Private Recreation Grants

The LA2050 Grants Challenge, an initiative by the Goldhirsh Foundation, is an open call for innovative ideas to enhance Los Angeles as a place to learn, create, play, connect, and live. This program directly aligns with the foundation's mission to drive progress and change the future course of the region by addressing issues Angelenos care most about. Through this challenge, LA2050 seeks to foster a vibrant and equitable Los Angeles by empowering organizations that are committed to making a tangible difference in the community. The target beneficiaries of this grant program are the residents of Los Angeles County, with a particular focus on addressing challenges faced by various vulnerable populations. The impact goals are broad and aim to create measurable improvements across several critical issue areas. These include increasing access to creative industry employment, addressing affordable housing and homelessness, improving community safety, expanding green spaces and park access, enhancing healthcare access, supporting immigrants and refugees, reducing income inequality, advancing K-12 STEAM education, creating opportunities for previously incarcerated individuals, promoting play equity for mental health, improving public transit, and supporting foster and systems-impacted youth, and youth economic advancement. LA2050 prioritizes and focuses on bold ideas that will yield measurable wins for the LA region, emphasizing a spirit of collaboration and a desire to unify and amplify collective efforts. A clear focus on inclusion, diversity of voices, and equity is paramount. The program also seeks to support efforts that not only produce positive results but are also dedicated to increasing local engagement and civic participation, as well as those willing to test new strategies. This approach reflects the foundation's strategic priority to invest in innovative solutions that have the potential for widespread and lasting positive change. Expected outcomes and measurable results include a total of $1 million being awarded to 15 organizations, with grant amounts ranging from $50,000 to $75,000, over a one-year period. Beyond direct funding, LA2050 commits to a one-year partnership with winning organizations, leveraging its resources, assets, and networks to help projects succeed. This includes increased awareness and exposure for projects, deeper understanding of LA’s social impact landscape, opportunities to cultivate new relationships, and visibility in front of other foundations, with past challenges resulting in over $6.5 million in additional grants. The theory of change is that by strategically investing in and partnering with these organizations, LA2050 and the Goldhirsh Foundation can collectively drive significant progress for the region, fostering a more connected, equitable, and thriving Los Angeles for all its residents.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for nonprofit organizations, faith-based groups, and tribal entities to enhance urban forestry and community engagement in disadvantaged communities across the U.S., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations and government entities for youth summer programs that promote education and social interaction, or for senior citizen programs that encourage entertainment and cognitive engagement in the Lockwood area.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in Alaska for projects that strengthen their internal operations and improve their effectiveness through capacity-building initiatives.

This grant provides funding for projects that enhance community and economic growth in Huron County by supporting workforce development, vibrant community initiatives, and business development, among other areas of interest.

The Apache Corporation Tree Grant Program, active since 2005, is an initiative that provides trees to nonprofit charitable partners and government agencies across the United States. Its core mission aligns with environmental conservation and community enrichment, aiming to support the development and improvement of public parks and green spaces, preserve natural habitats, and facilitate reforestation efforts. The program reflects Apache Corporation's commitment to corporate social responsibility by investing in the ecological health of the communities where it operates. The program targets a broad range of beneficiaries, including cities, counties, schools, parks, universities, youth associations, wildlife refuges, and various charitable service groups. Eligible applicants are charitable nonprofit organizations or municipal, state, or federal government agencies with 501(c)(3) tax exemption status in states where Apache Corporation has operations: Texas, New Mexico, Louisiana, and Wyoming. The impact goals are centered on increasing tree cover, enhancing biodiversity, and fostering community engagement in environmental stewardship. Key priorities and focuses of the grant include providing native/indigenous tree species to the applicant's local geographical area, ensuring the sustainable growth of public green spaces, and supporting conservation efforts. The program does not provide direct funds to grantees; instead, Apache Corporation covers the cost of trees and freight delivery. Grant recipients are required to request a minimum of 50 one-gallon, three-gallon, or five-gallon trees, or 1,000 bare root seedlings, and must work directly with Apache’s partner arborist, ensuring expert guidance and appropriate tree selection. Expected outcomes and measurable results include the distribution of millions of trees annually, contributing to significant reforestation and habitat restoration. The program anticipates an increase in public green spaces, improved air quality, enhanced wildlife habitats, and greater community involvement in environmental initiatives. By partnering with a diverse range of organizations, Apache aims to create a ripple effect of positive environmental and social impact, aligning with a strategic priority to support long-term ecological health and community well-being.

The Austin Parks Foundation is offering Neighborhood Grants ranging from $500 to $5,000 for a 12-month period to support small-scale park improvement projects initiated by community groups such as Adopt-A-Park participants, park stewards, and community gardeners in Austin, Texas.

