Eligible applicants
Applicants must have a mission or educational purpose that supports natural resource education and/or outdoor recreation for youth.
- Nonprofit organizations.
- Public/charter schools (Pre K-12 and higher education institutions serving youth under 18 years of age).
- Tribal Nations.
- Local government entities (cities, counties, conservation districts, other local government units).
The 2026 grants will consist of two types of grant awards – mini grants and larger grants. Applicants must choose only one.
Mini grants
Mini grants, with awards between $500-$5,000, are for projects with smaller scope. Eligible projects will be entered into a lottery for selection, with awards granted statewide on a regional per capita basis.
Larger grants
Larger grants have awards between $5,001-$25,000 and will include a more extensive application process and greater project scope. Eligible projects will be competitively reviewed and awarded statewide on a regional per capita basis.
Priorities
The grant funding will serve:
- Minnesota youth under 18 years of age - Activities that include family participation are eligible, but the primary focus must be on youth.
- Programming that maximizes the number of participants, especially from new and diverse audiences with limited opportunities.
Grant outcomes will include:
- Community-focused projects with ongoing impact, rather than one-time events.
- New or innovative programming - Existing programs must demonstrate a significant expansion in scope or the inclusion of all new audiences.
- Experiences that provide youth with direct exposure to and an understanding of nature.
- Opportunities for outdoor recreation or to learn new outdoor skills.
- Use of natural spaces, public parks, and other natural resource venues and personnel.
A complete list of grant priorities, requirements and eligible activities and expenses can be found in the request for proposals.
Participant data
This grant program is designed to serve those with limited opportunities or resources to access outdoor activities. Applicants are asked to provide data on:
- The percentage of their target audience that is eligible for free and reduced-price lunch (FRPL) at school. A searchable database of Minnesota student enrollment data, including FRPL numbers by school and district, is available on the Minnesota Department of Education website.
- The percentage of their target audience that is experiencing higher rates of childhood poverty. Use U.S. Census Bureau data that reports the percentage of children living below the poverty level by county, township, city and zip code.
- If their target audience resides in an environmental justice area within the 7-county metropolitan area. An interactive map outlining environmental justice areas can be found on the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s website.
- If their target audience resides in nonnative English-speaking communities or are an audience with special needs.
Matching dollars
Applicants must commit matching funds or in-kind resources. There is no minimum required. Match is any amount will be considered when evaluating grant applicants.
Ineligible activities
- Organized sports or recreational activities that occur on human-made surfaces, developed landscapes, or at indoor facilities.
- Annual field days, festivals, and other one-day events.
- Gardening for food projects and other large-scale plantings.
- Construction and maintenance of trails or outdoor facilities.
- Installation of fishing piers or shooting ranges.
- Installation of outdoor classrooms, benches, awnings, playground equipment or fencing.
- For-profit projects or fundraising activities.
- Hunting and fishing competitions with cash awards or prizes.
- Purchase of hunting or fishing licenses, tags or stamps.
- Purchase of firearms, ammunition or clay targets.
A complete list of ineligible activities and expenses can be found in the request for proposals.
The DNR extends its thanks to the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection for the use of "No Child Left Inside."