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
San Joaquin River Conservancy Wildlife Conservation Board · State Not published · Varies The purpose of the SJRC is to create the San Joaquin River Parkway (Parkway) to preserve and enhance the river’s extraordinary biological diversity, protect its valued cultural and natural resources, and provide educational and…	Not published	Varies
WTCF: Sponsorships Grant Washington Trust Co Charitable Fdn · Foundation Not published · Varies Washington Trust Charitable Foundation offers community event sponsorships to support local initiatives such as road races, concerts, and festivals. However, requests must be made in writing at least 90 days prior to the event.	Not published	Varies
Kellogg Youth Endowment Fund Grant Keweenaw Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · Up to $5K The Kellogg Youth Endowment Fund provides annual grants to support programs and activities for youth in Houghton and Keweenaw Counties.	Not published	Up to $5K
Prop 4 – Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) San Diego River Conservancy · State Not published · Varies The purposes of Prop 4 include watershed improvement, wildfire resilience, chaparral and forest restoration, and workforce development that addresses needs related to this subdivision and to reduce the risks of climate change impacts upon…	Not published	Varies
Minster Community Fund The Troy Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The Minster Community Fund (Fund) was established for the benefit of the citizens of the Minster School District.	Not published	Varies
The Environmental Protection Fund Grant Program for Parks, Preservation and Heritage (EPF) New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation · Foundation Not published · Up to $675K The Environmental Protection Fund Grant Program for Parks, Preservation and Heritage (EPF) offers matching grants for the acquisition, development, and improvement of parks, historic properties, and heritage areas in New York.	Not published	Up to $675K
Whittenberger Foundation Grants Claude R & Ethel B Whittenberger · Foundation Not published · $5K – $10K The Whittenberger Foundation supports innovative projects in Southwest Idaho that enhance the lives of children and young people.	Not published	$5K – $10K
Jim B. & Lillian F. Cooper Foundation Community Grants Jim B Cooper & Lillian F Cooper · Foundation Not published · Varies The Jim B. & Lillian F. Cooper Foundation Community Grants support non-profit organizations in Nebraska that focus on health, education, and recreation.	Not published	Varies
Community Outdoor Outreach Program (CO-OP) Grant Texas Parks and Wildlife Department · Foundation Not published · $5K – $100K The Community Outdoor Outreach Program (CO-OP) Grant, offered by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, provides funding ranging from $5,000 to $100,000 to tax-exempt organizations.	Not published	$5K – $100K
Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation Grant The Ralph C Wilson Jr Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, established in 2015, focuses on community transformation in Southeast Michigan and Western New York.	Not published	Varies
Route to Parks Grant Program Sierra State Parks Foundation · Foundation Not published · $30K Route to Parks is a grant program launched in 2020 that invests in community organizations to reduce transportation barriers and expand access to California's state parks.	Not published	$30K
Park & Trail Partnership Grants: Capacity and Organizational Effectiveness Grants Parks & Trails New York Inc · Foundation Not published · Up to $200K The Park & Trail Partnership Grants program provides up to $100,000 to enhance the preservation and promotion of New York State's parks and trails.	Not published	Up to $200K
Parks & Recreation Scholarships Friends of Georgetown Parks & Recreation · Foundation Not published · Up to $200 A scholarship program designed to ensure everyone has the opportunity to participate in recreation programs.	Not published	Up to $200
Kristin Armstrong Youth Scholarship Idaho Zoological Society Inc · Foundation Not published · Up to $600 Scholarship program for children in foster care to access Zoo Boise camps and programs.	Not published	Up to $600
IowaDNR: Snowmobile Trail Grant Program Iowa Department of Natural Resources · Foundation Not published · Varies The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) offers the Snowmobile Trail Grant Program, providing financial support for the development and maintenance of snowmobile trails using registration fees.	Not published	Varies
Monarch Mountain Impact Grants Chaffee County Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · $10K CCCF is excited to partner with Monarch Mountain for the new Impact Grant cycle.	Not published	$10K
Pendleton Foundation Trust General Grants Pendleton Foundation Trust · Foundation Not published · Varies The Pendleton Foundation Trust awards grants to support civic and educational undertakings in the Pendleton community. David Blanc (Chairperson), Pat Terjeson, Kevin Hale, Jerrod Spriet, Lonnie Read, Marie Half, Donna Biggerstaff	Not published	Varies
Community Grant Program SMDC Medical Center · Foundation Rolling · Varies Essentia Health has a more than 20-year history of investing in communities across their service area. They support projects and programs that improve health in Minnesota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin.	Rolling	Varies
OCCF: Parks & Public Space Initiative/Margaret Annis Boy Trust Grant Oklahoma City Community Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Up to $40K The OCCF: Parks & Public Space Initiative, stemming from the Margaret Annis Boys Trust, aims to enhance neighborhood and community parks in Oklahoma City.	Not published	Up to $40K
Explore the Coast Grants State of California Coastal Conservancy · State Not published · Up to $100K The Explore the Coast Grants from the California State Coastal Conservancy aim to support public agencies, tribes, and nonprofits in enhancing access to California's coastal areas for communities facing barriers.	Not published	Up to $100K
TSET Built Environment Grants Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) · Foundation Not published · Up to $200K The TSET Built Environment Grants, initiated by the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust, aim to enhance public health in Oklahoma by funding projects that promote physical activity and nutrition.	Not published	Up to $200K
Community Grants & Green Spaces Initiative Grant Program The Carlilian Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The Carlilian Foundation's Community Grants & Green Spaces Initiative aims to enhance the quality of life in Schenectady County, NY, by funding transformative projects that promote capital improvements and community engagement.	Not published	Varies
Partnership Grants - Mini Cedar Valley Trails Partnership · Foundation Not published · Up to $500 The Cedar Valley Trails Partnership offers annual Mini-Grants aimed at enhancing the Cedar Valley trail system. These grants support projects that expand, improve, and maintain the trails, promoting safety and utility.	Not published	Up to $500
Mark Pacheco WOW (Working on Wonders) Fund Filling the Gap Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies One of The Resource Center funds managed by the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, this fund supports persons with disabling conditions in fulfilling their wishes and dreams to enjoy recreational and travel experiences based on…	Not published	Varies

Showing 73–96 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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