The Paint Oklahoma Beautiful program, a Keep Oklahoma Beautiful initiative, is designed to empower community organizations and volunteers to rejuvenate unsightly buildings within their localities. This program aligns with the foundation's mission by fostering community engagement, promoting civic pride, and enhancing the aesthetic appeal of Oklahoma's communities through the creative and resourceful renovation of structures. The target beneficiaries of this program are groups and organizations located in Oklahoma that are dedicated to improving their communities. The program aims to encourage volunteerism and provide resources for community-led beautification projects. Impact goals include fostering a sense of ownership among residents, improving the visual landscape of towns and cities, and creating more inviting public spaces. The program prioritizes projects that utilize the provided 5-gallon pails of paint for renovation, with an option for a primer stipend if needed. Eligible projects encompass a wide range of community structures, such as downtown buildings, schools, community centers, playground equipment, fences, and walls. For safety, projects must avoid heavy traffic areas, highways, and streets. The program focuses on encouraging broad participation, while also offering a contest for those who adhere strictly to the provided paint. Expected outcomes include a measurable increase in the number of renovated community structures and a heightened sense of community spirit. Measurable results are demonstrated through the "Communities Primed for Change" contest, which awards prizes for first, second, and third place, with prizes of $1000, $750, and $500 respectively. This incentivizes participants to complete projects using only the provided paint and the structure included in their application, reinforcing the program's strategic priority of resource-efficient community improvement.

The Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber of Commerce Community Development Fund, supported by the Princeton Area Community Foundation, aims to bolster nonprofits within the Chamber's five-county operational area. This initiative aligns with the foundation's mission by strategically investing in organizations that are vital to the community's progress in education, leadership, economic opportunity, and self-sufficiency. The fund specifically targets areas that address critical societal needs, ensuring that resources are directed towards impactful and sustainable change within the region. The program's core focus areas are Education and Economic Opportunity and Workforce Development. In education, the fund prioritizes innovative programs designed to help low-income and at-risk students succeed academically, prepare for higher education, or enter the workforce. Key impact goals include reaching a broad student population, fostering community resource collaboration, promoting curriculum innovation, and supporting scalable models. The expected outcomes are improved academic achievement, increased access to post-secondary education or employment, and the development of replicable successful educational initiatives. For Economic Opportunity and Workforce Development, the fund supports nonprofits that drive economic growth. This includes initiatives for small business development and expansion, commercial revitalization, job creation, work-entry programs, specialized skills training, and transportation solutions. The impact goals are centered on fostering a more robust local economy and creating pathways to self-sufficiency for community members. Measurable results would include an increase in new businesses, job placements, individuals completing skills training, and improved access to employment opportunities. The eligibility criteria for applicants reflect the foundation's strategic priorities, requiring tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)3, public charity status under Section 509, and registration with the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs. This ensures that funds are distributed to credible and well-governed organizations. The geographic scope, encompassing numerous municipalities within the Chamber's area, highlights a theory of change that local, targeted investments in key sectors will lead to broad community development and improved quality of life across the region. The one-year grant duration encourages focused, impactful projects with clear objectives within that timeframe.

The Healthy Environment, Healthy Communities Grant Program is a funding initiative by the Chesapeake Bay Trust that supports projects by various organizations to address environmental and public health issues through education, small-scale greening, and large-scale restoration in specific areas affected by wastewater treatment plants and energy companies.

The Educational Opportunities Program, offered by Middlesex Savings Bank, is designed to empower organizations to deliver distinctive and impactful educational experiences to both youths and adults. This grant aligns with the foundation's mission to support community development through initiatives that foster learning and skill-building. By focusing on a broad range of educational opportunities, the program seeks to address critical needs within the communities served by Middlesex Savings Bank, promoting personal and professional growth for individuals of all ages. The primary beneficiaries of this program are youths and adults residing in the designated geographic areas. Impact goals include enhancing job readiness, improving adult literacy, promoting financial education, and enriching youth development. Specifically, the program targets individuals who can benefit from job training, English as a Second Language courses, credit education, home-buying seminars, and various youth enrichment activities. The expected outcomes are increased employment opportunities, improved financial literacy, enhanced educational attainment, and overall community betterment. The program prioritizes initiatives that provide tangible skills and knowledge. Key focus areas include job training and readiness programs, adult education, English as a Second Language instruction, credit education, home-buying seminars, and youth enrichment programs. The foundation's strategic priority is to invest in educational programs that offer practical, measurable results and contribute directly to the economic and social well-being of the community. This aligns with a theory of change where targeted educational interventions lead to improved individual capabilities and, consequently, stronger communities. While the overall grant size ranges from $10,000 to $100,000, individual grant requests are considered up to $20,000. This indicates a focus on supporting a wider array of smaller, impactful projects rather than a few large-scale initiatives. Eligible applicants must be nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving one or more communities within Middlesex Savings Bank's service area. The program specifically excludes funding for political or sectarian activities, as well as organizations utilizing a fiscal agent, ensuring that funds are directed towards direct educational services within the foundation's established guidelines.

