Outdoor Equity Grants Program

$50 million is available for Round Two

OGALS is Accepting Applications - Submission Deadline December 14, 2023

The Outdoor Equity Grants Program (OEP) improves the health and wellness of Californians through new educational and recreational activities, service learning, career pathways, and leadership opportunities that strengthen a connection to the natural world. OEP’s intent is to increase the ability of residents in underserved communities to participate in outdoor experiences within their community, at state parks, and other public lands.

Round Two of OEP provides funding for California’s underserved communities which will continue to advance the goals of 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.

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Round Two Application Overview Video

Application Deadline

Applications must be submitted online before 5:00pm on Thursday, December 14, 2023. Click the Submittable button below to begin an online application.

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Video Tour of Online Application

Grant Application Guide

Applicants will use this guide to plan and submit the grant application. Contact the Competitive Project Officer for your county for technical assistance. 

Grant Request Per Application

  • Maximum grant request per COMMUNITY HOME BASE: $700,000
  • Minimum grant request per COMMUNITY HOME BASE:    $20,000

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 must 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.

Application Resources 

Fillable Application Forms

Application Technical Assistance Workshops

Twelve Application Workshops were conducted with approximately 500 participants statewide from August through October 2023.

 

Past In-Person Workshops (9:00 am – 12:30 pm) 

Wednesday, September 6, 2023 – Elk Grove

Thursday, September 7, 2023 – Redding

Monday, September 18, 2023 – San Diego

Tuesday, September 19, 2023 – Riverside

Wednesday, September 20, 2023 – Long Beach

Thursday, September 21, 2023 – Burbank

Tuesday, September 26, 2023 – San Jose

Wednesday, September 27, 2023 – Fresno

Recorded Past Webinar Workshops -Virtual application workshops were conducted in August and October 2023. Click the links below to listen to the recorded webinars.

Monday, October 16, 2023

Tuesday, October 17, 2023

Tuesday, August 29, 2023

Thursday, August 31, 2023  

Grant Performance Period 

Grantees are not to start the OEP program until after the funds are awarded. An updated performance period will be provided as soon as possible. 

All OEP applicants are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Grant Administration Guide (next section below) to better understand the full OEP process, should the grant be awarded.

Outdoor Equity Grants Program Administration Guide - Revised 2023

Grantee Resources

Participant Recruitment Tips - NEW

Hotel/Lodging Form

Summary of Awarded Projects

Insurance Checklist

OEP Competitive Bid Process for Nonprofit Grantees

Grant Payment Forms:

OEP All Payment Forms Combined, includes these individual forms:

Provide a sample timesheet if seeking reimbursement for in-house employee services.

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.”

Grant Administration Workshops

Round One Grant Administration Workshop Slides

Round One Grant Administration Workshop on YouTube

 

This page includes a summary of the grantee program goals for each of the Round One 125 awarded grants.  The community home base locations can be found by clicking the "Map" option.  

The Outdoor Equity Grants Program was established by Assembly Bill 209 (Limón).

Round One applications were received on October 8, 2021, and grant awards were announced on May 27, 2022.

  • $167.78 million in requests - 384 grant applications
  • $57 million in grants – 125 grants