Grants for City or township governments - Recreation

The Sports Fund, established by the Community Foundation Middle Tennessee, aims to ensure that children across the community have the opportunity to participate in team-based programming. This initiative aligns with the foundation's broader mission to foster a sense of belonging and hope among youth, particularly during critical after-school hours. By supporting organizations that utilize a team approach, the fund directly contributes to the development of positive social skills, improved well-being, and increased community engagement for young individuals. The primary target beneficiaries of this grant are children and youth involved in programs that employ a team-based methodology, such as sports and performance troupes. The overarching impact goal is to instill a sense of belonging and hope in these young participants. The fund prioritizes programs that operate during after-school hours, recognizing this period as crucial for positive youth development and the prevention of negative behaviors. The Sports Fund focuses on supporting organizations that can demonstrate a clear team approach in their programming. This includes activities where participants collaborate, learn together, and support one another, thereby promoting camaraderie and mutual respect. The expected outcomes include an increase in youth participation in structured team activities, enhanced feelings of community and belonging among participants, and the development of important life skills through collaborative efforts. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed beyond the grant size and duration, the program implies a focus on the number of children and youth served by funded organizations and the qualitative impact on their sense of belonging and hope. Organizations may request grants up to a maximum of $5,000, with a grant period spanning December 1, 2024, to November 30, 2025. This funding is intended to support the operational and programmatic needs of eligible organizations, which must be 501(c)(3) public charities or government entities. The foundation's strategic priority is to invest in community programs that directly uplift and empower the next generation, with a theory of change positing that participation in team-based activities leads to improved social-emotional well-being and a more resilient community.

The Pennsylvania Water Trails Program Mini Grant, overseen by the Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC) in partnership with the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and the National Park Service, aims to address urgent issues on designated water trails that compromise safety or access. With a total of $2000 available, this grant supports projects that can quickly resolve situations like storm-induced damage, navigational obstructions, or critical sign destruction that impedes safe water trail access. Eligible projects must match the grant 1:1 with cash or in-kind services. The grant serves as a last-resort funding source for unforeseen issues affecting Pennsylvania's 28 designated water trails, emphasizing safety and accessibility while fostering recreational opportunities and sustainable natural resource use. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until September 30, 2024, with awards based on urgency and committee discretion.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for projects that enhance recreational access and visitor experiences on public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management, targeting state and local governments, Tribal organizations, educational institutions, and nonprofits.

This program provides funding to local governments and private organizations in Iowa for the development and maintenance of trails and parks for all-terrain and off-road vehicles.

The Vision Partnership Program (VPP) – Cash Grant is offered by Chester County to its municipalities and multi-municipal groups. Established in 1996, and revised in 2010 and 2019 to align with Landscapes and then Landscapes2 and Landscapes3, the program aims to improve planning efforts at the local level. This grant program is deeply aligned with Chester County's comprehensive plan, Landscapes3, by promoting consistency and implementation of its goals, objectives, recommendations, and map. The core mission of the VPP is to foster cooperation between local governments and the County to achieve impactful, lasting, and positive benefits through innovative municipal and multi-municipal planning. The VPP targets all Chester County municipalities that have endorsed or acknowledged Landscapes3, including single municipalities or multi-municipal groups. The program aims to achieve a variety of impact goals, such as advancing consistency with the county comprehensive plan, accomplishing positive benefits for municipalities through innovative planning, and addressing community concerns through new and revised municipal plans, ordinances, and planning studies. The program prioritizes projects enabled by the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (MPC), Act 247, and also includes "Planning Studies" for projects not adopted under the MPC. The VPP focuses on a broad range of eligible projects. These include comprehensive plans, open space, park, and recreation plans, zoning and subdivision ordinances and amendments (covering topics like agriculture, historic resources, natural resources, housing, and traditional neighborhood development), official maps and ordinances, urban center revitalization plans, resource protection/stewardship plans, environmental and community sustainability/resilience plans, community design guides, village master plans, heritage interpretation plans, historic resource surveys, housing plans/studies, economic development studies, transportation corridor plans/studies, streetscape master plans, multimodal plans/studies, trail feasibility studies, and plans/ordinances that support the transition to renewable or alternative energy, as well as agricultural economic development plans. Expected outcomes of the VPP include the successful adoption of plans or ordinances, for which grants of $50,000 are provided, with an additional $10,000 for each additional municipality involved. For planning studies, the expected outcome is acceptance, with grants of $30,000 plus $5,000 for each additional municipality. The strategic priorities of Chester County, as evidenced by the VPP, are to support local governments in developing robust planning programs that align with the county's comprehensive vision, ultimately leading to well-planned, sustainable communities. The theory of change is that by providing financial incentives and guidance, municipalities will be empowered to implement the principles of Landscapes3, resulting in tangible community improvements and a coordinated approach to regional development.

