Ohio Recreation Grants

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

The Youngstown Foundation welcomes applications from local nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) public charities that serve the people of Youngstown and vicinity (Mahoning and Trumbull Counties) and do not discriminate in the hiring of staff or service providers. Donor Name: The Youngstown Foundation State: Ohio County: Mahoning County (OH), Trumbull County (OH) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 07/15/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Youngstown Foundation’s grants reflect the desire to be innovative, inclusive and responsive to the needs of the local community. Each year, approximately 500 grants ranging from $1,000 to $300,000 are awarded to effective 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organizations. Program Areas  Health Environment Education and Youth Community Development Arts and Culture Social/Family Services Women Seniors Types of Grants  Program Grants The Youngstown Foundation considers grants to support a specific project, connected to a set of activities, with a beginning and an end, explicit objectives and a predetermined cost. Funds are restricted to use for the program described and designed in the application serving residents of Mahoning County and/or Trumbull County. Operational Grants The Youngstown Foundation considers operational grants to support an organization’s overall activities, including operating expenses and overhead. Organizations that consistently serve Mahoning and/or Trumbull county residents may use funds at their discretion—wherever it is most needed. Grantees are considered for operational funding based on strategic alignment, relationship with and knowledge of the organization. Capital Investment Grants All projects related to improving physical spaces must be located within Mahoning and/or Trumbull counties. Crisis Assistance Program Grants The Crisis Assistance Program provides a resource for The Youngstown Foundation to respond quickly to emergency funding needs of qualified 501(c)(3) agencies in Youngstown and vicinity to ensure continuity of essential, direct services to clients. Criteria: Crisis Assistance grants cap at $5,000. One request per agency per year will be considered. To qualify, records of the agency’s 501(c)(3), most recent audit, current board roster, executive staff roster, mission statement and history must be on file at The Youngstown Foundation or provided at time of request. Completed applications will be processed within 48 hours of receipt. Approved requests will receive funding within four business days. Support Fund Grants The Williamson Fund of The Youngstown Foundation invites small to midsize local charities to receive an additional matching grant for contributions received from individuals. Donors can simply make contributions directly payable to approved organizations. The Youngstown Foundation will provide support (valued at $5,000) that may include primetime television advertisement. Preferred Qualifications The Youngstown Foundation’s grantmaking decisions reflect a preference for innovative proposals that: Originate from a local organization or the local office of a larger organization Target a population that lives in Youngstown and vicinity Demonstrate strong volunteer leadership and involvement Promote collaboration and reduce duplication of services Strengthen the ability of the community to respond effectively to needs Build on strengths of the community Apply the Foundation’s resources optimally Confirm the agency’s sustainability/strategic plan, with no expectation of annual funding from the Youngstown Foundation. Grant Restrictions Grants are generally not awarded for: Film, video, radio or television projects Endowments, debt reduction or budget deficits Political projects Religious organizations for religious purposes Grants or loans to individuals Short-term events (conferences, festivals, fundraisers, award programs) Travel, tours or trips Sabbatical leaves; scholarly research. For more information, visit The Youngstown Foundation.

