Grants for Independent school districts - Recreation

The North Dakota Council on the Arts is accepting applications for its Special Projects (SP) to support art events in all disciplines and forms for North Dakota groups and individual artists. Donor Name: North Dakota Council on the Arts State: North Dakota County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/17/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: The goal of the program is to provide art experiences for diverse populations in North Dakota. Funding Information  Special Projects that provides up to $1,500  Project Period NDCA Fiscal Year 2025 (July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025). This Program Funds Initiating art events in all disciplines and forms (in person or online) including, but not limited to, exhibitions, performances, and festivals (e.g., an annual art festival requesting funds for a new music performance series for youth).  Murals, sculptures, the installation of public art pieces, or publications that include community input and participation.  Annual events for up to two (2) consecutive years if demonstrable adjustments are made to increase audience participation. This includes organizational and individual applicants Eligibility Criteria  Applicants must be one of the following:  Individual artist  North Dakota state tax-exempt nonprofit arts organization  Federally tax-exempt nonprofit arts organization Federally tax-exempt non-arts organizations and community education units – Arts budgets must be isolated from the larger entity’s budget.  Public entity such as a unit of state, local, or tribal government  An affiliate arts-presenting or arts-producing organization – A distinct program or division hosted within an in-state 501(c)(3) tax-exempt institution or public institution (such as an arts division of a city or tribal government, a public or nonprofit college or university, or a community service nonprofit organization) that provides arts programming or services for the general public. Arts budgets must be isolated from the larger entity’s budget.  Fiscally sponsored groups with arts projects must be comprised of at least three (3) people and have an advisory committee of at least three (3) people that is responsible for the oversight of project and grant funds. Fiscal sponsors must be a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization, unit of state or local government, or federally recognized tribal community or tribe. Eligibility for Individual Artists  Be a United States citizen or have attained permanent resident status  Be 18 years of age or older on the application’s due date  Be a North Dakota resident and continue to reside in North Dakota throughout the contract period  Cannot be enrolled as a full-time student Eligibility for Organizations  Organizations must be physically located in North Dakota  The majority of arts programming, services, or activities must take place in North Dakota and primarily serve and engage North Dakota audiences and participants This Program Does NOT Fund Activities or programs that do not intentionally engage an audience.  Activities or programs where teaching and/or learning is the sole outcome. Educational activities as part of a broader community event, performance, or exhibit are acceptable.  Activities or programs that take place as part of the K-16 school day curriculum and activities in public, private, alternative, charter, and home schools. This includes costs to subsidize school participation (tickets, bussing, etc.) For more information, visit North Dakota Council on the Arts.

The Ellensburg Community Grant Program offers a water quality focused grant to encourage community-based projects that improve or protect the quality of surface waters. Donor Name: City of Ellensburg State: Washington City: Ellensburg Type of Grant: Grant Deadline:  08/30/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Funded by the Stormwater Utility, the water quality grant provides funding for community groups to provide outreach, education, assessments, planning, implementation, prevention and control focused on city’s surface water. Water quality is commonly defined by its physical, chemical, biological, and aesthetic (appearance and smell) characteristics. A healthy environment is one in which the water quality supports a rich and varied community of organisms and protects public health. Grant funds are invested in projects that include one or more of the following priorities: Required: Demonstrate improvements in quality of surface waters. Educate a large and/or varied segments of Ellensburg’s population on what water quality is, and what actions they can take to improve or protect it. Educate best practices to reduce/eliminate adverse impacts to water quality. Funding Information A total of $10,000 is available for this grant cycle. Eligibility Criteria Eligible volunteer groups such as youth, seniors, non-profit organizations, educational organizations may apply for funding. Business and governmental partners are encouraged but may not be the applicant. Projects must benefit stormwater quality within the City limits, (i.e., public outreach and education, yard care, litter pick up, etc.). Projects must be within the city limits; if the project is on publicly owned property, an agreement will need to be signed between both parties addressing use of minors as volunteers, hold harmless, etc. Grant funds may not be used for projects that involve or promote the use of alcohol. For more information, visit City of Ellensburg.

