The Go Outside Fund, supported by the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin, is designed to connect youth with outdoor, nature-based learning experiences. This initiative aligns with the Foundation's mission to enhance physical and mental health by encouraging children to spend more time outdoors. Recognizing that today's children spend less than 1% of their time outside, the fund aims to counteract this trend by facilitating meaningful outdoor engagement.
The target beneficiaries of this grant are youth in pre-K through 12th grade in Wisconsin. The program seeks to empower teachers and partner organizations to overcome barriers to outdoor education. Impact goals include fostering a greater connection to nature, improving physical and mental well-being, and providing hands-on learning experiences. By supporting these initiatives, the Foundation aims to cultivate a generation that values and engages with the natural world.
Grant-making priorities emphasize a significant component of outdoor activity and direct engagement of children in nature-based learning. While alignment with classroom learning and standards is encouraged, it is not a strict requirement, allowing for diverse and innovative outdoor educational projects. The fund specifically focuses on projects that facilitate access to the outdoors, whether through purchasing field supplies, covering transportation costs, or supporting substitute teachers and educator expenses.
Expected outcomes include an increase in the number of Wisconsin students participating in structured outdoor learning activities. Measurable results could involve tracking the number of grants awarded, the number of children served, and the types of outdoor activities facilitated. The Foundation's strategic priorities are centered on promoting environmental literacy and health through direct experiences in nature, reflecting a theory of change where increased outdoor engagement leads to improved well-being and a stronger connection to the environment. The grants, ranging from $100 to $500, are intended to provide flexible support for a variety of projects that align with these core objectives.
