Advance parks and recreation to enhance health and well-being, equity, and environmental resilience for communities.
National Recreation and Park Association uses program support to move park and recreation work into community health, equity, and environmental resilience. The largest recent grant in the file was $250,000 to the City of Imperial Beach Parks & Recreation Department for program support, showing a willingness to back local agencies at meaningful scale. Other large awards include $150,000 to Citywide Development Corporation of New Castle and $142,600 grants to Onepgh Fund and the City of Detroit Parks and Recreation Dept, indicating repeated support for public-facing park and recreation organizations. The foundation’s giving is tied to parks and recreation as a field, but the recipient list shows that field expressed in municipal departments, recreation foundations, health districts, and community coalitions. NRPA’s active programs also point to a mix of professional development, youth sports access, play spaces, coach development, healthy food access, and pollinator-related community science. Across the recent grants, the association appears to favor restricted, activity-based support rather than open-ended operating aid.
In parks and recreation infrastructure, National Recreation and Park Association backed play-space and department-level work with $77,000 to the City of La Verne and $90,000 to the City of New Braunfels, both listed as program support. It also gave $75,000 to The Woodlands Township, another sign of direct investment in local park systems. Community health shows up in several awards. Carter County Drug Prevention Coalition received $76,689 and $54,300 in separate program support grants, linking park and recreation funding with prevention-oriented community work. Ledge Light Health District also received $85,000, placing a public health organization among the recent grantees. Environmental resilience appears in the support for place-based public agencies and in NRPA’s active pollinator and wellness-hub programs. Recent grants to Broward County and Mount Airy Parks and Recreation fit that broader pattern of community-level implementation through local institutions.
Typical grant size sits at $15,403 at the 25th percentile, $28,986 at the median, and $45,000 at the 75th percentile, but the recent grant list also includes larger program awards such as $250,000 and $150,000. The pattern is clearly recurring: several grantees appear in multiple years, including Onepgh Fund, the City of Detroit Parks and Recreation Dept, New Orleans Recreation Development Foundation, the City of Farmington Parks and Recreation, The Navajo Nation, Carter County Drug Prevention Coalition, and City of Lynnwood Parks Recreation and Cultural Ar. National Recreation and Park Association functions as a membership-and-program association rather than a private family foundation, and it does not fund individuals. The grant style is activity-based and restricted to program support, with no-cost training, scholarships, and targeted initiative grants appearing alongside direct project awards.
$1.6M
$27.8M
$24.3M
$23.1M
Most grants fall between $15K and $45K, with a median of $29K.
25th Percentile
$15K
Median
$29K
75th Percentile
$45K
About 3% of grants go to recipients in CA.
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Grantmaking is national, and every grant in the dataset goes to U.S. recipients. The top state by grant count is Illinois, while only 3% of grants go to Virginia, the headquarters state. Recent awards are spread across many places, including Imperial Beach, Detroit, Pittsburgh, New Orleans, and Farmington. The recipient-country distribution shows no non-U.S. grants.
The recent grants point to program support for parks and recreation agencies, recreation foundations, and related community organizations. Active programs also include scholarships and fellowships, youth sports access, play space grants, coach-development microgrants, healthy food access work, and pollinator-focused community engagement.
Typical awards are relatively modest: the 25th percentile is $15,403, the median is $28,986, and the 75th percentile is $45,000. The recent list also includes larger program-support grants, with some awards reaching $250,000.
Yes. Several recipients appear across multiple years, including Onepgh Fund, the City of Detroit Parks and Recreation Dept, New Orleans Recreation Development Foundation, the City of Farmington Parks and Recreation, The Navajo Nation, Carter County Drug Prevention Coalition, and City of Lynnwood Parks Recreation and Cultural Ar.
No. The foundation does not fund individuals. Its grantmaking is directed to organizations and agencies, with active programs such as scholarships, fellowships, microgrants, and project-based support for park and recreation work.
The giving is national and all grants in the dataset go to U.S. recipients. Illinois is the top state by grant count, and only 3% of grants go to Virginia, the headquarters state.
KRISTINE STRATTON
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Current and upcoming funding from National Recreation and Park Association that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Parks and park partners who participate in the annual BioBlitz (details on eligibility provided on the program page).
Deadline: Annual: held each September (participation window within September).
