Preserve parks today and create park stewards for tomorrow.
National Park Trust Inc. stands out for pairing national park access with military family programming and hands-on stewardship work. Recent grants show a funder that moves between large event sponsorships, park project support, and small awards for schools and community partners. The biggest recent grant in the data went to Blue Star Families Inc for a Kids to Parks Day event sponsorship, while other sizable awards supported the National Park Service for land-purchase preparation and Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors for Gold Star family engagement in national forests and fishing in national parks. The foundation’s giving supports parks, public lands, and waters through youth education, access for under-resourced communities, and programs for active duty, veteran, surviving military, and Gold Star families. It also backs project readiness and collaboration work tied to park sites, including challenge cost share awards and reimbursement for appraisal and site assessment expenses. The pattern is practical and place-based: connect people to parks, support the organizations doing that work, and help park projects move forward.
Youth access to parks is a recurring theme. National Park Trust Inc. gave $208,912 to Blue Star Families Inc for a Kids to Parks Day event sponsorship, and it awarded $26,912 to Glen Canyon Outdoor Academy School for Kids to Parks Day grants and NPS Challenge Cost Share grants. Military and family recreation is another clear thread. The foundation gave $68,000 to Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors for Gold Star families engaging with national forests and Gold Star families fishing in national parks, then followed with a $40,000 grant to the same organization for surviving military families across the country. It also supports park stewardship and project preparation. A $90,615 grant to the Department of the Interior National Park Service covered appraisal, site assessment, and related costs to prepare for settlement of land purchases, showing interest in getting conservation projects ready to close.
Typical grants cluster tightly around the mid-$20,000 range, with p25 at $18,800, median at $24,500, and p75 at $25,000. That pattern fits a funder that uses many awards as matching or challenge grants alongside a few larger sponsorships and project-support grants. The recent grants list also shows repeat recipients across multiple years, including Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, Our Military Kids, Point Reyes National Seashore Association, Mississippi Park Connection, and Chattahoochee-related partners. National Park Trust Inc. is a regular funder and also makes program-related investments. Unsolicited applications are accepted in several active programs, including Kids to Parks, NPS Challenge Cost Share, and Hydro Flask-related giving.
$206K
$8.6M
$4.7M
$3.8M
Most grants fall between $19K and $25K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$19K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$25K
About 13% of grants go to recipients in VA.
GRACE K LEE
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Giving is national, and every recent grant in the sample went to U.S. recipients. Maryland appears in the recipient mix through Rockville-based headquarters-adjacent grantees and park projects, but the foundation gives most often in Kentucky by grant count. Recent awards also landed in Washington, DC; Arlington, VA; Oakton, VA; Los Angeles, CA; and Point Reyes Station, CA. The recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 71 grants recorded at 100.0%.
Its active programs support nonprofits, schools, municipalities, and community partners working on parks, public lands, waters, environmental stewardship, community resilience, and outdoor access. Recent grants also show support for National Park Service units, military family organizations, and conservation partners tied to specific park projects.
Yes. Several active programs accept unsolicited applications, including Every Kid Outdoors Small Grants Program, Sustainable Communities Grants Program, Hydro Flask Product Donations, Southern California Kids to Parks Grants Program, NPS Challenge Cost Share Program, and Kids to Parks Day School Grants Program.
The typical award is in the mid-$20,000 range: p25 is $18,800, median is $24,500, and p75 is $25,000. The recent grants list also includes larger outliers for event sponsorships and project readiness support.
The foundation’s stated focus areas include land conservation and park preservation, youth education and school programs, access and inclusion for under-resourced communities, military and family park experiences, and small grants for schools and community partners. Topic areas also include fishing and angling programs, land purchase preparation, and inclusive programming for deaf or hard-of-hearing youth.
The recent grants list shows recurring relationships. Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors appears in both 2023 and 2025, Our Military Kids appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025, and Point Reyes National Seashore Association and Mississippi Park Connection also recur across years.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Current and upcoming funding from National Park Trust that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Nonprofit organizations engaging the military community in meaningful outdoor experiences on public parks, lands, and waters.
Deadline: Application opens October 1, 2026; 2027 grant information coming soon.
