Outdoor Equity Fund
Outdoor Equity Fund Funds Distributed: $8,662,683
FY26 Round 1 is Closed
FY26 Round 2 will open January 1, 2026.
Outdoor Equity Fund Grant Guide
Please review our Grant Guide to learn more about the application process and eligibility requirements.
Access to the outdoors is a basic human right—yet many young people, particularly in rural, Indigenous, and historically underserved communities, face significant barriers to experiencing the physical, mental, and social benefits of connecting with New Mexico’s great outdoors.
The first-of-its-kind Outdoor Equity Fund, established in 2019, aims to break down these barriers and ensure equitable access to the outdoors for all youth in New Mexico. This grant supports transformative outdoor experiences that foster stewardship and respect for New Mexico’s lands, waters, and cultural heritage while connecting youth to career pathways in the outdoors.
Since 2020, the Outdoor Recreation Division has awarded over $8.6 million, enabling more than 106,000 youth across 23 counties to participate in educational outdoor experiences that nurture health and well-being and build a lifelong connection to the outdoors. These programs inspire and shape the next generation of land stewards, conservationists, and outdoor leaders.
Explore Past Projects
Want to see how Outdoor Equity Fund is making a difference?
View the Grant Recipient Database and Grant Distribution Map.
Who Can Apply?
The Outdoor Equity Fund is open to a wide range of public and nonprofit entities in New Mexico, including:
- Tribes, Pueblos, and Nations
- Municipalities and Counties
- Nonprofits
- Public schools, preschools, and districts
- Public colleges and universities
FY26 Grant Timeline and Funding
Over $3 million in Outdoor Equity Fund funding is available in Fiscal Year 2026, split across two application rounds:
- Round 1: June 1 – July 31, 2025
- Round 2: January 1 – January 31, 2026
Have questions?
Contact Grants Coordinator Evan Pilling at evan.pilling@edd.nm.gov, or book a one-on-one meeting.
Grant Distribution
Funding breakdown by program:
- Trails+: $30,630,297
- Outdoor Equity Fund: $8,662,683
- Outdoor Marketing Grant: $846,871
Total funds distributed by all programs:
$40,139,851
Featured Recipients
