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
Northern Lowcountry Grants- Cooper River Bridge Run Grants Fund Coastal Community Foundation of South Carolina Inc · Foundation ~February · Up to $5K The Northern Lowcountry Grants - Cooper River Bridge Run Grants Fund, established in 2006 by the Coastal Community Foundation, aims to enhance community health through physical activity.	~February	Up to $5K
Division of Boating and Waterways Local Assistance Statewide Non-Motorized Boat Launching Facility Grant Program FY27 Department of Parks and Recreation · State Feb 1, 2027 · Varies Provide resources to local agencies to develop or improve public non-motorized boating access. The Statewide Non-Motorized Boat Launching Facility Grant Program provides funding to create or improve public non-motorized boating access.	Feb 1, 2027	Varies
Division of Boating and Waterways Local Assistance Boat Launching Facility Grant Program FY27 Department of Parks and Recreation · State Feb 1, 2027 · Varies Provide resources to local agencies to develop or improve public boat launching facilities, primarily for motorized vessels.	Feb 1, 2027	Varies
Division of Boating and Waterways Local Assistance Statewide Sign Grant Program FY27 Department of Parks and Recreation · State Feb 1, 2027 · $100K – $1M Provide resources to replace or install signs at DBW funded boat launching facilities.	Feb 1, 2027	$100K – $1M
Greensboro Association Community Initiatives & Grants Greensboro Association Inc · Foundation ~March · $500 – $3K Grants are made possible by the generosity of the Greensboro Association membership in support of the community to ensure its vitality for generations to come. The organization supports initiatives in the following categories:	~March	$500 – $3K
Incentive Grants Friends of Wisconsin State Parks Inc · Foundation ~March · Up to $4K This fund supports naturalist projects and programs at Wisconsin State Parks, forests, trails, and recreation areas.	~March	Up to $4K
Infrastructure Development Grant Great Lakes Sports Commission · Foundation ~March · Up to $150K Matching grants up to $150,000 to support qualified infrastructure development projects.	~March	Up to $150K
Dan Whitworth Memorial Scholarship Texas Amateur Athletic Federation · Foundation ~March · Varies Support for graduating high school students or college students intending to enter the recreation, parks and leisure service field as a career. Graduating High School Students/High School Graduates:	~March	Varies
The Gold Beach Community Fund Grant The Oregon Community Foundation · Foundation ~April · $500 – $3K The Gold Beach Community Fund Grant, administered by the Oregon Community Foundation, offers financial support for various projects aimed at enhancing Central Curry County.	~April	$500 – $3K
Howard Facilities Program Endowment Grant Berrien Community Foundation Inc · Foundation ~June · Varies The Howard Facilities Program Endowment Grant (Berrien Community Foundation, MI) supports programs serving Berrien County residents of any age held at Howard-named facilities (e.g., John & Dede Howard Ice Arena, Band Shell, Skate Park…	~June	Varies
Division of Boating and Waterways Local Assistance Statewide Sign Grant Program FY26 California Department of Parks and Recreation · Foundation Not published · $1K – $6M The Division of Boating and Waterways Local Assistance Statewide Sign Grant Program FY26 offers funding for the installation and replacement of signs for previously funded projects.	Not published	$1K – $6M
Recreation - Energize The Environment Grant Program Quadratec · State Not published · $350K Supports environmental-restoration projects .	Not published	$350K
Greenways, Trails, and Recreation Grant Program Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development · Foundation Not published · Up to $250K The Greenways, Trails, and Recreation Grant Program, administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, supports projects aimed at enhancing public parks, recreation areas, and greenways.	Not published	Up to $250K
Target Range Grants Texas Parks and Wildlife Department · Foundation Not published · $150K The Target Range Grant Program, offered by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, aims to enhance public shooting facilities aligned with hunter education and shooting sports.	Not published	$150K
Trail Grant North Carolina Horse Council · Foundation Not published · Varies Fund trail construction, maintenance, clearing, and blazing projects for equestrian use in North Carolina.	Not published	Varies
Summer Youth Program Fund (SYPF) Marion County Commission on Youth Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies A national model partnership of area grant-making bodies that seasonally funds local nonprofits providing safe, engaging summer programming to thousands of Marion County youth.	Not published	Varies
Spokane Parks Foundation Community Grants Spokane Parks Foundation · Foundation Not published · Up to $6K The Spokane Parks Foundation has been enhancing community well-being for over 72 years by supporting parks and recreational programs.	Not published	Up to $6K
Kids Fund Grant The Kids Fund Inc · Foundation Not published · Up to $5K The Kids Fund Grant is a charitable initiative dedicated to supporting disadvantaged children and youth in Dane County.	Not published	Up to $5K
Gresham - Community Enhancement Grant City of Gresham · State Not published · Varies The Gresham Community Enhancement Grant, initiated in 2017, supports various projects aimed at improving neighborhood appearance, enhancing public safety, and preserving local wildlife.	Not published	Varies
Berks County Tennis Fund Grant Berks County Community Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies The Berks County Tennis Fund Grant aims to promote the sport of tennis in Berks County by supporting community programs that enhance accessibility and participation.	Not published	Varies
Snowmobile Trail Establishment Grant Illinois Department of Natural Resources · Foundation Not published · $120K The Snowmobile Trail Establishment Grant, funded by Illinois Department of Natural Resources, aims to enhance the state's recreational offerings by supporting local snowmobile clubs in developing and maintaining public trails.	Not published	$120K
BlueCross Healthy Place Program Grant Tennessee Health Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies The BlueCross Healthy Place Program aims to enhance community well-being by developing accessible public spaces.	Not published	Varies
ME Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Grant Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry · Foundation Not published · Up to $1M The ME Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) supports the acquisition and development of public outdoor recreation facilities in Maine.	Not published	Up to $1M
Chase County Community Fund Grant Emporia Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · Up to $5K The Chase County Community Fund (CCCF) aims to enhance the quality of life for residents of Chase County by providing grants for innovative projects in health, education, social services, recreation, and cultural affairs.	Not published	Up to $5K

Showing 25–48 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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