National Recreation Foundation
Preselected recipients only
National Recreation Foundation is a private foundation in Lake Forest, Illinois. In tax year 2025 it gave $2.2 million in 75 grants; the typical grant was $20,000 and the largest $160,000. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$2.2 million
- Number of grants75
- Typical grant$20,000
- Largest grant$160,000
- Assets$56.4 million
- New grantees51%
Giving in 2025 was down from $2.8 million the year before.
51% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a sign it is open to new organizations.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $2.5 million | 87 | $50.3 million |
| 2024 | $2.8 million | 90 | $52.2 million |
| 2025 | $2.2 million | 75 | $56.4 million |
How to apply
National Recreation Foundation says in its IRS filing that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations, so unsolicited applications are unlikely to be considered. Organizations it funds are usually invited.
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What National Recreation Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 27 states, the most to Illinois.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois | 9 | $508,500 |
| District of Columbia | 4 | $230,000 |
| Arizona | 4 | $202,000 |
| South Dakota | 5 | $175,000 |
| California | 4 | $167,000 |
| Washington | 4 | $130,000 |
| North Carolina | 2 | $130,000 |
| New York | 6 | $115,000 |
| South Carolina | 1 | $100,000 |
| Georgia | 3 | $80,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Aspen Instituteforum for Community Solutions | In support of youth outdoor recreation programs | $160,000 |
| Catalina Island Conservancy | In support of youth outdoor recreation programs | $101,000 |
| Cheyenne River Youth Project | In support of youth outdoor recreation programs | $100,000 |
| Chicago Training Center | In support of youth outdoor recreation programs | $100,000 |
| Friends of Momentum Bike Clubs | In support of youth outdoor recreation programs | $100,000 |
| Muddy Sneakers | In support of youth outdoor recreation programs | $100,000 |
| YMCA of Greater Seattle | In support of youth outdoor recreation programs | $100,000 |
| Ironwood Tree Experience | In support of youth outdoor recreation programs | $97,000 |
| Beyond the Ball | In support of youth outdoor recreation programs | $75,000 |
| Chicago Voyagers | In support of youth outdoor recreation programs | $75,000 |
| Refugee Education & Adventure Challenge | In support of youth outdoor recreation programs | $75,000 |
| Grand Canyon Youth | In support of youth outdoor recreation programs | $70,000 |
| Gardeneers | In support of youth outdoor recreation programs | $60,000 |
| Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods | In support of youth outdoor recreation programs | $50,000 |
| Families in Nature | In support of youth outdoor recreation programs | $50,000 |
| Sailmaine Inc | In support of youth outdoor recreation programs | $49,000 |
| Working Bikes | In support of youth outdoor recreation programs | $37,500 |
| Wilderness Youth Project | In support of youth outdoor recreation programs | $31,000 |
| Adventure Crew | In support of youth outdoor recreation programs | $30,000 |
| Bronx Children's Museum | In support of youth outdoor recreation programs | $30,000 |
| Center for Native American Youth at the Aspen Institute | In support of youth outdoor recreation programs | $30,000 |
| Community Movement Builders (Fiscal Sponsor for Earthseed Farm) | In support of youth outdoor recreation programs | $30,000 |
| Cultivate Collective | In support of youth outdoor recreation programs | $30,000 |
| Friends of the DPS Hub Farm | In support of youth outdoor recreation programs | $30,000 |
| Girls Incorporated of St Louis | In support of youth outdoor recreation programs | $30,000 |
| Heritage Conservancy | In support of youth outdoor recreation programs | $30,000 |
| Naples Botanical Garden | In support of youth outdoor recreation programs | $30,000 |
| West Atlanta Watershed Alliance | In support of youth outdoor recreation programs | $30,000 |
| West Point Association of Graduates | In support of youth outdoor recreation programs | $30,000 |
| Black Kids Adventures | In support of youth outdoor recreation programs | $20,000 |
| Brothers on the Rise | In support of youth outdoor recreation programs | $20,000 |
| Brown Girls Climb | In support of youth outdoor recreation programs | $20,000 |
| Center for Research Education Arts Technology & Enterprise | In support of youth outdoor recreation programs | $20,000 |
| Dine' We Can | In support of youth outdoor recreation programs | $20,000 |
| Laru Beya Collective Inc | In support of youth outdoor recreation programs | $20,000 |
| Loop Nola | In support of youth outdoor recreation programs | $20,000 |
| Museum of the Rockies | In support of youth outdoor recreation programs | $20,000 |
| Oaye Luta Okolakiciye | In support of youth outdoor recreation programs | $20,000 |
| Outdoor Inclusion Coalition | In support of youth outdoor recreation programs | $20,000 |
| Sacred Storm Buffalowambli Ska Community Development Society | In support of youth outdoor recreation programs | $20,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Sophia B Twichell
- Peggy Burnet
- Myron F Floyd
- Kim Bailey
- Karen A Stewart-Ramos
- Joseph B Anderson Jr
- Lynne M O Brickner
- Endicott P Davison Jr
- Gary Hall
- Jackie Joyner-Kersee
- Martin J Leblanc
- Lila Leff
- Elsie McCabe Thompson
- John W McCarter Jr
- Bakeyah S Nelson
Questions people ask
Does National Recreation Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does National Recreation Foundation give?
$2.2 million in tax year 2025, across 75 grants, with a typical grant of $20,000.
Who runs National Recreation Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Sophia B Twichell (President & Ceo), Peggy Burnet (Trustee/Chair), Myron F Floyd (Trustee/Vice Chair) and Kim Bailey (Trustee/Secretary) among 15 officers and trustees.
What does National Recreation Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly environment and conservation, youth programs and human services.