New Jersey Recreation Grants

The Union County Local Arts Grants program, supported by the Union County Board of County Commissioners, the Cultural and Heritage Programs Advisory Board, and the NJ State Council on the Arts, aims to strengthen local arts through a State/County block-grant partnership. This initiative aligns with a broader mission to recognize the value of the arts, foster artistic excellence, and expand the public impact of arts organizations and projects within Union County. The program's design reflects a strategic priority to empower non-profit arts organizations and non-arts organizations that serve Union County residents, demonstrating a commitment to local cultural development. The primary target beneficiaries are non-profit arts organizations and non-arts organizations located in and serving Union County residents, as well as libraries, schools, and units of government undertaking specific arts projects. The impact goals are multifaceted: to increase the availability and accessibility of quality arts experiences, broaden and diversify participation in the arts, and promote public and private support for local arts activities. This includes fostering collaborations and partnership-building, ensuring ADA compliance, and strengthening organizations artistically and administratively. The program prioritizes several key areas, encouraging applicants to highlight the excellence of New Jersey artists, incorporate diverse programming and artists, reach diverse and underserved audiences, present family-friendly programs, and promote high-quality, lifelong arts education. Organizations can apply for either General Operating Support (GOS), exclusively for arts organizations to cover overall operations, or Special Project (SP) grants, open to both arts and non-arts organizations for specific arts projects or series. This dual approach allows for comprehensive support, addressing both the foundational stability of arts organizations and the execution of innovative projects. Expected outcomes include enhanced artistic excellence, increased public recognition of the arts, and a more robust and diverse array of arts programs available to Union County residents. Measurable results are tied to strengthening local arts organizations, increasing accessibility through ADA compliance, and fostering greater community participation. The theory of change behind this grant program posits that by investing in local arts organizations and projects, Union County can cultivate a vibrant cultural landscape, enrich the lives of its residents, and stimulate broader community engagement and support for the arts.

This grant provides funding to local governments and non-profit organizations for projects that improve the environment, culture, or community along the Lower Delaware River corridor.

The New Jersey Department of Agriculture invites applications for the Underserved Farmers Mini Grant, funded through the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service Specialty Crop Block Grant Program and the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. The program enhances the competitiveness of specialty crops in New Jersey by supporting projects led by underserved farmers, including socially disadvantaged, beginning, and military veteran farmers. Grants of up to 5,000 dollars may support activities such as researching new cultivars, outreach to youth and communities on specialty crops, targeted marketing, personnel, purchase of special purpose equipment, educational workshops, planting specialty crops, and distribution of promotional materials. Projects must conform to USDA AMS guidelines and general terms and conditions. Eligible applicants include qualified businesses and producers, as well as nonprofit and community based organizations developing projects that increase the production, marketing, and research of specialty crops in New Jersey. The grant period runs from June 1, 2024 through September 29, 2025. Applications are due May 3, 2024. Additional information is available from the New Jersey Department of Agriculture.

The Frank H. Stewart Trust provides grants primarily to assist municipalities within Gloucester, Salem, Atlantic, Cumberland, and Cape May Counties in New Jersey. The core mission of this grant program is to facilitate the acquisition of land for public use, specifically for parks, recreation grounds, game refuges, fishing or fish propagation, bird sanctuaries, and wildlife protection and preservation. This aligns with a foundational commitment to environmental conservation and public access to natural spaces. The Trust's strategic priority is to enhance public welfare through the creation and maintenance of accessible natural areas, reflecting a theory of change that postulates that by preserving land and making it available for public use, communities will benefit from increased recreational opportunities, biodiversity protection, and overall environmental health. The target beneficiaries are local municipalities within the specified New Jersey counties, with the ultimate impact goal of enriching public and ecological well-being in these regions. The Trust also extends support to prior grantees for the ongoing care, maintenance, upkeep, repair, and improvement of land previously purchased with Trust funds. This dual focus ensures not only the establishment of new public lands but also the sustained viability and quality of existing ones. The expected outcomes include an increase in dedicated public green spaces, improved habitats for wildlife, and enhanced recreational facilities for residents. The program's priorities and focuses are clearly defined: land must be dedicated to the public, have a flowing water course or be bounded by bodies of water, and be used for specific conservation and recreational purposes. Eligibility criteria also stipulate that grant recipients must obtain a resolution from their governing body dedicating the land to the public and provide a certified copy of the property appraisal. This rigorous approach ensures that funded projects align precisely with the Trust's mission and contribute to its long-term goals. Measurable results can be gauged by the number of acres of land purchased and dedicated for public use, the creation of new public parks and recreation areas, and the sustained maintenance of previously funded sites. The average total giving per year is $150,000, with individual grant sizes ranging from $100,000 to $500,000, indicating a significant investment in these environmental and community-focused initiatives. Applications must be submitted through an online form, ensuring an accessible and streamlined process for eligible municipalities.

This program provides funding to New Jersey middle schools to explore career opportunities in the esports industry, aiming to improve student engagement and attendance, particularly for special populations.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to non-profit organizations and municipalities in Salem County, New Jersey, for special arts projects, general operating expenses, or technical assistance to enhance local arts initiatives.

This funding opportunity supports organizations in Greater Philadelphia that provide engaging arts education programs for young people aged 5 to 18, fostering creativity and personal growth through partnerships with skilled teaching artists.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations that provide enriching summer programs for underserved youth in the Greater Mercer County area, helping to overcome barriers related to economic and social challenges.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and government agencies in New Jersey to deploy AmeriCorps members for community service projects addressing critical needs in areas such as education, economic opportunity, and environmental stewardship.

This program provides funding to nonprofit organizations and schools in low- to moderate-income neighborhoods for improving local football fields, ensuring safe and accessible play spaces for community youth.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut that focus on youth development through health, education, fitness, and football engagement initiatives.

This program provides funding to community-based organizations in New Jersey to create temporary art installations that raise awareness about climate change-related flooding risks and promote resilience in coastal communities.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations and government entities in Pennsylvania and New Jersey to engage communities and advocate for the expansion of the Circuit Trails network by adding 75 miles of trails by 2035.

This funding opportunity supports projects that enhance fish and wildlife habitats, improve water quality, and promote outdoor recreation within the Delaware River watershed, targeting nonprofits, educational institutions, government agencies, and Tribal organizations.

This grant provides financial support to charitable organizations in New Jersey that focus on services for the visually impaired, homeless, unemployed, or substance-dependent individuals, as well as religious programs affiliated with the Protestant Episcopal Church.

This program provides funding to nonprofit organizations in New Jersey for acquiring and preserving open spaces to enhance recreation and conservation efforts in communities.

This grant provides financial support to educational, health, and religious organizations in Gloucester County, New Jersey, with a focus on scholarships for local high school graduates and youth programs.

This program provides matching funds to local governments and nonprofit organizations in New Jersey for projects that conserve and preserve the state's historic resources.

This program provides funding to nonprofit organizations that support youth in low-to-moderate income communities through mentorship, education, and health services in select U.S. cities.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in Middlesex County, New Jersey, for projects that support education, health, human services, and religious initiatives, particularly those benefiting seniors and children.