The Washington State Legislature funded the Outdoor Learning Grants program, with a goal to develop and support outdoor educational experiences for students in Washington public schools.
Donor Name: Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office
State: Washington
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 06/15/2023
Size of the Grant: $300,000
Grant Duration: 1 year 10 months
Details:
All children deserve equitable access to outdoor spaces where they can learn, play, and grow, but access to outdoor educational opportunities is inequitable.
Grants are available for federally recognized tribes and outdoor education providers to support existing capacity and to increase future capacity for outdoor learning experiences. Grant applicants must partner with at least one Washington public school or district (this includes public preschools, tribal schools, public charters schools, and Open Doors Youth Reengagement programs).
The grant program is managed by the Washington Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), which teamed up with the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) to administer the grant program.
Funding Information
- Tier 1: $10,000 to $50,000
- Tier 2: $50,001 to $150,000
- Tier 3: $150,001 to $300,000
Program Period
- September 1, 2023 to June 30, 2025
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
Eligible Programs
- Eligible programs provide pre-K-12, experiential, outdoor education program activities learning in, for, and about the outdoors. Programs must develop and support educational experiences for students in 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 Washington State learning standards including the development of social and emotional learning skills. Programs are encouraged to review the Since Time Immemorial Curriculum developed by OSPI’s Office of Native Education and infuse traditional ecological knowledge into 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:
- 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. 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
Eligibility Criteria
The following organizations may apply for grants:
- Federally recognized tribes
- Outdoor education providers
- Local governments (cities, towns, counties, port districts, park and recreation districts, etc.)
- Nonprofit organizations
- State agencies
- Federal agencies
Nonprofit corporations or associations must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Registered with Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)1, 501(c)3, 501(c)4 tax exempt organization.
- Registered as a nonprofit corporation at the state level.
- Tier 2 and Tier 3 applicants must demonstrate at least three years of actively managing projects relevant to the types of projects eligible for funding in the Outdoor Learning Grant Program. “Actively managing projects” means having relevant pre-K-12 experience.
For more information, visit Outdoor Learning Grants.