The City of Orlando is offering a matching grant program, ranging from $1,000 to $10,000, for schools and non-profit organizations to fund youth programs that enhance academic achievement, reduce crime, and promote safe communities, with funds being used for educational, athletic, civic engagement, or mentoring opportunities, excluding certain expenses like computers, office equipment, and in-school programs.

This funding opportunity supports local parks in California by providing financial assistance for both arts programs and art installations, benefiting communities and enhancing public spaces.

Game On-Community Places to Play is an initiative of The DICK’s Sporting Goods Foundation and LISC provides funding and technical assistance to community-rooted organizations working to create and renovate multi-use youth sport spaces for youth ages 6-24 years old in under-resourced communities across the country. Donor Name: Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) State: All States County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/05/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The goal of the Program is to improve the quality, safety, and accessibility of local athletic spaces. Funds will be awarded to outdoor and indoor facilities that enable and demonstrate local community access and usage for all organized youth sports, including but not limited to basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, football, tennis, lacrosse, and volleyball.  Strong preference will be given to those proposals that:  seek to upgrade existing facilities that are in poor condition or otherwise underutilized ( demonstrate active use of the facilities attract match funding that exceeds the minimum required match of 1:1  promote youth sports and community programming on the recreation spaces  provide for continuing maintenance and safety of the facilities.  Funds will be awarded to outdoor and indoor facilities that enable and demonstrate local community access and usage for all organized youth sports, including but not limited to basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, football, tennis, lacrosse and volleyball. Youth development program services should include, but are not limited to, life skills workshops, civic engagement and leadership, workforce development and academic support.  Funding Information Grant awards will range from $50,000-$100,000. Eligibility Criteria  To be eligible for the Game On-Community Places to Play Initiative, organizations applying for grant funds must meet all the criteria listed below:  Be a community-based organization, elementary, middle, or high school serving a neighborhood consisting primarily of low and moderate-income families and individuals.  Please note:  Schools must demonstrate the ability of the community to also utilize the facility.  Universities and college campuses are not eligible to apply and will not be considered for funding.  Have at least one-full time staff person (all-volunteer organizations will not be considered)  Be in existence for at least three years.  Have a proven history in real estate development and/or parks programming.  Have 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status/school status. For more information, visit LISC.

The Road Runners Club of America is seeking applications for its Kids Run the Nation Grant Fund to provide financial assistance to running clubs, schools, and community-based nonprofits interested in implementing or currently hosting youth running programs. Donor Name: Road Runners Club of America State: All States County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline:  08/01/2024 Size of the Grant: Less than $1000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Funding Information Small grants ranging from $500 to $1,000 will be awarded to youth running programs throughout the U.S. Eligibility Criteria Running clubs, events, or other organizations with the IRS 501(c)(3) designation are eligible to apply Elementary and middle schools that provide an organized after-school running program are eligible as well All applicants must be an official 501(c)(3), school, parent booster club, PTA, or a similar entity No grants will be given to individuals under any circumstances Kids Run the Nation will fund: Marketing materials, brochures, posters, fliers, and other printed or digital materials informing parents about the program Advertising the program in a community newspaper or website Hosting a program website Permit or usage fees to use a local park or running track Hydration supplies, including water bottles, cups, or coolers Snacks and meals for program participants Incentives and awards such as Toe Tokens®, ribbons, shirts, water bottles, backpack tags, patches, etc. Mileage logs, worksheets, and other written and digital materials for program participants Other items that the RRCA Grant Selection Committee sees fit to fund Kids Run the Nation will not fund: Sports drinks or other high sugar, high sodium beverages Sponsorship for individual runners Travel to competitive events Race entry fees for individual participants Social events for program staff or volunteers Salaries or travel costs for paid program staff Competitive Track and Cross Country Teams that are governed by a statewide school athletic federation Youth sports programs in which the primary focus is not the sport of running Other items the RRCA ​Grant ​Selection ​Committee determines to be ineligible for funding. For more information, visit RRCA.

This grant provides financial support for underprivileged youth in Chelan and Douglas counties to access skating lessons, shows, and related activities, promoting enrichment and skill development.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations, schools, churches, and government entities that provide youth programs in Berrien County, particularly at designated Howard facilities in St. Joseph and the Maud Preston Palenske Memorial Library.

