Open, due Mon, May 3, 2027Strong fit

Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF)

NC Division of Parks and Recreation State

Checked Oct 23, 2026 on ncparks.gov

Award: Up to $500,000 per application
Next date: Due Mon, May 3, 2027
Who can apply: Local governments
Where: Statewide, NC

North Carolina's main state grant for local parks. It pays up to half the cost of building or renovating a public park, and the application guide lists playgrounds and tot lots as a facility type. The site must be owned or held on a lease of 25 years or more, and it must stay open for public recreation for at least 25 years.

Could a playground win this?

Strong fit High confidence

Playgrounds are not named, but the program pays local governments to build and renovate public park and recreation facilities, which is where a playground fits. Only counties, towns and certain public authorities can apply, so schools, churches and nonprofits would need to partner with their local government.

Local governments can apply to acquire land for parks and build recreational facilities for use by the public.

A PARTF grant can also be used to protect the natural and scenic resources or renovate older park facilities.

Based on the funder's words, from ncparks.gov (opens in a new tab). This is our read, not the funder's.

About the match

The local government must match the grant dollar-for-dollar, paying at least half of the total project cost. The appraised value of donated land can count toward the match, but volunteer work and other in-kind services cannot. It must be cash.

On a $50,000 playground project, you would provide $25,000 and the grant up to $25,000.

How to apply

Talk with your Recreation Resources Service (RRS) regional consultant at NC State early.
Create a WebGrants account and start the application once the cycle opens on Oct 26, 2026.
Get contractor or designer cost estimates. Plan for inflation over a 3 year build.
Send a complete draft to your RRS consultant by Mar 15, 2027 for a technical review.
Submit in WebGrants by 5:00 pm on May 3, 2027.

See this grant on ncparks.gov (opens in a new tab)

All the details

Match: Dollar for dollar (50% of project cost) in cash or donated land. Volunteer labor and other in-kind services do not count.
Opened: Mon, Oct 26, 2026
Deadline: Mon, May 3, 2027 at 5:00 pm ET
Cycle: Annual cycle. Grant contracts run Nov 2027 to Oct 2030.
Who can apply, in full: NC counties, incorporated cities and towns, and public authorities that can build recreation facilities for the public.
What it funds: Land for public parks, new recreation facilities and renovation of older park facilities on a single site.
Contact: Your RRS regional consultant (listed on the funder page) or the NC State Parks Grants and Outreach team.
Funder: NC Division of Parks and Recreation (State)
Source we checked: https://www.ncparks.gov/recreation/grants-and-outreach/parks-and-recreation-trust-fund/partf-applicants (opens in a new tab)
Date last checked: Fri, Oct 23, 2026

We summarize public information. Always confirm details with the funder before applying.