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Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TRAGEDY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR SURVIVORS (TAPS) | ARLINGTON, VA | $55,000 | 2026 | GRANT IN SUPPORT OF SURVIVING MILITARY FAMILIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY BY CONNECTING THEM WITH NATIONAL PARKS, FORESTS, AND THE BENEFITS OF OUTDOOR RECREATION. |
| PROJECT HEALING WATERS FLY FISHING INC | LA PLATA, MD | $45,500 | 2026 | GRANT IN SUPPORT OF MILITARY VETERANS ACROSS THE COUNTRY BY ENGAGING THEM WITH OUR NATION'S PARKS AND THE BENEFITS OF OUTDOOR RECREATION. |
| OUR MILITARY KIDS | OAKTON, VA | $40,000 | 2026 | GRANT TO SUPPORT ENGAGING MILITARY FAMILIES IN MEANINGFUL PARK EXPERIENCES, INCLUDING INTRODUCTORY OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED WITHIN UNITS OF THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE. |
| ARMED SERVICES ARTS PARTNERSHIP | ALEXANDRIA, VA | $20,000 | 2026 | GRANT IN SUPPORT OF MILITARY VETERANS ACROSS THE COUNTRY BY ENGAGING THEM WITH OUR NATION'S PARKS AND THE BENEFITS OF OUTDOOR RECREATION. |
| THE STUDENT CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION INC | ARLINGTON, VA | $19,000 | 2026 | GRANT IN SUPPORT OF NATIONAL PARK TRUST'S PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION'S EVERY KID OUTDOORS INITIATIVE AT ANACOSTIA HIGH SCHOOL, CONNECTING STUDENTS IN ANACOSTIA TO THEIR NATIONAL PARKS, LOCAL WATERSHED, AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ADVOCATES THROUGH SUSTAINED ENGAGEMENT THAT FOSTERS LASTING RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN STUDENTS AND THE PARK. |
| GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS INSTITUTE INC | TOWNSEND, TN | $12,500 | 2026 | GRANT IN SUPPORT OF NATIONAL PARK TRUST'S PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION, GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK, AND THE INSTITUTE TO PROVIDE FISHING OUTINGS THAT CONNECT EASTERN BAND OF CHEROKEE INDIANS, COLLEGE STUDENTS, AND ACTIVE-DUTY AND VETERAN SERVICE MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES. |
| ACCOKEEK FOUNDATION | ACCOKEEK, MD | $8,000 | 2026 | GRANT IN SUPPORT OF NATIONAL PARK TRUST'S EVERY KID OUTDOORS INITIATIVE, WITH A GOAL OF EXPANDING ENGAGEMENT IN PROGRAMS TO APPROXIMATELY 12 SCHOOLS AND 650 STUDENTS IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES. |
| HCST EXPLORE MIDDLE SCHOOL | JERSEY CITY, NJ | $6,000 | 2026 | GRANT TO SUPPORT EFFORTS THAT CONNECT KIDS AND FAMILIES TO OUTDOOR SPACES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY. |
| DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE | WASHINGTON, DC | $90,615 | 2025 | REIMBURSEMENT OF APPRAISAL, SITE ASSESSMENT AND RELATED COSTS TO PREPARE FOR SETTLEMENT OF LAND PURCHASES. |
| PROJECT HEALING WATERS FLY FISHING INC | LA PLATA, MD | $42,000 | 2025 | GRANT IN SUPPORT OF MILITARY VETERANS ACROSS THE COUNTRY BY ENGAGING THEM WITH OUR NATION'S PARKS AND THE BENEFITS OF OUTDOOR RECREATION. |