The Greater Cincinnati Foundation (GCF) is offering grants through its Environmental Sustainability Grant Program, with a deadline of July 19, 2024. This program is designed to enhance environmental sustainability in the Greater Cincinnati region by improving the accessibility and quality of greenspaces, supporting conservation efforts, promoting horticulture, and advancing nature education, particularly for historically marginalized groups. This initiative aligns directly with GCF's mission to support and enhance the environmental sustainability of the region. The target beneficiaries of this program are organizations with efforts based in the Greater Cincinnati region, specifically in Hamilton, Butler, Warren, and Clermont counties in Ohio; Boone, Kenton, and Campbell counties in Kentucky; and Dearborn County in Indiana. The program aims to increase the benefits of nature for historically marginalized groups, including improved fresh food access and nature education, especially for children and youth. The overall impact goal is to create a more environmentally sustainable and equitable region through accessible greenspaces and quality education. GCF's priorities for this grant cycle include organizations that develop solutions with a racial equity lens, requests that beautify, create, conserve, and/or restore greenspaces (with a preference for those benefiting historically marginalized groups), and proposals that connect historically marginalized groups to the benefits of nature. Strong preference will be given to organizations demonstrating partnerships, collaboration, alignment with community-wide efforts, and insights from past results, utilizing an asset-based approach. Funding may be used for a variety of purposes, including supporting, expanding, or strengthening existing programs, enacting capital improvements, launching new programs, or building organizational capacity. Collaboration between well-aligned organizations is highly favored. GCF has approximately $400,000 available for the 2024 Environmental Sustainability cycle, with individual grants awarded for up to $25,000. Expected outcomes include clear and measurable results related to greenspace improvements, increased access to nature for marginalized communities, and enhanced environmental education.

The Community Good Grants Program provides funding requests once a year according to its grant cycle. These grants are intended to support a wide variety of needs within Knox County, including one-time project support, additional support, or expansions of initial projects. The funding is made possible through Community Good Unrestricted Funds and Field of Interest Funds. Applications for the 2024 cycle are accepted from August 1, 2024, through September 11, 2024, with a deadline at noon. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) and 509(a) tax-exempt nonprofit organizations and governmental agencies serving Knox County. Nonprofit organizations not classified as 501(c)(3) public charities may be considered if the project is charitable and supports a community need, potentially requiring a fiscal sponsor.

The Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) Gives Back Grant Program, now in its second round for 2024, is an initiative by the Boston Athletic Association to support nonprofit organizations in Massachusetts. Launched in 2023, the program has already benefited 32 organizations, distributing $400,000 to date. This grant program is a direct reflection of the B.A.A.'s core mission, which is to promote a healthy lifestyle through sports, particularly running, with the overarching goal of building healthy communities. The program aligns with the B.A.A.'s strategic priorities by investing in local nonprofits that share this commitment to community well-being through athletic engagement. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are nonprofit organizations that are registered 501(c)(3)s or public agencies, are non-political, and are located in and serve residents of Massachusetts. These organizations must demonstrate a program that directly advances the B.A.A.'s mission of fostering healthy lifestyles through sports, especially running. The impact goal is to strengthen communities statewide by supporting initiatives that encourage physical activity and promote overall health. The program's priorities and focuses are centered on supporting organizations that use sports, particularly running, as a vehicle for community health and development. The grants range from $5,000 to $15,000 in this funding round, indicating a focus on providing accessible funding to a broad range of qualifying organizations. The B.A.A. emphasizes that organizations are eligible to receive funding once per calendar year, suggesting a commitment to sustained support for its partners. The expected outcomes of the B.A.A. Gives Back Grant Program include an increase in community engagement in healthy lifestyle activities, improved access to sports and running programs for Massachusetts residents, and the empowerment of local nonprofits to expand their reach and impact. While specific measurable results are not detailed in this description, the historical data of 32 organizations benefiting and $400,000 awarded statewide since inception serve as initial indicators of the program's reach and the B.A.A.'s theory of change—that by investing in local sports and running initiatives, they can foster healthier, more vibrant communities across the state.

