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Grants | Outdoor Recreation Fund of BC

Grant Intake
Deadline Jan 20 2026 11:59 PM (PST)
Description

Applications are open. Deadline to apply is January 20, 2026 at 11:59 pm P.T.

About

The purpose of the Outdoor Recreation Fund of BC is to support grants for community-based initiatives that create and shape meaningful nature-based and outdoor recreational experiences for British Columbians. There are three priorities to the types of grants that will be considered.

  1. Outdoor Enhancement: To support community groups who enhance and maintain trails, signage and outdoor recreation infrastructure.
  2. Stewardship & Education: To foster responsible use of the outdoors through education and stewardship initiatives that minimize environmental, cultural, and safety impacts of outdoor adventuring.
  3. Inclusive Participation: To cultivate accessible, inclusive and diverse outdoor recreation opportunities by encouraging participation in outdoor recreation for under-represented groups.

Eligibility Requirements

Organizations

The application will be open to:

  • Registered charities
  • Incorporated non-profit organizations
  • Local governments in BC
  • Indigenous governments in BC
Projects

Application will be open to projects that:

  • Align with the purpose of the fund
  • Align with one (or more) of the three priorities 
  • Are ready-to-go, which means that any required authorizations are in place before applying
  • Take place in British Columbia
  • Take place in natural settings—such as parks, trails, and natural aquatic areas—this does not include activities that take place in highly cultivated recreation areas (such as playgrounds, community gardens, skateparks, sports fields or urban farms).

Projects must be completed by March 31, 2027.

Matching Contributions

A 1:1 matching contribution of cash and/or in-kind support is required. The matching contribution is calculated as a minimum 1:1 match of the amount being requested. In other words, if your organization is requesting a $5,000 grant, you are asked to provide $5,000 or more in matching contributions. Matching contribution can be fulfilled with:

  • Monetary contributions from other sources
  • In-kind contributions which include 
    • Donated materials at verified fair market value
    • Donated accredited professional services at verified fair market value
    • Volunteer labour at $25/hour

Example:

  • Grant request: $5,000
  • Minimum matching contribution: $5,000 (cash and/or in-kind)
Funding Amount

Grant sizes range from $2,000 to $10,000.


Expenses

Eligible Expenses
Expenses must be tied to the project outcomes as outlined in the application.

Examples of eligible activities and expenses include but are not limited to:

  • Trail enhancement or maintenance.
  • Education and awareness initiatives.
  • Habitat restoration projects in recreation areas.
  • Accessibility improvements for diverse user groups.
  • Equipment purchases essential for recreation activities (e.g., adaptive or safety gear).
  • Workshops or training programs for volunteers and recreation users.
  • Reimbursement of reasonable, project-specific expenses to volunteers (e.g., transportation to project site, meals, gear).
  • Overhead costs: Administrative and operational expenses (up to 20% of the total request)

Ineligible Expenses

The grant program will not fund:

  • Activities that take place in highly cultivated recreation areas such as playgrounds, skateparks, tennis courts, sports fields or urban farms.
  • Projects occurring on private land with no public access.
  • Building of new trails (enhancements of existing trails such as trail connectors are allowed)
  • Activities that primarily provide financial benefits for individuals.
  • Expenses incurred before funding has been approved.
  • Payment to volunteers (reimbursement of reasonable expenses allowed).
  • Endowments, debt retirement, reserves, mortgage paydowns and land acquisition.
Apply

Grant Intake


Applications are open. Deadline to apply is January 20, 2026 at 11:59 pm P.T.

About

The purpose of the Outdoor Recreation Fund of BC is to support grants for community-based initiatives that create and shape meaningful nature-based and outdoor recreational experiences for British Columbians. There are three priorities to the types of grants that will be considered.

  1. Outdoor Enhancement: To support community groups who enhance and maintain trails, signage and outdoor recreation infrastructure.
  2. Stewardship & Education: To foster responsible use of the outdoors through education and stewardship initiatives that minimize environmental, cultural, and safety impacts of outdoor adventuring.
  3. Inclusive Participation: To cultivate accessible, inclusive and diverse outdoor recreation opportunities by encouraging participation in outdoor recreation for under-represented groups.

Eligibility Requirements

Organizations

The application will be open to:

  • Registered charities
  • Incorporated non-profit organizations
  • Local governments in BC
  • Indigenous governments in BC
Projects

Application will be open to projects that:

  • Align with the purpose of the fund
  • Align with one (or more) of the three priorities 
  • Are ready-to-go, which means that any required authorizations are in place before applying
  • Take place in British Columbia
  • Take place in natural settings—such as parks, trails, and natural aquatic areas—this does not include activities that take place in highly cultivated recreation areas (such as playgrounds, community gardens, skateparks, sports fields or urban farms).

Projects must be completed by March 31, 2027.

Matching Contributions

A 1:1 matching contribution of cash and/or in-kind support is required. The matching contribution is calculated as a minimum 1:1 match of the amount being requested. In other words, if your organization is requesting a $5,000 grant, you are asked to provide $5,000 or more in matching contributions. Matching contribution can be fulfilled with:

  • Monetary contributions from other sources
  • In-kind contributions which include 
    • Donated materials at verified fair market value
    • Donated accredited professional services at verified fair market value
    • Volunteer labour at $25/hour

Example:

  • Grant request: $5,000
  • Minimum matching contribution: $5,000 (cash and/or in-kind)
Funding Amount

Grant sizes range from $2,000 to $10,000.


Expenses

Eligible Expenses
Expenses must be tied to the project outcomes as outlined in the application.

Examples of eligible activities and expenses include but are not limited to:

  • Trail enhancement or maintenance.
  • Education and awareness initiatives.
  • Habitat restoration projects in recreation areas.
  • Accessibility improvements for diverse user groups.
  • Equipment purchases essential for recreation activities (e.g., adaptive or safety gear).
  • Workshops or training programs for volunteers and recreation users.
  • Reimbursement of reasonable, project-specific expenses to volunteers (e.g., transportation to project site, meals, gear).
  • Overhead costs: Administrative and operational expenses (up to 20% of the total request)

Ineligible Expenses

The grant program will not fund:

  • Activities that take place in highly cultivated recreation areas such as playgrounds, skateparks, tennis courts, sports fields or urban farms.
  • Projects occurring on private land with no public access.
  • Building of new trails (enhancements of existing trails such as trail connectors are allowed)
  • Activities that primarily provide financial benefits for individuals.
  • Expenses incurred before funding has been approved.
  • Payment to volunteers (reimbursement of reasonable expenses allowed).
  • Endowments, debt retirement, reserves, mortgage paydowns and land acquisition.
Apply
Deadline
Jan 20 2026 11:59 PM (PST)