Grants for City or township governments - Recreation

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

This new multi-year grant program intends to create local community connections to California’s rich and diverse cultural history and natural areas outside of California’s state park boundaries. Eligible projects will enhance connections to local cultural history, local parks, open space or natural areas through community events, programming or installations that help to build sustainable community connections, health and well-being. The Local Parks Grants Program will be managed and administered by Parks California. This program supports the “Outdoor Access for All” initiative led by Governor Gavin Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, along with the Natural Resources Agency’s “Outdoors for All” initiative, and California State Parks’ Reexamining Our Past Initiative.

The Planning and Development Grants, part of the Local Parks Grant Program managed by Parks California, aim to support the initial stages of community-oriented projects that connect local communities to California’s cultural history and natural areas. These projects include building partnerships, artist selection, and developing project plans. This initiative enhances community well-being and sustainable connections. The grant cycle runs from October 2024 to May 2025.

The Mayor’s Office of Cultural Economy is happy to announce that it is now accepting applications for the 2024 Grant Funding Program. Donor Name: City of New Orleans State: Louisiana City: New Orleans Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/15/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: For the FY24 cycle, twenty-five (25) grants of $2,000 will be awarded to individuals and organizations that are engaging in activities that promote the cultural economy through educating  youth, training cultural producers, providing networking opportunities, creating cultural events, and other projects that align with the Office of Cultural Economy’s mission. What can be Fund: Workshops, training, and conferences that build cultural economy capacity in cultural non-profits, neighborhood organizations, and cultural businesses. Capacity Building includes networking, teaching skills such as fundraising/grant writing, working with partners to improve programming, leveraging, education about sustainability, learning of new concepts such as place-based planning, etc. Workshops, training, and conferences in any of the Cultural Economy segments as defined by the Office of Cultural Economy: Entertainment (dance, theater, music, film, sound recording), Design (fashion, interactive media, communications), Preservation (architecture, construction, landscape architecture, and interior design related to preserving historic buildings and assets), Culinary Arts, Literary Arts and Humanities, and Visual Arts and Crafts. Events with art and cultural components. Funds can be used for paying musicians or other performers, attracting tourists, or other activities that will directly impact either cultural workers or attract sales for art and cultural vendors. Note: all funded programs, events, and activities must acknowledge support from the Office of Cultural Economy through use of their logo or written/verbal acknowledgment. Eligibility Criteria State and federal 501(c)3 nonprofits For profit businesses licensed with the City and State and are in good standing Note they do not fund for-profit activities, but community/cultural activities organized by for-profit businesses qualify Individuals, such as artists, who have secured a fiscal agent (such as a nonprofit) For more information, visit City of New Orleans.

The Land and Water Conservation Fund offers matching grants to states and local governments for acquiring and developing public outdoor recreation areas and facilities. Aligning with Michigan's 2023-2027 Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP), this grant focuses on assessing current resources and demands, evaluating trends, and setting strategic priorities for outdoor recreation improvements over the next five years. Applications are evaluated based on criteria that ensure alignment with the SCORP, and funding decisions are made by the National Park Service upon recommendation from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Application deadlines are set annually, with a process involving submission, evaluation, and final approval stages. Applicants must have a DNR-approved community five-year recreation plan to be eligible. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual deadline: April 1st

The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) is a federal program administered in Michigan by the Department of Natural Resources on behalf of the National Park Service. It aims to develop public outdoor recreation facilities and offer matching grants to local governments for creating public outdoor recreation areas and facilities. The grant focuses on aligning with the priorities of the 2022-2027 State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan, which includes trails, community recreation, green technology, coordination, communication, and universal access. Acquisition of land is not eligible for funding under this grant. Eligible applicants include state agencies and local government units such as cities, villages, townships, counties, and Native American Tribes. The application process is exclusively online via the MiGrants system, and the funding requires a 50% match from the applicant. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual deadline: April 1st

The Maine Land Protection grant program supports land acquisition or conservation easement projects that foster strong connections between Maine/Wabanaki territory and its land and water. These projects should create or increase permanent access to these natural resources, particularly for marginalized and historically excluded populations. The program encourages applications from Wabanaki tribal governments and similar entities. Projects should involve community support and include future use plans with engagement strategies for maintaining the land. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual opening/closing deadlines: June 21st to September 16th

