NCLI No Child Left Inside

Funding

$4.5 million

Details

Grant Limit

$150,000

Details

Match Requirement

25%

Details

The Washington State Legislature created the No Child Left Inside grant program to provide under-served youth with quality opportunities to experience the natural world.

Grants are available for outdoor environmental, ecological, agricultural, or other natural resource-based education and recreation programs serving youth. Funding focuses on serving youth with the greatest needs and helping them improve their overall academic performance, self-esteem, personal responsibility, community involvement, personal health, and understanding of nature.

Grant Application Schedule

Item Date

Applicant Webinar, Applications Open

August 7, 2024 

Final Applications Due

October 31, 2024 

Evaluation Period (Written Reviews - Tier 1 and 2)

January 29, 2025 - March 7, 2025

Evaluation Period (Live Presentations -Tier 3)

March 5, 2025 - March 6, 2025

Preliminary Ranked Lists Approved

May 30, 2025 estimate

RCO Issues Project Agreements

July 31, 2025 estimate

Grant Award History

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

Application Resources

Grant Manual

Announcements

Review the new 2023 fact sheet.

Watch the 2022 Application Webinar recording here!

Typical Projects

  • Backpacking, camping, or hiking trips for disadvantaged youth
  • Canoeing, kayaking, or sailing camps
  • Outdoor environmental education
  • Fishing and hunting camps
  • Orienteering
  • Rock climbing adventures

Who May Apply?

  • Community-based programs in Washington
  • Formal school programs
  • Informal after school programs
  • Local agencies
  • Native American tribes
  • Nonprofit organizations
  • Private entities including individuals and businesses
  • Special purpose districts, such as park and recreation districts
  • Stage agencies
  • Veteran organizations

Only organizations that benefit youth in Washington State may apply.

Funding

Grants are awarded every other year. The Legislature provides funding from general tax dollars.

Grant Limits

There are three funding categories for this grant program

  • Tier 1 Projects: $5,000-$25,000 for each project
  • Tier 2 Projects: $5,000-$75,000 for each project
  • Tier 3 Projects: $75,000-$150,000 for each project

Match Details

There is no match requirement for Tier 1 projects.

A match of 25 percent is required for Tier 2 and Tier 3 projects.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to provide matching resources to demonstrate a local commitment to the project and to make state funds available to more projects. To qualify, a match must be composed of elements that would be eligible in the No Child Left Inside program. Match may include the following:

  • Appropriations and cash
  • Donations of cash, materials, or the value of labor, equipment use, or services
  • Applicant’s labor, equipment use, and materials
  • Other grants

Eligible Programs

Outdoor education and recreation programs including the following:

  • Backpacking
  • Camping
  • Canoeing and kayaking
  • Environmental outdoor education
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Hunting
  • Orienteering
  • Outdoor cooking
  • Rock climbing

Ineligible Projects

  • Annual community festivals, expositions, promotional or fundraising events
  • Facility construction projects
  • Organized team sports such as soccer, baseball, and basketball
  • Teacher training programs that do not include hands-on student participation

A full list of ineligible projects in the grant manual.

Long-Term Commitment

Equipment bought with grants should be retained for eligible or similar uses. See details in the grant manual.