New Jersey Recreation Grants

This grant provides funding for nonprofit organizations and other eligible entities to engage AmeriCorps participants in addressing critical community challenges across various focus areas, including education, disaster services, and environmental stewardship.

This program provides free technical assistance to New Jersey municipalities for conducting climate vulnerability assessments to enhance resilience against climate-related hazards.

This grant provides financial support to Trenton-based arts, culture, and history organizations, as well as individual artists, to enhance the city's cultural landscape and engage the community, particularly its youth and families.

This program provides financial assistance to municipalities and non-profit organizations in Monmouth County for the restoration of historic structures, requiring matching funds to support the preservation of the area's architectural heritage.

This grant provides financial support to non-profit organizations and local entities in Bergen County, New Jersey, to promote and preserve local history through various programs and projects.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to non-profit organizations and municipalities in Salem County, New Jersey, for special arts projects, general operating expenses, or technical assistance to enhance local arts initiatives.

This funding opportunity supports New Jersey Workforce Development Boards in creating partnerships to improve adult literacy and job skills for residents, helping them secure stable employment and achieve self-sufficiency.

The Union County is accepting applications for its Local Arts Grants. Donor Name: Union County State: New Jersey County: Union County (NJ) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/24/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: The Union County Board of County Commissioners, through the Cultural and Heritage Programs Advisory Board and the NJ State Council on the Arts, have made funds available to support local arts through a State/County block-grant partnership for non-profit arts organizations and non-arts organizations located in and serving the residents of Union County. LAP funds are awarded to organizations (“re-grantees”) that demonstrate a high degree of professionalism in producing arts activities, to promote the growth and expand the public impact of arts organizations and arts projects. Goals  LAP provides funds for arts programs in Union County to further these goals: create public recognition of the value of the arts strengthen local arts organizations, artistically and administratively foster and reward artistic excellence increase the availability of quality arts experiences to the general public increase accessibility to the arts through compliance with ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) broaden, deepen and diversify participation in the arts foster collaborations and partnership-building  promote expanded public and private support of local arts activities Applicants are encouraged to address any of these Special Areas of Interest: highlight the excellence of New Jersey artists and/or contemporary artists  incorporate diverse programming and artists demonstrate effort to reach a diverse audience and/or underserved communities present programs that appeal to families  promote high-quality, lifelong arts education. Type of Support Eligible organizations may apply for funding in one of two categories:  General Operating Support (GOS)  This category is exclusively for arts organizations, and is not project-specific. Request cannot exceed 40% of organization’s total projected annual operating budget. Applicants should present the full range of their organization’s operations and must demonstrate high standards of artistry and management. Special Project (SP)  This category is open to both arts and non-arts organizations, to fund an arts project or arts series. Examples of Special Projects are: Series of performances, films or presentations Programs for youth, senior citizens, or people with disabilities Culturally specific work  Enhanced costuming, orchestration, choreography or marketing  Arts education  Board development or staff training Strategic planning Marketing and Publicity ADA assistive services Technical Assistance. Funding Information Minimum Request: $1,500 Maximum Request: For General Operating Support (arts organizations only), $15,000 is the maximum request. Requested amount for GOS applicants cannot exceed 40% of organization’s total projected 2025 operating budget. For a Special Project, $5,000 is the maximum request. Grant Period The LAP Grant operates on a 12-month fiscal period. Use of Funds General Operating Support This grant is for arts organizations only, and is not project-specific. Expenditures using grant funds may include, but are not limited to: Staff salaries Consultants  Professional development  Internet, phone or other utilities  Printing and postage  Marketing, publicity and advertising Materials or supplies Leased equipment  Fundraising and development  Assistive services or equipment (ADA)  Insurance and audit expenses  Domestic travel and transportation Special Project This grant is project-specific. Funds must be used to pay expenses for the Project only: Fees for outside professional artists Fees for other outside Professionals Printing & postage Materials or supplies Rented space or equipment Maintenance costs Marketing, publicity and advertising Staff training Board development Strategic planning ADA assistive services Arts education. Eligibility Criteria  Applications are accepted from eligible organizations planning to provide the Union County public with a high-quality arts program or arts project. Arts organizations may apply for General Operating Support (GOS) or a Special Project grant (SP). Non-arts organizations may apply for a Special Project grant (SP) to fund an arts project or series. Local Arts Grants will be awarded to non-profit organizations meeting the following requirements: Is Union County-based; activities take place in Union County and benefit Union County residents  Organization is incorporated in the State of New Jersey for a minimum of two years Has IRS tax-exempt status in accordance with Sections 501(c)3 or 501(c)4 or pending same. Local Arts Grants may also be awarded to libraries, schools, and units of government for a specific Arts project. For more information, visit Union County.

