FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

2025 Grant Opportunities for Outdoor Classrooms

Upcoming Deadlines: We’re constantly searching for grant opportunities to help you. Below are the current grants and funding opportunities with approaching deadlines. Be sure to read their application guidelines and FAQs to ensure you qualify. And don’t forget to sign up to our newsletter.

See below for highlights of grant opportunities in your region.

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Grants and Funding Opportunities in the United States

Name of Funding Opportunity	Location	Type	For Projects	Deadline	Link to Funding Opportunity
Arkansas Wildlife Education Grant Program	Arkansas	Outdoor Education & Conservation	No set maximum	Annually - November	Arkansas Wildlife Education Grant Program
The Brown Foundation	Houston, Texas	Outdoor Classrooms	$12,500 to $20M	Cycle 2: July 1, 2026 – July 31, 2026 Cycle 3: Oct 1, 2026 – Oct 31, 2026 Cycle 4: Jan 1, 2027 – Jan 31, 2027	The Brown Foundation
Birk Family Foundation	South Carolina	Education	$1,000 to $25,0000	Application process opens: July 1, 2026 Applications due: Oct 15, 2026 Notification of award & funds dispersed: November 2026	Birk Family Foundation
The Self Family Foundation	Greenwood, South Carolina, And Surrounding Counties	Education, community development, and access to arts and culture	Past Grants Ranges From $5,000 to $125,000	March 1, July 1, and November 1	The Self Family Foundation
NC Go Outside Grant	North Carolina	Outdoor learning, Outdoor classroom	$15,000-$20,000	Ongoing	NC Go Outside Grant
REI Cooperative Action Fund	USA - US-based organizations that serve U.S. communities	Connecting People Outside Creating Space Outside (outdoor spaces) Centering Health Outside	Past grants ranges from $5,000 - $700,000		REI Cooperative Action Fund
PNC Foundation	USA	Grants Grants 100% 10 C23 Early childhood education (Development of outdoor early learning environment (e.g., classroom, play space) with educational or artsbased component), Economic development Early childhood education (Development of outdoor early learning environment (e.g., classroom, play space) with educational or artsbased component), Economic development		No deadline	PNC Foundation
The Meadows Foundation	Texas	Education , Environment	Past Grants Ranges From $50,000 to $300,000	January, April, June, September, and November	The Meadows Foundation
New Hampshire Charitable Foundation	New Hampshire	Education, Early Childhood And Family And Youth, Environment.	Neil and Louise Tillotson Fund – Large Grants Program ($20,000–$300,000)	Rolling, with final submissions for 2026 due by Thursday, October 15, 2026, 5:00 pm ET.	New Hampshire Charitable Foundation
The Davis Family Foundation	Maine	Education	Past Grants Range from $6K-50K	November 01 Winter Deadline February 01 Spring Deadline May 01 Summer Deadline August 01 Fall Deadline	The Davis Family Foundation
Libra Foundation	Maine	Education & Environment	$25,000 max	Yearly Submission Dates: Feb. 15th, May 15th, Aug. 15th, and Nov. 15th	Libra Foundation
Arkansas Community Foundation - Giving Tree – Early Literacy Grant	Arkansas	Education			Arkansas Community Foundation - Giving Tree – Early Literacy Grant
Cullen Foundation	Greater Houston Area, Texas	Outdoor Classrooms		Ongoing	Cullen Foundation
Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Outdoor Fund	USA	Connection to Outdoors		Ongoing	Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Outdoor Fund
McConnell Foundation	California - Modoc, Shasta, Siskiyou, Tehama, and Trinity Counties	Education	Up to $50K	Ongoing	McConnell Foundation
Gates Family Foundation	Colorado	Education	From $500-$150K	Ongoing	Gates Family Foundation
Morris and Gwendolyn Cafitz Foundation	USA	Education	Approx. $15K- $900,000	February 1-March 1, June 1-July 1, October 1-November 1	Morris and Gwendolyn Cafitz Foundation
The Dekko Foundation	Alabama, Indiana,Iowa,Minnesota	Community Enhancement		Ongoing	The Dekko Foundation