Talbot Arts invites grant applications for its Community Arts Development (CAD) Program, aimed at funding arts activities that serve Talbot County, Maryland. This program aligns with Talbot Arts' mission to engage all community members through targeted outreach, fostering equitable access to diverse and inclusive local arts activities. The simplified application process, accessible support, and transparent evaluations are designed to create an even playing field for all applicants, ensuring that the focus remains on the artistic merit and community impact of proposed activities. The CAD program primarily targets non-profit and government-related organizations that provide artistic experiences for citizens and visitors to Talbot County. A particular emphasis is placed on bringing arts to underserved communities, including individuals in healthcare settings, the economically disadvantaged, seniors, and those with special needs. The impact goal is to broaden participation in the arts, enriching the lives of these specific groups and the wider community by making artistic expression and engagement more accessible. Priorities for funding include proposals demonstrating strong artistic merit and organizational effectiveness—the ability of the applying organization to successfully carry out the proposed activity. Crucially, Talbot Arts seeks projects that exemplify service to the community, focusing on how well the proposed activity or program will benefit students, residents, and guests of Talbot County. This strategic focus ensures that grants are awarded to initiatives that can demonstrate both artistic quality and tangible community benefit. Expected outcomes include an increase in diverse and inclusive local arts activities, particularly in underserved areas, and a more engaged community through participation in the arts. While specific measurable results are not detailed in terms of quantifiable metrics within the provided text, the criteria of "organizational effectiveness" and "service to the community" imply an expectation of successful project implementation and positive community reception. Grants typically range from $1,000 to $24,000, with an overall program size between $100,000 and $500,000, supporting activities for a duration of one year, specifically from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025.

The Arts Build Communities (ABC) grant program, administered by the Tennessee Arts Commission, aims to bolster arts projects that expand access to artistic experiences, leverage the arts to address community quality of life issues, and foster the sustained growth of asset-based cultural enterprises. This program aligns with a mission to enrich communities through the arts, promoting their role in social well-being and economic development. The grant supports diverse initiatives, from innovative new arts experiences to programs that strengthen social networks through community engagement. The program targets a wide array of beneficiaries, including community residents, experienced and emerging artists and arts administrators, and underserved constituencies. The latter group specifically includes at-risk youth, economically disadvantaged individuals, people in rural or isolated settings, people with disabilities, people of color, and senior citizens. The impact goals are centered on positive community change, such as strengthening social networks, enhancing community identity and economic development through cultural arts, and building entrepreneurial skills for artists and administrators. The ABC grant program prioritizes activities that directly involve and promote Tennessee artists, support touring projects that bring professional performers statewide, and improve program accessibility for various underserved groups. Other focuses include public performances, productions, exhibitions, festival coordination, and training that enhances creative workforce skills. The program's philosophy supports a broad range of activities and expenditures, from administrative support and research to art in public places and literary projects. Expected outcomes include increased access to arts experiences, measurable improvements in community quality of life through artistic interventions, and enhanced sustainability of cultural organizations and artists. The program's strategic approach involves funding projects that demonstrate a clear potential to affect positive change, strengthen community ties, and contribute to local identity and economic vitality. The theory of change posits that by supporting diverse arts initiatives and making them accessible, communities will experience enhanced social cohesion, cultural richness, and economic resilience, ultimately leading to a higher quality of life for residents across Tennessee.

This program provides funding to local organizations in Iroquois County to enhance their existing food, shelter, and emergency assistance services for individuals and families in need.

This funding program provides financial support to early childhood education centers and family child care providers in Orleans Parish, Louisiana, to expand and improve their facilities, ensuring more quality learning opportunities for children from low to moderate-income households.

The Rockingham County Community Foundation is accepting applications from qualified charitable organizations to address local needs within Rockingham County, North Carolina. This grant program is aligned with the foundation's mission to support a broad range of community purposes, including human services, education, youth development, health, food/nutrition, and arts. The foundation emphasizes meeting local needs, indicating a strategic priority on community-driven impact and direct support for local initiatives. The target beneficiaries of this grant program are organizations serving the local community in Rockingham County, North Carolina. This includes 501(c)(3) public charity nonprofit organizations, organizations with a 501(c)(3) fiscal agent, local governments (including public schools), and fire and rescue departments. Religious entities may also apply for funding for social outreach and charitable service programs benefiting the community at large, but not for general operating support. The program aims to create a positive impact by funding initiatives that cater to diverse community needs, from basic human services to educational and cultural enrichment. The program's priorities and focuses are broad, encompassing areas such as human services, education, youth development, health, food/nutrition, and arts. This indicates a holistic approach to community development, recognizing the interconnectedness of various social determinants of well-being. The foundation's strategic priorities appear to be centered on fostering a vibrant and supportive community by addressing a wide spectrum of needs through local, qualified organizations. Grants typically range from $500 to $1,000, suggesting a focus on supporting smaller-scale projects or providing seed funding for local initiatives. While specific expected outcomes and measurable results are not explicitly detailed in the provided text, the emphasis on a "broad range of purposes to meet local needs" implies a theory of change where targeted, modest funding can lead to tangible improvements in community well-being across multiple sectors. Organizations are expected to offer programs and services without discrimination, ensuring equitable access and impact.

This funding opportunity supports South Carolina artists in launching or enhancing arts-based business initiatives that promote career satisfaction and sustainability.