Grant and Fundraising Resources

The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) periodically posts information about grant and fundraising opportunities that are available for park and recreation agencies, affiliated friends group, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits. Any opportunities listed under “Current NRPA Grant Opportunities” are sponsored through NRPA, all other resources and opportunities are through outside agencies. Be sure to review the provided Fundraising and Marketing Resources section at the bottom to support your funding journey!

Find the funding opportunities you are looking for by using the “filter by” function on the right side of the page. Click the arrows next to “Categories”, “Projects”, and "Deadlines" to see the keywords you can use to filter by.  Please note the project categories will change as new funding is made available, be sure to check back often.

If you are interested in learning more about NRPA's fundraising resources, please contact Miriam Lamoreaux at mlamoreaux@nrpa.org.

 

Walmart Foundation, Parks as Community Nutrition Hubs grantee Berea, KY

 

Current NRPA Opportunities

Displaying 1 to of records

Filter by:
Categories
Projects
Deadline

Million Coaches Challenge Grant Program

Funding, Grants, Grant and Fundraising Resources, Health & Wellness, NRPA Opportunities, Programming, Upcoming

Are you passionate about making a positive impact on the lives of young people in your community? Through the Million Coaches Challenge, NRPA is partnering with leading national training providers to offer no-cost, high-quality training programs to park and recreation agencies to support holistic youth development. These training opportunities are designed to support all youth-serving professionals to build a positive environment for kids in their programs. Using an equity-based grantmaking model, some agencies will also be eligible for micro-grants ranging from $2,000 to $5,000 to support training implementation. Training will be provided through leading national training partners, including the Center for Healing and Justice Through Sport, Nike in partnership with the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee, Positive Coaching Alliance, and US Soccer Foundation. Applications are due May 8, 2024 by 11:59 p.m. PDT.

Sustainability in Practice 410

Sustainability in Practice

Funding, Grants, Grant and Fundraising Resources, Partnership Opportunities, NRPA Opportunities, Conservation, Operations/Maintenance, Upcoming, Sustainable Practices, Environmental Resiliency

Rural and suburban park and recreation professionals are invited to apply for this dynamic 16-week, cohort-style program alongside a community-based organization (CBO) partner for technical support and peer learning towards community-driven sustainability planning and practices. CBO partners will receive a $10,000 stipend for their participation in the program. The application period for NRPA’s Sustainability in Practice program begins February 22 and will close on April 18, 2024. Learn more and apply.

Load More

Other Grant Opportunities

These grant opportunities are not sponsored by NRPA. More information can be found in the links below. 

 

Displaying 1 to of records

Play and Park Structures Healthy Kids Initiative

Funding, Grants, Grant and Fundraising Resources, Health & Wellness, Equity & Inclusion, Infrastructure, Upcoming

The Healthy Kids Initiative is designed to support the building of new playgrounds or updating existing playgrounds across the country. As part of the Initiative, Play and Park Structures is offering additional funding to expand your project budget up to double the amount. Applications are due by June 28, 2024.

Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP)

Funding, Grants, Grant and Fundraising Resources, Health & Wellness, Programming, Upcoming

By bringing together stakeholders from various parts of the food and healthcare systems, GusNIP projects help foster understanding to improve the health and nutrition status of participating households, facilitate growth in underrepresented communities and geographies, as well as collect and aggregate data to identify and improve best practices on a broad scale. Applications are due Tuesday, May 14, 2024.

USDA Local Agriculture Market Program

Funding, Grants, Grant and Fundraising Resources, Health & Wellness, Partnership Opportunities, Programming, Upcoming

USDA's Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP) supports the development, coordination, and expansion of direct producer-to-consumer marketing; local and regional food markets and enterprises; and value-added agricultural products. LAMP encompasses the Farmers Market Promotion Program, Local Food Promotion Program, Regional Food System Partnerships Program, and others. Applications for all close May 14, 2024.

