Grants for Nonprofits - Recreation

The Community Foundation of Pulaski County in Indiana is offering a grant for charitable programs and projects in areas such as adult education, agriculture, disability, disadvantaged education, environmental wellness, and wildlife conservation, prioritizing proposals that impact a substantial number of people, offer practical solutions to current problems, encourage cooperation, and come from established non-profit organizations, with a deadline of October 1, 2024.

The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Program is a federal program authorized by Congress for the purpose of acquiring federal lands and assisting states and local governments with funds to acquire lands and develop and renovate outdoor recreation facilities. LWCF funds are appropriated by Congress to the U. S. Department of the Interior, National Parks Service (NPS), and NPS allocates the funds through state agencies as a grant program to state and local governments.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to various organizations, including cities, counties, and nonprofit shooting groups, for the acquisition, development, and renovation of firearm and archery training facilities to improve public access and safety.

The Skillman Foundation President's Youth Council is offering a grant opportunity designed and implemented by youth, from concept development to funding decisions. This initiative aligns with the foundation's mission by fostering youth leadership and voice, empowering young people to shape their communities. The program aims to support Detroit-based and/or Detroit-serving organizations that are youth-led or actively increase youth leadership within their structures. The target beneficiaries of this grant are Detroit youth, with a particular interest in supporting grassroots organizations. The program's impact goals are centered on developing youth leadership and providing opportunities for young people to express their voice. While all eligible applications will be considered, the youth council members specifically prioritize identifying and supporting these grassroots efforts, recognizing their potential for deep community impact and authentic youth engagement. To be eligible, organizations must be a 501(c)(3) publicly supported charity (or apply through a fiscal sponsor), be based in Detroit or serve Detroit youth, and offer opportunity and service inclusively, regardless of age, race, creed, gender, religion, disability, sexual orientation, and ethnicity. These requirements ensure that the grants support legitimate organizations committed to equitable service delivery within the Detroit community. The expected outcomes of this grant program include strengthening youth-led initiatives, enhancing the leadership capacity of Detroit youth, and empowering young people to drive positive change in their city. While specific measurable results are not detailed in the provided information, the youth council's direct involvement in designing the decision-making process suggests an emphasis on effective program delivery and meaningful impact for Detroit's youth. This initiative reflects the Skillman Foundation's strategic priority of investing in the potential of young people and their capacity for leadership and community transformation.

This program provides funding to small towns for community-driven projects that enhance public spaces and infrastructure, promoting local engagement and revitalization.

The Thomaston Savings Bank Phase II Grant Program is an annual initiative by the Thomaston Savings Bank Foundation, Inc., designed to enhance the lives of community members in Litchfield County, Connecticut. The Foundation is deeply committed to addressing the human and material needs of the community, aligning its mission with a broader goal of improving the quality of life for its neighbors through dedicated grant programs and community outreach initiatives. This grant cycle specifically targets local nonprofit and government agencies that demonstrate significant local impact within the designated geographic areas. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are local nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and government agencies. Religious organizations may also be considered if their programming supports community needs and falls within the priority focus areas. The impact goals are centered on assisting organizations that address critical community needs within specific towns, aiming to foster positive change and improve overall well-being. The Foundation seeks to support initiatives that will have a tangible and meaningful effect on the lives of residents in these communities. The program's priorities and focus areas are clearly defined to ensure alignment with the Foundation's strategic objectives. These include Arts & Culture, Community Development, Education & Youth Services, Health & Human Services, and Public Safety. Grant applications are carefully considered based on how well an organization's mission or services align with these identified priority areas. The geographic areas of focus are Bethlehem, Harwinton, Plymouth/Terryville, Thomaston, Torrington, and Watertown/Oakville, ensuring that the grants directly benefit the communities served by Thomaston Savings Bank. While specific measurable results are not detailed in the provided information, the Foundation's strategic priorities imply an expectation of improved community well-being and enhanced quality of life within the supported towns. The theory of change suggests that by investing in organizations that address these critical focus areas, the Foundation will contribute to stronger, healthier, and more vibrant communities. The program explicitly states what it generally does not invest in, such as individuals, endowment campaigns, lobbying, political activities, religious purposes, other foundations, and discriminatory organizations, which further refines its strategic approach to grantmaking and ensures resources are directed towards its core mission.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofits in Illinois and Missouri that are addressing critical community needs through innovative or emergent programs, with a focus on areas such as basic needs, health, and youth success.

