Grants for County governments - Recreation

The United Way of the Wabash Valley (UWWV) has announced a new grant opportunity through its Community Health (UWWV CH) and Youth Success (UWWV YS) Impact Councils. This initiative is designed to support projects that address the overall health of area youth. The program aligns with the UWWV's mission by investing in the well-being of the community's youngest members, fostering a healthier future for the Wabash Valley. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are children aged 6 to 18 (K-12) within the UWWV service area, which includes Clay, Parke, Sullivan, Vermillion, and Vigo counties in Indiana, and Clark County in Illinois. The impact goal is to improve the mental, behavioral, and physical health and well-being of these youth. Programs are encouraged to take a holistic approach to health, with an emphasis on innovative solutions that can be implemented during the school year, summer 2025, or other out-of-school times. Priority will be given to programs that serve youth in outlying counties (Clay, Parke, Sullivan, and Vermillion in Indiana, and Clark in Illinois), demonstrate strong collaborations and partnerships among organizations, and integrate physical exercise with social/emotional well-being, mental health, life skills, and/or food and nutrition. The focus is on creating comprehensive programs that address multiple facets of youth health. The UWWV's strategic priorities are evident in the grant's emphasis on youth health and community collaboration. The theory of change suggests that by investing in innovative, holistic programs for youth, the UWWV can contribute to a healthier and more resilient community. Expected outcomes include improved mental, behavioral, and physical health among participants, enhanced life skills, and better nutritional habits. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed in the provided information, successful applicants would likely be expected to track participant engagement, improvements in health indicators, and the development of key skills. A total of $30,000 in funding is available, with individual applicants eligible to apply for $1,000 to $5,000, to be expended by August 31, 2025. This funding structure allows for a broad range of impactful projects. Eligible applicants include youth-serving organizations, school and civic organizations, businesses, local government entities (e.g., Parks Departments), faith-based organizations, and non-profit health services organizations. A key requirement for counseling, therapy, or life skills services is the provision of evidence that a licensed or certified counselor will perform these services in person, as virtual sessions will not be funded.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to municipalities and non-profit organizations in Connecticut for environmental assessment and cleanup of brownfield sites, particularly in underserved communities, to promote the creation of parks and recreational spaces.

The Medica Foundation's Rural Health Grants program aims to fund nonprofit, community-led solutions addressing health needs and social determinants of health in rural Minnesota. This aligns with the Foundation's mission to support the well-being of communities, particularly by focusing on localized efforts in areas outside the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area. The strategic priority here is to empower grassroots initiatives where fundraising is conducted solely at the local level, fostering self-sufficiency and direct community impact. The program targets a broad range of beneficiaries within rural communities, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities, children and youth, families, immigrants and refugees, LGBTQ+ communities, seniors, survivors of domestic and/or sexual violence, and veterans. The impact goals are to improve health outcomes and address social determinants of health for these specific vulnerable populations. By focusing on these groups, the Foundation seeks to create a more equitable and healthier environment for those who often face greater challenges in accessing healthcare and support services in rural settings. The grant program prioritizes funding across several critical areas: behavioral health, culturally-focused care, domestic violence and sexual assault services and prevention, early childhood health, oral health, primary care for underserved communities, senior care, sexual health, and transportation. These focus areas reflect a comprehensive approach to health and well-being, acknowledging the interconnectedness of various factors that contribute to a healthy life. The Foundation's theory of change appears to be that by supporting these specific interventions, it can create a ripple effect of positive change within rural communities, improving overall public health. While specific measurable results are not detailed in the provided information, the expected outcomes are a reduction in health disparities and an increase in access to essential services for rural populations. The individual grants, awarded up to $10,000, are intended to provide vital support for organizations working towards these goals. The eligibility criteria emphasize local presence and local fundraising, reinforcing the Foundation's strategic priority of empowering genuine community-led solutions and ensuring that the funding directly benefits the regions it intends to serve.

The California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) has launched the Youth Community Access Program, a competitive grant initiative designed to expand outdoor access and foster a healthier California. This program is rooted in supporting youth access to natural or cultural resources, with a specific focus on low-income and disadvantaged communities. While the provided information does not explicitly detail the "foundation's mission alignment" or "strategic priorities and theory of change" in terms of a separate foundation, the CNRA's overarching mission to protect and restore California's natural resources and promote equitable access aligns directly with the program's goals. The program's aim to address and repair the multi-generational community impacts of the War on Drugs further underscores a commitment to social justice and community well-being. The primary beneficiaries of this program are youth, defined as individuals between birth and 26 years old, residing in communities disproportionately affected by past federal and state drug policies, as well as other underserved communities. The impact goals are multifaceted: to promote youth health, safety, well-being, and comfort by facilitating direct access to natural or cultural resources. This includes supporting community education and recreational amenities for youth substance use prevention and early intervention, ultimately empowering youth to make healthy choices and fostering a healthier, more engaged generation. The program prioritizes projects that actively involve youth in all stages, from planning and decision-making to facilitation and evaluation. Additionally, projects that engage youth in outreach and awareness campaigns, and those that empower youth to make healthy choices, are given priority consideration. These focuses emphasize a youth-centric, participatory approach, aiming for sustainable community-led change rather than top-down interventions. The minimum award for an individual project is $25,000, and the maximum is $300,000, indicating a range of project scales supported. While specific measurable results are not explicitly outlined, the expected outcomes can be inferred from the program's requirements and priorities. These include increased youth participation in outdoor and cultural activities, enhanced community capacity for youth development, reduced instances of substance use through prevention and early intervention efforts, and improved overall health and well-being among young people in targeted communities. The emphasis on youth involvement in planning and evaluation suggests an ongoing feedback loop to assess program effectiveness and impact.

