State Recreation Grants

This funding program provides financial support to improve tourism attractions and events in Illinois, helping local economies thrive by increasing visitor engagement.

The 2024 Texas Rural Woman Grant, offered by Texas Woman's University, aims to foster economic development in rural Texas by empowering woman-owned small businesses to undertake innovative projects. This grant aligns with the university's mission to support women entrepreneurs and stimulate economic growth in underserved areas of the state. The program seeks to address the unique challenges faced by rural businesses, contributing to the overall economic well-being of Texas communities. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are existing rural, woman-owned small businesses in Texas. These businesses must be at least 51% directly owned and controlled by one or more U.S. citizen women who also reside in Texas. The grant focuses on for-profit corporations, partnerships, LLPs, LLCs, or sole proprietorships located and operated within eligible rural Texas counties. The impact goal is to encourage and enable these businesses to undertake new and innovative projects, thereby creating greater economic development activity in rural Texas. The grant prioritizes projects that involve the purchase of machinery, equipment, or technology; farm implements or machinery; the addition or acquisition of new inventory or raw materials; the purchase and installation of fixtures or display units; property improvements that will result in increased sales and revenue; and marketing or advertising campaigns. Any other business-related activity deemed aligned with the program's purpose by the Center for Women Entrepreneurs (CWE) is also eligible. This focus ensures that funding directly supports tangible growth and operational enhancements for the recipient businesses. The expected outcomes and measurable results include the successful implementation of new projects by ten woman-owned businesses, each receiving a $5,000 grant. Recipients are required to complete a small business training course, engage in three hours of small business advising/mentoring, and submit an approved business plan with three years of financials. These requirements are designed to not only provide immediate financial support but also equip business owners with the knowledge and resources for sustainable long-term success and growth, leading to increased sales and revenue for their businesses.

This program provides financial assistance to private landowners and organizations for planting new forests on non-forested lands of five acres or more in New York, helping to combat climate change and support local economies.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to Montana cities, towns, nonprofits, and tribal governments for innovative urban forestry projects that enhance community forests and promote ecological resilience.

This program provides funding to New Jersey middle schools to explore career opportunities in the esports industry, aiming to improve student engagement and attendance, particularly for special populations.

This grant provides funding for research projects that enhance the health of the Lake Champlain Basin, focusing on climate change adaptation, water quality, and community resilience, and is open to universities, nonprofits, and businesses in Vermont and New York.

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)

The Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office administers the Farmland Preservation Grant program to purchase development rights on farmland so that it remains available for agriculture into the future. The program is part of the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program and was expanded by the Legislature in 2005 to include significant farmland preservation. Funding supports acquisition of conservation easements and related incidental costs, along with eligible enhancement and restoration that improve agricultural viability, and stewardship planning. Typical projects acquire easements on farmland threatened by development. Enhancement and restoration elements may not exceed one half of total acquisition costs including match, and farm stewardship plans may not exceed 10,000 dollars. Eligible applicants include cities, counties, nonprofit nature conservancy corporations or associations, and the State Conservation Commission. Ineligible activities include short term rights under 25 years, acquisition of land already owned by government, property obtained through condemnation, consumable supplies except for a one time application as part of restoration, elements not considered fixtures or capital items, cleanup of illegal activities, indoor facilities, operating or overhead expenses, purchase of maintenance equipment or supplies, restoration conducted before grant agreement, and transfer of development rights. Applications are due May 1, 2024 through the state’s process. Grant limits are not otherwise specified. Further details are available from the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office.

This funding program provides financial support to Kansas cities and counties for building sidewalks and trails that improve access to essential services for low- and moderate-income residents.

This grant provides funding to small and larger communities in Kansas for the construction or renovation of public recreational facilities and libraries to enhance community engagement and well-being.

This grant provides funding to organizations for developing a comprehensive outreach strategy to enhance awareness and participation in the Chesapeake Bay Program's restoration efforts across its watershed.

This grant provides $40,000 to small businesses in Springfield, Illinois, that have suffered revenue losses due to construction disruptions near the Capitol Complex.

This program provides funding to local governments and private organizations in Iowa for the development and maintenance of trails and parks for all-terrain and off-road vehicles.

