Ohio Recreation Grants

This funding opportunity, the FY25 Arizona Vehicle Theft Task Force Annual Grant, is offered by the Arizona Automobile Theft Authority (AATA). Its primary mission is to provide funding to the Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZ DPS) to administer the statewide Vehicle Theft Task Force. This directly aligns with the AATA's foundational mission of combating automobile theft within Arizona, by empowering a key state agency to lead enforcement and prevention efforts. The target beneficiaries of this grant are the residents of Arizona, who will benefit from reduced vehicle theft rates and enhanced public safety. The impact goal is to significantly deter and reduce vehicle theft across the state, thereby protecting property and reducing the associated financial and social costs. This is achieved through the operationalization of a dedicated task force focused on vehicle theft. The grant prioritizes the ongoing operation and administration of the statewide Vehicle Theft Task Force by the AZ DPS. This focus includes the resources necessary for the task force to conduct investigations, apprehend offenders, and implement prevention strategies. The AATA's strategic priority is to ensure a robust and effective response to vehicle theft, and this grant is a direct mechanism for achieving that. Expected outcomes include a more efficient and effective statewide response to vehicle theft, leading to a measurable decrease in theft incidents. Grantees are required to submit monthly or quarterly financial and performance reports within the Ecivis Grant Management System. These reports serve as the primary measurable results, allowing the AATA to track the task force's activities, expenditures, and impact on vehicle theft statistics, thereby demonstrating the success and accountability of the program. The theory of change is that by consistently funding and monitoring a dedicated Vehicle Theft Task Force, the state will see a direct and positive correlation in the reduction of vehicle theft and an increase in related enforcement actions.

The City of Columbus is offering the New American Civic Integration Seed Fund, a new initiative under its New American Program. This grant program aims to increase funding access for organizations serving New Americans, fostering community building, youth engagement, and strengthening their capacity to effectively serve new arrivals. The program aligns with the city's mission to support and assist the unique and emerging needs of the growing immigrant and refugee community in Columbus, providing supportive services that meet their cultural and linguistic requirements. Funding is provided through the City of Columbus Department of Neighborhoods' New American Program. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are New Americans, immigrants, and refugees residing in the city of Columbus. The program's impact goals include creating access to funding, fostering community building, promoting youth engagement, and strengthening organizations to better serve newly arrived residents. It also seeks to support and assist with the unique and emerging needs of this community and provide culturally and linguistically appropriate supportive services. The grant prioritizes new and existing projects or programs, as well as services that support integration, civic participation, and the pursuit of the citizenship process. Special interest is given to newer organizations focusing on communities not fully represented and in urgent need of community programming. Key focuses include capacity building, civic integration, youth and civic engagement, and emergency situations. Expected outcomes include enhanced capacity of New American serving organizations, increased civic participation among new arrivals, and improved integration into the Columbus community. Measurable results could include the number of organizations supported, the number of New Americans served, the types of programs implemented, and progress in civic engagement and citizenship processes. Applicants can request up to $10,000.00. The City of Columbus's strategic priorities for this fund revolve around fostering an inclusive environment for its diverse population. The theory of change suggests that by providing targeted financial support to organizations that directly serve New Americans, the city can facilitate greater integration, self-sufficiency, and overall well-being for this demographic. This, in turn, contributes to a more vibrant and equitable community for all Columbus residents. Eligibility criteria stipulate that applying organizations must have 501(c)(3) status, serve New Americans, immigrants, and refugees, and primarily serve city of Columbus residents.

The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio is offering a Youth-led Grant Program, providing $250 to $2,500 for projects developed and implemented by youth in partnership with a nonprofit, school, or public organization, focusing on areas such as arts, education, community development, environmental stewardship, and health services in selected counties of Ohio.

This grant provides funding to local nonprofits and governmental organizations in Wayne and Holmes Counties to address critical community needs in areas such as health, basic needs, workforce development, and youth development.

The Carroll Community Fund, an affiliate of Stark Community Foundation, offers a grant program designed to provide flexible funding that allows Carroll County residents to make a positive and immediate impact within their community. This program is exclusively for Carroll County, supporting a wide array of projects and programs that address local issues. The overall mission alignment is to empower local initiatives and foster community development by providing essential financial support to organizations directly benefiting the county. The primary target beneficiaries are tax-exempt private agencies, 501(c)(3) organizations, and government entities located within or directly benefiting Carroll County, Ohio. Religious institutions are eligible if their program's purpose is primarily secular or civic, any religious activity is incidental or paid for by other sources, and services are provided without religious limitation. Private schools are considered for grants focused on non-religious educational activities, where the institution is non-sectarian, equipment purchases act as a catalyst for new programs, there are multiple funding sources, or the programs serve the disadvantaged or handicapped. The impact goals are to address local issues, support artistic diversity, promote recreational facilities with community support, and ensure the survival of key agencies or programs facing funding changes. The fund prioritizes projects and programs that are locally focused and demonstrate a clear benefit to Carroll County. While not explicitly stated as "strategic priorities" or a "theory of change," the types of projects that are generally not considered—such as operating expenses for well-established organizations, debt financing, annual community celebrations, annual fund drives, conferences/recognition dinners, and most endowment funds—reveal an emphasis on new initiatives, short-term critical support, and programs with a direct, tangible impact. The fund seeks to avoid supplanting existing operational budgets or covering past deficits, instead focusing on catalytic support and filling gaps where funding is critical. Expected outcomes include the successful implementation of diverse projects that address local needs, enhanced community well-being through supported arts and recreational programs, and the sustained operation of crucial agencies during periods of funding uncertainty. The emphasis on challenge grants or partial funding for arts proposals suggests an outcome of fostering broad community support and engagement. For recreational proposals, proof of ongoing maintenance capacity indicates a desire for sustainable community assets. The grant-making contingencies, requiring that grants be met within one calendar year or rescinded, suggest an outcome of timely and efficient use of funds to achieve immediate community impact.