This fellowship provides $10,000 to support AAPI women and gender-expansive individuals in Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, or Georgia who are dedicated to creating impactful civic projects in their communities, along with mentorship and skills training.

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. 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.

The Miami Lakes Town Foundation is accepting applications for its 2024 mini-grant awards, aimed at supporting community groups, school clubs, and organizations that foster literacy, continuing education, youth programs, beautification projects, and cultural events in the Miami Lakes community, with a preference for projects that include a kindness component.

Historic battlefields and associated sites of armed conflict are powerful reminders of the shared heritage of all Americans. In an ongoing effort to extend the conservation of natural and cultural resources, the National Park Service American Battlefield Protection Program (NPS ABPP) promotes the preservation and interpretation of these important places. NPS ABPP supports community-driven stewardship of historic resources through four grant opportunities: Preservation Planning, Battlefield Restoration, Battlefield Interpretation, and Battlefield Land Acquisition. NPS ABPP administers the Battlefield Restoration Grant opportunity to provide assistance for the restoration of day-of-battle conditions within eligible Civil War battlefields listed in the Civil War sites Advisory Commission's (CWSAC) Report on the Nation's Civil War Battlefields (1993) and in the principal battlefields of the Revolutionary War and War of 1812 identified in NPS ABPP’s Report to Congress on the Historic Preservation of Revolutionary War and War of 1812 Sites in the United States (2007) (Survey Reports). Restoration sites must be located outside the external boundaries of a unit of the National Park System and must have been protected with assistance from a NPS’s Battlefield Land Acquisition Grant (BLAG) established under 54 U.S.C. §308103(b) or are owned by state or local government entities (e.g., state or local battlefield parks) and are located within the boundaries of battlefields listed in the Survey Reports. These grants are funded from the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which invests earnings from offshore oil and gas leasing to help strengthen communities, preserve history and protect the national endowment of lands and waters. Funding will support planning and implementation activities for historic preservation projects at eligible properties and will be awarded competitively. Grants require a dollar-for-dollar non-Federal match.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit and community organizations that offer essential services to victims of sexual assault, helping them recover and access vital resources.

This grant provides funding to distressed municipalities and registered non-profits in Connecticut to develop or improve urban green spaces and community gardens for public enjoyment and environmental education.

This program provides training, mentorship, and resources to support early-stage food entrepreneurs in Connecticut, particularly those from communities of color and immigrant backgrounds, helping them launch and grow their food businesses.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit and government organizations in Licking County, Ohio, to address critical issues related to behavioral health, children and families, and poverty.

This funding opportunity supports Oklahoma-based nonprofit organizations, public entities, tribal nations, and educational institutions in developing infrastructure projects that promote physical activity and nutrition in their communities.

This funding initiative provides financial support for local conservation and outdoor recreation projects in the Lehigh Valley, targeting nonprofits, municipalities, and educational institutions committed to enhancing community green spaces and ecological resilience.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for community-based projects in Goodhue County that aim to prevent opioid misuse and promote healthy lifestyles.

The Robert G. Campbell Community Fund is a permanent, unrestricted charitable endowment aimed at enhancing the quality of life for citizens of Iowa County, WI. It emphasizes supporting projects and programs that benefit seniors, including recreational and relaxation opportunities, quality of life improvements, and community events that honor the contributions and achievements of senior citizens. The Fund also extends its support to initiatives focused on historic preservation, the arts, the environment, and education. The grant distribution and fundraising efforts are coordinated with the Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin and the Health and Human Services Committee of the Iowa County Board of Supervisors. Grant applications are invited from non-profit organizations, local school districts, and local government agencies working towards the betterment of Iowa County, WI. Grant renewed every year. Grant annual deadline: September 1st

Program Goals Projects should address the following Exposure program goals: Develop long-term, mutually beneficial relationships between arts and educational organizations, teaching artists, and the youth and families in the communities they serve. Cultivate students’ appreciation for the arts and understanding of themselves as the next generation of arts patrons and participants. Promote culturally and linguistically responsive learning through the arts, using cultural knowledge to support the cultural assets of the local community and students’ positive self-identification within and respect for diverse cultures.

This funding program provides financial support to nonprofit organizations, municipalities, and local development groups in New York State to host community viewing events for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, promoting regional engagement and economic activity.

The NatureWorks grant program, managed by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, supports the development or acquisition of public outdoor recreation areas. Eligible entities include Ohio's political subdivisions, such as municipalities, townships, counties, and park districts. The program offers up to 75% funding for eligible projects, requiring a minimum of 25% match from non-state and non-federal sources. Applications are due by June 1, 2024, emphasizing ADA compliance, long-term maintenance, and public accessibility.

This funding opportunity supports community-based organizations in the Mid-Atlantic region to implement sustainable forestry initiatives that promote environmental justice, improve public health, and create green job opportunities in disadvantaged areas.