Recreation Grants for Nonprofits

Last updated October 9, 2026

Grantable tracks 700 active recreation grants for nonprofits in its free grants database, drawn from 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: Foundation · Updated daily

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Grant	Deadline ▲	Amount
Play It Forward City of Oaks Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies Financial assistance program that helps local residents participate in Raleigh's exercise, recreation, and sports programs by removing financial barriers.	Not published	Varies
Bate Foundation Grant The Harold H Bate Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies The Harold H. Bate Foundation provides financial support to enhance education, youth, recreation, and quality of life in Craven, Pamlico, and Jones Counties, as well as East Carolina University.	Not published	Varies
Adaptive Recreation Grant North Dakota Association for the Disabled Inc · Foundation Not published · $5K To promote and support adaptive recreational activities for people with disabilities The grant can support a wide variety of adaptive recreation needs, including: The Grand Forks YMCA received an Adaptive Recreation Grant that was used to…	Not published	$5K
NFL Foundation Grassroots Program Houston Texans Foundation · Foundation Not published · Up to $250K Partnership program providing non-profit, neighborhood-based organizations with financial and technical assistance to improve the quality, safety, and accessibility of local football fields.	Not published	Up to $250K
Pacific Power / Rocky Mountain Power: Community Enhancement and Environmental Respect Grants Pacificorp Foundation Aka Pacific Power · Foundation Not published · Up to $10K The Pacific Power Foundation offers Community Enhancement and Environmental Respect Grants to support nonprofit organizations in the Pacific Power and Rocky Mountain Power service areas.	Not published	Up to $10K
Trail Accelerator Grants- Spring Cycle Planning and Design International Mountain Bicycling Association · Foundation Not published · $10K – $30K The Trail Accelerator Grants aim to enhance mountain bike trail communities by providing essential planning and design services.	Not published	$10K – $30K
Recreational Trails Program (RTP) (CA) Grant California Department of Parks and Recreation · Foundation Not published · Varies The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) in California provides essential funding for the development and maintenance of recreational trails and related projects.	Not published	Varies
Cedar Valley Sports Commission Grant Program Cedar Valley Sports and Entertainment Commission · Foundation Not published · Varies _NOTE: The following deadlines apply to all grant requests of $1,500 or more. Grant requests of less than $1500 may be submitted at any time and will be reviewed on a monthly basis.	Not published	Varies
WDNR: Grants to Friends Groups Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources · Foundation Not published · Up to $20K The WDNR offers grants totaling $250,000 annually to friends groups and nonprofit conservation organizations to enhance facilities, develop recreation projects, and restore habitats on state properties.	Not published	Up to $20K
Sports Tourism Advertising and Recruitment Grant South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism · Foundation Not published · $5K – $50K The Sports Tourism Advertising and Recruitment Grant aims to enhance South Carolina's tourism economy by financially assisting nonprofit organizations in recruiting new sporting events.	Not published	$5K – $50K
Community Pond Program Grants Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks · Foundation Not published · $1K – $150K The Community Pond Program Grants aim to enhance fishing opportunities in Montana communities by funding the construction or improvement of public fishing ponds.	Not published	$1K – $150K
State Park Road Account Program (SPRA) (MN) Grant Minnesota Department of Natural Resources · Foundation Not published · Varies The State Park Road Account Program (SPRA) in Minnesota supports local governments in enhancing access to public recreation facilities.	Not published	Varies
Anchorage Trail Care Grants The Alaska Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · Up to $3K The Anchorage Trail Care Fund Grant provides up to $2,500 for summer trail maintenance or construction projects in Anchorage. Eligible organizations include 501(c)(3) public charities, Tribes, and city governments.	Not published	Up to $3K
The Priority (General) Fund The Foundation for the Endowment · Foundation Not published · Varies General-purpose endowment fund used to address the Birkie's greatest needs	Not published	Varies
Lakeway Civic Corporation Grant Program Lakeway Civic Corporation · Foundation Not published · Varies The Lakeway Civic Corporation manages a trust fund that supports projects in the City of Lakeway that benefit its residents. Grants can be used by individuals or organizations for:	Not published	Varies
Return to Play Fund Beyond Sport Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies	Not published	Varies
Open Spaces Protection Grant Iowa Department of Natural Resources · Foundation Not published · Varies The Open Spaces Protection program, part of Iowa's Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP), allocates funds for state acquisition and development of lands and waters.	Not published	Varies
Watauga County Community Foundation- High Country Recreation Endowment Grant North Carolina Community Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · $500 – $5K The Watauga County Community Foundation offers the High Country Recreation Endowment Grant to support local parks and recreational activities.	Not published	$500 – $5K
The Red Sox Foundation: Event Sponsorship Requests Grant The Red SOX Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · $1K – $10K The Red Sox Foundation offers event sponsorship opportunities to support community initiatives in New England and Lee County, FL. Sponsorships range from $1,000 to $10,000, with a focus on health, education, and recreation.	Not published	$1K – $10K
Active Allegheny Grant Program (AAGP) Allegheny County · Foundation Not published · Up to $50K The Active Allegheny Grant Program (AAGP) offers financial assistance to communities in Allegheny County to enhance bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, promoting physical activity and connectivity to local destinations.	Not published	Up to $50K
Enhancing Equitable Access Grant Program San Mateo County Parks and Recreation Foundation · Foundation Not published · $3K – $4K Fund and support organizations that increase opportunities for Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC), and low-income and marginalized youth and their families to enjoy the many benefits of being in parks and nature.	Not published	$3K – $4K
Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Grant Program Georgia Department of Natural Resources · Foundation Not published · $500K – $3M The Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Grant Program, established in 2018, provides funding for parks, trails, and conservation efforts across Georgia.	Not published	$500K – $3M
Snowmobile Capital Equipment Grant Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry · Foundation Not published · Up to $200K The Snowmobile Capital Equipment Grant, established in 1998, aims to assist with the high costs of grooming equipment for snowmobile trails in Maine.	Not published	Up to $200K
MI Snowmobile Trail Improvement Program Grant Michigan Department of Natural Resources · Foundation Not published · Varies The MI Snowmobile Trail Improvement Program, managed by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, supports the maintenance and enhancement of the state's snowmobile trail system.	Not published	Varies

Showing 385–408 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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