| TRAGEDY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR SURVIVORS (TAPS) | ARLINGTON, VA | $40,000 | 2025 | GRANT IN SUPPORT OF SURVIVING MILITARY FAMILIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY BY CONNECTING THEM WITH NATIONAL PARKS, FORESTS, AND THE BENEFITS OF OUTDOOR RECREATION. |
| OUR MILITARY KIDS | OAKTON, VA | $40,000 | 2025 | GRANT TO SUPPORT ENGAGING MILITARY FAMILIES IN MEANINGFUL PARK EXPERIENCES, INCLUDING INTRODUCTORY OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED WITHIN UNITS OF THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE. |
| GLEN CANYON OUTDOOR ACADEMY SCHOOL | PAGE, AZ | $26,912 | 2025 | 2024 KIDS TO PARKS DAY GRANTS & NPS CHALLENGE COST SHARE GRANTS |
| SPARK SF PUBLIC SCHOOLS | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | NPS CHALLENGE COST SHARE GRANTS |
| COMMUNITY INITIATIVES | OAKLAND, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | NPS CHALLENGE COST SHARE GRANTS |
| POINT REYES NATIONAL SEASHORE ASSOCIATION | POINT REYES STATION, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | NPS CHALLENGE COST SHARE GRANTS |
| APPALACHIAN MOUNTAIN CLUB | BOSTON, MA | $25,000 | 2025 | NPS CHALLENGE COST SHARE GRANTS |
| MISSISSIPPI PARK CONNECTION | SAINT PAUL, MN | $25,000 | 2025 | NPS CHALLENGE COST SHARE GRANTS |
| CHATTAHOOCHEE NATURE CENTER | ROSWELL, GA | $25,000 | 2025 | NPS CHALLENGE COST SHARE GRANTS |
| NATUREBRIDGE | SAUSALITO, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | NPS CHALLENGE COST SHARE GRANTS |
| SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS FUND | WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CA | $24,500 | 2025 | NPS CHALLENGE COST SHARE GRANTS |
| TROUT UNLIMITED INC | ARLINGTON, VA | $21,000 | 2025 | NPS CHALLENGE COST SHARE GRANTS |
| THE BUS FOR OUTDOOR ACCESS & TEACHING INC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $20,500 | 2025 | NPS CHALLENGE COST SHARE GRANTS |
| JEFFERSON NATIONAL PARKS ASSOCIATION | ST LOUIS, MO | $20,000 | 2025 | NPS CHALLENGE COST SHARE GRANTS |
| ROCK CREEK CONSERVANCY INC | BETHESDA, MD | $20,000 | 2025 | NPS CHALLENGE COST SHARE GRANTS |
| ZION NATURAL HISTORY ASSOCIATION | SPRINGDALE, UT | $20,000 | 2025 | NPS CHALLENGE COST SHARE GRANTS |
| ACCOKEEK FOUNDATION | ACCOKEEK, MD | $18,500 | 2025 | NPS CHALLENGE COST SHARE GRANTS |
| AKAKA FOUNDATION FOR TROPICAL FORESTS | HILO, HI | $15,000 | 2025 | 2024 EKO GRANT PROGRAM AWARD |
| BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY FOUNDATION | WINSTONSALEM, NC | $12,500 | 2025 | NPS CHALLENGE COST SHARE GRANTS |
| WILDERNESS LOUISVILLE INC | FAIRDALE, KY | $10,000 | 2025 | NPS CHALLENGE COST SHARE GRANTS |
| HCST EXPLORE MIDDLE SCHOOL | JERSEY CITY, NJ | $6,000 | 2025 | 2024 KIDS TO PARKS DAY GRANTS |
| DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE | WASHINGTON, DC | $5,745 | 2025 | THE NATIONAL PARK TRUST PROVIDED FUNDS TO COVER THE REMAINING COSTS OF A CESU INTERN FROM GALLAUDET UNIVERSITY FOR THE FALL 2024 JUNIOR RANGER ASL ANGLER PROGRAM. THIS FUNDING WAS COMBINED WITH NPF FUNDS TO SUPPORT THE CESU PROGRAM. |
