Funding Opportunities through Connect Kids
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) is proud to administer grants for eligible entities in accordance with the Environmental Protection Fund that aims to support “education and outreach” with $3,000,000 for the connect kids program, including reimbursement of transportation costs to swim instruction programs and field trips “for facilitating access in title 1 school districts, municipalities, and not-for-profit organizations to outdoor recreational activities, public lands and parks providing environmental education opportunities in environmental justice, inner city and underserved communities.” Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis in the order they are received, while funding is available.
Connect Kids to Swimming Instruction Transportation Grant Program
Connect-Kids-to-Parks Field Trip Grant Program
Other Opportunities to Learn with State Parks
Happy Trails: Empire State Trail Itineraries for Spring/ Summer
Connect Kids to Swimming Instruction Transportation Grant Program
Recognizing that drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1-4 and that climate change will increase extreme heat events, Governor Hochul announced New York Statewide Investment in More Swimming (NY SWIMS). One component of NY SWIMS that is administered by the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) is a new reimbursement grant program for expenses related to transportation to swimming instruction and is called the “Connect Kids to Swimming Instruction Transportation Grant” program.
The Connect Kids to Swimming Instruction Transportation Grant program:
- connects New York school age children (pre-K through grade 12) with swimming instruction by reimbursing transportation costs (including parking or vehicle use fees) incurred by eligible entities for travel to facilities in New York State that are operated by State, municipal, and not-for-profit organizations and offer swim instruction for a nationally recognized learn to swim curriculum (e.g., the American Red Cross, YMCA, Starfish Aquatics).
- is a reimbursement grant program funded through the Environmental Protection Fund starting in 2024.
- allows eligible entities to submit multiple applications and to receive multiple grant awards but limits the total amount of funding to be reimbursed to any single entity to no more than $45,000 per fiscal year (April 1 - March 31).
Resources
Applying
Other Opportunities
Connect-Kids-to-Parks Field Trip Grant Program
APPLICATIONS CLOSED
The Connect Kids to Parks Field Trip Grant Program has been well received and highly successful. In the first half of 2024, demand outpaced available program funding. Awards approved for the first half of 2024 totaled more than all awards approved for 2023, and the full funding allotment for this year has been reached
Please be patient as we update guidelines and procedures to address the increased demand for this vital program. A timeline on reopening is not currently available. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused in planning upcoming field trips.
Please check back regularly for updates.
The Connect-Kids-to-Parks Field Trip Grant Program (Connect Kids) is designed to connect students in New York State with nature and history. Each grant provides reimbursement of up to $80 per student (and $160 for Special Education students) for field trips to state and federal parks, forests, historic sites, fish hatcheries and outdoor recreation areas.
Please note that Connect Kids Applications are accepted on a rolling basis
Resources
Applying
Eligible organizations include: public schools; county, city, town or village youth bureaus; schools for the deaf and blind; and BOCES programs. Select not-for-profits providing after-school, extracurricular, and summer youth programs may also be eligible.
Public and Private schools that are eligible for Title 1 funding can also apply.
Non-school field trip applicants These programs may be asked to submit additional trip information prior to approval.
All not-for-profits must be pre-qualified in the Grants Gateway
prior to applying
This application only covers the financial grant and is not a confirmation of the trip. All field trips must be scheduled directly with the destination site's staff prior to submission. All applications must be submitted at least one month before the trip. Please expect to receive a response within 1 to 3 weeks of your submission. Your award letter will include a maximum award cap based on the number of students and chaperones.
Field trip locations covered under the program include:
- New York State parks, nature centers or historic sites
- Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Environmental Education Centers
- DEC Fish Hatcheries
- Montezuma Audubon Center
- SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry's Newcomb Campus
- Adirondack Loj
- Maurice D.Hinchey Catskill Interpretive Center
- Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum
- Constitution Marsh Audubon Center and Sanctuary
- Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park
- NYPA Recreation Areas
Reimbursement
The Connect Kids Field Trip Grant is a reimbursement grant program. This means that each grant recipient must cover all initial field trip costs. Grant funds will not be released until after a field trip has occurred, all incurred expenses have been paid, and proof of payment has been provided to the Connect Kids Field Trip Grant Coordinator.
Reimbursable field trip expenses include transportation costs, as well as program, entry, pavilion fees, on-site equipment rentals (boat rentals, snowshoes, etc.), and camping at state-owned facilities. The grant does not reimburse costs for food, school-purchased field trip supplies, lifeguard salaries, or any costs for chaperones who drive separately.
Please know your organization's NYS Vendor ID number. Reimbursements will be made using your organization's NYS Vendor ID number as submitted on the application. We do not send paper checks. Please note that this is NOT the same as your organization's Tax ID Number/EIN. An incorrect NYS Vendor ID number will delay reimbursement to your organization.
All reimbursements will strictly adhere to the award cap which will be stated in your award letter. Please expect to receive an email with your award letter between 1 to 3 weeks after submitting a Connect Kids application.
Reimbursements will be processed through the Statewide Financial System via Automated Clearing House (ACH) transfer. In some cases, an ACH transfer may combine multiple grant reimbursement(s)
with payments from other NYS programs or agencies. Detailed payment information can be obtained using the NYS Vendor Self-Service Portal (select "Vendor Portal Login").
Contact
Connect Kids Field Trip Grant Coordinator
parksbusgrant@parks.ny.gov (preferred)
(518) 474-6736
Other Opportunities
Other Opportunities to Learn with State Parks
Every-Kid-in-a-Park 4th Grade Free Entry Program
New York State Parks will accept the National Park Service's (NPS) Every-Kid-in-a Park pass upon presentation for free entry for 4th grade students into all State Parks. Learn more about the program and guidelines.
Virtual Nature Lessons
Nature is all around us. Our State Park environmental educators have compiled innovative ideas and creative activities to explore the outdoors near you. From searching for signs of spring to identifying bird songs, these activities connect you with the natural world without having to travel any further than your backyard, your neighborhood or an outdoor space close to your home.