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

Find the recreation grants matched to your org

Free, no account to start — Grantable's AI ranks all 694 on mission, geography, and award size in a few minutes.

Start finding grants

Sort

Type

State

Amount

Eligibility

Include closed grants

Grant	Deadline ▲	Amount
Neighborhood Greening Grants Syracuse Parks Conservancy · Foundation Not published · Up to $2K The Neighborhood Greening Grants, offered by the Syracuse Parks Conservancy, aim to enhance local community spaces through targeted initiatives.	Not published	Up to $2K
Rec for All - Extended Summer Programming Grant DC Department of Parks and Recreation · Foundation Not published · Up to $250K The DC Department of Parks and Recreation's 'Rec for All - Extended Summer Programming' aims to engage underserved youth aged 10 to 13 through four weeks of enriching activities.	Not published	Up to $250K
Individual Funding Request Form The Chehalis Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies	Not published	Varies
Community Impact Fund Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies Most diverse funding opportunity from CFOV reaching all eight-county service area, supporting projects addressing needs to improve quality of life in Ohio Valley.	Not published	Varies
McElhattan Impact Fund for the Knox Area Bridge Builders Community Foundations FKA Venango Area Comm Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies Bridge Builders Community Foundations will generate growth and progress in our communities by actively engaging individuals and organizations through transformative philanthropy.	Not published	Varies
Fish, Wildlife & Parks Shooting Range Grant Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks · Foundation Not published · Up to $91K Steward the fish, wildlife, parks, and recreational resources for the public, now and into the future.	Not published	Up to $91K
MI Boating Infrastructure Grants Michigan Department of Natural Resources · Foundation Not published · Varies The MI Boating Infrastructure Grants, administered by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, provide essential funding for constructing public recreational harbor facilities that serve transient boaters.	Not published	Varies
NC Parks and Recreation Trust Fund Grants State Not published · Varies	Not published	Varies
Recreational Trails Grants (KS) Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks · Foundation Not published · Varies The Recreational Trails Grants offered by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks aim to enhance and maintain trails for both motorized and non-motorized recreational activities.	Not published	Varies
Lexington Community Foundation Grants Lexington Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The Lexington Community Foundation Grants provide essential financial support for projects that enhance the quality of life in the Lexington community.	Not published	Varies
Department of Developmental Services Social Recreation Grant California State Alliance of Ymcas · Foundation Not published · Varies	Not published	Varies
Summer Motorized Trail Pass Grants Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks · Foundation Not published · $10K – $50K The Summer Motorized Trail Pass Grants program provides funding for OHV Clubs in Montana to maintain and improve federally designated motorized trails.	Not published	$10K – $50K
Placemaking Grant National Association of Realtors · State Not published · $300K – $750K Funds state and local REALTOR® association-led projects that create new, outdoor public spaces and destinations in a community on unused or underused sites.	Not published	$300K – $750K
GA Recreational Trails Program (RTP) Grant Georgia Department of Natural Resources · Foundation Not published · Up to $200K The GA Recreational Trails Program (RTP) provides funding for projects enhancing recreational trail access in Georgia.	Not published	Up to $200K
Stewardship Mini Grant Program New City Parks Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies New City Parks offers summer Stewardship Mini Grants to empower local community-based organizations to offer structured programming and engage residents in newly renovated parks.	Not published	Varies
SCCF: Arts & Culture, Environment, Recreation, Community Development, Other Grants Cycle Steuben County Community Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · $3K – $10K The SCCF grants aim to enhance artistic offerings, preserve Steuben County's natural resources, and improve recreational access.	Not published	$3K – $10K
Campership Program The Guardsmen · Foundation Not published · Varies The program funds camperships through partnerships with organizations including:	Not published	Varies
Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy Proposition 4 Nature Based Solutions and Climate Adaptation Grant Program Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy · State Not published · Varies The program makes grants to address climate resilience and nature-based solutions in conservation lands and improve sustainability in the Coachella Valley.	Not published	Varies
Land for Maine's Future: Public Water Access to Maine Waters Fund Grant Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry · Foundation Not published · Varies The Land for Maine's Future: Public Water Access to Maine Waters Fund Grant supports projects that enhance public access to Maine's lakes, rivers, and coastal waters.	Not published	Varies
Land & Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) GA DNR Grants · State Not published · Varies Federal program authorized by Congress for acquiring federal lands and assisting states and local governments with funds to acquire lands and develop/renovate outdoor recreation facilities.	Not published	Varies
Vancouver Parks & Rec Teen Late Night The Parks and Recreation Foundation of Vancouver and Clark County · Foundation Not published · Varies A summer initiative providing local teens with a safe and inclusive environment during evening hours, offering recreational opportunities, mentorship, and healthy activities designed to promote positive life choices.	Not published	Varies
Division of Boating and Waterways Local Assistance Statewide Non-Motorized Boat Launching Facility Grant Program California Department of Parks and Recreation · Foundation Not published · Varies The Division of Boating and Waterways offers a Local Assistance Grant Program for the development of non-motorized boat launching facilities in California.	Not published	Varies
FWP Original Off-Highway Vehicle Grant Program Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks · Foundation Not published · Up to $150K Steward the fish, wildlife, parks, and recreational resources for the public, now and into the future.	Not published	Up to $150K
Parks Capital and Open Space Grant (WA) King County Parks · Foundation Not published · Up to $1M The Parks Capital and Open Space Grant in Washington supports projects enhancing recreation opportunities for a growing population.	Not published	Up to $1M

Showing 169–192 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.

Want new funders like these found for you every week?

This page is a snapshot. Funders change, and a list stops being true the day it's made. A grants department keeps looking for you, and tells you when it finds something that fits — with the grant history it reasoned from attached.

Create your grants department

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.

Get a shortlist of recreation grants built for your organization

Tell Grantable's AI about your nonprofit and it ranks these grants on mission, geography, and award fit — then emails you a personalized shortlist with the reasoning for each. Free, no account to start.

Find my grants — emailed to me

Your AI grants department