Nevada Opens a Second $250,000 Round of Grants to Get More Kids Outdoors

The state has opened the second round of the Youth Outdoor Growth and Innovation Grant Program, backed by the governor's office and run through the Nevada Division of Outdoor Recreation, with schools, nonprofits and community groups statewide able to apply for funding through October 5.

A Second Chance at Statewide Outdoor Funding

Nevada youth organizations just got another shot at state grant dollars aimed squarely at getting kids outside. The governor's office, working alongside the state's Division of Outdoor Recreation, announced this week that a second round of the Youth Outdoor Growth and Innovation Grant Program, known as YOGI, is now open, with $250,000 available to schools, nonprofits and community groups across the state.

The funding is the back half of a $500,000 biennial appropriation the Nevada Legislature approved to expand outdoor learning and recreation access for young Nevadans. Applicants have until October 5 to submit, and the Division of Outdoor Recreation is offering an optional feedback period through the end of August so organizations can strengthen their proposals before the deadline.

For youth-serving groups across Nevada, from Reno to rural counties to the Las Vegas valley, that window is worth watching closely. A grant program built around getting more kids outside lines up directly with the kind of hands-on, character-building programming that mentors and coaches across the state have been asking families and funders to invest in.

From First Hikes to Full Outdoor Programs

YOGI grants support a wide range of projects, from archery clinics and backpacking trips to ski and snowboard lessons and educational field trips into Nevada's public lands. Eligible applicants include public and private schools, nonprofit organizations, tribal governments and other community-based groups serving youth 18 and under, with priority given to projects that reach kids who otherwise face barriers to getting outdoors.

The governor's office pointed to the state's standing as a national leader in outdoor recreation in announcing the new round, framing the grant as a way to make sure young Nevadans actually get to enjoy what the state has to offer rather than just live near it. A Division of Outdoor Recreation administrator echoed that goal, framing these early outdoor experiences, whether it is a first time on a trail, a stretch at summer camp, or picking up a brand new skill outside, as the kind of moment kids tend to carry with them well into adulthood.

The program, formerly known as the Nevada Outdoor Education and Recreation Grant, was rebranded as YOGI for the current cycle and now also supports funding for youth outdoor recreation infrastructure, giving organizations more flexibility in how they put the dollars to work.

Two Funding Tiers, One Clear Application Path

Organizations can apply for one of two funding tiers: a Tier I Microgrant of up to $7,500 for smaller projects, or a Tier II Impact Grant ranging from $7,501 to $50,000 for larger initiatives. A funding match is strongly encouraged but not required, which keeps the door open for smaller nonprofits and community groups that might not have deep budgets of their own.

To apply, organizations review the current YOGI Grant Manual, download the appropriate Tier I or Tier II application, complete a budget using the program's Excel template, and submit everything to the Division of Outdoor Recreation by the October 5 deadline. Award decisions are expected between December 2026 and January 2027.

That timeline gives Nevada's youth organizations a realistic runway to build out a proposal this fall, whether that means a first-time outdoor program for a mentoring group or an expansion of an outdoor curriculum a school already runs.

A Growing Track Record Since 2024

The numbers behind the program show real momentum. Since launching in 2024, YOGI and its predecessor program have funded 64 projects across Nevada, serving nearly 28,000 youth and logging more than 290,000 hours of outdoor participation. Past recipients have included outdoor education nonprofits and even equine therapy programs serving children, showing the range of ideas the grant is built to support.

For a state where so much conversation about youth wellbeing centers on screen time, academic pressure and mental health, a program built around structured time outdoors offers something different: a proven, fundable way to get kids moving, learning and connecting with their communities in the open air.

Nevada's youth-serving organizations do not need to wait for a grant announcement to get involved, though. Anyone looking to volunteer, mentor or support a local youth program can reach out directly to a group in their community and ask how to help before this school year gets underway.

What Nevada Organizations Should Know Before Applying

Groups considering a YOGI application this fall can use this checklist to get oriented before the October 5 deadline.

1. Confirm Eligibility: Public and private schools, nonprofits, tribal governments and community-based organizations serving youth 18 and under can all apply.
2. Pick a Tier: Tier I Microgrants cover projects up to $7,500, while Tier II Impact Grants support larger projects from $7,501 to $50,000.
3. Use the Feedback Period: The Division of Outdoor Recreation offers an optional review window in August for applicants who want input before submitting.
4. Prioritize Access: Projects that reach youth who face barriers to outdoor recreation are a stated priority for reviewers.
5. Build a Realistic Budget: Applicants complete a standard Excel budget template alongside their Tier I or Tier II application.
6. Mark the Deadline: Completed applications are due October 5, 2026, with award decisions expected by early 2027.

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