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Grants for Recreation and Education for Youth Empowerment in Washington State

If you are looking to start a business where you would be working with the youth, in some form or the other, there’s a grant for Washington nonprofits, businesses, individuals, agencies, and educational institutions to engage underserved youth in outdoor recreation and education experiences.

It is important to note that the emphasis is placed on youth with the greatest needs. Funding is intended to provide underserved youth with quality opportunities to experience the natural world. Here’s another great opportunity for business funding.

Grants are available for outdoor environmental, ecological, agricultural, or other natural resource-based education and recreation programs serving youth through the age of 18 or those enrolled in high school or General Education Development (GED) programs.

This grant program intends to maximize the number of Washington State youth who are provided quality outdoor experiences and empower local communities to engage youth in outdoor education and recreation, focusing on youth participants with the greatest need. Students work to improve their overall academic performance, self-esteem, personal responsibility, community involvement, health, and understanding of nature.

The “No Child Left Inside” grant program is especially geared to fund activities that benefit:

  • Students at risk of failing or dropping out of school;
  • Under-represented learners;
  • Children facing social, behavioral, economic, and health barriers.

Programs Overview: 

  • Backpacking
  • Camping
  • Canoe and kayaking
  • Environmental outdoor education 
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Hunting
  • Orienteering
  • Outdoor-based after school programs and camps
  • Outdoor cooking
  • Rock climbing

For a list of eligible costs, see the Grant Manual:

Additional Eligibility Criteria:

The following organizations may apply for grants:
– Educational institutions
– Federal government agencies
– Formal school programs and informal after school programs
– Local governments (cities, towns, counties, port districts, park and recreation districts, etc.)
– Nonprofit organizations (501(c)3, 501(c)1, or 501(c)4 tax-exempt organizations)
– Private entities including individuals, businesses, non-political groups, community-based programs in Washington State
– Religious groups only if non-religious activities are planned. Grants may not be used to pay for activities of religious worship or instruction.
– State agencies
– Tribal governments
– Veteran’s organizations

Tier 1: Grants in this category are open only to programs and organizations that have never received NCLI funding.
Tier 2: Grants in this category are open to new programs, expansion of existing programs, and existing programs.
Tier 3: Grants in this category are open to new programs, expansion of existing programs, and existing programs.

Ineligible programs include the following:
– Programs that are targeted primarily to participants older than 18
– Facility construction projects
– Annual community festivals, expositions, promotional or fundraising events
– Teacher or instructor training programs that do not include hands-on student participation
– Organized, traditional team sports such as soccer, baseball, basketball, etc.

Ineligible costs include the following:
– Computer games, curriculum development, exhibits, and displays (as stand-alone projects that do not have an outdoor component)
– Costs not directly related to implementing the project such as indirect and overhead charges
– Equipment-only projects
– Out-of-state travel except for travel to bordering counties and cities in Oregon and Idaho
– Purchase of automobiles, vehicles, or motorboats
– Pre-agreement costs. RCO will pay only for work performed after project agreements have been signed by both RCO and the project sponsor.
– Preparation of this grant application
– Property leasing
– Religious activities
– Software development for indoor activities

The outdoor grants manager guides applicants through the process, reviews application materials, helps determine whether proposals are eligible, and may visit the project site to discuss site-specific details.

**Please note this grant is only open to projects that benefit youth that live in Washington State.