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
CCCF: Common Ground Program - Recreation Impacts Planning and Monitoring Grants Chaffee County Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · $5K – $50K The CCCF: Common Ground Program offers Recreation Impacts Planning and Monitoring Grants to support projects aimed at mitigating the negative effects of outdoor recreation on landscape and watershed health.	Not published	$5K – $50K
Recreation – Outdoor Fund Local Impact Grants Bass Pro Shops and Cabella · State Not published · Up to $500K Supports projects that engage communities near their retail locations and align with conserving wildlife and habitat (habitat restoration, research and studies, land conservation, citizen science, etc.) or connecting new audiences to the…	Not published	Up to $500K
CLIMATE and ENVIRONMENT – Outdoor Fund Local Impact Grants Bass Pro Shops and Cabella · State Not published · Up to $500K Supports projects that engage communities near their retail locations and align with conserving wildlife and habitat (habitat restoration, research and studies, land conservation, citizen science, etc.) or connecting new audiences to the…	Not published	Up to $500K
Community Impact Grant Program Grand Haven Foundation Supporting Organization · Foundation Not published · Varies The Community Impact Grant Program is the primary grant mechanism through which GHACF awards funds to support community organizations and projects in northern Ottawa County. The foundation awards grants on a quarterly basis.	Not published	Varies
Project Play WNY Summer Free Play Series Grant Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies The Project Play WNY Summer Free Play Series Grant aims to provide children in all eight counties of Western New York with access to fun and engaging physical activities.	Not published	Varies
Maine Trails Program Grant Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry · Foundation Not published · Up to $250K The Maine Trails Program (MTP) is a state initiative aimed at enhancing trails for recreation and transportation.	Not published	Up to $250K
Foundation Grants (General) Upper Arlington Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The Upper Arlington Community Foundation awards grants four times each year to address community needs and to impact the lives of current and future generations in Upper Arlington.	Not published	Varies
Waterway Improvement Fund Grants Maryland Department of Natural Resources · State Not published · Varies Provides financial and technical assistance to local governing bodies, state agencies, and federal entities for the design and construction of capital projects beneficial to the general boating public.	Not published	Varies
Community Health Grants Gogebic Range Health Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The Foundation uses a broad definition of health and supports community-based health initiatives that align with the Foundation's mission and vision. Recent priority areas have included:	Not published	Varies
OCCF: Community Investment Grant Owen County Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · $1K – $5K The OCCF Community Investment Grant offers flexible funding to enhance the quality of life for Owen County residents.	Not published	$1K – $5K
Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Fund - Signage Grants Arizona State Parks & Trails · Foundation Not published · Up to $10K The Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Fund provides essential support for trail management and signage projects across Arizona.	Not published	Up to $10K
Youth Program Scholarship Grants Anaheim Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The Foundation provides youth scholarships to low-income Anaheim families to participate in recreational opportunities offered through the City of Anaheim's Community Services Department.	Not published	Varies
Proposition 1 - River Parkways and Urban Streams for LLAR (CA) Grant California San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy · Foundation Not published · $300K – $2M The Proposition 1 - River Parkways and Urban Streams for LLAR (CA) grant focuses on enhancing ecosystems and watershed restoration projects within the Lower LA River corridor.	Not published	$300K – $2M
Camas Parks & Recreation: Youth & Senior Scholarships + Free Summer Pop-Up Classes The Parks and Recreation Foundation of Vancouver and Clark County · Foundation Not published · Varies A program providing financial assistance and free recreational opportunities to low- and moderate-income families in Camas who cannot afford to participate in sports, fitness, art, or day camps.	Not published	Varies
Laurel Highlands Conservation Landscape Mini Grants Pennsylvania Environmental Council Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies Mini-grant program to support conservation and outdoor recreation initiatives in the Laurel Highlands Conservation Landscape.	Not published	Varies
Whitaker Foundation - Arts & Parks Grants Mr and Mrs Lyndon C Whitaker Charitable Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The Whitaker Foundation, established in 1975, supports arts and parks initiatives in St. Louis, Missouri. By funding arts organizations and park projects, it enriches community life through creativity and shared spaces.	Not published	Varies
Raibrook Foundation Mini Grant Raibrook Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Up to $500 The Raibrook Foundation Mini Grant provides quick funding opportunities for nonprofit organizations in Education, History, and Recreation.	Not published	Up to $500
NY SWIMS Grant (Swimming and Water Safety Initiative) Tompkins Cortland Community College Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · $36K Part of New York State's initiative to expand access to swimming pools and prevent drowning. TC3 received funding to increase access to learn-to-swim classes and lifeguard training programs.	Not published	$36K
Scott Ralls Fund Grant American Camping Association Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies The Scott Ralls Fund Grant, administered by the American Camping Association, NY and NJ, supports capital improvement projects for nonprofit accredited camps.	Not published	Varies
Land and Water Conservation Fund (FL) Grant Florida Department of Environmental Protection · Foundation Not published · Up to $1.5M The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Program, established in 1964, aims to protect natural areas and provide recreational opportunities across the U.S. Funded by offshore oil and gas leasing revenues, the program supports state and…	Not published	Up to $1.5M
GROW Decatur County Foundation Fund Grant Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · Up to $8K The GROW Decatur County Foundation Fund Grant, established in 2016, aims to enhance community projects in Decatur County, Kansas.	Not published	Up to $8K
Oklahoma Tennis Foundation Community Grants Oklahoma Tennis Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies Financial assistance offered to Oklahoma organizations to start new or enhance existing community-based tennis programs and activities.	Not published	Varies
Outdoor Equity Fund (NM) Grant New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Division · Foundation Not published · $5K – $40K The Outdoor Equity Fund (NM) promotes equitable access to the outdoors for underserved youth in New Mexico.	Not published	$5K – $40K
Recreation – Community Wellness Initiatives Vermont Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness & Sports · State Not published · Up to $850K Supports establishment or improvement of a sustainable wellness program, community program, or collaboration between a worksite and community that will have an impact on the health and well-being of community members demonstrated with…	Not published	Up to $850K

Showing 145–168 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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