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
Local Parks Grant: Implementation Grants Arts in California Parks · Foundation Not published · Varies The Local Parks Grant: Implementation Grants program by Arts in California Parks aims to foster community ties by enhancing local cultural history through art and nature in parks.	Not published	Varies
Recreation – Collaborative Capacity Program for Forests and Communities   National Forest Foundation · State Not published · $2M – $5M Invests in collaborative activities that support wildfire resilience, recreation opportunities, land & watershed restoration, and rural economies.	Not published	$2M – $5M
General Fund Grant Program Cambridge Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The General Fund supports various miscellaneous grant requests, special Cambridge School District programs, and the Southern WI Regional Food Pantry.	Not published	Varies
North Bank Communities Fund Grand Haven Foundation Supporting Organization · Foundation Not published · $583 The North Bank Communities Fund was established in 1990 to support the communities of Spring Lake Village, Spring Lake Township, and the City of Ferrysburg, as well as other communities that are north of the bridge and considered part of…	Not published	$583
Clovis Community Foundation Grants Clovis Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · Up to $10K The Clovis Community Foundation provides grants to nonprofit organizations aimed at enhancing culture, arts, and recreation in Clovis.	Not published	Up to $10K
Green Space Grant Program - Outdoor Recreation Grants - Large Recreation Development Grant (RI) State of Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management - Natural Resources Bureau · State Not published · Up to $400K The Green Space Grant Program offers funding for outdoor recreation projects, land conservation, and development of recreational facilities in Rhode Island.	Not published	Up to $400K
The Pierce & Lampman Birkie Trail Fund The Foundation for the Endowment · Foundation Not published · Varies Supports preservation and maintenance of the iconic American Birkebeiner "Birkie" Trail system.	Not published	Varies
Community enhancement grants: Metro Central Enhancement Grants Metro · Foundation Not published · Up to $50K The Metro Central Enhancement Grants aim to support community projects along the Willamette River, focusing on underserved populations, environmental quality, and recreational opportunities.	Not published	Up to $50K
Daniel and Susan Pfau Foundation Grant The Greater Cincinnati Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The Daniel and Susan Pfau Foundation, established in 1994, focuses on enhancing education, health, cultural experiences, and social welfare for youth with disabilities and economic challenges in the Greater Cincinnati area.	Not published	Varies
City Park Improvements Program (NM) Grant New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) · Foundation Not published · Varies The City Park Improvements Program in New Mexico aims to enhance city park facilities, promoting increased recreational opportunities for all residents.	Not published	Varies
Building Recreational Infrastructure for Communities, Kids, and Seniors Grant (NY BRICKS) (NY) New York State Dormitory Authority · Foundation Not published · $250K – $15M The NY BRICKS Initiative aims to enhance community well-being by funding the design, construction, and renovation of Community Centers throughout New York.	Not published	$250K – $15M
Friends of Outdoor Adventures Grant Program North Valley Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · Up to $1K The Friends of Outdoor Adventures Grant Program, offered by the North Valley Community Foundation, aims to support Butte County youths facing financial barriers to engage in outdoor activities.	Not published	Up to $1K
MACI Youth Fund Grant Albion Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · Up to $2K The MACI Youth Fund, managed by the Albion Community Foundation, aims to enhance youth education through group-focused enrichment opportunities.	Not published	Up to $2K
New Yankee Stadium: Small Grants New Yankee Stadium Community Benefits Fund Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies The New Yankee Stadium Community Benefits Fund, Inc. ("Fund") is a not- for-profit organized under and operating pursuant to the laws of the state of New York.	Not published	Varies
Healthy Built Environment Grants Tennessee Department of Health · Foundation Not published · $50K – $80K The Healthy Built Environment Grants, offered by the Tennessee Department of Health, aim to enhance community health through improved public spaces.	Not published	$50K – $80K
NYC Green Fund Treetops Grants Program City Parks Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Up to $40K The NYC Green Fund Treetops Grant Program provides funding for organizations with annual operating budgets between $175,000 and $2.5 million that program, steward, and advocate for parks and open spaces across NYC's five boroughs.	Not published	Up to $40K
Fund For Siouxland Grant Siouxland Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · Up to $5K The Fund For Siouxland Grant, managed by the Siouxland Community Foundation, supports charitable initiatives in the Siouxland area.	Not published	Up to $5K
Environment and Public Space- Improvement of Public Spaces in the Greater Philadelphia Region Grant The William Penn Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The William Penn Foundation is dedicated to enhancing public spaces in the Greater Philadelphia region through strategic funding.	Not published	Varies
Green Space Grant Program - Outdoor Recreation Grants - Recreation Acquisition Grant (RI) State of Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management - Natural Resources Bureau · State Not published · Up to $400K The Green Space Grant Program in Rhode Island offers matching funds for the acquisition and development of outdoor recreational lands and facilities.	Not published	Up to $400K
Park & Trail Partnership Grants: Stewardship and Public Access Grants Parks & Trails New York Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies The Park & Trail Partnership Grants provide up to $150,000 in matching funds to enhance the stewardship and public access of New York's parks and historic sites.	Not published	Varies
Von Voigtlander Family Foundation Grant Von Voigtlander Family Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The Von Voigtlander Family Foundation Grant, though currently closed, aims to support 501(c)(3) charitable organizations, primarily in Michigan.	Not published	Varies
Coastal Conservancy Grants: Ongoing Funding State of California Coastal Conservancy · State Not published · $200K – $5M The Coastal Conservancy offers grants to restore and protect California's coast, enhance public access, and improve climate resiliency.	Not published	$200K – $5M
Conservation, Environment and Public Trails Grant Program Santa Barbara Foundation · Foundation Not published · Up to $25K The Santa Barbara Foundation's Conservation, Environment, and Public Trails Grant Program aims to support vital conservation and environmental projects within Santa Barbara County.	Not published	Up to $25K
AF: Grants - $5,001 and Above - Arts/Culture, Historical, Education, Recreation & Conservation The Ashtabula Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · From $5K The Ashtabula Foundation provides grants of $5,001 and above to non-profit organizations in Ashtabula County, focusing on arts, culture, education, recreation, and conservation.	Not published	From $5K

Showing 409–432 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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