Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program (ORLP) Recurring Notice 5 Year
🏛 National Park Service (DOI-NPS)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Oct 19, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for state and territorial governments, Indian Tribes, Alaska Native communities, and Native Hawaiian organizations to acquire land or develop outdoor recreation facilities in qualifying areas.
Eligible applicants include State and Territorial Lead Agencies in all 50 states, U.S. territories, and Washington D.C. Indian Tribes, Alaska Native communities, and Native Hawaiian organizations can apply directly. Political subdivisions like cities, counties, and park districts must apply through their State Lead Agency as sub-recipients.
Qualifying areas include urban areas with 25,000+ population or adjacent urban areas combined meeting that threshold. Projects must be maintained for public outdoor recreation in perpetuity. Dollar-for-dollar cost sharing is required (applicants provide 50% of project costs, grant covers up to 50%).
⚖️ Cost sharing / matching required — applicants must contribute their own funds.
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Program description
This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) invites applications for the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) Program, administered by the National Park Service (NPS). ORLP provides funding to 1) to acquire land and water for parks and other outdoor recreation purposes in qualifying areas, and 2) to develop new or renovate existing outdoor recreation facilities that provide outdoor recreation opportunities to the public in qualifying areas. ORLP is a program within the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) State and Local Assistance Program, which provides matching grants to States. ORLP funding is available in addition to traditional LWCF state formula grants and does not affect state apportionments. ORLP projects must be within a Qualifying Area, defined as: an urban area that has a population of 25,000 or more in the most recent census, or 2 or more adjacent urban areas with a combined population of 25,000 or more in the most recent census; or an area administered by a federally recognized Indian Tribe or an Alaska Native or Native Hawaiian community organization. Additional requirements under the ORLP program: Matching Requirement – ORLP is dollar for dollar match, meaning it covers up to 50% of all project costs. Applicants are responsible for providing non-federal funds for at least 50% of project costs. Perpetuity Requirement – Projects assisted through ORLP must be maintained and accessible for public outdoor recreation use in perpetuity. This applies to the assisted park or site in its entirety, not just the area assisted by the grant funds. Alignment with LWCF Law and Policy – As an LWCF program, ORLP projects must align with the purposes and requirements of the LWCF Act and LWCF Manual. Alignment with National Priorities – Projects must be responsive to Executive and National priorities, including those outlined in Executive Order 14313, “Establishing the President’s Make America Beautiful Again Commission” and Secretarial Order 3442, “Land and Water Conservation Fund Implementation by the U.S. Department of the Interior.”
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- State/Territorial Lead Agency designation or Tribe/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian status documentation
- Project narrative describing acquisition or development/renovation plans
- Budget and cost-sharing documentation
- Proof of non-federal match funding sources
- Property deed or legal authority
- Management plan for perpetual public access
- Alignment with LWCF Act and national priorities documentation
Program contact
- 👤 National Park Service
- 📧 ORLP_Inquiries@nps.gov
- 📞 202-697-2035
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 15.916 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
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$15,000,000
-
$15,000,000
-
$14,999,984
-
$11,909,000
-
$11,353,000
-
$10,998,510
-
$10,813,779
-
$10,000,000
-
$10,000,000
-
$10,000,000
Top States by Funding
- CA 31 awards $173.1M
- TX 11 awards $66.2M
- NY 11 awards $43.9M
- NC 5 awards $29.6M
- VA 6 awards $28.3M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 15.916). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2019 | $122,539,072 | |
| 2020 | $54,556,098 | |
| 2021 | $178,987,177 | |
| 2022 | $227,722,447 | |
| 2023 | $317,277,604 | |
| 2024 | $444,259,943 | |
| 2025 est. | $600,000,000 | |
| 2026 est. | $600,000,000 |
FAQ
Who can apply directly for ORLP funding?
State and Territorial Lead Agencies, Indian Tribes, Alaska Native communities, and Native Hawaiian organizations can apply directly. Cities and counties must apply through their State Lead Agency as sub-recipients.
What geographic areas qualify for ORLP funding?
Urban areas with 25,000+ population or multiple adjacent urban areas with combined population of 25,000+. Federally recognized Indian Tribe or Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian community-administered areas also qualify.
What types of projects are funded?
Land and water acquisition for parks and outdoor recreation, plus development or renovation of outdoor recreation facilities open to the public.
What is the cost-sharing requirement?
Dollar-for-dollar match required. Applicants must provide at least 50% of project costs in non-federal funds. The grant covers up to 50%.
What is the funding range for awards?
Awards range from $300,000 to $15,000,000, with $125,000,000 in total program funding available.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Confirm your organization is designated as a State Lead Agency or is eligible to apply as a Tribe, Alaska Native, or Native Hawaiian organization. Sub-recipients must coordinate with their state agency.
- Document that your project area meets the population threshold or other qualifying criteria. Use most recent census data.
- Demonstrate 50% non-federal match funding sources in advance. This is a hard requirement for competitiveness.
- Ensure the project site will be maintained for public outdoor recreation in perpetuity. Include management plans showing long-term commitment.
- Align your project with Executive Order 14313 priorities and Secretarial Order 3442 goals for federal land and water conservation.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications fail when match funding is not confirmed or documented before submission. Projects that cannot demonstrate perpetual public outdoor recreation access are rejected. Applicants in non-qualifying areas (below 25,000 population threshold) lack basic eligibility.
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