The Jordan River Commission recognizes that no one entity can implement all the recommendations of the Blueprint Jordan River, and that realizing this long-range vision for the river corridor will take the concerted efforts of many organizations. To that end, the JRC is pleased to support its member governments and partner organizations with financial support for projects that help to implement the recommendations outlined in the Blueprint.
Jordan River Corridor Improvements Grant
The Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands (FFSL) has up to $450,000 in funding available to support safety, recreation, conservation, and restoration improvement projects on or adjacent to sovereign lands of the Jordan River. Project proposals must meet one of the categories outlined below and should support the Blueprint Jordan River. Funding may be awarded to one or multiple projects/applicants. Proposals with 1:1 matching funds are encouraged and will be given preference during the ranking process. The grant-funded portion of the project/program must be finalized by December 31, 2027.
Categories:
- Enhance safety, recreation, and conservation along the Jordan River
- Capital improvement project that increases access to a recreational activity of the Jordan River
- Partnerships to increase access to a recreational activity of the Jordan River (i.e. a bike or boat rental concessionaire or an animal preserve/sanctuary)
- Trail, river, and parkway maintenance
- Invasive species removal and revegetation
- Environmental education
Applications Due October 30, 2026.
Please review the Request for Proposals (RFP) for instructions on how to apply.
Jordan River Recreational Access Grant
The Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands (FFSL) has up to $2,000,000 in funding available to
support a matching grant to a county, municipality, or the Jordan River Commission for an improvement
project that increases recreational access on the Jordan River. This funding has a 1:1 matching funds
requirement of non-state funds and will be dispersed in the form of reimbursement grants.
Project proposals should be consistent with the goals outlined in the Blueprint Jordan River and/or FFSL’s management objectives in the Jordan River Comprehensive Management Plan. FFSL may award funding to one singular project or several projects, depending on the number and nature of the applications received. Depending on the nature of the proposed projects, FFSL may issue one-year or multiple-year grants. Submission of an application does not guarantee an award of grant funding and FFSL may decide not to distribute all of the available funds. FFSL reserves the right to partially fund proposals during the application review.
Applications Due September 30, 2026.
Please review the Request for Proposals (RFP) for instructions on how to apply.
Bank Stabilization Grant
The Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands (FFSL) has $50,000 in project funding available to
support bank stabilization projects on or adjacent to sovereign lands along the Jordan River. This funding
has a 1:1 matching requirement of non-state contributions (cash or in-kind) and will be dispersed in the
form of reimbursement grants. All project work must be completed with final reports and reimbursement
requests submitted prior to June 30, 2027.
Applications Due September 1, 2026.
Please review the Request for Proposals (RFP) for instructions on how to apply.
Small Grants
The Jordan River Commission has a small grants program available to its member governments and other community partners. The program offers small grants, up to $2,500, with an opportunity for up to $5,000 for exceptional proposals, for projects that help implement the goals of the Blueprint Jordan River and the purposes of the Jordan River Commission. Grant proposals are accepted twice annually, and are evaluated and awarded by the Governing Board.
Applications are accepted for consideration at the May and November Governing Board meetings. To be considered at those meetings, applications are due two weeks prior to the Board meetings, which are held the first Thursday of the month in May and November. Learn more about the program and how to apply at the link below.
Division of Outdoor Recreation Grants
The Division of Outdoor Recreation has many funding programs available that can be used to build new recreational infrastructure, maintain existing infrastructure, develop educational programming and other such projects that relate to recreation, conservation and community development. Here are a few of the programs available.
- Utah Outdoor Recreation Grant (UORG) – This is for new outdoor recreation infrastructure projects and helps communities build recreation amenities that support local economic development.
- OHV Recreation Grant (OHVR) – Open to cities, counties, and federal agencies — as well as nonprofit organizations. Provides assistance to sustain, enhance, and improve motorized recreation within Utah.
- Youth Engagement Grants – Provides high-quality, outdoor-focused learning experiences to Utah youth ages 6-18. This funding aims to teach youth the physical skills that can make outdoor recreation part of a healthy and active lifestyle.
- Recreation Restoration Infrastructure Grant (RRI) – RRI funds are awarded to restore high-use and high-priority trails or repair or replace other types of developed recreation infrastructure on public lands.
- Community Parks & Recreation Grant – The CPR Grant provides funding to aid in the rehabilitation and construction of assets such as community parks, sports fields, pools, and playgrounds.
- Recreational Trails Program (RTP) – The federally-funded RTP Grant has helped with non-motorized and motorized trail development and maintenance, trail educational programs, and trail-related environmental protection projects.
- Outdoor Recreation Mitigation Grant (ORMG) – Helps eligible Utah counties manage visitor-related impacts from outdoor recreation, tourism and visitation, including search and rescue, emergency response, law enforcement, waste management and road improvements.
- Land & Water Conservation Fund – A federally-funded program established to assist communities with the creation of high-quality, public outdoor recreation facilities.
- Utah Boating Recreation Grant – Provides funding to improve public boating access, safety and infrastructure across Utah, including boating facilities, shoreline protection, drought-related access improvements and search and rescue equipment.
- Boating Access Grant – Supports projects that improve or expand public boating access, helping communities maintain safe and functional facilities for boaters.
- Clean Vessel Act Grant – Provides funds for construction, renovation, operation and maintenance of pump-out stations and waste reception facilities for recreational boaters. Also supports educational programs that inform boaters of the importance of proper sewage disposal.
- Outdoor Recreation Planning Assistance – Technical assistance service created to help communities define outdoor recreation goals. The program helps communities build capacity at the local level by providing planning assistance, stakeholder and community engagement, and defining a plan of action.
Learn more about the DOR Grants programs and find more resources at their website
Additional Funding Resources
- A local 501(c)3 non-profit, the Jordan River Foundation is available to help Jordan River stakeholders secure funding for projects. Their mission is to “provide funding to preserve and enhance life and enjoyment of this community asset known as the Jordan River Parkway.”
- The JRC has compiled a List of Federal, State, Local, and Private Grant and Funding Sources available to help implement projects that implement the ideas of the Blueprint Jordan River.
This resource is a work in progress and we are continually working to fill informational holes. Due to the fact that grant information is constantly changing, this document may have links that are out of date or have incorrect information. Please research each opportunity yourself to ensure that you have the most current information.
- Additional resources for grants include:
Grant Writing Assistance
The Jordan River Commission staff is available to assist in grant writing for projects that help implement the Blueprint Jordan River. Resources available to our members and partners include:
- The JRC staff can assist you by providing complete grant writing and grant coordination and reporting. A small administrative fee may be added to particularly complex grant applications.
- The resource specialists on the JRC’s Technical Advisory Committee can provide draft grant proposal review assistance, helping to ensure you are using the most convincing technical language in your grant proposal, or by helping develop a proposed project from the ground up to meet the requirements of a funding opportunity.
In addition, the Jordan River Foundation has limited capacity to assist with project proposals as well, especially when a grant sources require funding through a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation.