NM Outdoor Recreation Division: Outdoor Equity Fund

Grant opens May 15, 2023, and applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with reviews scheduled for June 30, August 31, October 31, and December 31, or until funds are expended.

The Outdoor Equity Fund (OEF) was created to ensure equitable access to the outdoors for all youth. The grant supports transformative outdoor experiences that foster stewardship and respect for New Mexico’s lands, waters, and cultural heritage. Examples of activities include, but are not limited to:

• Adaptive outdoor recreation of all types
• Camping: tent, RV, yurts, etc.
• Nature enjoyment: wildlife viewing, wildlife photography, bird watching, nature walks, plant identification, etc.
• Bicycling: road, mountain, gravel, bike packing, etc.
• Trail activities: hiking, backpacking, trail running, horseback riding, hunting, etc.
• Off road motorized activities: UTV, ATV, off-road motorcycles, etc.
• Water activities: canoeing, kayaking, rafting, stand-up paddle boarding, fishing, etc.
• Snow activities: snowboarding, all skiing types, snowshoeing, etc.

Amount: Awards range from $5,000 – $40,000.

There is a 2:1 match required (cash or in-kind). This is waived for the following applicants:

• Tribal community – qualify for match waiver if a tribe, pueblo, or nation directly applying
• non-profit/school/etc. located on a tribe, pueblo, or nation and serving Indigenous youth
• Rural community – “Rural” is defined as any part of the state other than Los Alamos County, Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Farmington, Las Cruces, Roswell, Santa Fe, and within a 10-mile radius around those cities
• BIPOC lead organization serving BIPOC youth

Other organizations concerned about the match requirements that serve a community that has historically had limited access to the outdoors may request a match waiver.

Eligibility: Tribes, Pueblos, and Nations; municipalities; counties; nonprofits; K-12 schools/districts; colleges/universities.

Applicants must have a well-developed written plan to engage low-income youth in nature-based outdoor recreation activities; applicants must serve a population where at least 40% are low-income youth up to age 18; and must include some type of education plan on the climate and environment.

Link: https://www.nmoutside.com/outdoor-grants-equity-fund

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