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
ADPHT Matching Grants Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism - Office of Outdoor Recreation · Foundation Not published · Varies The ADPHT Matching Grants program aims to enhance Arkansas's outdoor recreation resources through advocacy and funded initiatives. This reimbursable matching grant supports communities in expanding local recreation opportunities.	Not published	Varies
Movement Focus Area Grant Quimby Family Foundation · Foundation Not published · $3K – $25K The Movement Focus Area Grant by the Quimby Family Foundation supports Maine-based nonprofits dedicated to advancing Human Wholeness through movement and nourishment.	Not published	$3K – $25K
Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Fund - Small Scale Grants Arizona State Parks & Trails · Foundation Not published · Up to $100K The Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Fund offers small scale grants of up to $100,000 for projects aimed at developing and maintaining trails, as well as enhancing support facilities for off-highway vehicle recreation in Arizona.	Not published	Up to $100K
Good Deeds Grant Community Foundation of Wabash County Inc · Foundation Not published · Up to $5K The Good Deeds Grant, offered by the Community Foundation of Wabash County, provides small to mid-sized grants (up to $5,000) to nonprofit organizations addressing basic needs and enrichment for Wabash County citizens.	Not published	Up to $5K
New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Trails+ Grant - Tier 1 (Local Projects) (NM) New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Division · Foundation Not published · $25K – $100K The New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Trails+ Grant supports local projects that enhance community well-being and boost local economies through improved outdoor infrastructure.	Not published	$25K – $100K
GACF: Educational Grant Cycle Greenville Area Community Fnd · Foundation Not published · Varies The GACF Educational Grant Cycle supports Greenville area nonprofits with educational programs.	Not published	Varies
Fund for Chesapeake Sailors Chesapeake Bay Yacht Racing Assn Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies Provides grants to those member sailors involved in campaigns for the Olympics, and National and International regattas and championships.	Not published	Varies
MI Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) Trail Improvement Program Grant Michigan Department of Natural Resources · Foundation Not published · Varies The MI Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) Trail Improvement Program, funded by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, aims to maintain existing ORV trails, develop new trails, and restore damaged natural resources.	Not published	Varies
Tuppen Youth Fishing Fund Palm Beach County Fishing · Foundation Not published · Varies	Not published	Varies
Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Grant (IL) Illinois Department of Natural Resources · Foundation Not published · Varies The Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Grant (OSLAD) provides essential funding to local government agencies in Illinois for the acquisition and development of public parks and open spaces.	Not published	Varies
Wild Prairie Showdown Awards Great Outdoors Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies Annual awards celebrating contributions to conservation and recreation from community members involved with the Great Outdoors Foundation and ICON Water Trails, aligned with organizational values and priorities.	Not published	Varies
Colorado Outdoor Regional Partnership Capacity Grants Colorado Parks & Wildlife · Foundation Not published · $50K – $150K The Colorado Outdoor Regional Partnership Capacity Grants, offered by Colorado Parks and Wildlife and Great Outdoors Colorado, provide funding ranging from $50,000 to $150,000 to support regional collaborations in conservation and…	Not published	$50K – $150K
Explore the Coast Overnight Coastal Conservancy · State Not published · Varies The Explore the Coast Overnight Program aims to create more opportunities for all Californians to stay overnight at the coast through the expansion or construction of hotels, motels, hostels, campgrounds, RV campgrounds, cabins, yurts…	Not published	Varies
Smith Atwell Girls Recreational Grant Program Community Foundation of the Ozarks Inc · Foundation Not published · $500 The Smith Atwell Girls Recreational Grant Program seeks to provide funding for programs that empower and encourage girls and young women to be involved in athletic and outdoor recreational opportunities.	Not published	$500
Adopt a Center Columbus Recreation and Parks Foundation · Foundation Not published · $500 – $15K The Adopt a Center program creates direct, meaningful connections between donors, businesses, and community centers that need support most.	Not published	$500 – $15K
Pocono Forests & Waters Conservation Landscape Mini Grants Pennsylvania Environmental Council Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies Mini-grant program to support conservation and outdoor recreation initiatives in the Pocono Forests and Waters Conservation Landscape.	Not published	Varies
Nevada Outdoor Education and Recreation Grant Program (NV) Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources · Foundation Not published · Up to $50K The Nevada Outdoor Education and Recreation Grant Program aims to provide equitable and high-quality outdoor experiences for Nevada students aged 18 and younger.	Not published	Up to $50K
Outdoor Programming The William Penn Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies By 2035, the Foundation will have supported 50,000 participant program days of park, trail, and water programming.	Not published	Varies
Racquetball Conversion Grant Program United States Squash Racquets Assoc Inc · Foundation Not published · $10K – $15K US Squash provides direct funding to individuals and clubs willing to invest in squash by converting racquetball courts to squash courts.	Not published	$10K – $15K
Recreational Trails Program Grants Missouri State Parks Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Up to $250K The Recreational Trails Program Grants, offered by the Missouri State Parks Foundation, aim to enhance both motorized and nonmotorized recreational trails through federal funding.	Not published	Up to $250K
DMF Grants Del Mar Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies Https://www.delmarfoundation.org/grants/	Not published	Varies
L.L.Bean - Club Fostered Stewardship Grant American Canoe Association (ACA) · Foundation Not published · $100 – $1K Easily learn more about the L.L. The next deadline for this grant is Mon, 01 Mar 2027. Since 2002, the ACA has partnered with L.L. Bean to sponsor the Club Fostered Stewardship (CFS) Program.	Not published	$100 – $1K
Bidwell Engebretson Tusen Takk Volunteer Fund The Foundation for the Endowment · Foundation Not published · $1K Endows the future of the ABSF's volunteer program with "Tusen Takk" ("a thousand thanks" in Norwegian) recognizing the critical role of dedicated Birkie volunteers.	Not published	$1K
Capital Improvements for District 3 Intergenerational Recreational Facilities RFP Grant City and County of San Francisco: Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development · State Not published · Up to $500K The Capital Improvements for District 3 Intergenerational Recreational Facilities RFP aims to fund upgrades to recreational facilities in San Francisco's District 3, serving diverse generations.	Not published	Up to $500K

Showing 553–576 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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