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
McConnell Fund Grant Community Foundation of the North State · Foundation Not published · Up to $50K The McConnell Fund, established in 2001 by the Community Foundation of the North State, aims to enhance communities in Shasta, Siskiyou, Tehama, Trinity, and Modoc counties through grants up to $50,000.	Not published	Up to $50K
McNeely Foundation: Environment Grant The McNeely Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The McNeely Foundation: Environment Grant aims to enhance public access to parks and open spaces in East Side St. Paul, Minnesota.	Not published	Varies
NYS Canal System Tourism Infrastructure and Event Grants Parks & Trails New York Inc · Foundation Not published · $208K Empire State Trail Towns and communities along canal corridors including:	Not published	$208K
DCNR Park Rehabilitation and Development Grants Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources (DCNR) · Foundation Not published · $60K – $250K The DCNR Park Rehabilitation and Development Grants support projects aimed at enhancing public parks and recreation facilities.	Not published	$60K – $250K
Harry C. Trexler Trust Grants Harry C Trexler Estate · Foundation Not published · Varies The Harry C. Trexler Trust Grants support charitable organizations in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, continuing the legacy of philanthropist Harry C. Trexler.	Not published	Varies
DCNR Motorized Trails Grants Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources (DCNR) · Foundation Not published · Varies The DCNR Motorized Trails Grants program supports the development and maintenance of motorized recreational trails in Pennsylvania.	Not published	Varies
North Bank Communities Fund Grand Haven Area Community Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies	Not published	Varies
Easton Legacy Fund Grant Southcoast Community Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Up to $4K The Easton Legacy Fund Grant, managed by the SouthCoast Community Foundation, aims to enhance the quality of life in Easton, MA.	Not published	Up to $4K
Philadelphia Activities Fund Grant Philadelphia Activities Fund Inc · Foundation Not published · Average award $500–$1,000 The Fund supports community and recreation organizations and activities, including: Beginning September 2023, Anavi Strategies has served as the Project Manager for the Philadelphia Activities Fund to design and implement the grant program…	Not published	Average award $500–$1,000
Ontario Sport Hosting Program Grant Ontario Government: Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries · Foundation Not published · Up to $1M The Ontario Sport Hosting Program aims to provide project-based funding to support major national and international amateur sport events in Ontario.	Not published	Up to $1M
Programming Grant - Round 2 DC Department of Parks and Recreation · Foundation Not published · Up to $75K The REC for All Programming Grant, offered by the DC Department of Parks and Recreation, aims to promote inclusive recreational opportunities for all community members.	Not published	Up to $75K
Superfeet Local Grant Superfeet Foundation · Foundation Not published · $3K – $10K The Superfeet Local Grant supports nonprofit organizations in the Pacific Northwest, emphasizing community well-being and environmental health.	Not published	$3K – $10K
Division of Boating and Waterways Aquatic Center Boating Safety Education Grant California Department of Fish and Wildlife · Foundation Not published · Up to $62K The Division of Boating and Waterways Aquatic Center Boating Safety Education Grant for FY25 aims to enhance public knowledge of boating safety.	Not published	Up to $62K
Rec for All Support, Engagement, and Events (See) Grant - Event and Travel Grant DC Department of Parks and Recreation · Foundation Not published · $10K The Rec for All Support, Engagement, and Events (See) Grant offers a $10,000 funding opportunity aimed at promoting inclusive recreational activities for youth.	Not published	$10K
Built to Play Skatepark Grants The Skatepark Project · Foundation Not published · Up to $25K The Built to Play Skatepark Grants, funded by the Tony Hawk Foundation, aim to support the creation of free, public skateparks in low-income communities across Southeast Michigan and Western New York.	Not published	Up to $25K
Recreation – Land and Water Conservation Fund Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation · State Not published · $2.5M – $100M Supports the construction or rehabilitation of outdoor recreation facilities and the acquisition of parks and open spaces	Not published	$2.5M – $100M
New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Trails+ Grant - Tier 3 (Regional Projects) (NM) New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Division · Foundation Not published · $500K – $1M The New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Trails+ Grant aims to enhance local economies and community well-being through the development and improvement of trails and related infrastructure.	Not published	$500K – $1M
ME Recreational Trails Program (RTP) Grants Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry · Foundation Not published · $5K – $120K The Maine Recreational Trails Program (RTP) Grants support the development and maintenance of recreational trails for both motorized and non-motorized uses.	Not published	$5K – $120K
Vincent O. Greene Youth Scholarship Fund Urbana Parks Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies	Not published	Varies
Leisure Careers Foundation (LCF) Scholarship Georgia Recreation and Park Association Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies Scholarship program for individuals in the parks and recreation field. Details on eligibility, award amounts, and specific focus areas are available through the application materials.	Not published	Varies
Meta Alice Keith Bratten Foundation State Parks Competitive Grants Parks and Wildlife Foundation of Texas · Foundation Not published · $1K – $5K	Not published	$1K – $5K
RFP- Public Waterfront Access Improvement Projects Grant Lake Champlain Basin Program · Foundation Not published · $300K The Lake Champlain Basin Program invites proposals to enhance public access to waterbodies in the Lake Champlain Basin, in line with the Thriving Communities goals outlined in Opportunities for Action.	Not published	$300K
North Lake Tahoe Junior Lifeguard Program Scholarships Sierra State Parks Foundation · Foundation Not published · 10 scholarships available The North Lake Tahoe Junior Lifeguard program is a 2-week introductory course designed to educate young individuals about aquatic safety and provide high-quality outdoor recreation.	Not published	10 scholarships available
Park Partner Projects California State Parks Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies Leveraging the power of strategic partnerships, the California State Parks Foundation finds, funds and supports organizations to expand access, improve equity and maintain park excellence.	Not published	Varies

Showing 625–648 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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