The Town of Matthews Tourism Grant Program offers financial assistance to organizations that host events or programs aimed at boosting visitation and tourism within Matthews. This initiative directly aligns with the town's mission to enhance local economic activity and showcase Matthews as a desirable destination. The grant is specifically funded by tourism-related taxes, including hotel occupancy, prepared food and beverage, and car rental taxes, ensuring that the program's funding mechanism is directly tied to its mission of promoting tourism. The primary beneficiaries of this program are non-profit organizations capable of delivering events or programs that effectively attract visitors to Matthews. The overarching impact goal is to increase tourism and visitation, which in turn supports local businesses and generates revenue for the town. The program prioritizes projects with short-term and/or long-term potential for attracting visitors, ensuring a sustainable impact on the town's tourism landscape. Key focuses for successful applications include demonstrating a clear goal of promoting tourism and visitation to Matthews, as well as outlining how the proposed program will achieve this. Eligibility criteria emphasize that organizations must hold current non-profit status and that their programs must take place between July 1, 2024, and June 13, 2025. This timeframe allows for the support of both upcoming and recently concluded initiatives that meet the program's objectives. Expected outcomes include an increase in the number of visitors to Matthews and the successful execution of tourism-promoting events and programs. Measurable results will be assessed through mandatory post-project reports submitted by grant recipients. These reports will likely detail attendance, visitor origin, economic impact, and other relevant metrics, providing data to evaluate the program's effectiveness. Any unspent grant funding must be returned by June 30, 2025, ensuring accountability and efficient use of public funds. The program’s strategic priority is to leverage local events and programs as catalysts for sustained tourism growth, aligning with a theory of change where targeted financial support for tourism initiatives directly translates into increased visitor numbers and economic benefits for the community.

This grant provides funding for capital improvement projects that benefit both Southern Baptist churches and the wider community in Greene County, Missouri.

The Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF) is offering the Elevation Grant Program to support community-based efforts in Marion County, Indiana. This program aligns with CICF's mission to foster a thriving community by focusing on areas critical to well-being and equitable opportunity. The grant aims to empower residents and organizations to address systemic challenges through targeted interventions, ultimately leading to a more inclusive and resilient Central Indiana. The grant targets a diverse range of beneficiaries, including residents in specific neighborhoods, youth and young adults facing unique challenges, individuals currently interacting with the criminal legal system, and a priority population of Black/Latinx males aged 18-35 who are at high risk of violent victimization or perpetration. The impact goals are broad, encompassing increased resident safety, strengthened social networks, reduced crime, improved educational and employment outcomes for youth, enhanced social-emotional development, reduced recidivism, and comprehensive crisis response services for vulnerable populations. The Elevation Grant Program prioritizes five key areas: Thriving Neighborhoods, Empowered Youth / Young Adult, Restoration & Resilience, Justice-Involved Supports, and Intervention. Thriving Neighborhoods focuses on place-based efforts to promote safety and reduce crime, emphasizing resident engagement and community partnerships. Empowered Youth / Young Adult programs provide supportive services like employment, education, and mentoring to youth and young adults facing disengagement. Restoration & Resilience aims to offer social-emotional development, mental health support, and substance use reduction programs. Justice-Involved Supports focuses on services for individuals interacting with the criminal legal system to promote productive citizenship and reduce recidivism. Intervention programs implement integrated 24/7 crisis response services for the priority population, including housing, food, childcare, and mental health support. Expected outcomes and measurable results are integral to the grant program. For Thriving Neighborhoods, organizations must demonstrate increased resident safety and awareness through surveys, crime reporting, or statistics. Empowered Youth/Young Adult programs should show improved conditions for participants through measurable impacts of services and formal mentorship components. Justice-Involved Supports require demonstration of an individual's ability to gain skills, obtain work, secure housing, and prevent future interactions with the criminal legal system. The overall theory of change for CICF's Elevation Grant Program is to invest in strategic, community-led initiatives that address root causes of inequity and disengagement, thereby fostering a stronger, safer, and more equitable community for all residents of Marion County. The grant size ranges from $100,000 to $500,000 for an initial grant, with funding for the priority population ranging from $20,000 to $250,000. The grant duration is one year, with the grant period beginning October 1, 2024, and ending September 30, 2025. Eligibility criteria include being a 501(c)(3) public charity or having a fiscal sponsor, being located in and serving residents of Marion County, Indiana. Organizations may apply to multiple interest areas.

This grant provides $10,000 to support impactful projects that benefit youth in the community, specifically targeting initiatives rather than general operating expenses.

The City of Maple Valley is offering grants to local agencies and organizations that provide services and events within the community, with a deadline of July 10, 2024. The program aims to support initiatives that contribute to the city's economic development, community engagement, and human services. The grants are categorized into Economic/Community Events and Human Services, reflecting the city's commitment to fostering a vibrant and supportive environment for its residents. The Economic Development Commission (EDC) and the City's Finance Committee are responsible for reviewing applications and allocating funds, ensuring alignment with municipal purposes such as community participation and economic development. The grant program targets non-profit corporations that can demonstrate significant value to the citizens of Maple Valley. For Economic Events, beneficiaries include organizations that attract regional, state, and national participants, bringing economic benefit to the city. Examples like the Lake Wilderness Triathlon and the Be the Hope Walk illustrate the type of events that align with this focus. Community Event grants are intended for organizations that attract local participants and spectators, such as the Maple Valley Youth Symphony and Maple Valley Days, emphasizing local engagement and cultural enrichment. Human Services grants support agencies dedicated to providing essential services to the community. The program prioritizes events and services that serve valid municipal purposes, specifically community participation and economic development. For Economic Events, the focus is on attracting visitors from outside Maple Valley to stimulate the local economy. Community Events prioritize local engagement and enrichment. Human Services grants are aimed at addressing critical community needs through direct services. The evaluation process for Economic/Community Events is managed by the EDC, which recommends organizations to the City’s Finance Committee. The Finance Committee directly oversees the Human Services grant process. Expected outcomes include increased community participation, enhanced economic activity within Maple Valley, and improved access to vital human services. Measurable results for Economic Events could include visitor numbers from outside the city and economic impact assessments. For Community Events, success might be measured by local attendance and resident feedback on community engagement. Human Services grant outcomes would likely be assessed by the number of individuals served and the impact of those services on community well-being. The City of Maple Valley's strategic priority is to invest in its community through initiatives that offer both economic and social returns, thereby strengthening the overall fabric of the city.

