(Washington, DC) – Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser and the DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) announced that applications are now open for the District’s Rec for All Community Grants, a Bowser Administration initiative that supports programs, activities, and events for District youth. The grants help community-based organizations engage youth ages 6-18, with a focus on those with barriers to access. New this year, Rec for All grants can be used to fund programs that operate for four consecutive weeks during the summer months and support youth ages 10-13.
“We know there are people and organizations in our community with great ideas for how to engage our kids and teens — and we want to support them,” said Mayor Bowser. “We encourage our community-based organizations to check out these grants, consider how they might be able to use these funds to enhance or expand their programming, and then submit an application.”
Mayor Bowser started the Rec for All grants program in 2023 to increase and expand DPR’s programming and respond to the District’s growing recreation needs. Over the life of the program so far, Rec for All has issued more than 300 grants totaling over $9 million, serving nearly 35,000 District youth and greatly expanding the District’s capacity to provide positive engagement for young DC residents.
“With Rec for All Grants, we are doubling down on our promise to make recreation accessible and enriching for every young person in DC,” said DPR Director Thennie Freeman. “We invite nonprofits, community-based organizations and schools to bring forward their vision for inclusive recreation — because when our youth thrive, our city thrives.”
This year, $1.7 million in Rec for All funding is available to support grantees across all eight wards. Eligible applicants include nonprofits, businesses, and community-based organizations with a track record of working with youth in DC.
Rec for All Grants include:
Support, Engagement & Events (SEE) Grants
- Support Grant: Up to $5,000 to purchase equipment, supplies, or materials for existing programs, including sports, cultural arts, and youth development.
- Engagement Grant: Up to $10,000 for field trips and other engagement activities for youth groups.
- Event & Travel Grant: Up to $10,000 for travel for youth athletic competitions.
Programming Grants: Up to $75,000 to support the launch or expansion of a new or existing program in areas such as fitness, sports/e-sports, youth development/leadership, cultural arts, entrepreneurship, global education/training, and gardening/nutrition/environment.
Extended Summer Programming Grants: New this year, grantees can apply for up to $30,000 to provid.e four consecutive weeks of enrichment during summer, serving 50 youth ages 10-13, with a focus on arts, technology, physical activity, and community engagement beyond the school year. The goal is to enhance key skills and provide a safe and engaging environment.
The deadline to apply for a grant through DPR’s Rec for All Community Grants is December 19 at 4 pm To learn more about the grants and to apply, visit recforall.com or email [email protected].
DPR will also hold pre-application meetings at the following times on Friday, December 5 to support potential grantees with the application process. Registration is required via the links provided below:
Support, Engagement, & Events (SEE) Grant Pre-Application Meeting
- Friday, December 5 at 11 am
- Joy Evans Therapeutic Recreation Center, 3030 G Street SE
- Register here
Programming Grant Pre-Application Meeting
- Friday, December 5 at 11 am
- Joy Evans Therapeutic Recreation Center, 3030 G Street SE
- Register here
Extended Summer Programming Grant Pre-Application Meeting
- Friday, December 5 at 2 pm
- Joy Evans Therapeutic Recreation Center, 3030 G Street SE
- Register here
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