Pennsylvania Recreation Grants

This grant provides funding to organizations in Pennsylvania to create educational programs that promote fishing and boating, focusing on attracting new participants, retaining current ones, and reactivating former anglers and boaters.

The Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC) is offering a grant of $2000 for projects that address urgent, unforeseen situations on designated water trails, with the aim of creating recreational opportunities, supporting sustainable use of natural resources, and improving access to Pennsylvania Water Trails.

This funding opportunity supports community organizations in Philadelphia that provide re-entry and workforce development programs to help at-risk individuals secure employment and overcome barriers related to addiction and incarceration.

This funding program provides financial support to community-based organizations that empower youth aged 12 to 20 through established, youth-led urban greening initiatives focused on social and environmental justice in select states.

This grant provides funding for collaborative, arts-based projects that improve community livability and cultural vibrancy in Pennsylvania, focusing on diversity, equity, and local engagement.

This funding provides $3,000 to artists and creative entrepreneurs in select Pennsylvania counties who experienced income loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This grant provides financial support to small businesses and non-profits in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, to enhance their operations through professional development, paid internships, business improvements, and technology upgrades.

The Community Fund is an annual grant program by the Philadelphia City Fund, aligning with the city's goals to enhance residents' quality of life. This initiative supports charitable projects addressing Philadelphia's most pressing needs. The funding is a result of a partnership with the Philadelphia Marathon Weekend, which contributes a portion of its annual revenues to the fund. For the 2024 cycle, the program specifically focuses on youth wellness, promoting lifelong healthy activity, and nurturing healthy minds, bodies, and spirits through out-of-school time programming. The target beneficiaries are youth aged pre-K through 12th grade in Philadelphia, particularly those participating in out-of-school time (OST) programs. The program aims to support their healthy physical, social, educational, and emotional development. The impact goal is to increase equitable access to OST programming across the city, with a preference for organizations serving specific Priority ZIP Codes (19120, 19124, 19132, 19134, 19138, 19139, 19141, and 19144) identified through an analysis of quality of life metrics and OST slot distribution. The fund prioritizes small nonprofit organizations with annual operating budgets not exceeding $5 million that provide OST programming to youth in Philadelphia. Grantees will receive $25,000 in unrestricted funds, which can be used for general operations, programmatic activities, or other mission-supporting costs. Applicants are expected to demonstrate how their organization's mission and/or programming aligns with the "Nurturing healthy minds, bodies, and spirits through out-of-school time programming" theme. The expected outcome is improved well-being and safety for youth in Philadelphia through enhanced access to comprehensive OST programming. While specific measurable results beyond the funding allocation and unrestricted nature of the grants are not explicitly detailed, the focus on priority ZIP codes and the definition of OST programming suggest an intention to measure the reach and impact on youth development in underserved areas. Grantees will be expected to comply with Pennsylvania childcare regulations and maintain necessary insurance coverage during the one-year grant term, starting February 2025.

This fellowship provides $10,000 to support AAPI women and gender-expansive individuals in Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, or Georgia who are dedicated to creating impactful civic projects in their communities, along with mentorship and skills training.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in Erie County to support projects that improve the lives of women and children by addressing critical issues such as transportation, healthcare, education, housing, childcare, and food insecurity.

The York County Community Foundation is offering a three-year grant of $100,000 to $500,000 for municipalities, county agencies, school districts, and non-profit organizations in York County, Pennsylvania, to preserve and protect open spaces, natural habitats, and waterways through land acquisition, planning studies, and ordinance assistance, with a focus on public access, recreational opportunities, and natural resource protection.

The Somerset County Tourism Grant Program, funded by GO Laurel Highlands, offers grants ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 to nonprofit or for-profit businesses in the tourism and hospitality industry in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, for marketing initiatives and visitor center operations aimed at boosting tourism and overnight stays in the region.

This grant provides funding to local governments and non-profit organizations for projects that improve the environment, culture, or community along the Lower Delaware River corridor.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is offering Alternative Fuels Incentive Grants (AFIG) with approximately $5 million in funding. This program aims to support school districts, municipalities, nonprofit organizations, and businesses in Pennsylvania in their transition to cleaner fuel transportation. The grant's mission aligns with environmental protection efforts by promoting the adoption of alternative fuels such as electricity, compressed natural gas, liquefied natural gas, propane, hydrogen, hythane, biodiesel, ethanol, methanol, and other advanced biofuels, ultimately working towards reducing emissions and improving air quality. The AFIG program targets a broad range of beneficiaries across Pennsylvania, including public and private entities. Specific eligible organizations include counties, townships, municipalities, municipal authorities, public school districts (including charter schools), 501(c)3 organizations providing services to vulnerable populations (seniors, low-income individuals and families, individuals with disabilities, veterans, or medical services), businesses registered as Small Diverse Businesses with the Commonwealth, and county/local government-supported or contracted organizations providing similar services. The program intends to impact environmental health and economic development by fostering a cleaner transportation infrastructure and supporting diverse businesses. The program prioritizes businesses headquartered or with principal operations in Pennsylvania, zero-emission vehicle projects, medium-duty and light-duty fleet refueling infrastructure projects, renewable natural gas vehicle and infrastructure projects, and projects located in or predominantly serving environmental justice areas. Additionally, minority-, veteran-, or woman-owned businesses are also prioritized. These priorities reflect a strategic approach to maximize environmental benefits, support local economies, and promote equity in the transition to alternative fuels. Expected outcomes of the AFIG program include a significant increase in the adoption of alternative fuel vehicles and associated refueling infrastructure across Pennsylvania. Measurable results will include the number of vehicles retrofitted or purchased to operate on alternative fuels, the installation of new fleet- or home-refueling equipment, and the advancement of research and development in alternative fuel technology. The program's strategic priorities and theory of change are centered on catalyzing a widespread shift towards cleaner transportation options, driven by financial incentives and targeted support for innovative projects and underserved communities, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable and healthier Pennsylvania.