The Minneapolis Foundation announces a call for proposals from nonprofits, schools, and school districts seeking grants for work that advances equity and supports youth voice in local K-12 schools. Donor Name: Minneapolis Foundation State: Minnesota City: Selected Cities Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/21/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Less than 1 Year Details: The Reimagine Education grants prioritize efforts to: Elevate student and community voices and power to build bridges between schools, families, and communities and improve school climates and academic outcomes. Provide opportunities for educators to build their understanding of race and equity and implement strategies that create culturally responsive and inclusive schools. Advocate for policies at the school, local, and state level to address systemic barriers to racial equity in Minnesota’s education system. Here’s a non-exhaustive list of  the types of work foundation plans to support: Student leadership and power building Recruitment and retention of diverse educators with equity-focused mindsets Principal and teacher leadership and collaboration Development of equity and climate frameworks Local or state policy advocacy Professional development and training to support teachers and school leaders to implement evidence-based literacy instruction Development and implementation of strategies to address student mental health challenges and improve school climate and culture Efforts to engage students and their families in district and school-level decision-making. Funding Information Grants will range from $10,000 to $75,000, with an average award of $25,000 to $40,000. Grant Period The grant period is September 2, 2024, to June 13, 2025. Eligibility Criteria  Funding will be awarded to public schools or school districts and 501(c)(3) nonprofits that organize students, parents, and community members; engage in education policy advocacy to advance equity and eliminate disparities; and help educators collaborate to build their understanding of race, equity, and culture, and to create positive school climates. Foundation will prioritize proposals that impact Minneapolis; however, they will consider organizations in inner-ring suburbs (Brooklyn Park, Brooklyn Center, Robbinsdale, St. Louis Park, etc.). For more information, visit Minneapolis Foundation.

Impact Projects grants support arts organizations for collaborations between local artist(s) and community members to develop and express their own creative and artistic goals and address a community-defined need. Collaborative projects will utilize various creative practices to impact social issues affecting their communities, including but not limited to systemic marginalization, incarceration/justice systems, arts learning, poverty/economic disparity, health disparities, accessibility for people with disabilities, housing insecurity, violence, food insecurity, cultural/social justice, intergenerational/multigenerational learning, veterans’ issues, and environmental sustainability

Grantees will be required to accomplish the following within the Grant Activity Period: Convene a standing committee of community members and stakeholders tosupport development of new SLP structure and strategic framework. Model equity practices and principles in the development of new SLP mission,vision, programming, and services. Identify and retain a dedicated staff member to lead new SLP and provide mentorship to that individual. Identify and maintain an accessible public office space for the new SLP. Create and implement a realistic operating budget for new SLP, with appropriate portion of grant funds going directly to support new SLP. Supply anticipated outcomes for a one-year grant and outline any next steps anticipated to occur beyond the grant activity period to fulfill the goals of the grant program. 

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.

The BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation is seeking grant applications for its Heal Mini-Grants. Donor Name: BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation State: South Carolina County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 07/17/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Less than 1 Year Details: The HEAL Mini-Grant is a funding opportunity designed to support healthy eating or active living projects focused on policy, systems, and environmental change in community health. The grants can serve as seed money for new projects, help progress existing ones, or provide the final push to complete ongoing initiatives. The BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, awarded Wholespire a grant to promote the health of South Carolina’s economically challenged population.  Focus Areas All grant proposals must be related to healthy eating and/or active living and implement or support a policy, systems, or environmental change project. Grant Period The project ideas must be ready to be implemented and completed within 9 months of receiving funding. Types of Projects They support communities by offering them tools and resources to create opportunities for equitable access to healthy food and safe places to be active because the choices they make are influenced by the choices that they have. Examples of the types of PSE projects they fund are: Increase opportunities for community members, students, employees, or devout individuals to make healthy choices. Examples include establishing or promoting SNAP/Healthy Bucks at the farmers market and creating a sustainable food-gleaning station at the local recreation center. Increase opportunities for community members, students, employees, or devout individuals to engage in physical activity and spend more time outdoors. Examples include installing water bottle refill stations and improving playgrounds at school or in community parks, supporting active communities with bike racks and crosswalks in destination areas, and supporting community trails by adding signage, benches, trash cans, and extra features like a Story Walk or Born Learning Trail. Eligibility Criteria Applicants must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Municipalities, coalitions, or schools are also eligible to apply. If the applicant is not a 501(c)(3), they can use a fiscal agent that qualifies.  For more information, visit BBSCF.

