Funding Priorities for Maximum Impact
The Foundation’s Board of Trustees directs its resources toward projects that can achieve the most impact among several funding priorities. Project proposals are evaluated according to how well they address various criteria of goals and objectives, workplan and budget, public engagement, maintenance and sustainability, partnerships, and assessment.
Grant applicants whose projects benefit under-resourced communities and/or people groups receive a scoring bonus. As defined for this purpose by the Foundation, an under-resourced community is one that lacks access to specialized professional, financial or institutional expertise and communal knowledge; or is functioning with neglected or outdated infrastructures and absent or limited assets and resources, which in turn diminishes its cyclical capacity, competitiveness, funding and livability.
Grant Program Status
We are currently reviewing the timing and structure of our next grant cycle and are not accepting applications at this time.
As plans are finalized, we will share updates, and you are welcome to sign up for our email list to receive them.
Grant Program Priorities
The Board of Trustees directs the resources of the Foundation and focuses on projects that can achieve the most impact among several funding priorities.
Capacity and Community Development
To help develop communities’ abilities to better steward their use of existing resources, and to elevate their level of operational, programmatic, and financial sustainability, the Foundation seeks to empower organizations with skills and resources to effect positive change within their communities via recreational and educational opportunities.
Such projects facilitate a process in which community members take collective action to generate solutions to common problems, involving civic leaders, activists, engaged citizens, and professionals, to improve and build a more resilient neighborhood or local community. They may take the form of education or technical assistance on fundraising, grantwriting, Board training, leadership development, community engagement, visioning, resource management, planning, etc.
Recreational and Educational Development
Nearby nature and engagement in nature-based activities are increasingly recognized as critical for the well-being of children and adults, especially for those under stress or at risk for stressful life events. When natural capital and ecosystem services are incorporated to help meet and sustain social, environmental, wellness, economic, and resiliency goals, the quality of life for the entire community is raised.
The Foundation supports the development of local parks, public spaces and programs that advance conservation and environmental sustainability; personal health and community livability; social diversity, equity, inclusion and access; maintenance and public infrastructure improvements and upgrades; and connecting people to nature and each other.
PRPS Organizational Development
As a subsidiary of the Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society, the Foundation supports initiatives that develop the relevance, capacity and influence of the professional membership association. Such projects must be based on a documented need that cannot be met within the PRPS annual budget, and may include such projects as research, partner-ship development, or other statewide ventures to benefit PRPS members, partners, and stakeholders.