Outdoor Equity Grants Program
March 13, 2023, to April 14, 2023 Comment Period: The draft Round Two Application Guide is posted below. The application deadline will be announced after the comment period is completed. Application Workshops will be offered this summer. The application deadline will be no earlier than November 2023.
Draft Application Guide for Round Two
Hearings:
Comments and questions on the Draft Application Guide are welcome during a hearing.
The hearing includes a page by page review of the Draft Application Guide.
March 22 from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm
March 23 from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm
Comments can also be emailed by April 14 to Richard.Rendon@parks.ca.gov.
$57 Million Awarded in Round 1: California State Parks has provided $57 million in grant funding to 125 communities to help advance the “Outdoor Access for All” initiative championed by Governor Gavin Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom and the Natural Resources Agency’s “Outdoors for All” initiative. This funding helps establish hubs for local activities and trips to natural areas for underserved communities. The program also empowers youth and families with outdoor leadership education, career pathways, environmental justice engagement, and access to nature.
Below are some Round 1 Highlights:
- $167.78 million in requests - 384 grant applications
- $57 million in grants – 125 grants
We invite you to learn more about the grant program by exploring the links below.
Draft Application Guide for Round 2
Applicants will use the final guide to plan and submit the grant application. Contact the Competitive Project Officer for your county for technical assistance.
Eligible Applicants
- All Public Agencies (local, state, and federal government, school districts and educational agencies, joint powers authorities, open-space authorities, regional open-space districts, and other relevant public agencies)
- Non-profit organizations with 501(c)(3) status
Eligible Programs
Outdoor programs will be designed to take place in the community and at natural area destinations. See the Program Overview and Grant Selection Criteria in the Application Guide for more information.
Grant Administration Guide
The Grant Administration Guide will be used by grant recipients that are selected for funding when grant awards are announced. It includes a sample grant agreement, the payment process, and accounting/record keeping requirements.
Technical Assistance Links (Coming Soon)
Grant Administration Workshop Slides
Mandatory Outdoor Equity Program Administration Workshops were held via webinar in July of 2022. If a representative from your agency did not attend, you may view the webinar here: Outdoor Equity Workshop on YouTube. After viewing the webinar and the Outdoor Equity Program Grant Administration Guide, you may contact your OGALS Project Officer if you have further questions.
Outdoor Equity Grant Program Administration Guide - Revised 2023
Program Recognition - Grantees shall recognize the Outdoor Equity Grants Program on any project announcements, social media, website, marketing materials, and news releases using the phrase: “This program funded by the Outdoor Equity Grants Program, created through AB 209 and administered by California State Parks, Office of Grants and Local Services.”
Please visit the Grant Forms page for payment forms.
This page includes a summary of the grantee program goals for each of the 125 grants. And, you can see where the community home base locations are by clicking the "Map" option.
The Outdoor Equity Grants Program was established by Assembly Bill 209 (Limón).
The first competitive round of applications were received on October 8, 2021, and grants were announced on May 27, 2022.
- $167.78 million in requests - 384 grant applications
- $57 million in grants – 125 grants