Page Text: Grant and Fundraising Resources
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 and affiliated friends groups and 501(c)(3) nonprofits .
Current NRPA Grant Opportunities
Parks as Community Wellness Hubs 2022
With the support of the Walmart Foundation, NRPA is pleased to announce the availability of grant funds to increase equitable access to healthy foods and reduce food insecurity through the development of Community Wellness Hubs in parks and recreation. Through the grant, 15 organizations will be awarded $90,000 over the 18-month grant period and will receive extensive training and technical assistance to develop community-driven, equity-centered hubs supporting increased food access. Request for proposals will be open from April 1 to May 13, 2022. All eligible local government and not-for-profit organizations that manage, represent or work in close partnership with parks and recreation are encouraged to apply. Watch this recording to learn more about this funding opportunity. Learn more and apply .
Learn more about Community Wellness Hub models by watching a short three-part video series here .
Other Grant Opportunities
US Tennis Association (USTA) Foundation: Program Grants 2022
The USTA Foundation will award grants ranging from $2,500 to $50,000 to support programs that utilize tennis and education to build brighter futures and more vibrant communities. The Foundation awards grants to programs that support underresourced youth through tennis and education programs designed to improve health, build character and strive for academic excellence. Priority is given to enrolled National Junior Tennis League (NJTL) chapters that offer formal educational curricula. Applications will open on March 1, 2022 and close April 4, 2022 at 11:59 p.m. Learn more and apply .
Kubota Tractor Corporation Hometown Proud Grant Program
Kubota Tractor Corporation launched its second annual Hometown Proud grant program. This year, Kubota will be granting $100,000 to five community projects to revitalize or refresh community spaces, including public parks, community gardens and more. Kubota will also be mobilizing its network of 1,100 dealers to help power and empower grantees to see their community vision come to life. Applications are due April 15, 2022. Learn more and apply .
American Trails and Trails Move People Coalition Trail Fund
An estimated 50 to 60 percent of U.S. trails do not meet sustainability standards. In response to this, the Trail Fund was launched in 2022 to support nonmotorized and motorized trail user groups (including water trails), with a focus on state and local lands. Funds may be used for trail maintenance, research and stewardship training. Watch the webinar recording to learn more about this funding opportunity. Applications are due April 15, 2022 at midnight. Learn more and apply.
Women's Sports Foundation Sports 4 Life
Sports 4 Life seeks to increase the participation and retention of Black, African-American, Hispanic, and/or Native American girls. Applicants must demonstrate that their program serves predominantly (more than 70 percent of enrolled program participants) Black, African-American, Hispanic, and/or Native American girls and has the ability to deliver structured, developmental sports programming to girls ages 11 to 18. Funding can be used for coaching, curriculum, equipment, uniforms, transportation, facility rental, tournaments, and/or team building activities. Initial applications are due April 22, 2022. Learn more and apply .
Pool Safely Grant Program
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is accepting applications for this year’s Pool Safely Grant Program. The program aims to prevent drowing and drain entrapments of children in pools and spas by providing funding to state and local governments. The funding supports drowning prevention education and enforcement of pool safety regulations. Awards range from $50,000 to $400,000 over 2 years. Applications close June 20, 2022. Learn more and apply.
Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative
The Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative accepts applications quarterly from nonprofit or tax exempt groups (clubs and associations), public riding areas (local, state and federal), outdoor enthusiast associations and land conservation organizations, and communities with an interest in protecting, improving, expanding and/or maintaining access for safe, responsible and sustainable use by motorized off-road vehicles. The Initiative has contributed more than $3.5 million in funding and equipment across more than 300 projects during the past 10 years to assist outdoor recreationists working to protect and improve access to public land and educate the public on its safe, sustainable recreational use. Applications are accepted quarterly. Learn more and apply .
Waste Management Charitable Giving
Waste Management offers charitable gifts to promote civic pride, economic development and revitalization. Waste Management primarily supports environmental initiatives, including promoting parklands and green spaces for people to enjoy and play, and environmental education initiatives targeted at middle and high school students. Eligible entities include 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and public organizations. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. Learn more and apply .
Lisa Libraries Grant Program
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. Learn more and apply .
The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation Grant Program
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. Learn more and apply .
MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation
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. Learn more and apply .
Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program — Rural Communities
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. Learn more and apply .
United States Tennis Association (USTA) Facility Services Program
The USTA offers business development, advocacy, technical and financial support to improve or construct tennis facilities across the country. In addition, each applicant will be appointed a project consultant from the USTA national staff who will deliver personalized support and service. Service applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Learn more and apply .
The Skatepark Project Grants
The Skatepark Project is dedicated to promoting the construction of new, quality skateparks located in underserved communities throughout the United States. The Skatepark Project primarily supports projects that can demonstrate a strong grassroots commitment, particularly in the form of planning and/or fundraising by local skateboarders and other community groups. Priority is given to projects that are designed to increase equity in underserved areas, are built from concrete by experienced skatepark contractors and include local skaters in the planning, fundraising and design process. Grants of $1,000 to $300,000 are provided to nonprofit organizations and state or local agencies, including public school systems and public projects. The Skatepark Project accepts Letters of Inquiry year-round and has quarterly award cycles. Learn more and apply .
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.
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.
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.
Chronicle of Philanthropy : The Chronicle is a newspaper for nonprofit news publishing, fundraising trends, resources, and recent grants.
Nonprofit Times : Nonprofit management newspaper.
Hoovers : Profiles millions of U.S. companies. It is a great source for employee contact information.
Fortune Magazine : A resource for identifying companies by state and industry.
Google, Yahoo Finance and other general search engines.
Newspapers and magazines like the Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, New York Times.
If you are interested in learning more about NRPA's fundraising resources, please contact Cassie Pais at 703.858.2151.
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