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
Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Grant Program (IL) Illinois Department of Natural Resources · Foundation Not published · Up to $1.7M The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Grant Program in Illinois provides essential funding for outdoor recreation projects. It offers grants covering up to 50% of eligible expenses, with awards reaching up to $1,725,000.	Not published	Up to $1.7M
DCNR Peer Grant Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources (DCNR) · Foundation Not published · Up to $18K The DCNR Peer Grant, initiated by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, supports collaborative municipal projects to enhance park, recreation, and conservation services.	Not published	Up to $18K
NH Grant-In-Aid (GIA) Grant Program New Hampshire Division of Parks and Recreation · Foundation Not published · Varies The NH Grant-In-Aid (GIA) Grant Program supports organized, non-profit off highway recreational vehicle (OHRV) and snowmobile clubs in New Hampshire.	Not published	Varies
The California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection and Outdoor Access for All – (Prop 68 River – CA) Act of 2018 (Proposition 68) SMMC Grant Program – (Prop 68 River – Community Access)) 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
Whipple Creek Regional Park The Parks and Recreation Foundation of Vancouver and Clark County · Foundation Not published · Varies A regional park benefiting from trail restoration, clean-up, and expansion initiatives supported by the Parks Foundation of Clark County.	Not published	Varies
Virginia Recreational Trails Program (RTP) Grants Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (VDCR) · Foundation Not published · $100K The Virginia Recreational Trails Program (RTP) Grants, administered by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (VDCR), provide essential funding for the development and rehabilitation of trails and related facilities.	Not published	$100K
Outdoor Recreation Grant Program Minnesota Department of Natural Resources · Foundation Not published · $50K – $350K The Outdoor Recreation Grant Program offers matching grants to local governments for up to 50% of the costs related to acquiring, developing, or redeveloping local parks and recreation areas.	Not published	$50K – $350K
Rebecca Pomroy Foundation Grant Pomroy Rebecca Foundation Inc (Cust) · Foundation Not published · $5K – $15K The Rebecca Pomroy Foundation provides annual grants to support charitable organizations that align with its mission to enhance community health, education, and recreation.	Not published	$5K – $15K
Parks & Public Space Initiative Oklahoma City Community Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies One of OCCF's Community Grant Programs designed to meet pressing community needs. Guidelines and eligibility criteria are based on donor intent.	Not published	Varies
Bethel Park Community Foundation Grant Bethel Park Community Foundation Inc · Foundation Rolling · Varies The Bethel Park Community Foundation (Bethel Park, PA) makes grants to 501(c)(3) nonprofits or governmental entities located in Bethel Park for CAPITAL projects (not day-to-day operating expenses) in one of five enrichment areas: Community…	Rolling	Varies
Community Impact Grant Program Grand Haven Area Community Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies	Not published	Varies
Gratiot County Community Foundation: Competitive Grants Gratiot County Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The Gratiot County Community Foundation is interested in funding projects which will improve the quality of life for the citizens of Gratiot County.	Not published	Varies
Event Development Program Grant United States Masters Swimming Inc · Foundation Rolling · $500 – $3K USMS has created an event development program that provides resources and financial support to help start new events and grow existing events.	Rolling	$500 – $3K
Recreation – Public Waterfront Access Improvement Projects Lake Champlain Basin Program · State Not published · Up to $10M Supports improving public access to waterfront recreation opportunities in the watershed to enhance the enjoyment, understanding, and appreciation of the Lake Champlain Basin’s natural and cultural resources.	Not published	Up to $10M
Governor Hogan Announces DON’T QUIT! $100K Fitness Centers competition Governor · State Not published · Varies	Not published	Varies
Grants for Aquatic Center Education Program California Department of Parks and Recreation · Foundation Not published · Up to $6K The Grants for Aquatic Center Education Program aims to enhance boating safety education in California by providing funding to non-profit organizations, colleges, and local agencies.	Not published	Up to $6K
County Boat and Water Safety Grants Minnesota Department of Natural Resources · Foundation Not published · Varies The County Boat and Water Safety Grants aim to support county sheriff's offices in funding boat and water safety programs. This initiative seeks to reduce accidents, injuries, and property damage on state waters.	Not published	Varies
Fiske Family Foundation Grant - Adventure Guides Program YMCA of San Diego County · Foundation Not published · $50K The Fiske Family Foundation provided $50,000 to support the relaunch of the YMCA Adventure Guides Program (formerly known as Adventure Clubs). The program strengthens parent-child relationships through group activities and outdoor pursuits.	Not published	$50K
Carlos Espana Memorial Fund The Almanor Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies Raise money for the Almanor Rail Trail, a 12-mile segment of a Trail Master Plan to create a recreation corridor	Not published	Varies
Adaptive Sports Scholarship for The National Tetra Ski Championship JB'S Keys to DMD Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies Scholarship program supporting participation in the National Tetra Ski Championship for individuals with DMD.	Not published	Varies
Park Ranger Grant Program San Mateo County Parks and Recreation Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies Grant program supporting park ranger initiatives and programs. Limited details available from provided website content.	Not published	Varies
CBYRA Reserve Fund Chesapeake Bay Yacht Racing Assn Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies Provides grants to member clubs and fleets in support of regattas, sailor/racer education, and projects or programs of special merit and need.	Not published	Varies
Troy Foundation Quarterly Grants The Troy Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The Troy Foundation Quarterly Grants aim to enhance the quality of life for the Troy community by supporting charitable projects in arts, education, health, and more.	Not published	Varies
Jim Desmond Grant Swim Lessons YMCA of San Diego County Housing Services Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies This grant provides 100 participants per month with a FREE MONTH of group swim lessons during June, July, and August. In total, the grant funds 300 free group swim lessons for the summer.	Not published	Varies

Showing 121–144 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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