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
Capital Improvement Grant South Placer County Tourism Corp dba Placer Valley Tourism · Foundation Not published · Varies Designed to assist organizations with the development or improvement of facilities and/or equipment that enable hosting of events at a higher caliber.	Not published	Varies
Beach and Waterfront Access Grants State Not published · Varies	Not published	Varies
Investment in Parks Grant The William Penn Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The Investment in Parks initiative aims to increase Philadelphia's annual per capita park spending from $86 to $95 by 2035, as reported by the Trust for Public Land's ParkScore.	Not published	Varies
TX Recreational Trails Program (RTP) Grants Texas Parks and Wildlife Department · Foundation Not published · Up to $500K The TX Recreational Trails Program (RTP) Grants, administered by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, provides funding to enhance outdoor recreational experiences across Texas.	Not published	Up to $500K
Improving Neighborhood Outcomes in Disproportionally Impacted Communities (SLFR… Governor's Office of Planning and Budget · State Not published · Varies Development of or improvements/maintenance to parks or recreational facilities in Qualified Census Tracts in Georgia.	Not published	Varies
Organizations Funding Request Form The Chehalis Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies	Not published	Varies
Project Funding Request Cornelia Warren Community Association · Foundation Rolling · Varies	Rolling	Varies
Senator Montigny's Children's Fund Grant Southcoast Community Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · $15K – $50K The Senator Montigny's Children's Fund aims to empower underserved youth in Greater New Bedford by providing grants between $15,000 and $50,000 for nonprofit organizations focused on youth literacy, arts, culture, and recreational…	Not published	$15K – $50K
Better Beaches Grant Program Save the Harbor / Save the Bay · Foundation Not published · $3K – $9K Since 2008, Save the Harbor/Save the Bay has partnered with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) to award small grants to local organizations and artists to activate the region’s public beaches through free…	Not published	$3K – $9K
Park & Trail Partnership Grants: Professional Development Grants Parks & Trails New York Inc · Foundation Not published · Up to $150K The Park & Trail Partnership Grants program supports the hiring of permanent staff to enhance the professionalism and sustainability of organizations dedicated to New York's parks and trails.	Not published	Up to $150K
Atlantic Lottery Sponsorship Program- Community Festivals & Events Grant Atlantic Lottery · Foundation Not published · $3K The Atlantic Lottery Sponsorship Program supports over 100 grassroots community festivals and events annually, fostering cultural, social, and economic growth in Atlantic Canada.	Not published	$3K
Recreation – Boating Infrastructure Grants Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department · State Not published · $100 – $10M Provides funding to marinas for constructing, renovating, and maintaining tie-up facilities for transient boaters with vessels 26 feet or greater in length.	Not published	$100 – $10M
Southern California Kids to Parks Grants Program National Park Trust Inc · Foundation Not published · Up to $2K National Park Trust is thrilled to offer the 2026 Southern California Kids to Parks Grants Program.	Not published	Up to $2K
Standard Grants Bethel Park Community Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies The Bethel Park Community Foundation offers Standard Grants aimed at enhancing local life quality through community-focused initiatives.	Not published	Varies
USTA: Adult Social Play Grant Usta New England Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies The USTA: Adult Social Play Grant aims to enhance adult participation in tennis through social programming that promotes fun and inclusivity.	Not published	Varies
The National Park Foundation: ParkVentures Grant Program National Park Foundation · Foundation Not published · Up to $40K The National Park Foundation's ParkVentures Grant Program invites proposals aimed at engaging historically excluded audiences in national parks through recreational activities.	Not published	Up to $40K
Community Grants Ashland County Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · $1K – $25K Support programs or projects of community-wide benefit that address local needs and improve quality of life.	Not published	$1K – $25K
Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Fund - Large Scale Grants Arizona State Parks & Trails · Foundation Not published · Varies The Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Fund offers large scale grants for projects aimed at developing and maintaining trails in Arizona.	Not published	Varies
Advancing Communities Suzanne & Walter Scott Foundation · Foundation Rolling · Up to $250K The Advancing Communities grant program helps communities across Nebraska and southwest Iowa develop or enhance spaces that are inviting to all citizens, enabling connection through social, recreational, historical and civic engagement.	Rolling	Up to $250K
Proposition 68 - River Parkways and Urban Streams for Lower Los Angeles River (LLAR) (CA) Grant California San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy · Foundation Not published · $300K – $2M The Proposition 68 grant aims to enhance the Lower Los Angeles River and its tributaries, focusing on urban recreation and habitat restoration projects.	Not published	$300K – $2M
Wild Rivers Grant Program Idaho Commerce Grants · State Not published · Varies Funds may be used to promote whitewater river tourism within Idaho, promote/encourage safe use of Idaho's whitewater rivers, improve user facilities or access to whitewater rivers, or help clean up litter and promote conservation practices…	Not published	Varies
General Tennis Program Grants Southern California Tennis Association Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The Southern California Tennis Association Foundation offers a variety of grants that support tennis programs, projects, leagues, and events. The Foundation welcomes innovative ideas and grassroots endeavors to grow the game of tennis.	Not published	Varies
The Active Fund Grant The Kelly S Brush Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · $4K The Active Fund Grant, offered by the Kelly Brush Foundation, supports individuals with paralysis from spinal cord injuries in acquiring adaptive sports equipment.	Not published	$4K
DCNR Non-Motorized Trails Grants Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources (DCNR) · Foundation Not published · Varies The DCNR Non-Motorized Trails Grants support the development, rehabilitation, and maintenance of trails for non-motorized recreation.	Not published	Varies

Showing 481–504 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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