Outdoor Equity Fund

Learn about the Outdoor Equity Fund grant opportunity, designed to provide New Mexico youth with equitable access to the outdoors. Outdoor Equity Fund Outdoor Equity Fund Funds Distributed: $10,521,554 Grant Cycle Closed FY27 cycle closed Tier 2 LOI open January 1-12, 2027 All applications open February 1-26, 2027 Outdoor Equity Fund Grant Guide Please review our Grant Guide to learn more about the application process and eligibility requirements. View English Guide Ver la guía en español Access to the outdoors is a basic human right — yet many young people, particularly in historically underserved communities, face significant barriers to experiencing the social benefits of connecting with New Mexico’s great outdoors. The first-of-its-kind Outdoor Equity Fund, established in 2019, aims to break down these barriers and ensure equitable access to the outdoors for all youth in New Mexico. This grant supports transformative outdoor experiences that foster stewardship and respect for New Mexico’s cultural heritage while connecting youth to career pathways in the outdoors. Since being established, the Outdoor Recreation Division has awarded over $10.5 million, enabling more than 128,000 youth across 23 counties to participate in educational outdoor experiences that nurture health and well-being and build a lifelong connection to the outdoors. These programs inspire and shape the next generation of land outdoor leaders. A new Tier 2 funding category has been announced for FY 27, offering grants from $41,001–$100,000 for high-impact youth outdoor programs. Read the Grant Guide for requirements and details. Who Can Apply? The Outdoor Equity Fund is open to a wide range of public and nonprofit entities in New Mexico, including: Nations Municipalities and Counties Nonprofit organizations Public preschools, K-12 schools Public school districts Public colleges and universities FY27 Grant Cycle Timeline Round 2 January 1-12 at 5:00 MT : Tier 2 Letters of Interest accepted February 1-26, 2027 at 5:00 MT : Applications for both tiers open Mandatory Webinars and Q&A Sessions (Sign up for one per funding cycle. Recordings will be sent to those who cannot attend live.) Round 2 December 9, 2026, 12p.m. MT : Tier 2 Info and Q&A Session: bit.ly/4wtFDPe January 20, 2027, 5:30p.m. MT : Tier 1 Info and Q&A Session: bit.ly/4wIb20y January 21, 2027, 12p.m. MT : Tier 1 Info and Q&A Session: bit.ly/4eGSsiN Have questions? Contact Grants Coordinator Evan Pilling at [email protected] or book a one-on-one meeting . Grant Distribution Funding breakdown by program: Trails+: $39,659,005 Outdoor Equity Fund: $10,521,554 Outdoor Marketing Grant: $846,871 Total funds distributed by all programs: $51,027,430 Success Story Zuni Youth Enrichment Project: Reconnecting to Land, Culture and Self “The ability to connect our current population to the same paths our ancestors walked for thousands of years is a powerful tool to uplift our cultural identity and values around wellness.” Read The Full Story > Success Story Global Opportunities Unlimited: Building Community Through Adaptive Outdoor Access "Often time's it's ten feet of trail that could be modified slightly to open up ten miles of trail." Read The Full Story > Success Story Tamaya Wellness Center: Expanding outdoor access for Santa Ana Pueblo youth “Many of our kids don’t realize how connected they already are to the natural world through our culture. Their names, their family histories, and even our traditional teachings are tied to nature. Through these programs, we’re helping them make those connections in a more tangible way.” - Tanya Chino, Recreation Program Manager, Santa Ana Pueblo Read The Full Story > Featured Recipients Public Lands Interpretive Association Grants Awarded: $405,104 Learn More > Pueblo of Acoma Health and W

Please review our Grant Guide to learn more about the application process and eligibility requirements. View English Guide