There are four categories of GO Grant that you can apply for:

Up to $20,000 for advanced outdoor on campus structures: 

• • Agricultural: e.g., animal barns, mini farms, greenhouses with aquaponic/hydroponic systems.
  • Archery Range: e.g., outdoor two lane range with archery equipment.
  • Aquatic Activities: e.g., a dock for fishing, kayaking, and/or canoeing with equipment.
  • Educational Nature Trail: e.g., construction of a nature trail with interactive signage.

Up to $15,000 for standard on campus structures:

• • e.g., outdoor classrooms, greenhouses, pollinator gardens.

Up to $3,000/$5,000* for off campus outdoor programs:

• • e.g., field trips that incorporate activities such as hiking, camping, and environmental education.
  • *There is a raised cap of $5,000 for overnight field trips.

Up to $2,500 for on campus outdoor programs:

• • e.g., visiting educational programs from a museum or STEM learning center.

Applications will be considered for programs/field trips/or structures that will further outdoor education and recreation, while supporting school curriculum objectives.

The following organizations are eligible to apply for a GO Grant:

• K-12 Schools (Public, Private, Charter)
• Homeschool Associations
• Residential Facilities (e.g., Children’s Homes)
• 501(c)(3) businesses/organizations (501(c)(3) organizations must have goals that align with the Commission’s mission AND/OR have the capability to adopt the Commission’s brand/mission.

Any school employee may apply for a GO Grant. Employees of field trip destinations or Parent Teacher Association members may also apply on behalf of a school but must include a school contact in their application. 

Be advised that GO Grants do NOT fund:

• Indoor programs/field trips or field trips to amusement parks (exceptions may be considered if educational programs are included)
• School beautification projects
• Playgrounds
• Lunch areas
• Enclosed buildings (excluding greenhouses and animal barns, etc.)
• Gym/sports equipment (e.g. basketball hoops, ping-pong tables)
• Electronics (e.g. computers, Wi-Fi equipment, sound systems) 

There is no application deadline, applications are considered on a rolling basis. Funds are limited, so we encourage applicants to submit their application as soon as possible.

Each school is eligible to receive one grant per class/grade each school year i.e., multiple applications for the same groups of students will be rejected, however, multiple applications for different groups of students will be considered.

Applications must be signed and dated by both the applicant and the witness.

Should changes need to be made to the original application (before or after a grant has been awarded) applicants must complete a GO Grant Amendment Form. If funds have already been awarded, grant recipients must not spend grant funds until the amendment has been approved by the Commission.

If the applicant teacher leaves the recipient school, the school must complete a GO Grant Amendment Form, detailing which teacher will be taking over the program/fieldtrip/structure project. Recipient schools must not spend grant funds until the amendment has been approved by the Commission.

501c-3 organizations must complete the Nonprofit Supplement form in addition to an application form.

Grant funds will be sent directly to the school system and made available within 45 days of the program/project date. 

An outdoor learning center/structure must be able to accommodate an entire class.

Shipping costs must not exceed more than 5% of the total amount requested.

Charter bus costs must not exceed $1,000

Grant funds must not be spent on items that were not approved by the Grant Selection Committee in the original GO Grant application or in a GO Grant Amendment. If a GO Grant recipient spends grant funds improperly, the Commission will require the recipient to return all improperly spent funds.

GO Grant funds must be expended by the recipient within 60 days of receipt. Should a recipient need to adjust their project timeline please complete a GO Grant Amendment Form.

Within 30 days of GO Grant project completion, the recipient must submit proof of payment to the Commission showing that grant funds have been paid out and have been used for purchases approved in the GO Grant Application or GO Grant Amendment. The Commission cannot accept invoices, order forms, or email correspondence alone as proof of purchase. Accepted documentation includes:

1. A copy of a check stub and/or account transaction summary for each purchase AND
2. A receipt, invoice, or purchase order for each purchase.

Within 30 days of GO Grant project completion, the recipient must return all unspent funds to the Commission. Unspent grant funds are to be sent by check made payable to:

N.C. Youth Outdoor Engagement Commission

1715 Mail Service Center

Raleigh, NC 27699-1715

Within 30 days of GO Grant project completion, the recipient must submit photos of the project to GoOutside@nc.gov. Please note by initialing below you agree that any submitted photos may be used by the N.C. Youth Outdoor Engagement Commission for promotional purposes, including on print materials, social media and associated websites.

501-(c)(3) organization recipients must adopt N.C. Youth Outdoor Engagement Commission programming and signage. 

Please note, we do not accept applications for programs/projects that have already been completed and will not reimburse past programs/projects.

The Grant Selection Committee (GSC) shall consider geographic diversity when approving grants.

Priority will be given to applications that target underserved youth aged 4-16, who are not traditionally outdoors, and/or do not have opportunities to participate in outdoor activities.

The Commission reserves the right to reject an application at any time and for any reason.

• If I am awarded a grant, how soon will the funds be available? We work to ensure that funds are sent directly to the school system within 45 days of the program/project date. A precise date versus a seasonal timeframe will ensure the funds reach you in plenty of time.

• If my school did not spent all the awarded GO Grant funds, do we need to return them? Yes! If there are leftover funds, schools are required to refund the remaining amount within 30 days of expenditure. 

• What kind of documentation should I turn in with my receipts? Along with purchase orders or invoices, we will need proof of payment which can be in the form of a check copy, account transaction statement, or equivalent financial documentation. An invoice or purchase order by itself is insufficient! If proof of payment is not provided, we may ask for a full refund of the awarded GO Grant.

• What if my supply list changes, or what I listed on my original application is no longer what I need to purchase? Our awarded GO Grants fund the items and costs specifically listed in the submitted application. If changes for field trips such as trip dates, travel costs, admission costs, etc. need to made, a GO Grant Amendment Form must be filled out and approved by our Grant Selection Committee before the trip changes can occur. If changes to outdoor structures such as supplies, cost of supplies, etc. need to be made, a GO Grant Amendment Form must be filled out and approved by our Grant Selection Committee before the changes can occur. If any of these changes are made before approval of the required GO Grant Amendment Form, the school may be subject to refunding a portion or the full amount of the GO Grant. The GO Grand Amendment Form can be found below.

• What if we were awarded a GO Grant but the teacher that applied has left the school? If you wish to use the GO Grant for its intended purpose, you may complete a GO Grant Amendment Form with the updated contact details. Please note, funds must be expended in line with the original application. If any of these changes are made before approval of the required GO Grant Amendment, the school may be subject to refunding a portion, or the full amount, of the GO Grant. If the school does not wish to use the funds as originally intended, then they must be returned to us immediately.

Refund checks can be made payable to “N.C. Youth Outdoor Engagement Commission” and mailed to the following address:

N.C. Youth Outdoor Engagement Commission

1715 Mail Service Center

Raleigh, NC 27699-1715