The Monmouth County Municipal Park Improvement Grant Program assists municipalities by providing additional funding needed to make park improvements in municipal parks and open space. Donor Name: County of Monmouth State: New Jersey County: Monmouth County (NJ) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 07/11/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Municipal Open Space Grant Program was previously limited to $2 million a year and up to $250,000 per project. The new grant program is funded at $6 million a year and up to $500,000 per project. The Municipal Park Improvement Grant Program has expanded to include dredging projects for parks and recreation purposes and the grant application process has been simplified and streamlined. Program Goals The goal of the program is to improve land for parks and recreation purposes. Park improvements should focus on new recreational facilities, expansion, or improvement of existing recreational opportunities, preservation of historic resources in parks, and new or innovative approaches to providing local access to open spaces or recreational activities. Additional priority will be given to State-designated Urban Aid Communities and Overburdened Communities. Program limits on the number of applications and the dollars awarded have been established to enable program funding to support a larger number of municipalities. The requirement of a local contribution and local funding of program ineligible expenses provides a tangible demonstration of local commitment to what is intended to be a cooperative project. Eligible Projects  Eligible Park Improvement, Development and Redevelopment Projects All projects must be for park, recreation, open space, and historic preservation purposes. A deed of open space easement or other covenant restricting the use of the project site to these purposes will be required as a condition of award. Building new facilities and improving existing facilities through demolition, renovation, and/or stabilization will be considered as eligible. Dredging of bodies of water that help to improve and expand access to recreational areas is allowable. All project sites must be owned by the applicant municipality, or the municipality must hold a long-term lease for a term of at least 25 years beyond the grant award, or other instruments extending for substantially 25 years beyond the grant award where a thirdparty governmental entity is also a party. In all cases the site must be under the control of the applicant municipality. When project sites are not owned in fee simple by the Municipality, additional agreements or covenants may be required. Fees for use of funded facilities are permissible. Projects for the preservation of historic resources must be located within a park and must comply with the U.S. Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation. Eligibility Criteria  Monmouth County municipalities are the only eligible applicants. Municipalities are encouraged, however, to form partnerships with other public or non-profit organizations to strengthen and enhance project proposals. The Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners will enter into grant agreements with municipalities only. For more information, visit County of Monmouth.

Frank H. Stewart Trust provides grants to assist Gloucester County, Salem County, Atlantic County, Cumberland County, Cape May County, New Jersey, and the municipalities therein with the purchase of land to be used for public parks, recreation grounds, game refuges, fishing or propagation of fish, bird sanctuaries, or grounds for the protection and preservation of wildlife. Donor Name: Frank H. Stewart Trust State: New Jersey County: Atlantic County (NJ), Cape May County (NJ), Cumberland County (NJ), Gloucester County (NJ), Salem County (NJ) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 07/01/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: In addition, the Trust supports the care, maintenance, upkeep, repair, improvement, and similar costs and expenses with respect to any land owned by prior grantees that was purchased with funds from the Trust. Program Areas  Environment Animals Funding Information Average total giving per year: $150,000. Eligibility Criteria  Any potential grant recipient shall obtain from its governing body a resolution or agreement that such lands to be purchased shall be dedicated by the recipient to the public. Certified copy of the property appraisal. Land should have flowing water course, bounded by streams or bodies of water, (fresh, salt, natural or artificial) tide water or otherwise, including marshes. Land is to be used for the purposes of public parks, recreation grounds, game refuges, fishing or propagation of fish, bird sanctuaries, or grounds for the protection and preservation of wildlife. If funded, the municipality is obligated to maintain the property. Prior grantees can request funds from the Trust for the care, maintenance, upkeep, repair, improvement, and similar costs and expenses with respect to any land that was purchased with funds from the Trust. To be eligible, must be local municipality in one of the specific New Jersey counties named above. Applications must be submitted through the online grant application form or alternative accessible application designed for assistive technology users. For more information, visit Wells Fargo.

The Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber of Commerce Community Development Fund supports nonprofits that are located in the Chamber’s five-county footprint and play a critical role in education, leadership, economic opportunity, and self-sufficiency. Donor Name: Princeton Area Community Foundation State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 07/17/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: Projects / programs from organizations that play a critical role in the following areas: Education: They support innovative programs that help low-income and at-risk students succeed in school and prepare for post-secondary education and/or entry into the workforce. Priority is given to programs that reach a broad number of students, bring together community resources, support curriculum innovation, and could be replicated if successful. Economic Opportunity and Workforce Development: They support the creation of economic opportunity through grants to nonprofits that foster economic development including programs that support small business development and expansion, commercial revitalization, job creation, work-entry programs, specific skills training, and transportation. Grant Period One-year grants. Eligibility Criteria  An applicant must have tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Service Code, be a publicly supported charity under Section 509, and be registered with the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs as a charity in good standing. Applications will be accepted from organizations that operate and provide services within the Chamber’s geographic area which includes the following municipalities: Municipality of Princeton Ewing Township  Robbinsville Township West Windsor Township  Lawrence Township  Monroe Township Plainsboro Township  Hopewell Borough  Cranbury Township Montgomery Township Hopewell Township Borough of Allentown South Brunswick Township  Pennington Borough Franklin Township City of Trenton  East Windsor Township Borough of Rocky Hill Hamilton Township  Hightstown Borough The Village of Kingston. For more information, visit PACF.

The Monmouth County Community Grant welcomes proposals from nonprofit organizations addressing a wide range of community needs and priorities. Donor Name: Community Foundation of New Jersey State: New Jersey County: Monmouth County (NJ) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/31/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: While projects from all areas will be considered, priority will be given to initiatives that demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, both in leadership and service delivery. Focus Areas  Key focus areas for funding consideration include, but are not limited to: Programs and Services: Support for initiatives that directly benefit underserved populations, including education, healthcare, housing, food security, employment, and youth development. Collaborative Partnerships: Funding for collaborative projects and partnerships between nonprofit organizations, community groups, government agencies, and other stakeholders to maximize impact and address systemic issues affecting underserved populations. General Operating Support: Funding to continue supporting the mission of the nonprofits. Funding Information Grant Amount: Up to $10,000 per organization. Eligibility Criteria  Nonprofit organizations with less than $1,000,000 operating budget serving Monmouth County are encouraged to apply. Nonprofits with larger operating budgets may apply at your discretion. For more information, visit CFNJ.

The New Jersey Department of Agriculture (NJDA) requests applications for the funding available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Marketing Service’s (AMS) Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP), and the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2021 (H.R. 133) to carry out projects that enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. Donor Name: New Jersey Department of Agriculture (NJDA) State: New Jersey County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/03/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: 2 Years Details: The purpose of this Request for Proposals (RFP) is to build upon the SCBGP’s mission to enhance New Jersey’s specialty crop industry through the community of underserved farmers, including those who are Socially Disadvantaged, Beginning or Military Veteran farmers of Specialty Crops in the state of New Jersey. Funding Information Funding for projects up to $5,000 will be available to selected and approved applicants after July 1, 2024. Grant Period Projects can receive funding for activities conducted between June 1st, 2024 – September 29, 2025. Examples of Allowable Activities The Underserved Farmers Mini-Grant will fund allowable projects under the guidelines established by the FY21 USDA-AMS Specialty Crop Block Grant Program and the USDA-AMS General Terms and Conditions. Projects can include activities such as: Researching new cultivars Providing outreach opportunities on specialty crops to youth, families, seniors, and the overall community Marketing specialty crops through a targeted promotional campaign Hiring personnel Purchasing special purpose equipment Holding an educational workshop Planting specialty crops Distributing product promotional materials. Eligibility Criteria  This program is available to qualified businesses and producers, as well as nonprofit and community-based organizations who seek to develop projects that will increase production, marketing, and research of specialty crops. For more information, visit NJDA.

The Morris County Office of Planning and Preservation has announced that the 2024 Grant application for funding of open space projects under the Morris County Preservation Trust. Donor Name: Morris County Office of Planning and Preservation State: New Jersey County: Morris County (NJ) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/14/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Program rules now include costs for demolition and restoration of a property (up to a maximum of 10% of the eligible land cost, or $50,000 whichever is less) as allowable costs under the program. Projects eligible for consideration for funding from the Morris County Municipal and/or Non-Profit program of the Morris County Preservation Trust Fund include the following: Land or water areas for recreation and conservation purposes, including but not limited to: Parkland, natural areas, greenways The protection of ecologically sensitive areas including freshwater wetlands, steep slopes and stream corridors The preservation of lands containing exceptional flora or fauna The preservation of areas of scenic, historic and cultural value Passive and active outdoor recreational opportunities The protection of critical water supplies such as areas surrounding municipal/county wells, aquifer recharge protection areas or watershed areas, and floodplains The acquisition of historic sites eligible under the Historic Preservation Trust Fund Program. Eligible Applicants  The following entities are eligible to apply for funds: Any of the thirty-nine municipalities in the County of Morris. Charitable conservancies. For more information, visit Morris County.