Grant Opportunities
Missouri State Parks administers three federally funded grant programs and one state-funded grant program related to outdoor recreation. It also administers one federally funded grant program related to historic preservation. This page provides basic information about each program.
Grants Currently Accepting Applications:
No grant programs are accepting applications at this time.
Outdoor Recreation Grants
Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF)
The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) is federally funded through the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service. The program is intended to create and maintain a nationwide legacy of high-quality outdoor recreation areas and facilities.
Land and Water Conservation Fund grants are available to cities, counties and school districts to be used for outdoor recreation projects. Projects require a 50% match. All funded projects must be maintained in perpetuity for public outdoor recreational purposes. Development and renovation projects must be maintained for a period of 25 years or the life of the manufactured goods.
Since 1965, Missouri has received more than $87 million for projects in every county in the state.
In Missouri, LWCF is currently available to local governments and public schools for the acquisition, development and renovation of outdoor recreation sites.
Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program (ORLP)
The Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program (ORLP) is a grant program funded through the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service. The ORLP Grant was created in 2014 as a complement to the Land and Water Conservation Fund grant program. The national competitive ORLP program provides matching grants to cities for park projects in underserved communities. These investments enable urban communities to create new outdoor recreation spaces, reinvigorate existing parks, and form connections between people and outdoors.
The National Park Service is hoping to open the ORLP grant round soon. To learn more about the ORLP grant
round, join the City Parks Alliance and Next City workshop “Bring Federal ORLP Park Funding to
Your City.” The workshop will take place on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at noon Central Standard Time. Register for the workshop here.
Recreational Trails Program
The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) is federally funded through the Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The purpose of this program is to promote motorized and nonmotorized recreational trails.
Recreational Trails Program grants are available to local and state governments, school districts and nonprofit organizations and businesses. Eligible project categories include constructing new recreational trails, maintaining or renovating existing trails, developing or renovating trailheads or trail amenities, acquiring land for recreational trails, or purchasing or leasing trail maintenance equipment. Project sponsors must contribute a minimum match of 20% of the total cost of the project.
Missouri has received $25 million since the program began in 1993 for projects throughout the state.
Missouri State Parks Bus Grant Program
The Bus Grant Program assists schools and nonprofit organizations with the transportation expenses of field trips and outdoor learning opportunities at Missouri state parks and historic sites. Bus grants have been made available to Missouri schools and youth-focused nonprofit organizations throughout the state.
Historic Preservation Fund Grant Program
The Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) Grant program is federally funded through the National Park Service. It finances local activities for the preservation of historic buildings and archaeological sites.
HPF grants are available to local governments and non-profits with a preservation mission. A majority of our grant funds are reserved for Certified Local Governments in good standing. Applicants must contribute a minimum match of 40% of the total project cost. Eligible projects include:
- Construction projects for the purpose of protecting, rehabilitating, or restoring historic properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places
- Pre-construction projects to plan care for historic properties
- Nominating properties to the National Register of Historic Places
- Architectural and Archaeological surveys to determine National Register eligibility
- Training for historic preservation commissioners
- Internships on preservation projects
- Local preservation planning activities such as preservation plans, historic contexts, and design guidelines
CONTACT Information
Historic Preservation Fund Grants
573-751-7958
Outdoor Recreation Grants
Missouri State Parks, Grants Management
P.O. Box 176
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0176
Grants Management Section:
LWCF: 573-751-8661
RTP: 573-522-8773
ORLP: 573-751-0848
Bus: 573-526-0321