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
MI Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Grant Michigan Department of Natural Resources · Foundation Not published · $30K – $500K The MI Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), managed by the Michigan DNR, supports the development of public outdoor recreation facilities.	Not published	$30K – $500K
Community and Economic Enhancement Grant Program – Proposition 68 Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy · Foundation Not published · Varies The Community and Economic Enhancement Grant Program, funded by Proposition 68, aims to bolster Delta communities' economic vitality and heritage.	Not published	Varies
Tourism Development Grant Fox Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau Inc · Foundation Not published · $2K – $1M The Tourism Development Grant provided by the Fox Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau supports the enhancement of visitor attractions and amenities in the area.	Not published	$2K – $1M
MassTrails Grants Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation · Foundation Not published · Varies The MassTrails Grants program offers matching grants to support the development and maintenance of trails in Massachusetts. Grants can reach up to $500,000, depending on the project type.	Not published	Varies
NWT Recreation & Parks Swim to Survive Grant NWT Recreation & Parks Association · Foundation Not published · Up to $850 The NWT Recreation & Parks Swim to Survive Grant offers financial assistance for organizations to host Swim to Survive® events in selected regional centers. Grants aim to promote water safety by teaching vital survival skills in deep water.	Not published	Up to $850
Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Trails Assistance Program - Grant-in-Aid (GIA) Minnesota Department of Natural Resources · Foundation Not published · Varies The Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Trails Assistance Program, known as Grant-in-Aid (GIA), supports the development and maintenance of trails for All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs), Off-Highway Motorcycles (OHMs), and Off-Road Vehicles (ORVs).	Not published	Varies
Federal Recreational Trail Program Grant Minnesota Department of Natural Resources · Foundation Not published · $3K – $150K The Federal Recreational Trail Program, managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, aims to enhance motorized and non-motorized trails through financial support.	Not published	$3K – $150K
K.D. and M.L. Steadley Memorial Trust Grants Ir Tua KD&ML Steadley Charitable · Foundation Not published · $5K – $50K The K.D. and M.L. Steadley Memorial Trust Grants support charitable organizations in Carthage, Missouri, focusing on scientific, educational, literary, and artistic pursuits.	Not published	$5K – $50K
KT Mini-Grant Program Kingdom Trail Association Inc · Foundation Not published · $25K – $28K The Kingdom Trails Association administers an annual competitive mini-grant program that awards funds to local projects and organizations in the Northeast Kingdom.	Not published	$25K – $28K
Federal Initiatives and Recreation Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs · State Not published · Varies Land and Water Conservation Fund The Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) round 9 is open.	Not published	Varies
Controlled Hunting Access Program (CHAP) Game Fish & Parks Grants · State Not published · Varies Cooperative effort between private landowners and South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks.	Not published	Varies
Department of Natural Resources - Grants Natural Resources Department · State Not published · Varies The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) offers a wide variety of grant programs to cities, counties, townships, non-profits, schools, private individuals and others.	Not published	Varies
Recreation – VOREC Community Grant Program Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation · State Not published · $750K – $5M Supports outdoor recreation projects that drive economic growth and enhance community well-being. This grant round focuses on project development and promotion.	Not published	$750K – $5M
Virginia Wildlife Grant Program The Wildlife Foundation of Virginia Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies	Not published	Varies
Access Fund: Climbing Conservation Grant The Access Fund · Foundation Not published · $1K – $4K The Access Fund's Climbing Conservation Grant supports projects that enhance climbing access and conserve the climbing environment across the U.S. Grants typically range from $1,000 to $4,000, with larger requests considered for projects…	Not published	$1K – $4K
Martis Camp Foundation Grants Martis Camp Community Foundation DBA Martis Camp Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies MCF Community Grants are evaluated based on their alignment with the mission of the MCF and awarded annually by November 1st. Grants are awarded in four focus areas: Education, Youth Development, Human Services, Recreation and Environment.	Not published	Varies
Non-Motorized Trails Grant Program: Planning or Support Grants Colorado Parks & Wildlife · Foundation Not published · Up to $45K The Non-Motorized Trails Grant Program, managed by Colorado Parks & Wildlife, supports projects that enhance outdoor recreation through planning, construction, and maintenance of trails.	Not published	Up to $45K
Pennsylvania Environmental Council's Mini Grant Programs: Pennsylvania Water Trails Program Mini Grants Pennsylvania Environmental Council Inc · Foundation Not published · Up to $7K The Pennsylvania Environmental Council's Mini Grant Programs, specifically the Pennsylvania Water Trails Program Mini Grants, aim to enhance outdoor recreation and resource conservation.	Not published	Up to $7K
Tennis Venue Services: Facility Funding Grant United States Tennis Association Incorporated · Foundation Not published · Varies The USTA's Tennis Venue Services provides funding for tennis facilities, emphasizing community and growth. Grants are available for various projects, including basic improvements, resurfacing, and new constructions.	Not published	Varies
Boating Infrastructure Grant Program GA DNR Grants · State Not published · Varies Established in 1998 using Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund. Supports construction, renovation, or maintenance of boating infrastructure for transient recreational vessels (26+ ft) used primarily for pleasure.	Not published	Varies
Nike Community Impact Fund - Mid-South/Memphis, TN Grant Nike Foundation · Foundation Not published · $5K – $10K The Nike Community Impact Fund focuses on enhancing active, inclusive communities in the Mid-South, specifically in Shelby County (TN) and DeSoto and Marshall Counties (MS).	Not published	$5K – $10K
Extreme Terrain’s Clean Trail Initiative Program Grant ExtremeTerrain · Foundation Not published · $250 Extreme Terrain’s Clean Trail Initiative Program aims to enhance trail integrity by supporting groups in the U.S. with grants for projects like trail clean-up, restoration, and expansion.	Not published	$250
Public Water Access Sites - Partnership Funding Grant Minnesota Department of Natural Resources · Foundation Not published · Varies The Public Water Access Sites Partnership Funding program offers essential financial and technical support for public water access and state water trail projects.	Not published	Varies
Community Foundation for Oak Park General Fund Grants Community Foundation for Oak Park · Foundation Rolling · Up to $500 The Community Foundation for Oak Park (California) issues grants from its general fund and its special funds; general fund grants 'are usually $500 or less' because the general fund must also support Foundation operations.	Rolling	Up to $500

Showing 433–456 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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