| TRAGEDY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR SURVIVORS (TAPS) | ARLINGTON, VA | $68,000 | 2024 | GOLD STAR FAMILIES ENGAGING WITH NATIONAL FORESTS; GOLD STAR FAMILIES FISHING IN NATIONAL PARKS |
| OUR MILITARY KIDS | OAKTON, VA | $40,000 | 2024 | MILITARY FAMILIES FISHING IN NATIONAL PARKS |
| REDWOOD PARKS CONSERVANCY | CRESCENT CITY, CA | $25,000 | 2024 | 2022 CHALLENGE COST SHARE AWARD |
| ICE AGE TRAIL ALLIANCE INC | CROSS PLAINS, WI | $25,000 | 2024 | 2022 CHALLENGE COST SHARE AWARD |
| ROSIE THE RIVETER TRUST | RICHMOND, CA | $25,000 | 2024 | 2022 CHALLENGE COST SHARE AWARD |
| STROUD WATER RESEARCH CENTER INC | AVONDALE, PA | $25,000 | 2024 | 2022 CHALLENGE COST SHARE AWARD |
| ZION NATURAL HISTORY ASSOCIATION | SPRINGDALE, UT | $25,000 | 2024 | 2022 CHALLENGE COST SHARE AWARD |
| APPALACHIAN TRAIL CONSERVANCY (VEN) | HARPERS FERRY, WV | $25,000 | 2024 | 2022 CHALLENGE COST SHARE AWARD |
| CHATTAHOOCHEE NATIONAL PARK CONSERVANCY | ROSWELL, GA | $25,000 | 2024 | 2022 CHALLENGE COST SHARE AWARD |
| FRIENDS OF EASTERN CALIFORNIA MUSEUM | INDEPENDENCE, CA | $25,000 | 2024 | 2023 CHALLENGE COST SHARE AWARD |
| TIMUCUAN PARKS FOUNDATION | JACKSONVILLE, FL | $25,000 | 2024 | 2023 CHALLENGE COST SHARE AWARD |
| ROCKY MOUNTAIN YOUTH CORPS | RANCHOS DE TAOS, NM | $25,000 | 2024 | 2022 CHALLENGE COST SHARE AWARD |
| BACK COUNTRY HORSEMEN OF UTAH SOUTHWEST CHAPTER | SAINT GEORGE, UT | $25,000 | 2024 | 2023 CHALLENGE COST SHARE AWARD |
| TEACHING RESPONSIBLE EARTH EDUCATION | NEW ORLEANS, LA | $25,000 | 2024 | 2023 CHALLENGE COST SHARE AWARD |
| HALEAKALA CONSERVANCY INC | MAKAWAI, HI | $25,000 | 2024 | 2023 CHALLENGE COST SHARE AWARD |
| POINT REYES NATIONAL SEASHORE ASSOCIATION | POINT REYES STATION, CA | $25,000 | 2024 | 2022 CHALLENGE COST SHARE AWARD |
| MISSISSIPPI PARK CONNECTION | SAINT PAUL, MN | $25,000 | 2024 | 2023 CHALLENGE COST SHARE AWARD |
| LOWELL PARKS AND CONSERVATION TRUST INC | LOWELL, MA | $24,600 | 2024 | 2022 CHALLENGE COST SHARE AWARD |
GRANT IN SUPPORT OF SURVIVING MILITARY FAMILIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY BY CONNECTING THEM WITH NATIONAL PARKS, FORESTS, AND THE BENEFITS OF OUTDOOR RECREATION.
GRANT IN SUPPORT OF MILITARY VETERANS ACROSS THE COUNTRY BY ENGAGING THEM WITH OUR NATION'S PARKS AND THE BENEFITS OF OUTDOOR RECREATION.
GRANT TO SUPPORT ENGAGING MILITARY FAMILIES IN MEANINGFUL PARK EXPERIENCES, INCLUDING INTRODUCTORY OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED WITHIN UNITS OF THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE.
GRANT IN SUPPORT OF MILITARY VETERANS ACROSS THE COUNTRY BY ENGAGING THEM WITH OUR NATION'S PARKS AND THE BENEFITS OF OUTDOOR RECREATION.
GRANT IN SUPPORT OF NATIONAL PARK TRUST'S PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION'S EVERY KID OUTDOORS INITIATIVE AT ANACOSTIA HIGH SCHOOL, CONNECTING STUDENTS IN ANACOSTIA TO THEIR NATIONAL PARKS, LOCAL WATERSHED, AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ADVOCATES THROUGH SUSTAINED ENGAGEMENT THAT FOSTERS LASTING RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN STUDENTS AND THE PARK.
