Community Outdoor Outreach Program (CO-OP) Grant Program – Texas

The Community Outdoor Outreach Program (CO-OP) grant provides funding to tax-exempt organizations for programming that engages under-served populations in TPWD mission-oriented outdoor recreation, conservation and environmental education activities.

Donor Name: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

State: Texas

County: All Counties

Type of Grant: Grant

Deadline: 11/01/2023

Size of the Grant: $5,000 to $100,000

Details:

Grant Priorities

CO-OP grant priorities engage the target under-represented audiences in the following:

• Outdoor Recreation:
  • Accommodate high-quality participation in mission-oriented outdoor recreation activities.
  • Facilitate access to TPWD owned and operated facilities including State Parks, Wildlife Management Areas, State Natural Areas, State Historical Sites, and Fish Hatcheries & Centers.
• Environmental Education:
  • Provide hands-on environmental & Cultural resource education for Texas Natural resources & ecosystems.
  • Integrate TPWD education programs to develop life-long behaviors consistent with the Agency’s mission.
• Conservation:
  • Cultivate citizen participation in science-based stewardship of natural and cultural resources that result in tangible conservation benefits.
  • Develop the next generation of natural resource leaders and professionals.

Funding Information

CO-OP provides grants to tax- exempt organizations ranging from $5,000 to $100,000. This is a reimbursement grant program. Recipients must purchase eligible items and submit proper documentation before being reimbursed. Eligible organizations can apply to use these funds for programming expenses such as personnel, food, travel expenses, participant liability insurance, entrance fees, outdoor recreation equipment and environmental education supplies.

Eligibility Criteria

• Grants are available to tax-exempt organizations such as local government, Universities, school districts and non-profit organizations. This program builds relationships with constituencies who have been under-represented in Texas Parks & Wildlife Department activities and programs. Target audiences served include low income, ethnic minority, female and individuals with a disability.
• Applicants who are non-political, tax-exempt organizations that are in good standing with the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts and System of Award Management (SAM) are eligible to apply. Only one active grant award is allowed per organization.

Scoring Criteria

• CO-OP Priorities 
  • The quality and efficacy of proposed project outcomes relative to CO-Priorities.
  • The quality of the proposed project’s involvement of participants in sustained direct connections to the department, including department sites, programs, and personnel.
• Under-served Populations
  • The extent to which the proposed project includes target populations, including female, ethnic minority, low income, and physically or mentally challenged populations.
  • A clearly articulated plan demonstrating a reasonable probability that the proposed project will reach the target demographic.
  • A feasible plan to track and report demographic information.
• Expected Impact 
  • A project narrative illustrating goals that are feasible, fully developed, specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and present a high potential for success.
  • The extent to which the project will develop life-long behaviors consistent with program mission, with preference for projects that engage participants in multiple experiences over an extended period of time.
  • The extent to which the proposed project will contribute to the development of successive generations of natural resource and outdoor recreation leaders or professionals.
  • Activities utilize a hands-on, active engagement approach to skill development.
  • The quality of the tangible environmental benefits resulting from the activities conducted by participants.
• Timeline and Budget 
  • The project has an acceptable timeline including a detailed timeline that accounts for all project phases, is achievable and correlates with the project narrative.
  • The identified budget items are allowable under the administrative guidelines, are reasonable, and clearly support the proposed activities.
  • The budget reflects consciousness of cost effectiveness and provides a reasonable return on investment with respect to participant impact.
• Organizational Capacity 
  • The proposed project is within the scope of the applicant’s mission.
  • The applicant demonstrates to the department’s satisfaction that qualified staff and resources are in place to manage the grant from inception to completion, or, alternatively, evidence that the applicant is partnered with an entity to provide staff and/or resources necessary to manage the grant from inception to completion.
  • The organization plans to continue similar activities and will maintain grant supported supplies and equipment after the grant period ends.
• Past Performance 
  • A scoring deduction will be imposed if the applicant is not in compliance with the conditions of previously funded grants awarded by the Recreation Grants Department that were closed within two years from the current application deadline. Non-compliance includes:
  • Failure to spend CO-OP funds.
  • Unfulfilled project elements or grant agreement requirements.
  • Unresponsiveness to department requests for information.
  • Consistently missing, late or incomplete reports required by agreement with the department.

For more information, visit Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.