NOVA Parks Outdoor Kids Grants
NOVA Parks Outdoor Kids Grants support Northern Virginia students by funding transportation and access costs for SOL-based park field trips that connect school-day learning with the natural world.
Funder: Community Foundation for Northern Virginia
Due Dates: August 31, 2026 (Applications open) | Rolling (Awards) | May 28, 2027 (Applications close)
Funding Amounts: Up to $2,500 for transportation and other field-trip access expenses
Summary: Supports Title-I public elementary and middle schools in Northern Virginia with costs of SOL-based outdoor field trips to NOVA Parks.
Key Information: Schools are limited to one application per classroom each year.
Description
NOVA Parks Outdoor Kids Grants help Northern Virginia students access parklands for outdoor learning during the school day. Offered in partnership with the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia and supported by its Outdoor Kids Fund, the program funds transportation and other expenses that may prevent students from participating. Accepted grantees choose from a list of NOVA Parks for an outdoor field trip based on Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL), at no cost to students.
Trips draw on the NOVA Parks Roving Naturalist Program, which connects Northern Virginia residents with the natural world. Experienced naturalists lead hands-on exploration, interpretative slideshows, live animal presentations, nature walks, and other experiences depending on the park. School programs can be tailored to Virginia Science Standards of Learning.