The City of Flint has received a $50,000 grant to empower youth-led climate initiatives through microgrants. Donor Name: City of Flint State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 07/01/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: This new Youth Climate Action Fund is designed to support a wide range of projects, from tree-planting and public education campaigns to recycling and waste reduction initiatives. Flint youth ages 15-24 are invited to apply for funding for projects that will advance critical community goals such as climate resilient infrastructure planning, flood mitigation and prevention, increasing participation in recycling, and access to sustainable modes of transportation. Whether you’re interested in launching a new project or enhancing an existing effort, this fund offers a unique opportunity to make a tangible impact on the environment and community. Eligible Projects  Eligible projects and efforts could include, but are not limited to: Youth-led awareness, education, research, and development initiatives, including: youth-led climate education programs; youth climate hackathons; youth-developed climate surveys and research; youth-informed clubs or curriculum; and youth-designed public art and awareness campaigns. Youth-driven climate mitigation and adaptation projects, including: youth-led community gardening, tree planting, reforestation, and urban farming campaigns; youth-managed recycling and waste reduction programs; and youth-produced climate resilience workshops and disaster preparedness programs. Co-governed youth climate action plans, including: partnerships between city leaders and youth groups to inform climate-related policy ideas, decisions, or actions or the formation of youth climate ambassadors or advisory boards. Who Can Apply? Youth ages 15-24 in collaboration with local groups, organizations, nonprofits, and schools are encouraged to apply. Please note this is a grant with expenditure responsibilities for compliance. The receiving entity for the project or initiative must be able to provide evidence of legal status (for-profit, nonprofits, private foundations, new organizations with pending public charity status); current financial statements, annual report or organizational summary, list of leadership, evidence of receiving grants in the past. Ineligibility  Grant funds cannot be used for: Services covered by existing city initiatives  Rent or Utilities Nonprofit/NGO incorporation fees Speaker honorariums Improvement projects that primarily serve churches and/or other religious organizations Scholarships or other direct support to individuals or families Partisan political organizations, political candidates, fundraisers, or projects Capital campaigns, endowments, or endowed chairs Events or fundraisers not related to youth climate action. For more information, visit City of Flint.

This grant provides funding to nonprofits, schools, and civic organizations in Columbia County, New York, to develop programs that help young people transition from education to the workforce through internships, skill-building, and entrepreneurial opportunities.

The LGBTQ Grant Program award grants to support planning, research, and general operations that address priority needs of LGBTQ Mississippians as they strive to live safely, openly and without alienation, isolation, prejudice and/or discrimination. Donor Name: LGBTQ Fund of Mississippi State: Mississippi County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 06/28/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The LGBTQ Grant Program, which receives resources from a Fund held at the Community Foundation for Mississippi, provides resources that align with and support the vision, mission, and beliefs defined by the Advisory Board of The LGBTQ Fund of Mississippi. Special attention will be paid to the following:  proposals that demonstrate a commitment to addressing the needs of LGBTQ communities that have been most demonstrably underserved, including but not limited to, communities of color, youth, seniors, and persons in rural communities;  intersectional programs addressing faith and acceptance; and  efforts serving transgender and gender non-conforming persons.  Geographic Area Applicants must be in Mississippi or provide services that have a positive direct impact on Mississippi’s LGBTQ population. Eligibility Criteria Applicants for grants from the LGBTQ Fund of Mississippi include the following:  nonprofit organizations with current tax-exempt status under Section 501c3 of the IRS code that are in compliance with the Mississippi Secretary of State’s charity registration, fee payment, audit (if required), and reporting requirements; units of local government (including schools school districts, public-private partnerships, and quasi-governmental entities);  research centers (independent and those associated with universities);  public and private institutions of higher learning; and  federally recognized Indian tribes. For more information, visit LGBTQ Fund of Mississippi.