The City of Knoxville Parks and Recreation Department's annual Challenge Grant Program aims to support non-profit projects that enhance public parks and recreation facilities within the city limits. This initiative aligns with the department's mission to foster community engagement and promote the use of public spaces for recreation and well-being. The program's focus on projects associated with public parks and recreation facilities directly contributes to the department's strategic priority of maintaining and improving accessible recreational opportunities for all residents. The target beneficiaries of this grant program include various community groups such as 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), and 501(c)(6) status organizations, homeowner associations, schools, and Scout troops. The impact goals are to encourage activities within City Parks and Greenways, offer match funds for fitness classes like Yoga and Tai Chi, and support passive programming such as painting and birdwatching. These goals are intended to increase community participation in park activities and enhance the quality of life for Knoxville residents. The program prioritizes projects that take place on City-owned or -leased property and are related to facilities available to all residents on a yearly basis. This ensures that the grants directly benefit the broader community and support accessible public resources. The funding structure, which reimburses recipients 50 percent of the project cost up to $3,000, aims to make these projects more feasible for eligible organizations. Expected outcomes include an increase in diverse activities offered in city parks and greenways, a greater number of residents participating in fitness and recreational programs, and improved utilization of public recreational facilities. The measurable results would involve tracking the types of projects funded, the number of participants in various activities, and the overall engagement with city parks. The program's theory of change posits that by providing financial support for community-led initiatives in public spaces, the City of Knoxville can cultivate a more active, engaged, and healthy populace.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in Lorain to develop community services in areas such as health, mental health, youth and senior support, homelessness, and food accessibility.

This program provides funding to community groups and local organizations in Santa Rosa for projects that improve neighborhoods and foster community engagement, such as clean-ups, public art, and gardens.

This grant provides funding for nonprofit organizations in the greater Theresa area to support projects that enhance community well-being, education, and cultural initiatives.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to neighborhoods, community groups, and local businesses in Marysville, Washington, for projects aimed at beautifying their local areas.

This grant provides funding for innovative projects that enhance the quality of life, tourism, and economic vitality in Baytown, targeting nonprofits, businesses, and entrepreneurs looking to make a significant community impact.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations and government entities within the UDS 260 area for innovative community projects that enhance local well-being.

The Rancho Bernardo Community Foundation (RBCF) invites nonprofit organizations to submit grant applications for projects that will enhance the quality of life for those who live, work, and play in Rancho Bernardo. The foundation's purpose and vision are to improve the quality of life and meet emerging needs by increasing responsible and effective philanthropy, building a community endowment, providing annual funds to community organizations, and offering a vehicle for legacy planning. This directly aligns with their mission of fostering community well-being and long-term sustainability within Rancho Bernardo. The grant program targets nonprofit organizations, schools, or government agencies whose projects clearly address Rancho Bernardo-specific issues and needs, and enhance civic engagement, with a clear impact on local residents. The overall impact goal is to improve the quality of life for the community. Funding can be used to expand existing programs, replicate successful programs from other communities, or launch entirely new initiatives, emphasizing practicality and achievability within a 12-month timeframe. RBCF's grantmaking for its 36th year focuses on two key areas: Music and Community Enhancement. For music-related programs, RBCF will award between $1,500 and $5,000 from the RB Symphony on the Green Fund. For community enhancement projects, which aim to inspire community pride, revitalization, and increase the quality of life, grants will range from $1,500 to $10,000. These focus areas reflect the foundation's strategic priority to directly invest in specific sectors that contribute to a vibrant and thriving community. Expected outcomes include projects that demonstrate and/or foster collaboration with other successful entities, have a strategic impact with long-lasting benefits, are based on a proven track record, and target clearly defined, measurable results attainable within a reasonable timeframe. Sustainability is a key criterion, meaning projects should be replicable, repeatable, and/or scalable. The foundation's theory of change posits that by supporting well-managed programs that address unmet needs, foster collaboration, and demonstrate long-term viability, they can effectively contribute to the sustained improvement of the community's quality of life. They particularly seek projects that focus on problem areas, opportunities, or populations not currently funded or serviced by existing entities.