Discover recreation acquisition and development grants funding opportunities tailored for Michigan communities. If you see any errors or know of an unlisted opportunity, please let us know: coastalresourcehub@umich.edu
* A Note on Deadlines and Past Grants: Some of these funding opportunities are past the deadline, but we’ve left them on this page because they may have repeating grant cycles and are good starting points for researching funding. Additionally, we have often chosen to provide the Grants.gov funding opportunity number for past grants to provide another starting point for finding the current year’s application.
( all Michigan-Specific! )
Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF)
To develop land for public outdoor recreation.
Any State and Local unit of government, HCMA, Regional Recreation Authorities, and Federally-recognized Native American Tribes that has a DNR approved 5-year recreation plan. To be eligible to apply for a recreation grant, the 5-year recreation plan must be submitted on or before February 1 of the application year.
Some of the criteria includes how closely the proposed project aligns with the 5-year recreation plan, as well as how well it aligns with the overall State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP).
$30k -$500k 50% match
April 1
Christie Bayus, 517-284-5923, bayusc@michigan.gov
Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF)
To acquire or develop land for outdoor recreation or for the conservation of Michigan’s significant natural resources.
Any State and Local unit of government, HCMA and Regional Recreation Authorities that have a DNR approved 5-year recreation plan. Local community recreation plans must be uploaded to the DNR’s MiGrants website by February 1st of the year of application.
Some of the criteria include the natural resource based recreation opportunities as well as collaboration. MNRTF Board priorities include trails, regional significance, public access to lakes and rivers, wildlife habitat, and hunting access.
$15k – $300k 25% match
April 1
Jon Mayes 517-284-5954, mayesj@michigan.gov
Recreation Passport Grant Program (RP)
To develop public recreation facilities that have outlived their useful life expectancy or development of new facilities.
Any local unit of government that has a DNR approved 5- year recreation plan OR a current annual capital improvement plan (CIP).
Generally this fund is for the redevelopment of parks that are dilapidated and in need of revitalization, new parks are also eligible but not the focus.
$7.5k -$150k 25% match
April 1
Christie Bayus, 517-284-5923, bayusc@michigan.gov
Michigan Spark Grants
To help local communities create, renovate and redevelop public education opportunities – especially those whose economies and health were hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Local units of government, regional or statewide organization or consortium of local units of government or public authorities legally established to provide public recreation.
Must support and enhance neighborhood features that promote improved health and safety outcomes or address the increased maintenance needs in response to greater use of public facilities in local communities most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. May include the development or renovation or public recreation facilities.
An eligible financial match is encouraged but not required. Individual grant amounts ranging from $100,000 to $1 million.
Project completion by October 31, 2026
dnr-grants@michigan.gov, grant coordinators vary by region
Outdoor Recreation and Legacy Partnership Program
To provide matching grants to states and local governments for the development of public outdoor recreation areas and facilities in economically-disadvantaged communities.
Local and tribal units of government with a population of 30,000 or more.
Must serve the specific needs of communities that are severely lacking in walkable, publicly accessible, outdoor recreation (park deserts) and that has a poverty rate or at least 20% or that is at least 10% than that of the project city, county, state rates.
$300,000 – $10 million
Varies by year, November to February
Christie Bayus, 517-284-5923, bayusc@michigan.gov