The Conservation for All grant program is designed to strengthen the bond between the people in Maine and its natural landscapes, focusing on land and water. It aims to ensure equitable access to Maine's outdoors for all, particularly marginalized and historically excluded populations, by addressing physical, economic, and awareness barriers and fostering inclusive participation in program design and implementation. The grant supports projects that facilitate access to outdoor spaces, involve beneficiaries in decision-making, and address the impacts of climate change on vulnerable communities. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual opening/closing deadlines: June 21st to September 16th

The Ohio Division of Wildlife's "STEP OUTSIDE" grant program is designed to support local government agencies, non-profit organizations, and other family and youth-oriented facilities in promoting outdoor skills such as fishing, hunting, trapping, archery, and shooting sports. This grant aims to fund activities that are unaffordable for the sponsoring agency or organization and is not intended to support existing programs or provide ongoing funding for new programs or activities. Eligible applicants include city, county, and community park and recreation agencies, local and state conservation clubs, and youth-oriented groups such as scouts, 4-H, YMCA/YWCA, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, etc. The program emphasizes that private individuals are not eligible. The application period is ongoing throughout the fiscal year, with applications required to be submitted at least 60 days in advance of the event.

The Sheboygan County Planning & Conservation Department is currently accepting applications for the Sheboygan County Stewardship Fund Grant. This grant aims to foster recreational opportunities and conserve valuable natural resources within Sheboygan County. Applicants can submit projects under three main categories: project development, land acquisition, or discretionary, all subject to case-by-case review. Projects may include land and easement acquisition, development or restoration of parks and trails, protection of water resources, and habitat restoration, among others. Funds awarded by the Stewardship Grant cannot exceed 50% of the total cost of the project or acquisition. The deadline for application submission is May 3, 2024. A matching requirement of 1:1 is necessary for grant consideration.

The Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program provides funding for a broad range of land conservation efforts, from conserving natural areas near big cities to protecting the most pristine and unique collections of plants in the state, including some of last remaining plant species in the world. Donor Name: Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office State: Washington County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/01/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program was envisioned as a way for the state to accomplish two goals: acquire valuable recreation and habitat lands before they were lost to other uses and develop recreation areas for a growing population. This landmark legislation passed in 1990 and the grant program’s continued funding have come about through the support of governors, the Legislature, and groups such as the many organizations comprising the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition. Funding Information Critical Habitat: None Natural Areas: None Riparian Protection: Minimum request of $25,000, no cap. State Lands Restoration and Enhancement: Minimum request of $25,000. Maximum request of $1 million for a single-site project and $500,000 for a multi-site project. Urban Wildlife Habitat: None. Eligible Projects Land Acquisition Acquisition includes the purchase of perpetual interest in real property or non-perpetual interests such as leases and easements. Acquisition of non-perpetual interests must be for at least 50 years and may not be revocable at will. Incidental costs related to acquisition are eligible. The Riparian Protection Category provides funds for acquisition of lease extensions under the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, which must be for a minimum of 25 years. Development Benches, tables Interpretive kiosks, signs Paths, roads, parking Restrooms Viewing shelters The Critical Habitat, State Lands Restoration and Enhancement, and Urban Wildlife Habitat Categories also allow for habitat creation and enhancement. The Riparian Protection Category allows for site stewardship plans. Restoration and Enhancement Animal watering stations Ecological restoration Estuary and shoreline restoration Fencing, gates,and signs In-stream habitat such as bank stabilization, channel reconfiguration, and woody materials placement In-stream passage improvements Habitat enhancement such as native plantings and invasive plant removal Removal of structures like bulkheads, dikes, levees, tide gates, and impervious surfaces Site augmentation to establish restoration elements Transplanting and re-vegetation Upland stewardship. Who May Apply? Critical Habitat, Riparian Protection, and Urban Wildlife Habitat Categories Cities, counties, towns Federally recognized Indian tribes Nonprofit nature conservancies Special purpose districts, port districts, or other political subdivisions of the state that provide services to less than the entire state State agencies (Department of Enterprise Services, Department of Fish and Wildlife, Department of Natural Resources, Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission) Natural Areas Category Nonprofit nature conservancies State agencies (Department of Enterprise Services, Department of Fish and Wildlife, Department of Natural Resources, Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission) State Lands Restoration and Enhancement Category State agencies (Department of Fish and Wildlife, Department of Natural Resources, Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission). For more information, visit WSRCO.

