The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) periodically has competitive grants available for park and recreation agencies. These opportunities are listed and are updated frequently.

Current Grant Opportunities

NRPA's Take Me Fishing Grant - Apply Today!

NRPA was awarded a grant through the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation (RBFF) for the Take Me Fishing™ initiative. Together, RBFF and NRPA are bringing boating and fishing funding and resources to local park and recreation agencies and youth service organizations through the Take Me Fishing™ initiative. Reconnecting kids with nature and engaging them in recreational boating and fishing activities is what Take Me Fishing is all about.

Apply for NRPA's Take Me Fishing Grant 

All applications must be completed by June 8, 2012

Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP)

The Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) offers grants to help improve and expand domestic farmers’ markets, roadside stands, community-supported agriculture programs, agri-tourism activities, and other direct producer-to-consumer market opportunities. Local governments and non-profits are among those eligible to apply. Approximately $10 million in FMPP grants are available in fiscal year 2012. The maximum amount awarded for any one proposal cannot exceed $100,000. Click here for more information on applying for a Farmers Market Promotion Program grant. 

Applications must be submitted no later than May 21st, 2012 to grants.gov  

For grant questions, please email usdafmppquestions@ams.usda.gov or call (202) 720-8317.

Fundraising Strategies

This course teaches fundamental best practices and principles of effective and strategic fundraising for park and recreation agencies. The focus is on the process of successful solicitation from private sources of funds, particularly foundations and corporations, and is appropriate for professionals tasked with revenue development and creative partnerships.
CEUs: 0.2 Member: $40 Non-Member: $50

NRPA provides online learning resources, including an online class for fundraising. To access this class, please go to www.nrpaonlinelearning.org, login (free) and then look up fundraising.

Independent Fundraising Resources

When looking for funding and grants, there are many resources for free and for fee on the Internet. Below are just a few suggestions on where to start your research.

1. Foundation Center
   The Foundation Center provides both training and research information on corporate and foundation grant programs. Some services are free, but most are for a training fee or fee for database use. The Center also has offices in Atlanta, Cleveland, New York, San Francisco and Washington DC. The foundation database houses a collection of data of over 74,000 foundations, corporate giving programs, and grant-making public charities. The grants database is a collection of more than 250,000 grants.


2. Guidestar
   An excellent source of IRS 990 forms for both private and corporate foundations and other non-profit organizations.


3. Chronicle of Philanthropy
   The Chronicle is a newspaper for non-profit news publishing fundraising trends, resources, and recent grants.


4. Non-profit Times
   Non-profit management newspaper.


5. Hoovers
   Hoovers profiles more than 12 million U.S. companies. It is a great source for employee contact information.


6. Fortune Magazine
   A resource for identifying companies by state and industry.


7. Leadership Directories 


8. Google, Yahoo Finance, and other general search engines.


9. Newspapers and magazines like the Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, New York Times.

Interested in learning more about NRPA fundraising resources? Contact Shelley O'Brien at 703.858.2156.