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
Outdoor Adventure Grant Jared Burke Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies This program provides outdoor adventure opportunities for eligible hunters, with a focus on individuals with disabilities and military veterans.	Not published	Varies
Boating Facility Grant Program Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission · Foundation Not published · Varies The Boating Facility Grant Program, established by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC), aims to enhance public boating facilities across the Commonwealth.	Not published	Varies
Recreational Programs for Individuals with Disabilities Grant Society of Health and Physical Educators · Foundation Not published · Up to $2K The grant supports recreational programs for individuals with disabilities.	Not published	Up to $2K
BIG-P - Boating Infrastructure Grant Program (SFY25) Natural Resources · State Not published · Varies Construction, renovation, and maintenance of docking, mooring, and other facilities for transient, recreational boats 26 feet or greater in length.	Not published	Varies
Teton Springs Foundation Grant The Teton Springs Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Up to US $20,000 The Teton Springs Foundation Grant aims to enhance the quality of life in Teton Valley, Idaho, by providing financial support to nonprofits.	Not published	Up to US $20,000
Community Parks and Playgrounds Maryland Department of Natural Resources · State Not published · Varies Provides flexible grants to municipalities to rehabilitate, expand or improve existing parks, create new parks, or purchase and install playground equipment in older neighborhoods and intensely developed areas throughout the state.	Not published	Varies
Florida Sports Foundation Event Grant Program Florida Sports Foundation Incorporated · Foundation Not published · Varies The Foundation's Grant program operates through its Sports Industry Partnership program and was established in 1996 to assist communities and host organizations in attracting sports events to the state of Florida.	Not published	Varies
Illinois DNR Off-Highway Vehicle Grant Program Illinois Department of Natural Resources · Foundation Not published · Up to $350K The Illinois DNR Off-Highway Vehicle Grant Program aims to enhance and maintain off-highway vehicle parks and trails across the state.	Not published	Up to $350K
State Land Urban Acquisition Partnership Grant State of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection · State Not published · Varies The State Land Urban Acquisition Partnership aims to enhance urban communities in New Jersey by funding the acquisition of properties for parks and greenways.	Not published	Varies
NHCHF: Active Living Priority New Hampshire Children's Health · Foundation Not published · Varies New Hampshire Children’s Health Foundation concentrates funding in five priority areas and employs both Directed (by invitation only) and Responsive (in response to proposals) grantmaking.	Not published	Varies
Vamos A Pescar Grants Iowa Confluence Water Trails · Foundation Not published · Varies Fishing participation among the Hispanic population lags behind other groups nationally (9% vs. 18% overall US participation). The program aims to provide urban fishing opportunities and reach underrepresented demographic groups.	Not published	Varies
IowaDNR: ATV Trail Grant Program Iowa Department of Natural Resources · Foundation Not published · Varies The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) administers the ATV Trail Grant Program to enhance recreational opportunities in Iowa.	Not published	Varies
Northwest Neighborhoods Parks & Recreation Fund Grant The Oregon Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · $4K – $35K The Northwest Neighborhoods Parks & Recreation Fund Grant, managed by the Oregon Community Foundation, supports the capital development and renovation of parks and recreation facilities in northwest Portland.	Not published	$4K – $35K
Norma and Stanley DeBoer Quiet Trails Fund Grant Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsi · Foundation Not published · $500 – $1K The Norma and Stanley DeBoer Quiet Trails Fund supports the creation and maintenance of quiet trails in Wisconsin, including walking, hiking, and skiing paths. Grants range from $500 to $1,000, prioritizing public access and inclusivity.	Not published	$500 – $1K
Grant Request - Over $2,500 The Joey Pizzano Memorial Fund Inc · Foundation Not published · $3K Funding Restrictions - Grant funds may NOT be used for:	Not published	$3K
Canoe Access Development Fund (CADF) Western Pennsylvania Conservancy · Foundation Not published · Up to $4K The Canoe Access Development Fund helps make the region's rivers and streams more accessible for outdoor recreation by providing grants to watershed organizations or other community groups to develop rustic access sites for canoers and…	Not published	Up to $4K
IMPACT: Quality of Place - Special Events Grants Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority · Foundation Not published · Up to $20K The IMPACT: Quality of Place - Special Events Grants, administered by the Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority, aim to enhance community engagement and economic growth in Erie County.	Not published	Up to $20K
Land Conservation Partnership Grant: Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Program Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) · Foundation Not published · Varies The Land Conservation Partnership Grant and Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Program support communities in enhancing outdoor recreation access through matching grants.	Not published	Varies
Elmo M. Royce Youth Fund Community Foundation of Elmira-Corning and the Finger Lakes Inc · Foundation Not published · $100 – $2K Support nonprofit organizations whose programs support youth activities and recreational programs	Not published	$100 – $2K
Chatham County Partnership for Children Physical Activity Grants Chatham County Partnership for Children · Foundation Not published · $10K Chatham County Partnership for Children, funded by its annual Reindeer Run 5K, offers Physical Activity Grants to promote physical activity in Chatham County, NC for children and/or adults.	Not published	$10K
Scholarships for Kids Grand Forks Parks and Recreation Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies More than 40% of children in Grand Forks qualify for Park Activity Scholarships. This program provides scholarships to ensure all children in the community have access to park activities and recreation programs.	Not published	Varies
YMCA of San Diego County Financial Aid Program Grant YMCA of San Diego County · Foundation Not published · Varies The YMCA of San Diego County offers a Financial Aid Program through its ACCESS scholarship initiative, ensuring that everyone has the chance to participate in its community services.	Not published	Varies
Making A Difference Community Improvement Project Grant Hinton Area Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies The Making A Difference Community Improvement Project Grant, offered by the Hinton Area Foundation, aims to enhance Summers County by funding community improvement projects that foster engagement among residents.	Not published	Varies
The Oregon Parks Foundation Fund Grant The Oregon Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · $1K – $5K The Oregon Parks Foundation Fund, established in 2009, supports the acquisition and restoration of Oregon's native landscapes while enhancing public parks.	Not published	$1K – $5K

Showing 505–528 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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