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
Niskayuna Community Foundation Grant The Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region Inc · Foundation Not published · Up to $10K The Niskayuna Community Foundation Grant supports innovative projects addressing community needs, offering funding between $1,000 and $5,000 for a variety of fields, including arts, education, and health.	Not published	Up to $10K
Destination Development Grant (ND) North Dakota Department of Commerce · Foundation Not published · Varies The Destination Development Grant (ND) provides $15 million in funding to enhance tourism in North Dakota for the 2025-2027 biennium.	Not published	Varies
YMCA of San Diego County Carlos Huelga Surf Scholarship Grant YMCA of San Diego County · Foundation Not published · Varies The Carlos Huelga Surf Scholarship, established in memory of Carlos Huelga, supports aspiring young surfers who need financial assistance for surf camp.	Not published	Varies
Land & Water Conservation Fund (IA) Grant Iowa Department of Natural Resources · Foundation Not published · Varies The Land & Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) provides crucial federal funding for outdoor recreation projects in Iowa, supporting 50% cost share for development and land acquisition.	Not published	Varies
Pennsylvania Sojourn Mini Grants Pennsylvania Environmental Council Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies Mini-grant program to support Pennsylvania Sojourn initiatives and related outdoor recreation and education programs.	Not published	Varies
The Togie Fund Grant Community Foundation of the Rappahannock River Region Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies The Community Foundation of the Rappahannock River Region The Community Foundation of the Rappahannock River Region works with individuals and families to create permanent gifts for our community.	Not published	Varies
Rec for All - Fort Dupont Ice Arena Leisure and Competitive Programming Grant DC Department of Parks and Recreation · Foundation Not published · Up to $235K The DC Department of Parks and Recreation is offering the Rec for All - Fort Dupont Ice Arena Grant to support inclusive recreational programming for youth.	Not published	Up to $235K
John T. Holmstrom, Jr. Memorial Golf Grant Community Foundation of Northern Illinois · Foundation Not published · Varies John T. Holmstrom Jr. died on July 20, 2010. He was born on December 19, 1920 in Rockford, Illinois.	Not published	Varies
L.L.Bean Charitable Donations Grant L.L. Bean · Foundation Not published · Varies L.L.Bean Charitable Donations supports outdoor initiatives that bring communities together. The program encourages partnerships with inspiring individuals and organizations.	Not published	Varies
Community Change Grants from America Walks TransOptions Inc · Foundation Not published · $2K	Not published	$2K
Parks and Wildlife Foundation Game Fish & Parks Grants · State Not published · Varies Independent, nongovernmental, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization chartered in 1985 to support wildlife enhancement and park development activities for GFP.	Not published	Varies
Jim Desmond Grant Swim Lessons YMCA of San Diego County · Foundation Not published · Varies Sponsored by Supervisor Jim Desmond and the County of San Diego Board of Supervisors through the County Community Enhancement program.	Not published	Varies
Clean Vessel Act Grant Program GA DNR Grants · State Not published · Varies Provides funding to construct, renovate, operate, and maintain pumpout stations and waste reception facilities for recreational boaters. Includes outreach to inform boaters about use, benefits, and availability of facilities.	Not published	Varies
Fishing is Fun Grant Program Colorado Parks & Wildlife · Foundation Not published · Up to $700K The Fishing is Fun Grant Program, managed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife, aims to enhance angling opportunities throughout Colorado by providing up to $700,000 annually in matching funds.	Not published	Up to $700K
Recreation – Outdoor Recreation Lands Conservation Vermont Housing and Conservation Board · State Not published · Varies Supports purchase and conservation of recreational lands for outdoor recreation.	Not published	Varies
Public Access Wildlife Conservation Board · State Not published · Varies Wildlife Conservation Board’s Public Access Program’s projects should focus on creating meaningful outdoor experiences for all Californians.	Not published	Varies
RJCCT: Youth Recreational Program Grant Roy J Carver Charitable Trust · Foundation Not published · Up to $25K The RJCCT Youth Recreational Program, supported by the Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust since 1995, funds projects that enhance youth recreational facilities in eastern Iowa and western Illinois.	Not published	Up to $25K
MCF Community Grants Martis Camp Realty Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The Martis Camp Community Foundation (MCF), established in 2010, enhances the quality of life in the Truckee community by supporting local nonprofit organizations with a focus on education, youth development, human services, and recreation.	Not published	Varies
Keweenaw Cross Country Skiing Endowment Fund Grant Keweenaw Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · Up to $10K The Keweenaw Cross Country Skiing Endowment Fund, established by the Keweenaw Community Foundation, aims to enhance and support cross country skiing in Houghton and Keweenaw Counties.	Not published	Up to $10K
Ralph C. Vonnegut Jr. Fund Grants Marshall County Community Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · $6K – $19K Established to provide annual funding for environmental, educational, or recreational projects directly related to Lake Maxinkuckee.	Not published	$6K – $19K
The California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection and Outdoor Access for All Act of 2018 (Proposition 68) SMMC Grant Program – Prop 68 River San Fernando Valley Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy · State Not published · Varies Projects which facilitate the protection and restoration of wildlife, habitat and historical/archaeological resources, including habitat restoration projects in urban rural areas.	Not published	Varies
The Duff McDuff Green, Jr. Fund Small Grants (Grants of $7,500 or less) Community Foundation of the Rappahannock River Region Inc · Foundation Not published · Up to $8K The Duff McDuff Green, Jr. Fund Small Grants provide funding of $7,500 or less to support community initiatives focused on recreation opportunities, youth engagement, and local historic preservation.	Not published	Up to $8K
Main Grants Scheme: Recreation Biffa Award · Foundation Not published · £10,000 - £75,000 The Biffa Award's Main Grants Scheme for Recreation focuses on enhancing community life through projects that improve recreational spaces. This includes installing play equipment in parks and renovating clubhouses for community use.	Not published	£10,000 - £75,000
Nike Community Impact Fund - Portland Metro, Ore. Grant Nike Foundation · Foundation Not published · $5K – $25K The Nike Community Impact Fund in Portland Metro, Oregon, empowers local organizations to drive positive change through grants.	Not published	$5K – $25K

Showing 529–552 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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