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
Recreation – Recreation Trails Program Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation · State Not published · $750K – $5M Funds the development, maintenance, and restoration of public recreational trails	Not published	$750K – $5M
New Initiative Grant Program Georgia Recreation and Park Association Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies Grant program intended to spur innovation in parks and recreation services. Funding is available for new initiatives that demonstrate innovation with future applicability for other agencies.	Not published	Varies
Paint the Town Grants Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies Grant program offering funding for community painting and beautification projects.	Not published	Varies
Radio Flyer Donations - Chicagoland Grant Radio Flyer · Foundation Not published · Varies Radio Flyer is committed to enhancing the lives of children through charitable giving and community support. Their philanthropic efforts focus on 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that promote outdoor play and well-being for children.	Not published	Varies
Community Grants Program Bennington Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies Through donations, philanthropic gifts, and fundraisers, the Bennington Community Foundation uses grants to help the community grow.	Not published	Varies
Meet Me at the Park - Play Space Grants National Recreation and Park Association · Foundation Not published · $30K This grant program supports park and recreation agencies in creating new opportunities for play and physical activity for kids and families in underserved communities.	Not published	$30K
Statewide Waterway Access Grants Pennsylvania Environmental Council Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies Grant program to support waterway access initiatives across Pennsylvania.	Not published	Varies
Marshall County Community Foundation Grants Marshall County Community Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · $5K The Marshall County Community Foundation offers grants twice a year, with applications due on February 1 and August 1.	Not published	$5K
The Skatepark Project Grants The Skatepark Project · Foundation Not published · $1K – $25K The Skatepark Project Grants aim to support underserved communities in building public, free, concrete skateparks for youth. Eligible applicants include public charities and local agencies committed to designing inclusive spaces.	Not published	$1K – $25K
Division of Boating and Waterways Local Assistance: Floating Restroom Grant Program California Department of Parks and Recreation · Foundation Not published · Varies The Floating Restroom Grant Program, coordinated by the California Department of Boating and Waterways, aims to enhance recreational boating by providing floating restroom units at lakes and reservoirs statewide.	Not published	Varies
Tahoe for All Grants California Tahoe Conservancy · Foundation Not published · $60K – $150K The Tahoe for All Grant Program, initiated by the California Tahoe Conservancy, aims to enhance outdoor access for historically underserved communities.	Not published	$60K – $150K
NYC Green Fund Grassroots Grants Program City Parks Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · $1K – $40K The NYC Green Fund Grassroots grant program provides funding support for community groups and organizations providing open space programming and stewardship across NYC with annual operating budgets under $175,000.	Not published	$1K – $40K
Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Program Grant Colorado Parks & Wildlife · Foundation Not published · Varies The Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Program, administered by Colorado Parks and Wildlife, aims to enhance motorized recreation in Colorado.	Not published	Varies
ACL Music Festival Grants Austin Parks Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies Austin Parks Foundation administers grant funding as part of the Austin City Limits Music Festival partnership. The organization allocates grant funding annually to support park improvements.	Not published	Varies
Gilmore Foundation Grant Irving S Gilmore Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The Irving S. Gilmore Foundation offers grants to enhance the cultural, social, and economic life of Greater Kalamazoo.	Not published	Varies
Alberta Blue Cross: Built Together Grants Alberta Blue Cross · Foundation Not published · $50K The Alberta Blue Cross Built Together Grants support Albertans in creating spaces for active living, such as outdoor gyms, skate parks, and playgrounds.	Not published	$50K
West Central Initiative Community Grants (Annual Grantmaking) West Central Initiative · Foundation Not published · Varies West Central Initiative awards grants annually to regional organizations through a competitive grantmaking process. Recent grant rounds have distributed $700,000+ to 46+ regional organizations.	Not published	Varies
Snowmobile Club Grant Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry · Foundation Not published · Up to $6K The Snowmobile Club Grant, administered by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, supports snowmobile clubs in preparing and grooming trails.	Not published	Up to $6K
New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Trails+ Grant - Tier 2 (Regional Projects) New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Division · Foundation Not published · $100K – $500K The New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Trails+ Grant supports regional projects aimed at enhancing outdoor recreation and community well-being.	Not published	$100K – $500K
The Brighter Tomorrow Foundation Fund Grant The Dayton Foundation · Foundation Not published · Up to $10K The Brighter Tomorrow Foundation Fund Grant, established in 1989, supports organizations serving individuals with developmental disabilities in Montgomery County.	Not published	Up to $10K
USTA Initiative Grant Opportunity Georgia Recreation and Park Association Inc · Foundation Not published · $1K – $2K	Not published	$1K – $2K
SWTF Grant Program (Solid Waste Trust Fund) Georgia Recreation and Park Association Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies The Solid Waste Trust Fund (SWTF) offers unique grant applications for recycled tires with specific applications applicable to Park and Recreation Agencies in Georgia.	Not published	Varies
Youth Recreation Scholarships United Way of Weld County Inc · Foundation Not published · $60K United Way of Weld County invests $60,000 annually in recreation scholarship funding to support youth access to sports and wellness activities throughout Weld County.	Not published	$60K
Parks and Trails Grants Hendricks County Community Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies All parks, trails and outdoor spaces should contact the Parks Foundation of Hendricks County to learn about local funding opportunities.	Not published	Varies

Showing 265–288 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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