Grant Opportunity: Outdoor Education Partnership Phase II Date: Jul 2019 Description: This grant opportunity is open to multiple organizations, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ducks Unlimited, and Chippewa Nature Center. The goal of the project is to develop and expand place-based environmental and sustainability education at schools. Funding will support the creation of outdoor education areas that can be utilized by local public and private schools in their curriculum. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program will restore habitat through habitat restoration projects, with financial assistance from Ducks Unlimited. Chippewa Nature Center will lead the curriculum and program development for each site, tailoring it to the State of Michigan curriculum and school preferences. Approximately 3,000+ students are estimated to be educated in the outdoor classrooms every year. Eligibility: Open to organizations of all types across the USA (nonprofits, startups, researchers, local governments, small businesses etc.) Grant Opportunity: On-The-Ground Saginaw Bay Watershed Habitat Project _ MUCC Date: Dec 2014 Description: This grant opportunity is established by the Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) and aims to partner with local groups, MUCC members, and others in improving wildlife habitat across the state. The project focuses on implementing habitat improvement projects on conservancy-owned properties as well as state-owned game areas in our region. Eligibility: Open to organizations of all types across the USA (nonprofits, startups, researchers, local governments, small businesses etc.) Grant Opportunity: Michigan Waterfowl Legacy Implementation in the Saginaw Bay Region Date: Nov 2012 Description: This grant opportunity supports an expanded Saginaw Bay component of the Michigan Waterfowl Legacy program. The program aims to promote wetland use by hunters, new hunters, and birders in order to improve waterfowl populations and habitat, increase waterfowl hunting participation, and engage citizens in conserv

The FY25 LAND Grant Program, managed by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA), offers financial assistance to Massachusetts municipal conservation and agriculture commissions. The program supports the acquisition of conservation land to enhance outdoor recreation, conserve natural resources, and address climate change impacts. Eligible projects include purchases of land or conservation restrictions, and all properties acquired under this program are required to be open to the public for passive recreation. Grant renwed every year

The George B. Henderson Foundation offers grants ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 for projects enhancing and preserving the outdoor elements of Boston, including parks, city streets, buildings, monuments, and architectural works, with a special interest in permanent public art projects and outdoor spaces, available to 501(c)(3) organizations and not individuals.

Humanities Texas awards grants to nonprofit organizations and governmental entities for public programs grounded in the humanities. These programs aim to engage the general public, including adults and young people outside of traditional educational settings, as well as specific groups like K-12 teachers and ethnic communities. The foundation's mission is to support and promote the humanities by funding initiatives that foster open and informed inquiry and make humanities scholarship accessible to a broad audience. This aligns with a strategic priority to enrich public life through the humanities and ensure their relevance to diverse communities. The grant program targets a wide range of beneficiaries, from the general public participating in lectures, discussions, and exhibits, to K-12 teachers and community groups who benefit from specialized workshops and programs. The impact goals include increasing public engagement with humanities topics, fostering critical thinking, and promoting a deeper understanding of cultural and historical contexts. Through these programs, Humanities Texas seeks to strengthen communities by providing opportunities for shared intellectual and cultural experiences. Humanities Texas offers various grant types with specific focuses. Mini-grants fund up to $2,000 for smaller public humanities programs, such as speakers or traveling exhibitions, and are particularly accessible due to their rolling application basis. Major grants for community projects, up to $20,000, support comprehensive public programs like seminars, conferences, and interpretive exhibitions, emphasizing substantial participation from both humanities scholars and target audiences. Additionally, major grants for media projects, also up to $20,000, fund the development and production of humanities-related film, radio, television, or interactive programming, ensuring scholars play a key role in content. The expected outcomes of these grants include the successful execution of public humanities programs that are firmly grounded in the humanities and actively involve humanities scholars in their design and delivery. Measurable results could include attendance figures for events, participant feedback, the reach of media projects, and the development of new educational resources. The foundation's theory of change posits that by funding these diverse and accessible programs, it can cultivate a more informed and engaged citizenry, strengthening the role of the humanities in public discourse and community life across Texas.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and local government units in McLean County, Illinois, to enhance health and well-being initiatives that address health equity and social determinants of health for underserved populations.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations and government entities in Colorado to create and improve tourism projects that enhance the visitor experience, with a generous matching fund requirement.

This grant provides funding for projects in St. Lawrence County that focus on preserving historical sites, supporting places of worship, and aiding military veterans.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to local governments, tribal governments, and non-profit organizations in Arizona to enhance urban and community forestry initiatives that promote tree planting, care, and climate resilience.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for community events that engage youth aged 12-24 in Knoxville, promoting social connections and well-being through meaningful participation.

This grant provides funding to government agencies and nonprofit organizations to improve aquatic habitats and recreational access in the Tulpehocken and Quittapahilla Creek watersheds in Pennsylvania.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations and local entities in rural Missouri to improve mental health services and programs for youth aged 0-21.

This funding program provides financial support to local governments for improving parks, recreation services, and conserving natural resources through the acquisition, development, and maintenance of public sites.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for various conservation and resource management projects aimed at improving military training lands in Alaska, benefiting eligible organizations and individuals involved in environmental stewardship and recreational access.

This program provides funding to municipalities and non-profit organizations in New York that manage natural heritage collections, helping them enhance public education and maintain their living and preserved biological specimens.

The Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (REPI) Program, combined with funds from the National Park Service Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), provides a total of $40 million in funding. This initiative aims to safeguard the nation's military readiness, bolster relationships with communities, preserve the environment, and enhance resilience to climate change impacts on military installations and surrounding communities. It focuses on the acquisition of land and/or development of new outdoor public recreation facilities near military installations or airspace, promoting compatible land uses and preventing incompatible development. The initiative underscores the importance of partnerships, particularly between the Department of Defense (DoD) military bases and local communities, to achieve its goals. Projects must be situated within a designated REPI Partnership Opportunity Area and should serve both the general public and military families, highlighting the program's dual focus on enhancing outdoor recreation and supporting military missions.