Outdoor Equity Fund
Outdoor Equity Fund supports New Mexico youth through nature-based recreation, environmental education, and outdoor career training to advance equitable access, well-being, and lifelong connections to the outdoors.
This grant was recently updated
The advertised Tier 2 minimum award decreased from $41,001 to $40,001. Total Outdoor Equity Fund distributions increased from $12,683,910 to $12,763,910, and the linked January 21 Tier 1 information-session page no longer displays session or registration details.
Funder: New Mexico Economic Development Department
Due Dates: December 9, 2026 (Tier 2 webinar) | January 12, 2027 (Tier 2 letter of interest) | January 20 or January 21, 2027 (Tier 1 webinar) | February 26, 2027 (Both tiers application)
Funding Amounts: Tier 1: $5,000–$40,000 for 18 months; Tier 2: $40,001–$100,000 for 24 months; over $4 million available for FY27
Summary: Supports equitable access to educational, nature-based outdoor experiences for New Mexico youth.
Key Information: Programs must serve youth 18 and under, with at least 40% low-income participants.
Description
The Outdoor Equity Fund is administered by the New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Division within the New Mexico Economic Development Department. Established in 2019, it removes barriers to meaningful outdoor experiences, particularly for youth in rural, Indigenous, and historically underserved communities. Funding supports outdoor recreation, environmental education, cultural connection, stewardship, and workforce development.
The program seeks to improve young people’s physical, mental, and social well-being while building lifelong connections to New Mexico’s lands, waters, and cultural heritage. Supported activities include adaptive recreation, hiking, camping, fishing, cycling, conservation, and outdoor career training. Tier 2 supports high-impact programming with clear measures of outcomes and impact, with additional scoring weight for youth workforce development and program evaluation.
