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Community Outdoor Outreach Program (CO-OP) Provides Opportunities for Texans to Connect with Nature

AUSTIN – The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is now accepting grant applications for the Community Outdoor Outreach Program (CO-OP).  CO-OP provides grant funding to tax-exempt organizations for programs that engage under-represented populations in TPWD mission-oriented activities.  These grants support community-based conservation and outdoor recreation activities such as archery, fishing, camping, hiking, hunting, nature education and more.

CO-OP was established by TPWD in 1996 and has awarded more than $22 million in outdoor program grants over the past 25 years.  Funds are derived from a dedicated portion of the state sales tax collected on sporting goods and distributed to organizations within the state of Texas through a competitive grant process each year.  Grant awards range between $5,000 — $60,000 and can be used to support personnel, training, travel, food, park fees and program supplies.

The deadline to submit a CO-OP grant application is 5 p.m. CST, Nov. 1.  Applications are available now online and grant awards will be announced on March 1, 2022.  CO-OP staff will host a Grant Writing Webinar on Tuesday, Sept. 14 at 1 p.m.  This online webinar will discuss grant program requirements, provide an overview of the application process, review the scoring criteria, and answer questions from applicants.  Register for the webinar at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2061593515098859536

For more information and to apply, please visit http://tpwd.texas.gov/business/grants/recreation-grants/community-outdoor-outreach-program-co-op-grants.