The Welch Charitable Fund supports organizations that serve people in need in the Greater Portland (Cumberland County) area. Donor Name: Maine Community Foundation State: Maine County: Cumberland County (ME) Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Types of Funding This program provides: Grants that will increase the scope (number of people or services provided), and/or grants that will improve efficiency or effectiveness of organizations. Grants for new or expanded projects. Priorities  To receive a grant, a project must: Serve individuals in the Greater Portland (Cumberland County) area. Focus on youth, education, health care, recovery from substance use disorder and/or arts and culture. The fund has particular interest in capital investments, including select capital campaigns. Funding Information Median Award: $10,000. Who is eligible to apply? Nonprofit, charitable organizations tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and also classified as an organization described in sections 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2) Municipalities Public schools Public agencies working for the State of Maine Indian tribal governments (or political subdivisions) recognized by the Department of the Interior Groups without any tax status may apply with a fiscal sponsor that is an eligible organization as described above.  Any eligible organization may submit one application per grant program, regardless of previous application history or current award progress. For more information, visit MCF.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation is seeking applications to expand access to mental and behavioral health services and resources for youth through models that are effective in the short term (1-3 years), and which leverage a trained workforce that goes beyond specialty trained behavioral health care clinical and professional roles. Donor Name: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation State: North Carolina County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 07/09/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: 3 Years Details: The trained workforce may include a variety of health and other professionals who regularly work with or on behalf of youth and are trained to identify, understand, and respond to the signs/symptoms of distress, trauma, mental health changes, or substance use and provide initial support and connection to resources for youth. Approaches should be effective at engaging communities that have significant barriers in access to care and may operate in communities, schools, health systems, faith-based settings, or other settings. Funding may support, among other things, strengthening organizational capacity or infrastructure, connecting care across settings, increasing access to training opportunities, and/or increasing access to culturally and linguistically relevant resources and materials for youth mental and behavioral health. Funding Information To support a variety of approaches, proposals can range from $75,000 to $500,000 per year, for up to three years. Grant Period Grant start date By November 1, 2024. Grant end date By November 30, 2027. Eligibility Criteria  Organization Size There are no limitations or minimum requirements with regard to an entities’ operating budget. Organizations of all sizes are eligible to apply. Organization Type Nonprofit: An organization that is exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and is classified as “not a private foundation” under Section 509(a). Fiscally sponsored program: A group or project with a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization acting as a fiscal sponsor. Please note that the fiscal sponsor is considered the grantee and is responsible for all legal aspects of the project including reporting and financial management. Government entity or public instrumentality: This can include schools, tribal governments, etc. Coalitions: Applications involving more than one group or organization are welcome; however, one organization will be the recipient of the grant and must meet any of the criteria above. If a coalition applicant is invited for a finalist conversation, all coalition partners are expected to participate in the interview. Letters of support are not required for application submission. Organizations and coalitions of any size are eligible to apply if the other eligibility criteria have been met. For more information, visit BCBSNCF.

The Tier 2 Regional Projects under the 2023 Outdoor Recreation Trails+ Grant aim to support larger, regional conservation-oriented, shovel-ready projects that provide recreational value and economic benefits to broader areas and multiple communities. These projects must be publicly accessible and demonstrate proven regional value. Eligible applicants include Tribes, Pueblos, Nations, municipalities, counties, nonprofits, public schools, colleges, soil and water conservation districts, and land grant associations. Projects must be completed within 24 months, with grants awarded up front and applications accepted on a rolling basis starting July 1, 2023 until funds are expended or June 30th 2024 (for FY24)

The Tier 1 Local Projects under the 2023 Outdoor Recreation Trails+ Grant aim to support conservation-oriented, shovel-ready projects that benefit specific communities. These projects must be publicly accessible and demonstrate economic benefits through improved quality of life, public health outcomes, and eco-tourism. Eligible applicants include Tribes, Pueblos, Nations, municipalities, counties, public schools, colleges, soil and water conservation districts, and land grant associations. Nonprofits are not eligible. Projects must be completed within 24 months, with grants awarded up front and applications accepted on a rolling basis starting July 1, 2023 until funds are expended or June 30th 2024 (for FY24)