Who can apply: Agencies must apply and complete the process to become an MLS GO League operator as part of eligibility.
Deadline: Applications are due December 31, 2026.
Track these deadlines, get reminders, and see how well your nonprofit fits — free with a Kindora account.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MOUNT AIRY PARKS AND RECREATION | MOUNT AIRY, NC | $84,515 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CITY OF AUBURN | AUBURN, ME | $50,738 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| TOWN OF WARREN | WARREN, RI | $47,362 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CALVERT COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION | PRINCE FREDERICK, MD | $45,554 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CARTER COUNTY DRUG PREVENTION COALITION | ELIZABETHTON, TN | $42,905 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| TUALATIN HILLS PARK & RECREATION DISTRICT | BEAVERTON, OR | $41,568 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| NORTHEAST OPPORTUNITIES FOR WELLNESS INC | PUTNAM, CT | $35,155 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| ASHEVILLE PARKS AND RECREATION | ASHEVILLE, NC | $34,728 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CITY OF MONROE | MONROE, MI | $32,396 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| WESTERN WELLNESS FOUNDATION | DICKINSON, ND | $32,068 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| ARIZONA YOUTH PARTNERSHIP | TUCSON, AZ | $31,937 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CLARK COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION | LAS VEGAS, NV | $31,796 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CITY OF IRVINE | IRVINE, CA | $31,471 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CITY OF PORTLAND PARKS RECREATION AND FACILITIES | PORTLAND, ME | $31,367 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| MECHANICSBURG AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT | MECHANICSBURG, PA | $30,346 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| FRIENDS OF MILL RIDGE PARK | ANTIOCH, TN | $27,073 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| BERWICK PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT | BERWICK, ME | $27,063 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CITY OF NORTH LITTLE ROCK | NORTH LITTLE ROCK, AR | $26,502 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| BURLINGTON RECREATION & PARKS | BURLINGTON, NC | $26,108 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CITY OF TWENTYNINE PALMS PARKS AND RECREATION | TWENTYNINE PALMS, CA | $24,500 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| MISSOULA PARKS AND RECREATION | MISSOULA, MT | $23,777 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CITY OF EL CAJON PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT | EL CAJON, CA | $23,733 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CITY OF MENIFEE | MENIFEE, CA | $22,500 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| NEW LONDON RECREATION DEPARTMENT | NEW LONDON, CT | $22,500 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| FLYWHEEL SBYD | NEW CASTLE, PA | $22,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CITY OF EUDORA PARKS AND RECREATION | EUDORA, KS | $22,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CITY OF COLUMBUS RECREATION AND PARKS DEPARTMENT | COLUMBUS, OH | $21,750 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| SUFFOLK PARKS AND RECREATION | SUFFOLK, VA | $20,547 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| BALTIMORE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION AND PARKS | COCKEYSVILLE, MD | $20,281 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CITY OF HUNTSVILLE | HUNTSVILLE, AL | $20,173 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CITY OF SCOTTSDALE | SCOTTSDALE, AZ | $20,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CITY OF WILMINGTON | WILMINGTON, NC | $20,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| TOWNSHIP OF WILLINGBORO RECREATION AND PARKS DEPARTMENT | WILLINGBORO, NJ | $20,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CITY OF KENNER PARKS AND RECREATION | KENNER, LA | $20,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| LOS ANGELES PARKS FOUNDATION DBA LA PARKS FOUNDATION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $20,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| KING COUNTY PLAY EQUITY COALITION | SEATTLE, WA | $20,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CAN PLAY | WEST DES MOINES, IA | $20,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CITY OF BILLINGS- PARK RECREATION & PUBLIC LANDS | BILLINGS, MT | $20,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT | CHICAGO, IL | $20,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| POSITIVE COACHING ALLIANCE | OAKLAND, CA | $19,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| TOWN OF LONG LAKE | LONG LAKE, NY | $18,893 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CITY OF MESA PARKS RECREATION AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES | MESA, AZ | $18,538 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| TOWN OF LEXINGTON RECREATION AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS | LEXINGTON, MA | $17,500 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| THE LAKEWOOD FOUNDATION | LAKEWOOD, OH | $17,500 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| RIVERDALE PARK DISTRICT | RIVERDALE, IL | $17,500 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| COUNSELORS IN THE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION CO | BALTIMORE, MD | $17,131 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| HOUSTON PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT | HOUSTON, TX | $16,625 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| NORTH BAY VILLAGE | NORTH BAY VILLAGE, FL | $15,620 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CITY OF LAKE CHARLES | LAKE CHARLES, LA | $15,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| DERBY RECREATION COMMISSION | DERBY, KS | $14,237 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
MOUNT AIRY PARKS AND RECREATION
$84,515PROGRAM SUPPORT
CITY OF AUBURN
$50,738PROGRAM SUPPORT
TOWN OF WARREN
$47,362PROGRAM SUPPORT
CALVERT COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION
$45,554PROGRAM SUPPORT
CARTER COUNTY DRUG PREVENTION COALITION
$42,905PROGRAM SUPPORT
TUALATIN HILLS PARK & RECREATION DISTRICT
$41,568PROGRAM SUPPORT
NORTHEAST OPPORTUNITIES FOR WELLNESS INC
$35,155PROGRAM SUPPORT
ASHEVILLE PARKS AND RECREATION
$34,728PROGRAM SUPPORT
CITY OF MONROE
$32,396PROGRAM SUPPORT
WESTERN WELLNESS FOUNDATION
$32,068PROGRAM SUPPORT
ARIZONA YOUTH PARTNERSHIP
$31,937PROGRAM SUPPORT
CLARK COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION
$31,796PROGRAM SUPPORT
CITY OF IRVINE
$31,471PROGRAM SUPPORT
CITY OF PORTLAND PARKS RECREATION AND FACILITIES
$31,367PROGRAM SUPPORT
MECHANICSBURG AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
$30,346PROGRAM SUPPORT
FRIENDS OF MILL RIDGE PARK
$27,073PROGRAM SUPPORT
BERWICK PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT
$27,063PROGRAM SUPPORT
CITY OF NORTH LITTLE ROCK
$26,502PROGRAM SUPPORT
BURLINGTON RECREATION & PARKS
$26,108PROGRAM SUPPORT
CITY OF TWENTYNINE PALMS PARKS AND RECREATION
$24,500PROGRAM SUPPORT
MISSOULA PARKS AND RECREATION
$23,777PROGRAM SUPPORT
CITY OF EL CAJON PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT
$23,733PROGRAM SUPPORT
CITY OF MENIFEE
$22,500PROGRAM SUPPORT
NEW LONDON RECREATION DEPARTMENT
$22,500PROGRAM SUPPORT
FLYWHEEL SBYD
$22,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
CITY OF EUDORA PARKS AND RECREATION
$22,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
CITY OF COLUMBUS RECREATION AND PARKS DEPARTMENT
$21,750PROGRAM SUPPORT
SUFFOLK PARKS AND RECREATION
$20,547PROGRAM SUPPORT
BALTIMORE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION AND PARKS
$20,281PROGRAM SUPPORT
CITY OF HUNTSVILLE
$20,173PROGRAM SUPPORT
CITY OF SCOTTSDALE
$20,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
CITY OF WILMINGTON
$20,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
TOWNSHIP OF WILLINGBORO RECREATION AND PARKS DEPARTMENT
$20,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
CITY OF KENNER PARKS AND RECREATION
$20,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
KING COUNTY PLAY EQUITY COALITION
$20,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
CITY OF BILLINGS- PARK RECREATION & PUBLIC LANDS
$20,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT
$20,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
TOWN OF LONG LAKE
$18,893PROGRAM SUPPORT
CITY OF MESA PARKS RECREATION AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES
$18,538PROGRAM SUPPORT
TOWN OF LEXINGTON RECREATION AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS
$17,500PROGRAM SUPPORT
THE LAKEWOOD FOUNDATION
$17,500PROGRAM SUPPORT
RIVERDALE PARK DISTRICT
$17,500PROGRAM SUPPORT
COUNSELORS IN THE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION CO
$17,131PROGRAM SUPPORT
HOUSTON PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT
$16,625PROGRAM SUPPORT
NORTH BAY VILLAGE
$15,620PROGRAM SUPPORT
CITY OF LAKE CHARLES
$15,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
DERBY RECREATION COMMISSION
$14,237PROGRAM SUPPORT
