecaps Community Foundation supports certified 501c3 non-profit organizations, focusing on youth and community enrichment in West Michigan.	Not published	Varies
NH Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Grant New Hampshire Division of Parks and Recreation · Foundation Not published · $50K – $500K The NH Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) is a federally funded program established in 1965, aimed at providing matching grants to state and local governments for the acquisition and development of public outdoor recreational areas.	Not published	$50K – $500K
Knowles-Nelson Stewardship State Property Development (Friends) Grant Program Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources · Foundation Not published · $20K – $60K The Knowles-Nelson Stewardship State Property Development Grant Program provides $500,000 annually to support friends groups and nonprofit conservation organizations in enhancing state property facilities.	Not published	$20K – $60K
DJ - Sport Fish Restoration - Fisheries, Boat Access (FY24) Natural Resources · State Not published · Varies Activities designed to restore, conserve, manage, or enhance sport fish populations; the public use and benefits from these resources; and activities that provide boat access to public waters.	Not published	Varies
Toledo Walleye Transportation Fund Grant Toledo Community Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Up to $1K The Toledo Walleye Transportation Fund offers grants to accredited schools and nonprofit organizations in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan, facilitating transportation to Toledo Mud Hens baseball or Walleye hockey games.	Not published	Up to $1K
Proposition 68 Grant Program (California) California Tahoe Conservancy · Foundation Not published · $4M The Proposition 68 Grant Program, led by the California Tahoe Conservancy, allocates $27 million to enhance Lake Tahoe's natural and recreational resources.	Not published	$4M
Montgomery Family Fund Grant Shiawassee Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The Montgomery Family Fund Grant, honoring the legacy of biology teacher Allen Montgomery, supports initiatives in conservation, recreation, the arts, and assistance for individuals with special needs in Shiawassee County.	Not published	Varies
Access To Recreation Endowment Fund Grant Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln · Foundation Not published · Varies The Access To Recreation Endowment Fund Grant, managed by the Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln, supports nonprofit organizations in Sangamon County that provide accessible recreation programs for individuals with disabilities.	Not published	Varies
Program Open Space Local Maryland Department of Natural Resources · State Not published · Varies Provides financial and technical assistance to local subdivisions for the planning, acquisition, and/or development of recreation land or open space areas.	Not published	Varies
Recreation – Community Wellness Grants Vermont Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports · State Not published · Up to $850K Supports development of new community wellness initiatives, improvement of existing community wellness programs, and/or collaboration between worksites and community wellness initiatives.	Not published	Up to $850K
DCNR Community Recreation and Conservation Planning Grants Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources (DCNR) · Foundation Not published · $25K – $75K The DCNR Community Recreation and Conservation Planning Grants support planning projects aimed at enhancing parks and recreational facilities.	Not published	$25K – $75K
USFWS Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) Program Maryland Department of Natural Resources · State Not published · Varies Provides funding to marinas, local governments to build transient boat slips for recreational vessels over 26 feet in length. County Government, For-Profit, Municipalities/Towns, State Government, Other	Not published	Varies
Montana Trail Stewardship Grant Program Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks · Foundation Not published · Up to $100K The Montana Trail Stewardship Grant Program, managed by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, allocates funds to enhance the state's outdoor recreation infrastructure.	Not published	Up to $100K
Boating Access Grant Program California Department of Fish and Wildlife · Foundation Not published · Varies The Boating Access Grant Program, managed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, aims to enhance recreational boating access across California's waterways.	Not published	Varies
Jones County- Anamosa Community Foundation & Cultivate Anamosa Grants Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque · Foundation Not published · Varies The Jones County- Anamosa Community Foundation & Cultivate Anamosa Grants support projects that enhance the Anamosa community, focusing on downtown vitality, recreation, wellness, educational opportunities, and tourism.	Not published	Varies
Columbus Youth Foundation Grant Columbus Youth Foundation · Foundation Not published · Up to $15K The Columbus Youth Foundation Grant aims to enhance the lives of youth in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods of Columbus.	Not published	Up to $15K
Recreation – Climbing Conservation Grant Access Fund · State Not published · $100K – $1M Supports projects that preserve or enhance climbing access and opportunities and conserve the climbing environment throughout the US.	Not published	$100K – $1M
Boating Infrastructure Grant Program State Not published · Varies	Not published	Varies
Toledo Walleye Hockey Club's Wishing Well Fund Toledo Community Foundation Supporting Organization · Foundation Not published · Varies	Not published	Varies
Land and Water Conservation Fund Grants Missouri State Parks Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Up to $500K The Missouri State Parks Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, manages the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grants to enhance outdoor recreation throughout Missouri.	Not published	Up to $500K

Showing 217–240 of 694

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.

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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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