The Farmland Preservation Grant program provides funding to buy development rights on farmlands to ensure they remain available for farming in the future. Donor Name: Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office State: Washington County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/01/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Grant recipients also may use some of the funding to restore natural functions to improve the land’s viability for farming. The program is part of the larger Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program, which was created in 1990 to buy land for outdoor recreation and wildlife conservation, to keep pace with a growing population. In 2005, the state Legislature expanded the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program to include preservation of significant farmland. Typical Projects Buying a conservation easement on farmland threatened with development. Funding Information No grant limits, except for the following: Enhancement and restoration elements may not exceed more than half of the total acquisition costs, including match toward acquisition. Farm stewardship plans may not exceed $10,000. Eligible Projects Land acquisition through easements and leases (required for all projects). Public access is not required. Enhancement or restoration, such as installing fences to keep livestock out of streams, replanting riverbanks, restoring historic water runoff patterns, improving irrigation, and installing solar well pumps. These activities must further the ecological functions of the farmland. Combination of land acquisition and either restoration or enhancement Stewardship plans. Who May Apply? Cities Counties Nonprofit nature conservancy corporations or associations State Conservation Commission. Ineligible Projects Acquisition of rights for less than 25 years, of land already owned by the government, or of property acquired via a condemnation Consumable supplies such as fuel, fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides, except as a one-time application in an otherwise eligible restoration activity Elements that cannot be defined as fixtures or capital items Environmental cleanup of illegal activities, such as meth labs Indoor facilities Organizational operating expenses or overhead Purchase of maintenance equipment, tools, or supplies Restoration work done before a grant agreement is signed Transfer of development rights. For more information, visit WSRCO.

The Community Forests Program gives communities a way to preserve their working forest heritage. Donor Name: Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office State: Washington County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/01/2024 Size of the Grant: More than $1 million Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The grant program balances the many benefits forests provide – from providing money from use of the land, to safeguarding against climate and other environmental changes, to providing opportunities for recreation, education, and cultural enrichment.  As Washington’s population continues to grow and forestlands are increasingly threatened by development, the Community Forests Program is a valuable tool for preserving working lands for the benefit of Washingtonians now and into the future. Typical Projects Buying land to conserve working forests (required for all projects). On purchased land, projects also may restore forest and habitat health and develop recreational facilities. Funding Information $3 million is available. Eligible Projects Acquisition: Buying forestland Development: Developing recreation facilities, such as trails and trailheads, parking, restrooms, campgrounds, picnic and day-use areas, challenge courses, interpretive displays. Restoration: Restoring forest health or habitats, planting or reforestation, removing or correcting fish barriers All projects must acquire land. Projects may include restoration or development of that land but restoration and development cannot be stand-alone projects. Who May Apply? Cities, counties, and towns Native American tribes Nonprofit nature conservancy organizations Special purpose districts, public development authorities, or other political subdivisions of the state. State agencies (in partnership with one or more of the above groups). For more information, visit WSRCO.

The Land and Water Conservation Fund provides funding to preserve and develop outdoor recreation resources, including parks, trails, and wildlife lands. Donor Name: Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office State: Washington County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/01/2024 Size of the Grant: More than $1 million Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Congress created the fund in 1965 with the passage of the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act, which authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to provide financial assistance to states for the acquisition and development of public outdoor recreation areas. All communities may compete for funding in this program. Typical Projects Renovating community parks Building skate parks, tennis courts, swimming pools, and trails Protecting wildlife habitat Building athletic fields. Funding Information Grant Limits: $200,000 to $2,000,000. Eligible Projects Land acquisition Development or renovation. Who May Apply? Local agencies Special purpose districts, such as park and recreation districts Native American tribes State agencies. For more information, visit WSRCO.

The Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program provides funding for a broad range of land protection and outdoor recreation, including local and state parks, trails, water access, and the conservation and restoration of state land. Donor Name: Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office State: Washington County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/01/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program was envisioned as a way for the state to accomplish two goals: acquire valuable recreation and habitat lands before they were lost to other uses and develop recreation areas for a growing population. Funding Information Local Parks Acquisition Projects: $1 million Development Projects:$500,000 Combination Projects (Acquisition with either development or renovation: $1 million, of which not more than $500,000 may be for development costs State Lands Development and Renovation: Minimum $25,000, maximum $325,000 State Parks: None Trails: None Water Access: None. Typical Projects Buying land for a park Building ball fields, courts, regional athletic complexes Renovating community parks Developing regional trails Building waterfront parks Developing state lands. Eligible Projects Land Acquisition Acquisition includes the purchase of perpetual interest in real property or non-perpetual interests such as leases and easements. Acquisition of non-perpetual interests must be for at least 50 years and may not be revocable at will. Incidental costs related to acquisition are eligible. Development Local and State Parks Buildings Campgrounds, cabins Fishing floats Hard court areas Interpretive kiosks, signs Outdoor swimming pools Picnic shelters Play areas Playing fields Restrooms Roads, paths, and parking View areas Note: Renovation projects are NOT eligible in the State Parks Category. State Lands Development and Renovation Campgrounds Fishing piers and platforms Interpretive kiosks, signs Launch ramps and floats Picnic shelters Restrooms Roads, paths, and trails Trails Benches, tables Bridges and boardwalks Interpretive kiosks, signs Restrooms Trails Trailheads Viewpoints Water Access Buoys Fishing piers and platforms Interpretive kiosks, signs Launch ramps, floats Picnic shelters Restrooms Roads and paths. Who May Apply? Local Parks Category Cities, counties, towns Federally recognized Indian tribes Special purpose districts, port districts, or other political subdivisions of the state providing services to less than the entire state State Lands Development and Renovation Category Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife Washington State Department of Natural Resources State Parks Category Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission Trails and Water Access Categories Cities, counties, towns Federally recognized Indian tribes Special purpose districts, port districts, or other political subdivisions of the state providing services to less than the entire state State agencies (Departments of Enterprise Services, Fish and Wildlife, and Natural Resources, and the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission). For more information, visit WSRCO.

