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Find similar grantsPage announces 2025 grant recipients; applications for the current cycle are closed. Future cycle info available at a separate DNR webpage.
Maryland Outdoor Equity Mini Grant Program is sponsored by Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR). This mini grant program supports equitable access to outdoor recreation for communities that have been historically underserved.
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Maryland Outdoor Equity Mini-Grant Program Accessibility Information Maryland Outdoor Equity Mini-Grant Program Thank you for your interest! Proposal submissions for the 2025 cycle are now closed. Please contact the Office of Outdoor Recreation with any questions or comments.
Live Water Foundation received funding to support paddling programs for veterans last year. Defensores de la Cuenca’s camping excursion at Assateague, using the outdoor gear bank funded in 2024. M.
O. R. E.
Baltimore took camping trips with gear funded by the grants last year. Defensores de la Cuenca’s camping excursion at Assateague, using the outdoor gear bank funded in 2024.
2025 Request for Proposals (RFP) Issued by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Office of Outdoor Recreation Application Deadline: By June 30, 2025 Award Notification: Award Amounts: $2,500 – $7,500 (one-time awards) Estimated Number of Awards: Approximately 5 Funding Period: Projects must be completed by September 2026 Program Purpose and Goals The Maryland Outdoor Equity Mini-Grant Program is designed to support equitable access to outdoor recreation for communities that have been historically underserved.
These grants fund community-based projects that help Marylanders overcome many social, geographic, cultural, physical, and economic barriers to the outdoors. Examples of these historical barriers include distance and transportation, the price of activity or entry charges to outdoor recreation locations, the cost of equipment, lack of exposure to outdoor recreation activities, and finally, not feeling welcome to outdoor activities.
To address these challenges and support long-term change, the program is guided by a set of core goals: Fund opportunities for outdoor recreation for Marylanders from underrepresented communities; Promote a sense of stewardship, equity, and connection to Maryland’s natural spaces; Create a more inclusive outdoor culture across the state; Lay the groundwork for future outdoor professionals through mentoring and leadership opportunities; and Provide technical assistance to outdoor recreation projects and initiatives throughout Maryland.
To best align with the program’s purpose and goals, the projects selected for funding will address at least one of the following themes: Creating opportunities for outdoor recreation; Outdoor and environmental education and stewardship; Community capacity-building for long-term engagement with outdoor access; Connecting outdoor recreation to physical, emotional, or community health benefits Examples of Past Funded Projects Defensores de la Cuenca (Watershed Defenders) is a Latino-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit that connects Spanish speakers to nature through shared experiences and opportunities to preserve and defend the Chesapeake Bay watershed for a healthier mind, body, and soul.
Funding contributed to an outdoor gear bank that increases access to outdoor recreation activities by Latino communities who are underrepresented in that field. In 2024, Defensores de la Cuenca used the tents and gear for a group camping trip at Assateague State Park, dubbed Playafest, and two other camping trips.
Live Water Foundation inspires and empowers by facilitating watersports programs that improve health, wellness, and the environment. Live Water Foundation currently supports three initiatives within the Veteran community, underprivileged and disabled youth, and promoting clean waterways. Funding is used to support therapeutic water-based activities for military veterans.
The goal of the programs is to inspire participants to be champions in enhancing the waterways in which they paddle, and inspire a lifestyle of health and wellness through watersports activities Mentoring Our Rising Entrepreneurs (MORE) is a homeschool cooperative and nonprofit organization based in Baltimore, serving children ages 7-17.
The organization supplements the parents’ primary teaching by offering a safe, secure place where students can receive academic support, entrepreneurial mentoring, and learn about project-based services. Funding covered the cost of camping materials, which will provide 50–75 youths from Baltimore the ability to set out on excursions, enjoy nature, and explore new things.
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Tribal entity, school district, government agency, or for-profit organization with a mission aligned with outdoor equity (recipient will be required to fill out a W-9 with the State of Maryland to receive funds); Based in, serving communities, and hosting the event/recreation/activity within Maryland; Able to demonstrate readiness to manage and complete a small-scale community project within one year.
Award Range: $2,500 – $7,500 Match Requirement: No matching funds required, but leveraging other resources is encouraged. Use of Funds: May include program staff, materials, transportation, outreach, gear, event costs, or other eligible expenses that directly support project goals.
Applications will be reviewed based on a number of criteria, including: project alignment with focus areas, demonstrated need and community involvement, clear scope, goals, and timeline, feasibility and budget clarity, and project outcomes and evaluation plan.
