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
Boating Facilities Program Grant Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office · Foundation Not published · Up to $1M The Boating Facilities Program, established in 1964, offers grants for the acquisition, development, and renovation of facilities for motorized boats and watercraft.	Not published	Up to $1M
Industry Community Grant Program Peopleforbikes Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies PeopleForBikes' Industry Community Grant Program provides funding for projects that make bicycling better in communities across the U.S.	Not published	Varies
Community Foundation for Oak Park Grant Community Foundation for Oak Park · Foundation Not published · Up to $500 The Community Foundation for Oak Park offers grants to non-profit organizations serving the residents of Oak Park, focusing on education, recreation, the environment, cultural programs, and social services.	Not published	Up to $500
Houston Marathon Foundation Grant Houston Marathon Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The Houston Marathon Foundation Grant supports running-related programs and initiatives, especially those that promote health and fitness in the greater Houston area.	Not published	Varies
North Bank Communities Fund LJ Midge Verplank Community Impact Fund · Foundation Not published · $583 – $125K Supports local projects in education, recreation, and environmental areas for North Bank communities.	Not published	$583 – $125K
Proposition 68 Grants for Lower Los Angeles River (LLAR) San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy · State Not published · $1M – $200M Priorities for RMC Prop 68 Grant Funding: 1. Develop urban recreation projects and habitat protection or restoration projects 2.	Not published	$1M – $200M
Lower American River Conservancy Program Wildlife Conservation Board · State Not published · Varies The Program was created to provide a state partner to work cooperatively with local agencies, particularly the County of Sacramento in its role as the manager of the American River Parkway (Parkway) and nonprofit organizations to help fund…	Not published	Varies
Parks and Open Space Florida Forever Grant Program Florida Department of Environmental Protection · Foundation Not published · Varies The Parks and Open Space Florida Forever Grant Program, managed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, aims to preserve green spaces by funding local governments and eligible nonprofits for park and open space acquisitions.	Not published	Varies
TryMarine Grant Friends of Reservoirs · Foundation Not published · Varies The Reservoir Fish Habitat Partnership (RFHP) is seeking candidate pilot sites for evaluating two water quality treatment technologies—TryMarine and Oase Water Technology—in small urban fishing lakes (1–3 acres).	Not published	Varies
Community Charitable Grants Morgan Hill Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The Morgan Hill Community Foundation is offering Community Charitable Grants totaling $32,000 for local nonprofits and public schools. This initiative aims to fund 10-15 unique projects that enrich the Morgan Hill community.	Not published	Varies
Community Fund Grants Four Way Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The Four Way Community Foundation awards grants to a diverse variety of nonprofit organizations in their target area through their Community Fund Grants program.	Not published	Varies
North Portland Fund Portland Parks Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies A funding program specifically focused on supporting parks and community initiatives in North Portland communities.	Not published	Varies
Tommy Wilson Memorial Grant Society of Health and Physical Educators · Foundation Not published · $500 – $2K The Tommy Wilson Memorial Grant, established by Dr. George T. Wilson and his wife Irene, honors their son Tommy, who had cerebral palsy.	Not published	$500 – $2K
Moore Family Fund: Request For Proposals – Special Grant Cycle The Portage Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The Moore Family Fund, administered by The Portage Foundation, supports educational and recreational programs for youth in Aurora, Ohio.	Not published	Varies
Kenai Peninsula Foundation Competitive Grant The Alaska Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · Up to $3K The Kenai Peninsula Foundation Competitive Grant aims to enhance the quality of life for residents of the central Kenai Peninsula.	Not published	Up to $3K
Houston Endowment Grant Houston Endowment Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies The Houston Endowment Grant aims to enhance community vibrancy and equity in Greater Houston. Focused on public education, civic engagement, and the arts, it seeks to empower residents through access to resources and information.	Not published	Varies
Amateur Sporting Tax Credit Grant Program Missouri Department of Economic Development · Foundation Not published · Varies The Amateur Sporting Tax Credit Grant Program incentivizes local community organizations to host amateur sporting events by providing tax credits.	Not published	Varies
Healthy Communities and Parks Fund - Tier 2 (WA) Grant King County Parks · Foundation Not published · $15K – $250K The Healthy Communities and Parks Fund - Tier 2 (WA) promotes access to parks and recreational facilities in underserved communities, aiming to reduce health disparities.	Not published	$15K – $250K
Let's Go! 3.0 Mini-Grant Wholespire Inc · Foundation Not published · Up to $5K	Not published	Up to $5K
Local Trail Connections Program Grant Minnesota Department of Natural Resources · Foundation Not published · $5K – $250K The Local Trail Connections Program, funded by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, aims to enhance short trail connections between residential areas and key public resources.	Not published	$5K – $250K
IMPACT: Quality of Place: Community Assets - Parks, Fields, & Trails Grant Program Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority · Foundation Not published · Up to $25K The IMPACT: Quality of Place Grant Program aims to enhance community well-being and promote civic pride through investment in parks, fields, and trails.	Not published	Up to $25K
Racquets for All Equipment Program Colorado Youth Tennis Foundation · Foundation Rolling · Varies Collection and distribution of gently used tennis equipment (racquets, balls, bags) to individuals and organizations in need	Rolling	Varies
CDBG Pocket Parks Economic Development Authority · State Not published · $15M	Not published	$15M
Sustainability in Practice National Recreation and Park Association · Foundation Not published · Varies _NOTE: NRPA will be hosting three cohorts. Cohort 1: Application opens February 22, and closes April 18, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.	Not published	Varies

Showing 577–600 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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