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
Grow the Game Grant USA Pickleball Association · Foundation Not published · Varies The Grow the Game Grant is administered by USA Pickleball Serves, the charitable arm of USA Pickleball.	Not published	Varies
Community and Economic Enhancement Grant Program – Proposition 68 Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy · State Not published · Varies This non-competitive grant program focuses on increasing public access to the Delta through recreation and tourism opportunities, historic and cultural preservation, and environmental education in order to promote a robust Delta economy.	Not published	Varies
Non-Motorized Trails Grant Program: Trails Stewardship Crews Colorado Parks & Wildlife · Foundation Not published · $75K – $150K The Non-Motorized Trails Grant Program by Colorado Parks and Wildlife offers funding for trail stewardship projects, enhancing outdoor recreation while protecting resources.	Not published	$75K – $150K
Montana Recreational Trails Grant Program Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks · Foundation Not published · Up to $100K The Montana Recreational Trails Grant Program, managed by FWP, supports the development and maintenance of recreational trails across the state.	Not published	Up to $100K
Pennsylvania Environmental Council's Mini Grant Programs: Laurel Highlands Conservation Landscape Mini Grants Pennsylvania Environmental Council Inc · Foundation Not published · $1K – $10K The Pennsylvania Environmental Council offers Mini Grants to support projects in the Laurel Highlands Conservation Landscape.	Not published	$1K – $10K
Circuit Trails Grant The William Penn Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The Circuit Trails initiative aims to enhance the Greater Philadelphia area by adding 75 miles to the existing network by 2035.	Not published	Varies
Hometown Grant Huntington County Community Fdtn Inc · Foundation Not published · Up to $5K The Hometown Grant provides funding up to $5,000 for community projects in Warren, Markle, and Andrews.	Not published	Up to $5K
ACL Music Festival Grants Program: Community Impact Grants Austin Parks Foundation · Foundation Not published · $5K The ACL Music Festival Grants Program offers Community Impact Grants aimed at enhancing local parks through community-driven projects. Grants of $5,000 and up support improvements like playgrounds, trails, and gardens on city-owned land.	Not published	$5K
Regional Trail Grant Program Minnesota Department of Natural Resources · Foundation Not published · $5K – $300K The Regional Trail Grant Program aims to enhance trail development outside the seven-county metropolitan area by providing grants to local governments.	Not published	$5K – $300K
PHCF: Community Grants Pleasant Hill Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · Up to $1K The Pleasant Hill Community Foundation offers biannual Community Grants aimed at enhancing the quality of life for local residents through cultural, educational, and recreational activities.	Not published	Up to $1K
Special Event Additional Support (SEAS) Grant City of Gainesville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department (PRCA) · State Not published · Up to $4K The Special Event Additional Support (SEAS) grant, offered by the City of Gainesville, aims to assist non-profit organizations and government agencies in hosting outdoor community events.	Not published	Up to $4K
Thad Studstill Memorial Conference Scholarship Georgia Recreation and Park Association Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies Conference scholarship program for parks and recreation professionals. Specific eligibility requirements and award details available through application materials.	Not published	Varies
GA Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program NOFO Grant Georgia Department of Natural Resources · Foundation Not published · $300K – $15M The GA Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program, managed by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, aims to enhance recreational opportunities in urban areas lacking access to outdoor spaces.	Not published	$300K – $15M
AZ - Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant Arizona State Parks & Trails · Foundation Not published · Varies The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) provides essential financial support for state and local governments in the United States to acquire and develop public outdoor recreation areas.	Not published	Varies
Illinois Recreational Access Program (Federal: Voluntary Public Access & Habitat Incentive Program) Natural Resources · State Not published · Varies Provide public access and habitat improvement on privately leased property throughout the state.	Not published	Varies
GOCO: Community Impact Grant Great Outdoors Colorado · Foundation Not published · $100K – $2M The GOCO Community Impact Grant supports projects that enhance community access to outdoor spaces in Colorado. With a focus on revitalizing parks, trails, and other facilities, GOCO aims to improve the quality of life for residents.	Not published	$100K – $2M
Baldwin Hills Conservancy: Proposition 1 Solicitation Grant Program Baldwin Hills Conservancy · Foundation Not published · Varies The Baldwin Hills Conservancy, established in 2000, focuses on acquiring and managing open space within California's Baldwin Hills area. Its mission includes enhancing public enjoyment of these lands while protecting wildlife habitats.	Not published	Varies
Federal NJ Trails Program (off-road) TransOptions Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies	Not published	Varies
Sprouts Fund Milwaukee Parks Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Up to $10K The Sprouts Fund distributes grants of up to $10,000 per project with a total of $50,000 distributed annually.	Not published	Up to $10K
Adventure Guides Program (Fiske Family Foundation Grant) YMCA of San Diego County Housing Services Inc · Foundation Not published · $50K The Fiske Family Foundation awarded $50,000 to the Rancho Family YMCA to support the relaunch of the YMCA Adventure Guides Program. The foundation focuses on creating access to recreational and educational opportunities for all.	Not published	$50K
Park & Trail Partnership Grants: Step Up Grants Parks & Trails New York Inc · Foundation Not published · Up to $20K The Park & Trail Partnership Grants: Step Up Grants program provides up to $20,000 in matching funds to support organizations in securing 501(c)(3) status and enhancing their operational capacity.	Not published	Up to $20K
Vandalia-Butler Foundation Grant Vandalia-Butler Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The Vandalia-Butler Foundation Grant supports local non-profit organizations that benefit the citizens of Vandalia and Butler Township.	Not published	Varies
USFWS Sport Fish Restoraton Boating Access Program Maryland Department of Natural Resources · State Not published · Varies Provides grant funds related to boating access in MD waterways by developing new access facilities or improvement of existing facilities.	Not published	Varies
Community Grants Portland Parks Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies General community grants program supporting parks and community initiatives in Portland. Limited detailed information available in provided materials.	Not published	Varies

Showing 241–264 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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