Youth Engagement Grants
Forecasted
Youth Engagement Grants support Utah youth, educators, and communities through outdoor programs, education, and permanent nature-based learning spaces that foster healthy, active lifestyles.
Funder: Division of Outdoor Recreation
Due Dates (Anticipated): September 2027 (Application deadline)
Funding Amounts: $500–$15,000 per award; 18-month contract
Summary: Supports outdoor recreation, outdoor education, and permanent nature-based learning infrastructure serving Utah youth and communities.
Key Information: Reimbursement-based funding requires upfront project financing; applicants needing advance funding should contact the grant administrator.
Description
Utah’s Division of Outdoor Recreation administers three Youth Engagement Grants: Utah Children’s Outdoor Recreation and Education (UCORE), UCORE Educator, and Nature-Based Learning Infrastructure. Together, they support outdoor programming, educators, and learning spaces that help young people develop physical skills for healthy, active lifestyles. UCORE complements Utah’s Every Kid Outdoors (EKO) Initiative and seeks to expand opportunities for children to spend time outside.
UCORE supports programming costs such as equipment, transportation, staffing, and participant food. UCORE Educator connects outdoor experiences with learning standards or objectives. Nature-Based Learning Infrastructure, formerly the Outdoor Classroom Grant, supports permanent public spaces for outdoor learning and nature-based play, including gardens, wildlife viewing stations, shade structures, low-ropes courses, and bike pump tracks. UCORE and UCORE Educator applicants partnering with EKO receive higher rankings from the scoring committee.
