Announcements
Funding Opportunity for Schools and School Districts
The Washington Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction will soon be accepting applications for funding opportunity FP 357. This program is exclusive to schools and districts and provides funds for developing and supporting pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade outdoor educational experiences. Please email Sheila Wilson for more information.
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.
Outdoor Schools Washington has created materials to help outdoor schools and overnight sites create programs that enrich and challenge children. The state Legislature requires a set of guidelines for high-quality outdoor schools in the state and these materials will help foster program growth and positive outdoor learning through overnight experiences.
Typical Projects
- Hands-on, environmental education, nature-based learning experiences
- Science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) education activities
- Learning about habitat restoration and environmental stewardship activities
- Integration of professional environmental and land management mentors in learning
- Immersive field studies, journaling, and group discussions
Who May Apply?
- Federally recognized Native American tribes
- Outdoor education providers
- Local governments (cities, towns, counties, port districts, park and recreation districts, etc.)
- Qualified nonprofit organizations (501(c)3, 501(c)1, or 501(c)4 tax-exempt organizations). See the grant manual for specific requirements.
- State agencies
- Federal agencies
Funding
Grants are awarded in odd-numbered years. 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:
- Tier One projects: $10,000-$50,000 per project
- Tier Two projects: $50,001-$150,000 per project
- Tier Three projects: $150,001-$300,000 per project
Match Details
There is no match required.
Eligible Programs
Eligible programs include pre-kindergarten through twelfth-grade experiential education activities that teach in and about the outdoors. Programs must develop and support educational experiences for students and partner with Washington public schools. Grants are available to support existing capacity and to increase future capacity for outdoor learning experiences.
Programs should have a focus on outdoor education aligned with the Washington State content learning standards, including the development of social and emotional learning skills. Programs are encouraged to review the Since Time Immemorial curriculum developed by the Office of Native Education at the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and infuse traditional ecological knowledge into the field experiences for students. In implementing student educational experiences, outdoor education providers should ensure equitable access for students in all geographic regions and high levels of accessibility for students with disabilities.
Eligible Costs
The following project costs must be essential to the program purpose (see budget worksheet):
- Contracted services
- Curriculum development (aligned with Washington State learning standards)
- Food and non-alcoholic beverages
- Equipment
- Indirect costs (fixed rate of 10 percent)
- Habitat restoration projects. Activities may not take place in archaeological sites (Revised Code of Washington 27.53.060). Project sponsors must provide appropriate documentation prior to student involvement in restoration activities. Contact an RCO outdoor grants manager for more information.
- Lodging
- Mobile equipment and cargo trailers
- Staff
- Stipends
- Supplies
- Training
- Transportation
Required Costs
Travel and per-diem for two in-person events to be held during the agreement period (to be included in budget worksheet).
Ineligible Costs
- Facility construction or improvement projects. (e.g. raised beds, gardens, and raingardens; decks and boardwalks; open-air shelters; permanent outdoor classroom infrastructure; outdoor kitchens and fish pits; ropes course facilities).
- Land acquisition.
- Out-of-state student travel, except for bordering counties and cities in Oregon and Idaho.
- Pre-agreement costs. RCO will pay only for work performed after grant agreements have been signed by both RCO and the project sponsor.
- Post agreement costs. Costs for eligible activities must be incurred within the grant agreement period. Reservations for facilities or activities after the agreement period are ineligible.
- Preparation of this grant application.
- Projects that do not include direct youth outdoor education programming.
- Purchase of motor vehicles or motorboats.
- Religious activities.
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