Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - No Child Left Inside
Details
Programs
- Youth Development, Youth Programs
- Education
- Recreation, Sports, Youth Sports
Maximum Grant Amount$25,000
DeadlineDecember 12, 2023
Description
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is accepting applications to the No Child Left Inside grant program.
The program aims to support and increase efforts to expand programming that connects youth to the outdoors. Funded by the 2019 Minnesota Legislature, these grants are provided for “outdoor environmental, ecological, and other natural-resource-based education and recreation programs serving youth.”
The 2024 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, will include a simple application and projects with smaller scope. Eligible projects will be entered into a lottery, and awards granted randomly on a regionally-balanced statewide 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 per capita basis.
Eligible Projects
Outdoor environmental, ecological, and other natural resource-based education and recreation projects serving youth (under age 18). A list of eligible project types and activities are listed below, but not limited to:
- Education classes that are held outside and use established environmental or naturalresource educational curriculum
- Training of teachers, facilitators or volunteers to deliver environmental or outdoor education (EOE) including, but not limited to, Project WET/WILD/Learning Tree, Tread Lightly!, E-STEM, etc.
- Safety training for firearms, boat and water, ATV or snowmobile
- Programs at state parks or trails that cover topics, such as water quality, raptors/bird watching, plants and animals, maple syruping, weather and seasons, watersheds, prairie restoration, pollinators, forests, etc. (Must work closely with park staff to ensure the project scope and schedule complements existing activities, fits with available capacity, and follows park rules.)
- Similar programs at other parks, trails, nature, or environmental learning center facilities
- Minnesota School Forest Program activities
- Outdoor recreation activities with an educational, health or wellness component: paddling or camping tied to water quality, hiking with plant or tree identification, snowshoeing to find animal tracks, wild rice harvesting, night sky viewing, fishing with aquatic habitat studies, tree planting, prairie seed collection, nature photography, etc.
- Investigations on water issues or water education: water quality, water conservation, watershed research, citizen science, aquatic wildlife and plants, weather, storm drains, Mississippi River, habitat restoration, macro invertebrates, service-learning projects, winter snow and ice, etc.
- Shooting including trap, skeet, and archery (Archery projects will be partnered with the National Archery in the Schools Program. Contact Kraig Kiger, DNR Shooting Sports Coordinator, kraig.kiger@state.mn.us, regarding NASP program requirements before applying.)
- Hunting or trapping
- Angling
- Paddle sports
- Cross-country (Nordic) skiing
- Biking or hiking at state and local parks or trails
- Snowmobiling or ATV riding
- School Courses and Clubs: Development and adaptation of school courses that integrate youth fishing, hunting, and shooting sports programs delivered in formal school programs. Support for development and operation of high school angling, hunting and outdoor clubs.
- Mentoring Programs: Volunteer mentor recruitment and training to support youth “Learn to Hunt” and “Learn to Fish” programs. Projects that establish mentoring programs that recruit new and diverse anglers through multiple experiences with on-going support. Reverse mentoring service programs in which youth anglers and hunters would be encouraged to re-engage or reactivate anglers and hunters age 45 and older.
Match
A match is required. No specific amount is required and in-kind support is allowed.
Be aware that this is a reimbursement grant. No funding is provided up front.
Eligibility
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.
Examples of organizations that would qualify:
- Public entity (cities, counties, special purpose districts);
- Native American Tribe;
- Non-profit organization;
- Formal school program;
- Informal after school program; or
- Community-based and city youth program
Grant information was last reviewed by our staff on 11/13/2023
Application Link
Go directly to guidelines and application