Our Grants
Silver Stallion’s Mobile Ride Center received a 2020 Outdoor Equity Fund grant.
The Outdoor Equity Fund
Access to the outdoors is a basic human right – yet it’s one that has often been denied to many of our youth. As a result, our underrepresented kids haven’t had the chance to experience some of the best of New Mexico: Its outside world. In 2020, the Outdoor Equity Fund opened to applications for the first time, awarding $270,000+ to 25 applicants across the state. It continues to support transformative outdoor experiences that foster stewardship and respect for lands, waters, and cultural heritage.
In August 2021, the ORD announced the 57 recipients of the 2021 Outdoor Equity Fund, who together will get more than 22,000 young New Mexicans outside through 2022.
The 2022 Outdoor Equity Fund awardees were announced in August with 48 organization grants totaling over $800,000 to get 12,391 kids outside through 2023. Congrats to all the awardees and thank you so much to everyone who applied!
The 2023-24 Outdoor Equity Fund opened in May 2023 with over $3.5M in funding. In the first round of the 2023-24 grant cycle, ORD awarded $1.7 million to 54 programs in 16 counties, which will get 20,000 kids outside. Round two of OEF recipients was announced in December of 2023, with over $1 million awarded to 30 organizations, school districts, and local governments in 12 counties and five Tribal communities. A third round of recipients will be announced in late February 2024.
The Outdoor Equity Fund has granted over $5.7 million to nearly 250 organizations throughout the state since creation in 2019, to get over 72,000 young New Mexicans outside for transformative experiences, inspiring our next generation of outdoor recreation and conservation leaders.
The 2024-25 application will reopen in spring of 2024.
The Catwalk Recreation Area in the Gila National Forest
The Outdoor Recreation Trails+ Grant
Access to the outdoors should be low-cost and ubiquitous for all New Mexicans. That's why lawmakers created the Outdoor Recreation Trails+. This grant program supports projects that enhance communities' outdoor recreation opportunities. Trails, river parks, wildlife viewing areas, and more contribute to economic development, prosperity, and wellness. This grant funds shovel-ready projects that directly add to that access.
In fall 2021, ORD awarded over $500,000 to 25 organizations to fund outdoor infrastructure projects across the state. On March 1, Trails+ reopened with $7 million in funding. This investment enables ORD to broaden the scope and ambition of the grant, with local awards of up to $99,999 and regional awards of up to $500,000.
On June 10, 2022, ORD announced the first 15 recipients of the award, whose grants total $2.74 million. In September, 20 additional awardees were announced with projects at a total of $2,015,565 throughout the state. The third round of 19 awards totaling $1,809,946 million brings the 2022 total in Trails+ funding to $6,559,352 million for 54 projects. A fourth round of 5 recipients was announced on March 14, 2023.
The 2023-24 funding cycle opened in July with $10M in funding! For round one, ORD awarded $2.3 million to 20 projects to build or maintain more than 600 miles of trails and generate over 250 new jobs in 12 counties. In December, ORD awarded another $1.74M to 12 new outdoor infrastructure projects with, nearly 70% in Tribal and rural areas. In March, ORD awarded $1.6M to 12 new exciting projects, with 75% in Tribal and rural communities.
The Outdoor Recreation Division has now awarded 134 Trails+ Grants worth over $13 million to 26 New Mexico counties.
The final round of applications for FY24 closes June 30, 2024. Apply today!
2022 Outside Gear Summit
the outdoor Marketing grant
The Outdoor Recreation Division offered Outdoor Marketing Grants (OMG) in 2023-24. The objective was to expand opportunities for participation in the outdoor recreation industry for all.
The grants supported communities' and eligible nonprofits' investments in their outdoor recreation marketing programs, as reaching a greater audience increases outdoor participation, stewardship of ecosystems, and outdoor access.
Eligible expenses included event sponsorships, print brochures, maps, guidebooks, digital and print ads, and other marketing materials to promote the region’s outdoor recreation.
The grant cycle for this new program was open from October 15 through December 31, 2023 and proved to be highly competitive with 60 applications.
The 41 chosen grantees, announced in March 2024, received $873,872. Over 63% of OMG recipients are based in rural areas in 17 counties throughout the state. Grant awards ranged from $10,000 to $30,000. Funds support 10 events and 31 comprehensive marketing efforts for New Mexico nonprofits, counties, and municipalities.