The Wyandot County Community Foundation Grants Program supports organizations that meet the educational, cultural, health, social service, recreational, and economic development needs of Wyandot County in Ohio. Eligible organizations must be a 501(c)(3) or a unit of government such as a county, city, township, or public school board. The grants are limited to organizations operating and/or serving residents of Wyandot County. The deadline for applications is July 31st. Applications can be submitted by mail or email. The grants are awarded annually in October. The contact information for the Wyandot County Community Foundation is as follows: PO Box 364, Upper Sandusky, OH 43351; Phone: 419-294-3556; Email: [email protected]. For more information and to download the grant application, visit their website at www.wyandotcommunityfoundation.org.

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 grant provides financial support for Cuyahoga County-based artists to fund public projects, events, or specific needs related to their creative practices.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit and public sector programs in specific Ohio counties that promote successful children, healthy families, self-sufficient residents, and strong communities.

The Greater Cincinnati Foundation (GCF) offers the Environmental Sustainability Grant Program to support and enhance the environmental sustainability of the Greater Cincinnati region. This aligns with GCF's mission to increase accessibility and quality of greenspaces, conservation, horticulture, and nature education, with a strong emphasis on inclusivity for historically marginalized groups. The program aims to address environmental disparities and promote equitable access to nature's benefits. The primary beneficiaries of this program are organizations whose efforts are based in the Greater Cincinnati region, specifically within the counties of Hamilton, Butler, Warren, and Clermont in Ohio; Boone, Kenton, and Campbell in Kentucky; and Dearborn in Indiana. The program targets historically marginalized groups by prioritizing requests that connect them to the benefits of nature, including fresh food access and nature education, particularly for children and youth. The overarching impact goal is to foster a more environmentally sustainable and equitable region. The program prioritizes proposals that develop solutions with a racial equity lens, recognizing that environmental issues often disproportionately affect marginalized communities. Key focus areas include beautifying, creating, conserving, and restoring greenspaces, with a preference for those benefiting historically marginalized groups. Additionally, the program seeks to connect these groups to nature's benefits through various initiatives, such as increased fresh food access and nature education programming. Collaboration between well-aligned organizations is highly favored, as is an asset-based approach to the work. Expected outcomes include expanded or strengthened existing programs, successful capital improvements, the launch of new initiatives, and enhanced organizational capacity among grantee organizations. Proposals are expected to articulate clear and measurable outcomes, demonstrating how their efforts will contribute to the program's goals. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed beyond the general intent to increase accessibility and quality of greenspaces and nature education, the emphasis on "clear and measurable outcomes" suggests a commitment to tracking the tangible impact of funded projects. The foundation's strategic priorities are evident in its preference for organizations demonstrating partnerships, community alignment, insights from past results, and an asset-based approach, all contributing to a theory of change that values collaborative, data-informed, and community-centric environmental solutions with a strong equity focus.

This grant provides funding to eligible organizations that support community programs focused on health, basic needs, workforce development, and youth development for low-income families in Wayne and Holmes Counties, Ohio.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to non-profits, neighborhood associations, and community-focused organizations in Akron for projects that engage residents and improve local neighborhoods.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and government entities that serve the community needs of Carroll County, Ohio, focusing on diverse local initiatives that enhance community welfare.

This grant provides financial support to local governments and nonprofit organizations in Butler County, Ohio, to improve outdoor recreational facilities and increase community access to parks.

This program provides funding to villages and townships in Portage County for community projects that improve public parks and trails while preserving natural resources.

The Community Foundation for Kettering, funded by The Dayton Foundation, offers grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 to tax-exempt organizations under Section 501(c)(3) for the initiation of unique, self-sufficient projects that benefit the Greater Kettering area and promote community resource efficiency, but does not support endowment funds, travel, individual funding, specific research, religious activities, fundraising drives, award ceremonies, principal financial support, or deficit reduction.

This funding opportunity supports community programs that improve public health outcomes, particularly for underserved populations, through measurable initiatives aligned with the United Way of Portage County's mission.

This grant provides funding for established nonprofits in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan to implement innovative programs that strengthen families, promote youth development, and create safe community environments.

This program provides funding to nonprofit organizations and schools in low- to moderate-income neighborhoods for improving local football fields, ensuring safe and accessible play spaces for community youth.

This grant provides funding to organizations in Trumbull County, Ohio, focused on improving health equity and addressing community health challenges, particularly in mental health, substance abuse, and access to care.