The POISE Foundation's Community Impact Grants are designed to support the Black community in achieving self-sustaining practices through strategic leadership, collective giving, grantmaking, and advocacy. This aligns directly with the foundation's mission to empower and uplift the Black community. The program offers small grants, typically between $1,000-$5,000, to nonprofit organizations in the Pittsburgh Region. These grants are generally for one-year durations and are specifically targeted at Black-led, Black-serving organizations. The target beneficiaries of these grants are nonprofit organizations serving the Black community in the Pittsburgh Region, with a focus on programs that lead to empowerment and self-sufficiency. The impact goals are broad, aiming to foster pathways from poverty to prosperity, advance educational achievement, create and develop Black businesses, support the well-being of young ladies, and strengthen Black families. This is achieved by investing in programs that build capacity, engage in civic participation, make decisions, and advocate for the well-being of Black communities and residents. The program prioritizes several key areas: Community & Economic Development, Education, Entrepreneurial Activities, Young Ladies, and Strengthening Black Families. Within these areas, there's a strong focus on community engagement, understanding issues, and promoting economic, social, environmental, political, and psychological well-being. For Strengthening Black Families, specific priorities include being family-driven, building family development, increasing family interaction, being culturally responsive, assisting with support networks, providing advocacy tools, and promoting family healing and wellness. Expected outcomes include increased civic participation, improved educational achievement for Black youth, growth in Black businesses and cooperatives, enhanced well-being for young ladies, and the restoration of the Black family as a core, thriving institution in Pittsburgh. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed in terms of quantifiable metrics, the foundation's theory of change is evident in its investment in programs that provide direct services and seek to bring about change that leads to empowerment and self-sufficiency within the Black community. The preference for Black-led organizations further demonstrates their strategic priority of empowering community-driven solutions.

The Adams County Community Foundation's Adams County Grants program is designed to foster innovative solutions for strengthening vulnerable populations by addressing systemic issues. The foundation's mission is aligned with this program through its commitment to creating a meaningful and sustained difference in people’s lives, particularly low-income residents, by helping them move toward self-sufficiency. This overarching goal guides the program's focus on supporting initiatives that build capacity, implement effective programs, and foster collaboration within the community. The program primarily targets vulnerable residents of Adams County, Pennsylvania. The impact goals are to help nonprofits become more effective in addressing resident needs, enable low-income residents to achieve self-sufficiency, and advance critical areas such as affordable housing, transportation, and economic development through collaborative efforts. By focusing on these areas, the foundation aims to create a ripple effect that improves the overall well-being and stability of the community. The Adams County Grants program has three primary focus areas: Capacity Building Grants, Program Grants, and Collaboration Grants. Capacity Building Grants, up to $25,000, are intended to strengthen nonprofits' ability to effectively serve vulnerable residents. Program Grants, also up to $25,000, support initiatives that help low-income residents move towards self-sufficiency. Collaboration Grants, up to $30,000, are specifically for significant collaborative projects that advance affordable housing, transportation, and economic development. These defined priorities ensure that funding is directed towards projects with the greatest potential for systemic impact. Expected outcomes include increased effectiveness of nonprofits, a measurable increase in self-sufficiency among low-income residents, and tangible progress in affordable housing, transportation, and economic development initiatives. The foundation's strategic priorities are evident in the emphasis on systemic change and collaboration, with a clear theory of change that by investing in capacity building, impactful programs, and collaborative projects, they can achieve lasting positive change for vulnerable individuals and the wider community.

This grant provides financial support for nonprofit organizations and government units in Clinton County, Pennsylvania, to implement specific projects, purchase equipment, or make capital improvements that benefit the community.

The All-Terrain Vehicle and Snowmobile grant supports projects focused on the planning, acquisition of land, development, rehabilitation, maintenance, purchase of equipment for maintenance and construction, and the development of educational programs related to ATV and/or snowmobile trails and facilities. Only projects specifically related to ATV or snowmobile endeavors are eligible for submission under this category. The grant is funded by the ATV Management Restricted Account and the Snowmobile Management Restricted Account as authorized by Act 97 of 2016. Although there is no mandatory match requirement for this funding opportunity, applications that include match funding will receive additional consideration. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual Fall opening/ closing deadlines: opens first business day in August and closes the last business day in September

The Fayette County Tourism Grant Program, administered by GO Laurel Highlands, offers grants ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 to nonprofit or for-profit businesses in the tourism and hospitality industry in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, for marketing, tourism enhancement, operational expenses, and visitor center operations, with the aim of boosting tourism and economic activity in the region.