Grants and Funding Opportunities in Canada

Name of Funding Opportunity	Location	Type	For Projects	Deadline	Link to Funding Opportunity
Painted Hand Community Development Corporation	Saskachewan	Educational Development		Yearly Grant Application Deadlines: April 15 at 4:30 pm July 15 at 4:30 pm October 15 at 4:30 pm January 15 at 4:30 pm	Painted Hand Community Development Corporation
Telus	Vancouver & Coastal Calgary & Southern Alberta Edmonton & Northern Alberta Manitoba & Saskatchewan Greater Toronto & Hamilton Area Montreal Quebec City Rimouski Atlantic Canada	Education	Up to $20,000	Rolling - Ongoing	Telus
Edmonton Community Foundation	Edmonton, Alberta	Edmonton Community Foundation	Min: $5,000 - Max: $20,000	Ongoing	Edmonton Community Foundation
Richardson Foundation	Winnipeg, Manitoba	Community Improvement	$1 Million Annually	Ongoing	Richardson Foundation

FUNDING FAQ & RESOURCES

Seven Sources for Funding

Property Owner

Your project will increase property value for the owner and for the surrounding homes while reducing teacher absenteeism, bullying, and vandalism as well as enriching the health, intellect, and self-worth of students. This all adds value for them. Will your project fix existing drainage issues, repair surfacing, reduce maintenance costs, or improve curb appeal? Ask about their budget for property improvements. You will need their permission regardless of whether or not they contribute.

Bake Sales, Bottle Drives, Trivia Nights

We know, it’s a lot of work; but this is as much about building buy-in from the community and potential funders as it is about the money. This is about building your credibility across all funding platforms. Why should they invest in your project if you aren’t?

Foundations and NGOs

There are loads of charitable organizations that have recognized the importance of connecting children and communities to the outdoors. From TD Friends of the Environment Foundation to Trillium, to Sobeys and Home Depot, these foundations provide millions in project funding every year. Local community foundations, Rotary, Civitan, Probus, Lions, and Optimists are always looking for projects to support.

In-Kind

Take your project labor list and start knocking on the doors of local contractors. You will be amazed at what they will contribute if you ask. Discounted materials are as good as cash. Call your local Landscape Trades Association; local chapters are always looking for projects to help their community.

Philanthropists

It is better to ask for advice on whom else to go to for support rather than simply asking them for their money. Building a network of support helps with all of your funding channels.

Volunteers

This is the fun bit. Just make sure there is ample water, snacks, washrooms, Band-Aids, and meaningful work available for everyone. If you have someone with a military background available for build days, which helps as well. Contact OutClass™ US Patent No. 12,349,787, outdoor classrooms, for a full Community Build Guidebook to help with planning.

Corporations

Large corporations have Sponsorship Directors, Green Marketing strategies, Corporate Social Responsibility Charters (ISO 26000), and Human Resources Team-building budgets. Outdoor classrooms that are completed through a community build model offer an opportunity to engage each of these departments individually or all of them in combination. Team building budgets are often funded more generously than sponsorship budgets at the local level.

Where do we Start?

Gather Your Community

Together for a big meal and decide why you are doing this. What is it about your story that makes your project stand out from any other? How is your community unique? What is the change you are looking to accomplish? What is it that will keep your core team inspired to realize your project regardless of any opposition

Record Your Story

In a one page brief and a ten page report outlining the need and the solution. Your story will serve as a design brief and the foundation of your fundraising strategy.

Design Your Space

In colour and in 3D. Hire an expert with a proven track record in community-based design facilitation (as opposed to a prescriptive design process). Make sure that the project reflects the natural, cultural and industrial heritage of the site and your community. Create the ultimate dream project; do not water it down before you even begin. Remember that most of us need to be presented with a vision that we can picture ourselves in and be inspired by before we invest.

Make a List

That details all materials, equipment, and labour (both skilled and unskilled) that you will need to complete the project.

Assemble a Steering Committee

You will never get this done alone (unless you are rich or superhuman). Organize your most dedicated community members as your core group, and assign tasks to team leaders. Ideally, your steering committee should consist of 4 to 9 people. Research shows that larger committees do not necessarily make better choices; they simply make them more slowly, while smaller committees fail to achieve buy-in and tend to burn out more quickly with the increased workload.

Post Everything

The website and social media plan will help to keep your campaign on track. It will also help you to engage more grant writers, community organizers and supporters.

Create Challenges and Set Targets

For every funding stream. Often, one family will match another’s contribution, or one business will attempt to beat their competitor’s bid.

Break Ground

In a public ceremony where you acknowledge your major supporters and volunteers. A good rapport with donors, organizations and volunteers will go a long way in fostering lasting relationships should you require to call on them again in the future.

A Few Keys Organizations to Help with your Fundraising

TD Friends of the Environment Foundation Grant