GRANT IN SUPPORT OF NATIONAL PARK TRUST'S PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION, GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK, AND THE INSTITUTE TO PROVIDE FISHING OUTINGS THAT CONNECT EASTERN BAND OF CHEROKEE INDIANS, COLLEGE STUDENTS, AND ACTIVE-DUTY AND VETERAN SERVICE MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES.
ACCOKEEK FOUNDATION
$8,000GRANT IN SUPPORT OF NATIONAL PARK TRUST'S EVERY KID OUTDOORS INITIATIVE, WITH A GOAL OF EXPANDING ENGAGEMENT IN PROGRAMS TO APPROXIMATELY 12 SCHOOLS AND 650 STUDENTS IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES.
HCST EXPLORE MIDDLE SCHOOL
$6,000GRANT TO SUPPORT EFFORTS THAT CONNECT KIDS AND FAMILIES TO OUTDOOR SPACES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
$90,615REIMBURSEMENT OF APPRAISAL, SITE ASSESSMENT AND RELATED COSTS TO PREPARE FOR SETTLEMENT OF LAND PURCHASES.
GRANT IN SUPPORT OF MILITARY VETERANS ACROSS THE COUNTRY BY ENGAGING THEM WITH OUR NATION'S PARKS AND THE BENEFITS OF OUTDOOR RECREATION.
GRANT IN SUPPORT OF SURVIVING MILITARY FAMILIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY BY CONNECTING THEM WITH NATIONAL PARKS, FORESTS, AND THE BENEFITS OF OUTDOOR RECREATION.
GRANT TO SUPPORT ENGAGING MILITARY FAMILIES IN MEANINGFUL PARK EXPERIENCES, INCLUDING INTRODUCTORY OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED WITHIN UNITS OF THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE.
GLEN CANYON OUTDOOR ACADEMY SCHOOL
$26,9122024 KIDS TO PARKS DAY GRANTS & NPS CHALLENGE COST SHARE GRANTS
NPS CHALLENGE COST SHARE GRANTS
THE BUS FOR OUTDOOR ACCESS & TEACHING INC
$20,500NPS CHALLENGE COST SHARE GRANTS
JEFFERSON NATIONAL PARKS ASSOCIATION
$20,000NPS CHALLENGE COST SHARE GRANTS
ACCOKEEK FOUNDATION
$18,500NPS CHALLENGE COST SHARE GRANTS
AKAKA FOUNDATION FOR TROPICAL FORESTS
$15,0002024 EKO GRANT PROGRAM AWARD
WILDERNESS LOUISVILLE INC
$10,000NPS CHALLENGE COST SHARE GRANTS
HCST EXPLORE MIDDLE SCHOOL
$6,0002024 KIDS TO PARKS DAY GRANTS
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
$5,745THE NATIONAL PARK TRUST PROVIDED FUNDS TO COVER THE REMAINING COSTS OF A CESU INTERN FROM GALLAUDET UNIVERSITY FOR THE FALL 2024 JUNIOR RANGER ASL ANGLER PROGRAM. THIS FUNDING WAS COMBINED WITH NPF FUNDS TO SUPPORT THE CESU PROGRAM.
GOLD STAR FAMILIES ENGAGING WITH NATIONAL FORESTS; GOLD STAR FAMILIES FISHING IN NATIONAL PARKS
ROSIE THE RIVETER TRUST
$25,0002022 CHALLENGE COST SHARE AWARD
CHATTAHOOCHEE NATIONAL PARK CONSERVANCY
$25,0002022 CHALLENGE COST SHARE AWARD
FRIENDS OF EASTERN CALIFORNIA MUSEUM
$25,0002023 CHALLENGE COST SHARE AWARD
TIMUCUAN PARKS FOUNDATION
$25,0002023 CHALLENGE COST SHARE AWARD
BACK COUNTRY HORSEMEN OF UTAH SOUTHWEST CHAPTER
$25,0002023 CHALLENGE COST SHARE AWARD
TEACHING RESPONSIBLE EARTH EDUCATION
$25,0002023 CHALLENGE COST SHARE AWARD
2022 CHALLENGE COST SHARE AWARD