Kubota Hometown Proud Grants

Funding, Grants, Grant and Fundraising Resources, Health & Wellness, Equity & Inclusion, Partnership Opportunities, Conservation, Infrastructure, Programming, Upcoming, Green Infrastructure, Sustainable Practices, Environmental Resiliency

Kubota Tractor Corporation and its network of local dealers are offering grants to support initiatives that make a lasting impact on a local level, including community gardens, agricultural education centers, parks and open space preservation projects, and more. Kubota will award ten $10,000 grants and ten $50,000 grants. Municipal agencies must partner with a local non-profit or friends group to be eligible. Applications are due April 12, 2024.

North American Native Fishes Association Gerald C Corcoran Education Grant

Funding, Grants, Grant and Fundraising Resources, Conservation, Programming, Upcoming

The North American Native Fishes Association (NANFA) is offering grants up to $2,000 to support projects that educate the general public about native North American fishes and their environment. Projects may include producing and distributing educational materials, stream surveys, public lectures, nature center displays and more. Applications are due March 31, 2024.

Musco Sports Lighting and US Soccer Foundation Soccer Fund Grant

Funding, Grants, Grant and Fundraising Resources, Health & Wellness, Programming, Rolling Basis

Musco Sports Lighting and the US Soccer Foundation established the Soccer Fund to offer financial support for sports lighting projects on a rolling basis. Projects can include the Mini-Pitch System or soccer lighting projects of all sizes. Mini-Pitches are ideal for urban areas and other communities where finding a safe place to play can be difficult. Applications will be accepted quarterly, on March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 30.

MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation

Funding, Grants, Grant and Fundraising Resources, Health & Wellness, Programming, Rolling Basis

This program was created to increase participation in and expand access to youth baseball and softball. The program prioritizes bold, innovative, and creative ideas that increase opportunities for youth, particularly those who are minorities, girls, and/or located in underresourced communities. Funds may be used to support capital projects (e.g., field renovations), baseball/softball programs, and education initiatives. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Lisa Libraries Grant Program

Funding, Grants, Grant and Fundraising Resources, Equity & Inclusion, Programming, Rolling Basis

Nonprofit organizations that serve low-income or underserved areas are eligible to apply for in-kind donations from The Lisa Libraries. The Lisa Libraries provides donations of free books for community facilities to host their own small libraries or to operate programs where children can take the book home. While book donations are free, The Lisa Libraries requests that recipients cover the shipping and handling costs, which are based on the destination and quantity of books. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Karma for Cara (K4C) Foundation Microgrants

Funding, Grants, Grant and Fundraising Resources, Health & Wellness, Equity & Inclusion, Conservation, Programming, Rolling Basis

The K4C Migrogrant Program provides microgrants between $250 and $1,000 to young citizen leaders age 18 or under to help them execute and magnify their initiatives to help repair our world. Funds may be used to complete a wide variety of innovative service projects in communities across the US. Applications are reviewed quarterly on January 1st, April 1st, July 1st, and October 1st.

The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation Grant Program

Funding, Grants, Grant and Fundraising Resources, Conservation, Rolling Basis, Sustainable Practices, Environmental Resiliency

Municipal entities, local nonprofits and public schools are eligible to apply to support the planting of fruitful trees and plants to alleviate hunger, combat global warming, strengthen communities and improve the surrounding environment. Trees can be planted at community gardens, city and state parks, low-income neighborhoods, Native American reservations, schools, and other locations where they will serve the greater community. The Foundation provides high-quality trees and shrubs, equipment, on-site orchard design expertise and oversight, horticultural workshops, and aftercare training and manuals. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program — Rural Communities

Funding, Grants, Grant and Fundraising Resources

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides grants, low-interest direct loans, and/or combinations of the two to develop essential community facilities in rural areas, including public facilities, community support services, and local food systems such as community gardens and food hubs. Public entities, nonprofit organizations and tribal entities in rural communities are eligible to apply. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

HHS Environmental Justice Community Innovator Challenge

Funding, Grants, Grant and Fundraising Resources

The Community Innovator Challenge supports community-driven strategies to address environmental and climate change health issues through the development of innovative and effective community strategies that address health disparities in communities and Tribes disproportionately burdened by environmental and climate change-related hazards. Applications are due January 1, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Life Floor Make a SPLASH! Grant Program