The FY25 LAND Grant Program, managed by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA), offers financial assistance to Massachusetts municipal conservation and agriculture commissions. The program supports the acquisition of conservation land to enhance outdoor recreation, conserve natural resources, and address climate change impacts. Eligible projects include purchases of land or conservation restrictions, and all properties acquired under this program are required to be open to the public for passive recreation. Grant renwed every year

The Department of Human Services (DHS) Family Services Administration (FSA) in the District of Columbia is offering grants for Fiscal Year 2025 to support youth and families. This initiative seeks to procure service providers to offer supportive services to youth aged 10-24 who are experiencing extensive juvenile and truancy situations. The primary objective is to help youth and families achieve specific goals and tasks, aligning with the DHS/FSA's mission to enhance family well-being and provide critical human services within the District. The program's core goals, as targeted by Youth Services Division (YSD) staff, include reducing truancy and associated behaviors (such as running away and extreme disobedience), preventing involvement in the juvenile justice system, and improving youth functioning and behavior across school, home, and community environments. These goals are directed at all participating youth and their families, including Spanish-speaking families, with each youth having an assigned Case Manager, Social Worker, or Functional Family Therapist (FFT) to ensure comprehensive support. The primary target population for these Youth and Family Support Services are youth aged 10 to 18, as well as transition-age youth up to 24 years old, and their families who are actively engaged in YSD programs and services. The expected outcomes include a reduction in truancy rates, a decrease in juvenile justice system involvement, and observable improvements in youth behavior and overall functioning. Measurable results will likely be tracked through attendance records, reported incidents, and assessments of social and emotional well-being. Eligibility for this RFA extends to local social services organizations, not-for-profit corporations, and charitable organizations, including faith-based groups, that serve the target population. Organizations incorporated as a not-for-profit or religious corporation or a public agency under District law, or those authorized to conduct corporate activities and provide care in the District with federal tax-exempt status, are also eligible. The total estimated program funding is up to $900,000.00, with an award ceiling of $200,000.00 and an award floor of $50,000.00. The period of performance is from October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2025.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to public schools and nonprofit organizations in Durham County for innovative educational programs that promote equity and enhance college or career readiness for young people.

This program provides funding to private and municipal landowners of conserved properties in Massachusetts to enhance wildlife habitats and improve public access for outdoor recreation.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations and local governments in New York to develop infrastructure projects that improve food access and resilience in underserved communities.

The Alaska Sustainable Salmon Fund (AKSSF), managed by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G), is seeking proposals through its Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund (PCSRF to support salmon conservation statewide. This grant program aims to conserve and restore Alaska's salmon populations and their habitats. The broader mission, aligned with these efforts, is likely to ensure the long-term health and sustainability of salmon resources for both ecological balance and the benefit of communities reliant on them. The target beneficiaries of this grant program include various entities such as nonprofit organizations, universities, government organizations, tribal organizations, commercial organizations, and individuals, all working towards salmon conservation. The ultimate impact goal is the protection and recovery of Alaska's salmon populations, particularly those utilized for subsistence. This will ensure the continued availability of salmon for both ecological and human needs, supporting the cultural and economic well-being of Alaskan communities. The program has three primary funding priorities: habitat conservation or restoration in areas utilized by subsistence stocks, habitat conservation, restoration, or resiliency assessment in areas that may or may not be utilized by subsistence stocks, and monitoring and assessment of salmon populations utilized for subsistence. These priorities indicate a strategic focus on direct habitat improvements, comprehensive assessments of habitat health, and robust monitoring of salmon populations, with a particular emphasis on supporting subsistence communities. Expected outcomes include improved salmon habitats, increased resiliency of salmon populations, and a better understanding of salmon population dynamics through enhanced monitoring and assessment. Measurable results could include the number of acres of habitat conserved or restored, the increase in salmon population sizes in targeted areas, and the establishment of new or improved monitoring programs. The ADF&G anticipates making up to $9 million available, with specific allocations for each project category. The foundation's strategic priorities, as evidenced by the funding categories, focus on a comprehensive approach to salmon recovery, integrating habitat work with scientific assessment. The implicit theory of change is that by investing in habitat protection, restoration, and rigorous scientific monitoring, the health and abundance of Alaska's salmon populations, especially those vital for subsistence, will be sustained and improved for future generations.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations and government entities in Colorado to create and improve tourism projects that enhance the visitor experience, with a generous matching fund requirement.