Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) announced grant funding recipients to help rural communities grow their local economies and make them more resilient through outdoor recreation.
The grants are made possible through funding from the Richard King Mellon Foundation, and help ensure that ORR can continue its charge to provide support, information, and resources to rural communities seeking to create economic opportunities through outdoor recreation.
In 2023, grant sizes increased to $10,000 and will provide in-kind technical assistance from ORR members to awardees. For communities with big plans and limited bandwidth, this funding will help unlock federal, state and local match dollars from programs such as USDA Rural Development, state infrastructure funds and interest from private foundations.
Said Jessica Wahl Turner, ORR president: “Rural communities all across the country are recognizing the strength and resiliency that investment in outdoor recreation can bring to local economies. Thanks to the ongoing support of the Richard King Mellon Foundation, more places and people than ever will have the opportunity to experience the benefits of time spent outside. ORR is grateful for their support, congratulates the grantees and looks forward to celebrating the amazing projects that are borne from this funding.”