Funding, Grants, Grant and Fundraising Resources

Life Floor and Inside Edge Safety Services are offering two grants to fund splash pads at cities or non-profit organizations. Winners will receive an all-expenses-paid Life Floor safety surface and installation (valued at approximately $50-65k for a 2,000 square foot area). The first award will be given to an organization with demonstrated financial need, and the second award will be given to a project with demonstrated commitment to inclusivity or accessibility. Applications are due November 17, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. CT.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Innovative Water Infrastructure Workforce Development Grant Program

Funding, Grants, Grant and Fundraising Resources

Over $20 million in grant funding is available for eligible organizations interested in building a stronger pool of skilled and diverse workers in the water and wastewater utilities sector - including stormwater and green infrastructure. Eligible projects include targeted interships and apprenticeships, education programs, industry and workforce development collaborations, leadership development programs, and training opportunities. Applications are due November 17, 2023.

Project for Public Spaces Community Placemaking Grants

Funding, Grants, Grant and Fundraising Resources

With support from General Motors, the Project for Public Spaces will award five non-profits or local government agencies with up to $100,000 each in direct funding for physical improvements and programming as well as technical assistance and capacity building opportunities from Project for Public Spaces. Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. ET on November 13, 2023.

Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) EJ4Climate Grant Program

Funding, Grants, Grant and Fundraising Resources

The CEC recently launched the third edition of the EJ4Climate Grant Program. The Program provides funding of up to C$200,000 directly to community-based organizations and seeks to support environmental justice by facilitating the involvement and empowerment of communities searching for solutions and the development of partnerships to address their environmental and human health vulnerabilities, including those due to climate change impacts. Applications are due by November 9, 2023.

USTA Adaptive Tennis Program Grants

Funding, Grants, Grant and Fundraising Resources

The 2023 Adaptive Tennis Program Grant is offered to assist in the promotion, implementation, and growth of Adaptive Tennis programs at the community level. Grants of up to $4,000 may be requested by programs registered with USTA Adaptive Tennis who have been providing on-court or virtual programming since on or before January 1, 2023. Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. ET on November 5, 2023.

USDA Community Wildfire Defense Grant Program

Funding, Grants, Grant and Fundraising Resources

The Community Wildfire Defense Program (CWDG) is intended to help at-risk local communities and Tribes plan for and reduce the risk of wildfire. The program provides funding to develop and revise Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPP) and to implement projects described in a CWPP that is less than ten years old. Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. ET on October 31, 2023.

Load More

Fundraising and Marketing Resources

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

  1. Candid (Formerly Foundation Center and Guidestar): Provides training and research information on corporate and foundation grant programs as well as access to IRS 990 forms for foundations and other nonprofit organizations. The grants database is a collection of thousands of grants.
  2. Yearly offers a free tool to create engaging, digital annual reports, donor reports and event recaps to impress your stakeholders. Yearly is a fun and easy way to design unlimited reports and integrate your stories, videos, social media posts, polls and more. Yearly is currently offering their basic level of service to agencies for free.
  3. Chronicle of Philanthropy: The Chronicle is a newspaper for nonprofit news publishing, fundraising trends, resources, and recent grants.
  4. Fund Matching 101
  5. NRPA Crowdfunding Toolkit
  6. Nonprofit Times: Nonprofit management newspaper.
  7. Hoovers: Profiles millions of U.S. companies. It is a great source for employee contact information.
  8. Fortune Magazine: A resource for identifying companies by state and industry.
  9. Leadership Directories
  10. National League of Cities Federal Funding Sources for Municipal Sustainability and Climate Action
  11. FEMA Recovery and Resilience Resource Library
  12. Google, Yahoo Finance and other general search engines.
  13. Newspapers and magazines like the Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, New York Times.

For information on fundraising and grant writing best practices, take a look at NRPA's Park and Recreation Professionals' Guide to Fundraising