River City Outdoors Seeks Applications for Second Year of Micro-Grants

River City Outdoors has announced the return of its Outdoors for All Micro-Grants program, which awards one-time grants of up to $5,000 for community-focused outdoor recreation projects in the Greater St. Louis bi-state region.

Now entering its second year, the program builds on the momentum of 2024, when three local organizations received funding for projects designed to make outdoor spaces more accessible, welcoming, and sustainable.

“In business, and in life, there are transactional relationships and transformative ones. And every now and then, the two overlap,” said Brad Kovach, Deputy Director of River City Outdoors. “The goal with these grants is to help communities help themselves and create more welcoming and accessible outdoor recreation spaces for all.”

First-Year Impact

Following a three-month application process that drew 14 submissions, the first Outdoors for All Micro-Grants were presented during the 2024 Gateway Outdoor Expo + Summit:

• Chain of Rocks Community Association received $1,500 to create “picture windows” along the Mississippi River in North Riverfront Park, improving river access for fishermen, paddlers, and greenway users while removing invasive plants and planting native vegetation.

• Missouri Whitewater Association received $2,000 to advance plans for a paddle park on the Meramec River, supporting research and fundraising for riverbank stabilization, access paths, and water features designed for paddling, fishing, and recreation.

• Friends of Carondelet Park received $2,500 to fund signage and a trailhead kiosk for St. Louis City’s first mountain bike trail, improving safety and accessibility for trail users and park visitors.

Applications Now Open

Applications are now being accepted for the second round of grants, which will be awarded at the 2025 Gateway Outdoor Expo + Summit on November 15-16, 2025. The deadline to apply is October 24, 2025.

Eligibility

The program is open to nonprofits, social enterprises, fiscally sponsored projects, and other community-based organizations with annual operating budgets under $300,000. While 501(c)(3) status is not required, individuals cannot apply for their sole benefit. Projects must be based in the Greater St. Louis bi-state region, including Franklin, Jefferson, Lincoln, St. Charles, St. Louis, Warren, and the City of St. Louis in Missouri, and Bond, Calhoun, Jersey, Macoupin, Madison, Monroe, and St. Clair counties in Illinois.

Selection Process

Applications will be reviewed by River City Outdoors officials and evaluated based on need, feasibility, sustainability, and alignment with the foundation’s mission to promote outdoor recreation activities, accelerate equitable outdoor initiatives, and expand opportunities across the region.

How to Apply

Applicants should submit a short written or video proposal, along with supporting materials, to brad@rivercityoutdoors.org. More details are available at www.rivercityoutdoors.org/micro-grants.