This great grant opportunity provides grants of up to $2,500, grants of up to $3,000, and grants of up to $15,000 to North Carolina schools, nonprofit organizations, and businesses for field trips and outdoor activities that take place during the school day. You can learn more about this grant opportunity if you are an active member.
North Carolina (NC) Schools Go Outside (GO) Grant
North Carolina (NC) Outdoor Heritage Advisory Council
Grant Description
Grants of up to $2,500, grants of up to $3,000, and grants of up to $15,000 to North Carolina schools, nonprofit organizations, and businesses for field trips and outdoor activities that take place during the school day and benefit K-12 students. Funding is intended for excursions and outdoor experiences that enable students to explore and learn in hands-on environments. Priority will be given to applications targeting underserved youth between the ages of 4 and 16 who are not traditionally outdoors or do not have the opportunity to participate in outdoor activities.
GO Grants are offered to access field study locations and assist with other expenditures that result from taking students outdoors. Qualifying for grants requires instructors to demonstrate how the experience will address topics currently being taught in class and that the experience meets the goals of the Outdoor Heritage Trust Fund plan. The program also allows staff at field study sites to apply on behalf of teachers with their permission.
GO Grant Options:
Build an on-campus learning center: Whether you want to build an outdoor classroom, a greenhouse, or a new pollinator garden funding can be provided to help build that new outdoor learning space. There will not be funding for the construction or expansion of playgrounds or the expansion of playgrounds - only outdoor learning structures.
Have a field trip come to you: Many facilities will bring their field trips to your school; for example, the NC Zoo has the Zoo to You EDventures program. These grants help bring field trips to your students on-campus.
An off-campus outdoor educational field trip: This is a traditional field trip where you take students off-campus; for example, taking students hiking or camping, or to a local park to learn about water treatment options.
Additional Eligibility Criteria: Eligibility: 1. Schools - Public, Private, Charter, Homeschool Associations, and Residential Facilities. Residential Facilities include Children’s Homes, where children may attend a local school but live on campus. 2. 501c-3 Organizations and Businesses - They must have the capability for a regional or statewide impact with their organization/business, their mission should align with OHAC and further OHAC’s mission or have the capability to adopt OHAC’s mission and brand. Any school employee or field trip location employee on behalf of the school. The money will be given directly to the school. GO Grants do not fund the following: - Playgrounds - Gym equipment, basketball goals, outdoor games - Electronics, Wi-Fi equipment - Enclosed buildings (excluding greenhouses) - Disc golf courses - GaGa pits
Pre-Application Information: There is no application deadline but funds are limited. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Each school is eligible to receive one grant per class/grade per school year. For example, the same group of students can’t get multiple grants but different grades at the same school can.
Additional Funding Information: Estimated Size of Grant: GO Grant amounts: - Up to $15,000 for on-campus learning centers/structures and greenhouses. - Up to $2,500 for outdoor on-campus activities. - Up to $3,000 for off-campus field trips
Contact Information: Email applications to ohac.grants@nc.gov Or mail to: North Carolina Outdoor Heritage Advisory Council 1715 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1715 Direct questions to: Meg Gaito (919) 707-4036 Meg.Gaito@nc.gov