The Cleveland Foundation is accepting applications for the second round of grants from the Cleveland Neighborhood Safety Fund. Donor Name: Cleveland Foundation State: Ohio City: Cleveland Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/10/2024 Size of the Grant: $500,000 to $1 million Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Neighborhood Safety Fund is currently guided by a nine-person advisory committee that includes representation from Cleveland City Council, Cleveland Administration, community leaders, and community members impacted by community violence. Through a public Request for Proposals (RFP) process, this group recommends grant funding to nonprofits and/or government agencies working to enhance the safety of all Clevelanders. The Cleveland Foundation’s role is to establish, manage, and implement the NSF. This Request for Proposal (RFP) aims to appropriate up to $1M to community violence intervention and prevention partners (CVIP) focused on the summer months of June, July, and August 2024 leading into the school year. Proposals should support organizational capacity building (additional staff, program expansion, increased outreach, etc.) for programs and/or services in targeted neighborhoods working with the targeted populations. Strong proposals identify “preventative” human service supports (mental health, income, housing, workforce development, etc.). Scope of Services and Objectives  The CNSF is taking a data-driven approach to implementing community-centered violence intervention and prevention strategies that create safe and healthy neighborhoods. Community approaches to violence intervention and prevention start with people at the center of serious violence and extend outwards to their loved ones and the broader community. The CNSF aims to build the capacity of organizations and bring together a network of community providers and system partners to support people as they move toward safety, healing, and growth. The network relies on skilled workers with a personal understanding of trauma, who meet people where they are and form strong relationships. It is also a mutual commitment from partners of all sizes to engage in a violence prevention ecosystem that honors the interdependency of interventions and organizations to reduce violence. Successful applicants will be expected to participate in coordinated efforts with other funded agencies and key system partners, participate in training and technical assistance to build capacity and ensure fidelity to best practice service models, and participate in evaluation activities to inform continuous improvement and learning in the network. Program/Services Areas  This RFP will provide funding for the programs/services listed below. You can only include one program/service in your proposal. An organization can submit multiple proposals if the proposals are substantially different for different programs/services. Substantially different is defined as having a different program design, staffing, program location, or priority population receiving services. In other words, applicants may not submit the same proposal for various programs/services. Violence Interruption and Reduction Services CNSF seeks programs that use credible messengers to prevent and reduce gun violence in the City of Cleveland, Ohio. They are looking for organizations with the deployment of proactive strategies aimed at fostering meaningful relationships in Cleveland neighborhoods experiencing the most violence, steering those involved in violence (or at a high risk of violence) into alternative positive choices, mediating neighborhood conflicts, and responding to neighborhood crises related to violence. Youth Diversion/Proactive Mentoring  The purpose of diversion programs is to redirect youth from the justice system through programming, supervision, and support. This strategy area aims to help youth move away from deeper involvement in violence and the juvenile justice system through coordinated interventions. Funding is available for programs that divert youth from arrest or prosecution and help them transition back to school and community after confinement. Violence Prevention  Programs that intervene directly with individuals experiencing violence in an effort to disrupt the cycle of violence. That includes large-scale programs already considered national models and smaller grassroots efforts with a proven track record of community impact. Required Qualifications and Certifications  Organizations must have experience providing services in violence interruption and reduction, youth diversion and mentoring, or violence prevention programming. Organizations shall have experience working in partnership and maintaining fundamental relationships with other nonprofits, resident leaders, faith leaders, youth, justice partners, city agencies, and/or neighborhood-based community institutions to meet the target population’s service referral needs. Programming located in the community served is preferred or accessibility is required through reliable transportation. For participant referral services, organizations should demonstrate close links to health, mental health, vocational, educational, justice partners, and other social services, including but not limited to food, housing, and employment services. For more information, visit Cleveland Foundation.

The Ohio Division of Wildlife's "STEP OUTSIDE" grant program is designed to support local government agencies, non-profit organizations, and other family and youth-oriented facilities in promoting outdoor skills such as fishing, hunting, trapping, archery, and shooting sports. This grant aims to fund activities that are unaffordable for the sponsoring agency or organization and is not intended to support existing programs or provide ongoing funding for new programs or activities. Eligible applicants include city, county, and community park and recreation agencies, local and state conservation clubs, and youth-oriented groups such as scouts, 4-H, YMCA/YWCA, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, etc. The program emphasizes that private individuals are not eligible. The application period is ongoing throughout the fiscal year, with applications required to be submitted at least 60 days in advance of the event.

United Black Fund of Greater Cleveland is excited to announce a special grant opportunity to support initiatives aimed at addressing mental health issues and gun violence prevention/intervention in the community. Donor Name: United Black Fund of Greater Cleveland State: Ohio County: Cuyahoga County (OH) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/15/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: United Black Fund of Greater Cleveland recognize the devastating effects of these issues, and they are committed to identify and partner with organizations making a positive impact. If your organization provides programs, resources, and support to improve mental health and/or reduce the incidence of gun violence, they encourage you to apply for the “Community Thrive” grant. The funding categories are: Basic Needs, Workforce Development, Education and Social Justice. Focus Areas  Mental Health Support They are particularly interested in projects that impact mental health wellness Some recommended areas are: Depression (youth and adults) Suicide prevention (youth and adult) School violence/school absenteeism Anger management Social media addiction. Gun Violence Prevention Innovative approaches to prevent gun violence They seeks Innovative approaches to prevent gun violence, such as education and awareness, and community-based interventions that address the root causes. Proposals addressing School/University/Religious Institution/Retail shooting prevention, support for families affected by gun violence, gun culture, gun safety, and/or gun laws. Application Criteria In order to be eligible for the grant, the organization should fulfill the following criteria: Programming to support Mental Health or Gun Violence Prevention/Intervention work. The organization must have been established for atleast three years and should have a proven track record. The organization should provide data to support its impact. The organization must serve Cuyahoga County. The organization should provide a minimum of one letter of support. The organization must demonstrate that funding will be utilized for 80% programming and 20% operations and/or marketing. The organization must be a 501©3 or have a fiscal agent. A strategic plan summary outlining the use of funds should be provided (1-page outline/summary) The grant does not support one-time events, sponsorships, or fundraising campaigns. Programming should commence on January 1, 2024, and should have a minimum execution period of one year. For more information, visit UBFGC.

The NatureWorks grant program, managed by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, supports the development or acquisition of public outdoor recreation areas. Eligible entities include Ohio's political subdivisions, such as municipalities, townships, counties, and park districts. The program offers up to 75% funding for eligible projects, requiring a minimum of 25% match from non-state and non-federal sources. Applications are due by June 1, 2024, emphasizing ADA compliance, long-term maintenance, and public accessibility.

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.