COAF Community Outdoor Athletic Facilities

Funding

$12.6 million

Details

Grant Limit

$1.2 million

Details

Match Requirement

None

Details

The Community Outdoor Athletic Facilities (COAF) fund is a new program that will provide grants to build, expand, or renovate outdoor athletic facilities. The program is uniquely focused on helping support meaningful athletic experiences in communities that lack recreational opportunities, have underserved populations, and possess limited financial capacity.

Grant Application Schedule

Item Date

Public Comment Period

August 10, 2023 - September 12, 2023

Policy Manual Published

October 17, 2023 Tentative

Applications Open

November 14, 2023 Tentative

Preapplication Due

December 14, 2023 Tentative

Full Application Due

February 1, 2024 Tentative

Project Evaluations

March 1, 2024 Tentative

Grants Awarded

March 15, 2024 Tentative

Grant Award History

Most recent grants and evaluation results, listed by the application year.

Application Resources

Announcements 

Typical Projects 

Eligible community outdoor athletic facilities should attract and accommodate practice, training, or competition using a participant’s physical skills or capabilities. Such athletic activities should be the primary focus of the facility rather than leisure activities. Specific policies for eligible elements, costs and activities are in development; however, examples of typical projects that likely could be funded through this program include the following outdoor facilities: 

  • Rectangular fields for soccer, football, lacrosse, etc.
  • Fields for baseball, softball, cricket, etc.
  • Tracks and courses
  • Skateparks, BMX, and mountain bike parks
  • Paddling facilities, rock climbing
  • Ice and roller hockey
  • Swimming pools
  • Acquisition of land for such facilities

Who May Apply? 

  • Any local government or district that is authorized to manage community athletic facilities  
  • 501c nonprofit organizations
  • Native American tribes 

Eligible applicants are not required to have an approved recreation, conservation, or open space plan on file with RCO to apply.

Funding 

The Legislature provided $12.6 million in initial funding with a commitment of another $12.6 million in 2025.

Grant Limits 

A maximum grant award of $1.2 million is proposed.

Match Details 

Applicants are not required to provide matching resources. 

Eligible Projects 

  • Acquisition of land
  • Development of athletic facilities
  • Renovation and expansion of athletic facilities

Acknowledgements

RCO would like to acknowledge the dedication and hard work of the advisory committee and technical work group members who helped develop the policy and make this grant possible.

Advisory Committee and Technical Workgroup Members List

Questions? 

Adam Cole

Office: 360-725-3939, Cell: 360-867-8615

Relay Service for Hearing Impaired, call 711