No Child Left Inside grants
Forecasted
No Child Left Inside grants support Minnesota youth through outdoor environmental education and natural-resource-based recreation that connect them with nature and foster future stewardship.
Funder: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Due Dates (Anticipated): December 2026 (Application deadline)
Funding Amounts: Mini grants: $500–$5,000 | Larger grants: $5,001–$25,000
Summary: Supports outdoor environmental education and natural-resource-based recreation connecting Minnesota youth with nature.
Key Information: Applicants must choose one grant type; past mini-grant recipients cannot receive another mini grant.
Description
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources administers No Child Left Inside grants to expand outdoor environmental, ecological, and natural-resource-based education and recreation for youth. The program responds to increasing disconnection from nature and seeks to get more young people outdoors to support the future stewardship of Minnesota’s natural resources.
Funding prioritizes community-focused programming with ongoing impact, direct exposure to nature, and opportunities to learn outdoor skills. Particular emphasis is placed on new and diverse audiences with limited access to outdoor activities. Supported projects have included fishing education, wilderness field trips, exploration backpacks, snowshoeing, Nordic ski equipment, and education about rivers and aquatic invasive species. New or innovative programming is encouraged; existing programs must significantly expand their scope or include entirely new audiences.