The Florida Department of State is seeking applications for its Cultural Facilities Grant. Donor Name: Florida Department of State State: Florida County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/03/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: 2 Years Details: The Cultural Facilities Program coordinates and guides the State of Florida’s support and funding of renovation, new construction, or acquisition of cultural facilities. It is intended for organizations whose mission is arts and cultural programming in one of the disciplines. The Division offers two levels of funding within the Cultural Facilities Program. These levels are determined by the specific use of the facility: A purpose-built or single use facility that will solely be used for the programming, production, presentation, exhibition of any of the arts and cultural disciplines (Section 265.283(7), Florida Statutes) at least 85% of the time. This type of facility includes theatres, performance centers, museums (including, aquariums, botanical gardens, history centers, zoos, etc.) and art centers. The maximum request amount for this type of facility is $500,000. A multi-purpose facility that will be used for the programming, production, presentation, exhibition of any of the arts and cultural disciplines (Section 265.283(7), Florida Statutes) less than 85% of the time. This type of building includes community centers, recreation centers, civic centers and municipal buildings. The maximum request amount for this type of facility is $200,000. Project costs must be directly related to the arts and cultural portion of the facility. Project Period 23 months. Eligibility Criteria The following conditions are required for eligibility. All documentation must be provided by the application deadline. Must not have multiple active Cultural Facilities projects under contract at one time. Cultural Facilities projects have a grant period of 23 months. Unless a grantee has a smaller project that will be completed in a single year, grantees should submit new applications every other year. Cultural Facilities is subject to Legislative appropriation and recommendations approved by the Secretary of State will be funded top-down until the appropriation is depleted. . Must use the facility to directly conduct arts and cultural programming. Documentation must be provided to support the percentage of facility use is for arts and cultural purposes as it pertains to the organization’s mission per section 265.283(1), Florida Statutes. Must have the required legal status. Must have unrestricted use of the land and buildings associated with the project which means you must be able to record a Restrictive Covenant on the property with the Clerk of Court for ten (10) years or provide a 10-year surety bond. Must retain ownership of all improvements made under the grant (unless the land or buildings are owned by the State of Florida and leased to an eligible applicant). If the property is leased, only facilities with leases in which the lessor is a public entity governed by either a municipality or county, or a not-for-profit entity are eligible for a Cultural Facilities grant (facilities or property owned by an individual or for-profit entity are not eligible for a Cultural Facilities grant). 9. If the property is leased, the lease agreement must be dated, signed by all parties, and submitted at the time of the application submission. 10. Must provide documentation of Total Support and Revenue for the last completed fiscal year. Must have appropriate matching funds and documentation at time of application submission. Must provide current architectural plans signed by a licensed architect or engineer clearly indicating scope of work. If architectural plans are not required for the completion of the project, contractor project proposals or working drawings must be provided. Must include budget estimate provided by the architect, engineer, or contractor that the Proposal Expense Details are based on. 3. Must have current project support of local officials (city and county government), community groups, and community members —for this project— documented in writing at time of application. Applicants with structures 50 years or older must submit a determination letter (stating that the proposed project will have NO adverse effects to the building’s historical significance) from the Division of Historical Resources (DHR) at time of application. Application Restrictions Organizations may only submit one (1) Cultural Facilities application per application deadline. Cultural Facilities grants do not fund Historic Preservation projects. Organizations with projects funded by the Legislature outside of the review of the Florida Council on Arts and Culture or Secretary of State are not eligible to receive Cultural Facilities grant support for the same Scope of Work from the Division of Arts and Culture within the same fiscal year in which legislative funding is appropriated. No organization may receive more than $1.5 million during a consecutive previous five state fiscal year period (July 1 – June 30). Legal Status To meet the legal status requirement, an applicant organization must be either a public entity or a Florida nonprofit, tax-exempt corporation as of the application deadline in accordance with section 265.701(2), Florida Statutes. Public Entity A Florida local government, entity of state government, school district, community college, college, or university. Private schools, private community colleges, private colleges, and private universities are not public entities and must be nonprofit and tax-exempt to meet the legal status requirement. Nonprofit, Tax-Exempt To apply to the Cultural Facilities grant program, an applicant must be both: Nonprofit: incorporated as an active nonprofit Florida corporation, in accordance with Chapter 617, Florida Statutes; and Tax-exempt: designated as tax-exempt as defined in section 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended. For more information, visit Florida Department of State.

This grant opportunity, offered by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, Bureau of Parks and Lands, is aimed at the acquisition, development, and maintenance of new trailered boat launches. The program supports state and local governments, among other eligible entities, to enhance public access to waterways for recreational boating. Eligible projects must serve as the primary recreational boating access for the general public. A pre-approval site inspection is required for project eligibility. The funding cap for new trailered launch projects is $100,000.

This grant focuses on renovating existing trailered boat launches to improve public recreational boating access. Administered by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, Bureau of Parks and Lands, the grant aims to support the development and maintenance of facilities that provide primary recreational boating access to the general public. Projects must undergo a pre-approval site inspection to confirm eligibility. Available funding for trailered launch renovation projects is up to $75,000.

Aimed at supporting the acquisition, development, and maintenance of carry-in boat launches, this grant opportunity is offered by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, Bureau of Parks and Lands. It seeks to enhance public access to Maine's waterways for carry-in recreational boating. A key requirement for project eligibility is a pre-approval site inspection by state staff. The funding cap for eligible carry-in project costs is $25,000.

The Transportation Alternative and Recreational Use FY25 Grant, administered by the Maryland State Highway Administration, aims to fund transportation alternative and recreational use projects within the state. This federal grant offers 80% reimbursable funds, requiring a 20% match from project sponsors. Projects should enhance the intermodal transportation system or support recreational trails and amenities. Approximately 60% of the funds are allocated to projects within the jurisdictions of three Maryland Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs): The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board, National Capitol Region Transportation Planning Board, and Wilmington Area Planning Council. Eligible sponsors include local governments, regional transportation authorities, transit agencies, natural resource and public land agencies, school districts, tribal governments, and 501c(3) non-profit agencies. Project sponsors are responsible for all aspects of their project, including design, management, construction, and maintenance.