Applicants must submit the following information: Organization name, type, location, contact information Description of the community or population served Description of planned activities and goals Explanation of how your work advances equity and access in outdoor recreation Community engagement or co-creation approach Budget & Budget Narrative Itemized list of how funds will be spent Narrative explaining why each expense is needed Key milestones with estimated dates (Project must be completed by September 30, 2026) How you will track success or impact Optional: Letters of Support or Collaboration Awardees will be asked to submit a short final report upon project completion and no later than October 15, 2026, which may include: Summary of the project’s outcomes and community impact Description of participant experience Data on participant demographics (age range, race/ethnicity, geography) Quotes, photos, videos, or testimonials Reflections on lessons learned and next steps Submit a Grant Application via filling out this google form by June 30th, 2025, at 5:00 p.
m. https://forms. gle/nfwWj3gMfCBGCy4x6 For questions or technical assistance, contact: Maryland Office of Outdoor Recreation The facilities and services of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources are available to all without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin or physical or mental disability.
This document is available in alternative format upon request from a qualified individual with a disability. Email the Office of Outdoor Recreation Accessibility Initiatives Outdoor Recreation Newsletter Outdoor Recreation Industry Provides $10. 6 Billion Impact on Maryland Economy Blind Skiing in Western MD New Trails in State Forests Fair Hill Track Reopens Joining the Confluence of States We're available on the following channels.
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Based on current listing details, eligibility includes: Community-based projects that help Marylanders overcome barriers to outdoor recreation. Focus areas include health and wellness, environmental education, equity and access, and youth development. Applicants should confirm final requirements in the official notice before submission.
Current published award information indicates Varies (example: $5,500 awarded to one project) Always verify allowable costs, matching requirements, and funding caps directly in the sponsor documentation.
The current target date is rolling deadlines or periodic funding windows. Build your timeline backwards from this date to cover registrations, approvals, attachments, and final submission checks.
Federal grant success rates typically range from 10-30%, varying by agency and program. Build a strong proposal with clear objectives, measurable outcomes, and a well-justified budget to improve your chances.
Requirements vary by sponsor, but typically include a project narrative, budget justification, organizational capability statement, and key personnel CVs. Check the official notice for the complete list of required attachments.
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Review timelines vary by funder. Federal agencies typically take 3-6 months from submission to award notification. Foundation grants may be faster, often 1-3 months. Check the program's timeline in the official solicitation for specific dates.
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Greenspace Equity Program Appraisal Funding Grants is a Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) competitive grant providing funds to qualified land trusts and local governments to obtain independent appraisals in advance of submitting an acquisition application for the FY 2028 Greenspace Equity Program Grant round. Established through Chapter 487 of 2023, the Greenspace Equity Program enhances public health and livability in overburdened and underserved communities by preserving, creating, and improving public greenspace. Applicants may request funding for up to two independent appraisals, with individual grants up to $100,000. Eligible applicants are qualified land trusts and local governments with proposed acquisitions in communities designated as overburdened or underserved by MDEnviroScreen. The FY 2027 application deadline is May 13, 2026.
Maryland Chesapeake and Coastal Grants Gateway is a funding portal from Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) that provides organizations with a single point of entry for technical and financial assistance to restore local waterways, build climate resilience, and strengthen coastal communities. Funding streams include the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund, Waterway Improvement Fund, and EPA Chesapeake Bay Program. Projects should address watershed restoration, shoreline erosion, storm resilience, or environmental stewardship. Eligible applicants include government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and academic institutions. FY2028 solicitations open in July 2026. Award amounts vary by program and project scope.
Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund is sponsored by Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR). This fund supports ecological restoration projects that improve water quality and habitat in the Chesapeake Bay watershed and build local resilience to climate impacts. Projects aim to reduce nutrient pollutants (nitrogen and phosphorus) and sediment, which fuel algal blooms.
EPA is seeking insightful, expert, and cost-effective applications from eligible applicants to provide the Chesapeake Bay Program’s non-federal partners with technical analysis and programmatic evaluation support related to water quality modeling and monitoring and spatial systems to manage, analyze, and map environmental data. The project assists the partners in meeting their restoration and protection goals and in increasing the transfer of scientific understanding to the Chesapeake Bay Program modeling, monitoring, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) activities. The recipient will support modeling, monitoring, and GIS programs needed to explain and communicate the health of and changes in the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem. Funding Opportunity Number: EPA-R3-CBP-23-18. Assistance Listing: 66.466. Funding Instrument: CA. Category: ENV. Award Amount: Up to $5.3M per award.
Clean Ports Program is sponsored by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Clean Ports Program provides funding for zero-emission port equipment and infrastructure, as well as climate and air quality planning at U.S. ports. It aims to reduce diesel pollution and build a foundation for the port sector to transition to fully zero-emissions operations.