Announcements
We have a new process this year – NCLI Letters of Intent
RCO accepted Letters of Intent (LOIs) from organizations between June 16th and July 31st, 2026. Data from the LOIs will be used to inform the Governor’s Office, the Legislature, and others about the need for funding in advance of upcoming budget discussions and funding decisions. Although the Letter of Intent will not be scored, providing clear and succinct responses will contribute to the future of the grant program.
RCO hosted a workshop explaining this new process on July 1, view the Letter of Intent Recorded Workshop
Thank you to everyone who submitted a LOI between June 16th and July 31st, 2026. LOIs are not required for your application when the grant program opens in 2027, so if you were unable to submit one this year, you will still be eligible to apply.
The Everyone Outdoors Program provides groups with the opportunity to apply to receive free annual Discover Passes. The program is available to Washington-based groups supporting underserved communities, youth programs, nonprofit organizations, veteran organizations, volunteer groups, and other groups that face barriers to outdoor access. Visit the Everyone Outdoors Program website for more details
Typical Projects
- Water activities such as kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, boating, fishing, and rafting
- Winter activities such as snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, downhill skiing and snowboarding, and snow camping
- Overnight and day camp activities such as environmental education, outdoor skills development, hiking, and camping
- Outdoor adventure activities such as rock climbing, mountain biking, backpacking, and archery
- Other activities such as outdoor cooking, survival skills, wilderness medicine, foraging, and culturally informed activities such as sense of place or nature scavenger hunts
Who May Apply?
- Community-based programs
- Local agencies
- Native American tribes
- Nonprofit organizations
- School-based programs
- Special purpose districts, such as park and recreation districts
- State agencies
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.
The interactive map and dashboard below display projects by county, funding year, and application status. Select different map layers to display projects by school district or legislative district. Click the tabs in the upper right to select different funding years and whether projects are funded, not funded, or in application status.
Zoom in on the map to see specific projects. Clicking a project will display more details such as the grant applicant, grant amount, and links to application materials and photographs. View the interactive map and dashboard in full screen.
Grant Limits
There are three funding categories for this grant program
- Tier One Projects: $5,000-$25,000 for each project
- Tier Two Projects: $5,000-$75,000 for each project
- Tier Three Projects: $75,000-$150,000 for each project
Match Details
- There is no match requirement for projects in Tiers One and Two.
- A match of 25 percent is required for Tier Three projects.
To qualify, a match must be composed of elements that would be eligible in the NCLI 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
Ineligible Projects
- Annual community festivals, expositions, promotional or fundraising events
- Equipment only projects
- Facility construction projects
- Organized youth sports such as a community league or school team
- 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.
Questions?
Beth Auerbach, outdoor grants manager, 360-280-6103
Edison Velez, outdoor grants manager, 360-340-1280
Relay Service for the hearing impaired, call 711.