The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is excited to announce the No Child Left Inside Grant Program.
Donor Name: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
State: Minnesota
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline (mm/dd/yyyy): 03/10/2022
Grants Size: $25,000
Details:
The program aims to support and increase efforts to expand programming that connects youth to the outdoors. Funded by the 2019 Minnesota Legislature with additional funding from the 2021 legislative session, these grants are provided for : “outdoor environmental, ecological, and other natural-resource-based education and recreation programs serving youth.”
Grant Priorities
The 2021 Legislature established some specific requirements and priorities for the No Child Left Inside Grant Program. The DNR has established additional funding priorities in consultation with stakeholders. Priorities and requirements for Phase 4 are as follows:
- Programs that maximize the number of participants, especially from new and diverse audiences with limited opportunities.
- Audience must be youth (under 18) – activities that include participant families are also eligible.
- Applicants commit matching funds or in-kind resources.
- Projects that are community-focused with an ongoing impact rather than one-time events.
- New and innovative programming (if an existing program or project, applicant must demonstrate a significant expansion in scope or inclusion of new audiences).
- Projects must provide students direct experiences and understanding of nature.
- Provide opportunities for outdoor recreation or to learn new outdoor skills.
- Use public parks and other natural resource venues and personnel as resources.
- Education classes that are held outside and use established environmental, ecological, agricultural or natural-resource educational curriculum.
- Other projects that support natural resource education and outdoor recreation as determined by the DNR.
Funding Information
Phase 4 grants have a minimum request of $5,000 and a maximum request of $25,000.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for phase 4 grants, applicants must be a public entity or private nonprofit organization with a mission or educational purpose that supports natural resource education and/or outdoor recreation.
Please refer to the request for proposals for a complete list of requirements and eligibility criteria. Examples of organizations that would qualify include:
- Public entities (cities, counties, special purpose districts and public schools, including public colleges and higher education institutions);
- Native American tribes, schools or governments;
- Non-profit organizations, including:
- Informal, after school and early childhood programs
- Community-based youth programs
- Private businesses, state and federal agencies, and other applicants who do not meet these criteria are not eligible for this grant program.
For more information, visit Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
