No Child Left Inside Grant Program

The No Child Left Inside grant program, administered by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Division of Fish and Wildlife, aims to increase youth participation in outdoor recreation and natural resource education. This initiative responds to a concerning decline in young people's engagement with outdoor activities such as hunting, angling, and ecological education. Backed by the 2025 Minnesota Legislature under Minn. Stat. §84.976, the program provides financial support to projects that facilitate environmental, ecological, and nature-based recreational programming for Minnesota youth under age 18. In the 2026 funding cycle, the DNR has allocated $485,000 for grants through a competitive application process. The funds are divided between two categories: Mini Grants and Larger Grants. Mini Grants support smaller-scale projects and are awarded through a lottery process, with awards ranging from $500 to $5,000. Larger Grants are geared toward projects with more significant impact or broader partnerships, with awards between $5,001 and $25,000. Of the total funding, specific amounts are reserved for hunting and fishing-related projects and for programming within environmental justice areas targeting nonnative English-speaking communities. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, public and charter schools (serving youth under 18), tribal nations, and local government entities in Minnesota. Ineligible entities include private businesses, private schools, state and federal agencies, and any organization with a history of grant noncompliance. Applicants must demonstrate a mission aligned with youth-focused outdoor education and provide programming within Minnesota state boundaries. Projects must occur in natural settings such as parks or forests and emphasize nature exposure, outdoor skill development, and community impact. Funds may be used for staffing, transportation, equipment rental, educational materials, safety gear, and outdoor recreational equipment under $5,000 per item. However, purchases like firearms, ammunition, capital equipment, or infrastructure improvements are ineligible. All grants are reimbursable—no funds are distributed upfront—and grantees must submit receipts and final reports for reimbursement. Projects must be completed by June 30, 2027, with a final reporting deadline of July 25, 2027. Awardees are expected to maintain proper insurance and comply with procurement and nondiscrimination laws throughout the project lifecycle. The application process opened on November 10, 2025, and all materials must be submitted by 4:00 p.m. Central Time on December 17, 2025. Required documents include a completed Mini or Larger grant application form and Exhibit D (certification of non-debarment). Applications are to be submitted via email, and file-sharing links are not accepted. Virtual information sessions and Q&A support are available in advance of the deadline. Applications are reviewed based on adherence to program priorities, inclusion of underserved or diverse audiences, project sustainability, and alignment between budget and objectives. Larger Grant applications undergo a more detailed scoring process by a panel of experts. Awards are announced by March 31, 2026, and contract agreements must be executed by June 30, 2026. Only after execution may project activities and match contributions begin. This program is recurring and expected to reopen annually.

Use accurate poverty/FRPL data; align projects with outdoor priorities; avoid unsupported activities; past awardees must expand program scope.