Virginia Wildlife Grant Program

The Virginia Wildlife Grant Program is a collaborative initiative between the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) and the Wildlife Foundation of Virginia (WFV). The program is designed to provide financial support to organizations whose mission is to connect individuals with the outdoors through various recreational activities. Over the past eleven years, this program has funded nearly 255 projects, distributing $930,135 and facilitating outdoor experiences for more than 74,000 participants. The funding is sourced through merchandise sales, direct contributions, purchase round-ups, and fundraising events associated with Go Outdoors Virginia. The primary objective of the Virginia Wildlife Grant Program is to foster recruitment and retention in outdoor activities, aligning with DWR’s Recruitment, Retention, and Reactivation (R3) Plan and the Inclusive Excellence Strategic Plan. Recruitment efforts focus on generating awareness and providing first-time experiences in outdoor pursuits, while retention efforts aim to sustain participant engagement through skill development and confidence building. The program places a strong emphasis on reaching new audiences, particularly urban and underrepresented communities, and works in tandem with national initiatives supported by state fish and wildlife agencies. Eligible applicants for the 2025 grant cycle include two-year and four-year colleges and universities, as well as nonprofit organizations classified under section 501(c)(3). The grant offers two award categories: Start-up, for programs under two years old seeking to expand, with funding ranging from $2,000 to $5,000, and Growth, for established programs of two or more years, with awards between $5,000 and $10,000. Each year, approximately 10 to 15 awards are granted, subject to the availability of funds from the prior year’s contributions. The 2026 Cycle will open in January 2026. Programs must focus on one or more eligible outdoor activities, including archery, boating, fishing, hunting, recreational shooting, or wildlife viewing, as outlined in the DWR Wildlife Viewing Plan. The activity period for funded programs spans from March 2025 to December 1, 2025. Applicants must submit their applications online, including detailed program descriptions, goals, objectives, participant projections, community partner contributions, and a budget. Allowable expenses include outdoor gear and equipment, transportation, and instructor support, while expenses such as staff salaries, refreshments, and unrelated promotional items are not permitted.

The application process requires an online submission by February 1, 2025. Applicants must review relevant strategic plans and provide detailed information about their program, including primary and secondary activities, projected participant numbers, age range, program description, objectives, community partners, and a budget.