The grant funding will serve Minnesota youth under 18 years of age. Programming should maximize the number of participants, especially from new and diverse audiences with limited opportunities.
Grant outcomes will include:
- Community-focused projects with ongoing impact, rather than one-time events.
- New or innovative programming - Existing programs must demonstrate a significant expansion in scope or the inclusion of all new audiences.
- Experiences that provide youth with direct exposure to and an understanding of nature.
- Opportunities for outdoor recreation or to learn new outdoor skills.
- Use of natural spaces, public parks, and other natural resource venues and personnel.
A complete list of grant priorities, requirements and eligible activities and expenses can be found in the full request for proposals.
2027 grant cycle
| Date | Info |
|---|---|
| Nov. 10, 2025 | No Child Left Inside 2026 grant program announced to the public. Grant application materials available on the DNR's website. |
| Dec. 17, 2025 | Applications due by 4 p.m. Central Time. DNR review begins. |
| By March 31, 2026 | Grant applicants notified by email of award status. |
| April-June 2026 | Awardees complete necessary forms, sign and return grant contract grant agreements. Project work, including match activities, cannot begin until awardee receives an executed agreement from the DNR. |
| June 30, 2026 | All grant agreement contracts must be signed and fully executed. |
| June 30, 2027 | All reimbursable grant project work must be completed. |
| July 25, 2027 | Deadline to submit all expense reimbursements and final project report. Projects ending earlier must submit final reports within 30 days of project completion. |
- Eligibility
Eligible applicants
- Nonprofit organizations.
- Public/charter schools (Pre K-12 and higher education institutions serving youth under 18 years of age).
- Tribal Nations.
- Local government entities (cities, counties, conservation districts, other local government units).
The 2026 grants will consist of two types of grant awards – mini grants and larger grants. Applicants must choose only one.
Mini grants: Mini grants, with awards between $500-$5,000, are for projects with smaller scope. Eligible projects will be entered into a lottery for selection, with awards granted statewide on a regional per capita basis.
Larger grants: Larger grants have awards between $5,001-$25,000 and will include a more extensive application process and greater project scope. Eligible projects will be competitively reviewed and awarded statewide on a regional per capita basis.
Participant data
This grant program is designed to serve those with limited opportunities or resources to access outdoor activities. Applicants are asked to provide data on:
- The percentage of their target audience that is eligible for free and reduced-price lunch (FRPL) at school. A searchable database of Minnesota student enrollment data, including FRPL numbers by school and district, is available on the Minnesota Department of Education website.
- The percentage of their target audience that is experiencing higher rates of childhood poverty. Use U.S. Census Bureau data that reports the percentage of children living below the poverty level by county, township, city and zip code.
- If their target audience resides in an environmental justice area within the 7-county metropolitan area. An interactive map outlining environmental justice areas can be found on the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s website.
- If their target audience resides in nonnative English-speaking communities or are an audience with special needs.
Matching dollars
Applicants must commit matching funds or in-kind resources. There is no minimum required. Match is any amount will be considered when evaluating grant applicants.
- Supported projects
Supported projects list to be added
Ineligible activities
- Organized sports or recreational activities that occur on human-made surfaces, developed landscapes, or at indoor facilities.
- Annual field days, festivals, and other one-day events.
- Gardening for food projects and other large-scale plantings.
- Construction and maintenance of trails or outdoor facilities.
- Installation of fishing piers or shooting ranges.
- Installation of outdoor classrooms, benches, awnings, playground equipment or fencing.
- For-profit projects or fundraising activities.
- Hunting and fishing competitions with cash awards or prizes.
- Purchase of hunting or fishing licenses, tags or stamps.
- Purchase of firearms, ammunition or clay targets.
A complete list of grant priorities, requirements and eligible activities and expenses can be found in the full request for proposals.
- How to apply
How to apply
- Read the complete request for proposals.
- Prospective applicants are encouraged to attend a virtual information session from 4-5 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025. Registration details are included in the request for proposals.
-
You may also wish to reference these additional resources before beginning your application:
- Program questions and answers
- Sample grant contract agreement: Demonstrates the expectations of completing a grant project with the MN DNR
- Insurance requirements: Lists the insurance grantees are required to have
- Sample workplan: Provides an example for those considering a Larger grant application
- Sample report and payment request: Provides an example of reporting expectations.
- Determine if your project is better suited for a MINI grant ($500-$5,000) or a LARGER grant ($5,001-$25,000). You may only apply for one grant type.
- Download the grant application from the list below. You must submit both an application form and Exhibit D. All forms are fillable and should be opened in Adobe Acrobat for best performance. Save your completed grant application, which must consist of a MINI or LARGER grant application and Exhibit D certification, as PDF files.
- Send your completed grant application, including the certification, to [email protected] as an email attachment. Incomplete applications and those received after 4 p.m. Central Time on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, will not be considered. Do not submit any additional information beyond what is requested in the application. File sharing is not permissible, and any shared links will not be accessed.
- Frequently asked questions
- Resources and forms
- Regional designations.
- Sample grant contract agreement: Demonstrates the expectations of completing a grant project with the MN DNR
- Insurance requirements: Lists the insurance grantees are required to have
- Sample workplan: Provides an example for those considering a Larger grant application
- Sample report and payment request: Provides an example of reporting expectations.
- MINI grant application form.
- LARGER grant application form.
- Exhibit D: Certification Not Suspended or Debarred.
Questions?
Find answers on our questions and answers page or email [email protected]. You also can use the sign-up box at right to receive program updates via email.
The DNR extends its thanks to the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection for the use of "No Child Left Inside."