As the holiday season approaches, organizations and communities are preparing for Giving Tuesday—a global day of giving and philanthropy. For many nonprofits and grassroots initiatives, this day provides an opportunity to rally support and secure vital funding, particularly for programs that connect kids with the outdoors.
The key to a successful Giving Tuesday campaign isn’t just passion—it’s strategy. Clear goals and thoughtful planning can transform ideas into impactful action. In this blog, we’ll explore how grants and strategic goal setting can help outdoor programs grow and thrive.
How Grants Support and Expand Outdoor Programs
Outdoor programs provide kids with opportunities for physical activity, environmental education, and meaningful community experiences. However, sustaining and expanding these initiatives takes more than enthusiasm—it requires funding. Grants are a powerful tool to ensure these programs have the financial resources to succeed. Grants can help organizations:
- Increase program capacity, allowing more kids to participate.
- Extend outdoor experiences, fostering deeper connections with nature.
- Develop innovative initiatives, introducing new programming that wouldn’t be possible otherwise.
While grants are invaluable, the application process can feel overwhelming. That’s where setting SMART goals—specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound—can make all the difference, providing a clear roadmap to success.
The Power of SMART Goals in Grant Applications
Clear, actionable goals are key to both program success and compelling grant applications. Using the SMART framework—Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Timely—helps your organization articulate its vision and track progress effectively. Applying SMART Goals to Your Outdoor Program
- Specific: Define clear, focused objectives that align with your mission. For example:
Instead of: "We want to engage more kids."
Set: "We aim to increase youth participation in our outdoor program by 20% in six months." - Measurable: Include metrics to track progress, such as funds raised or participants engaged. For instance:
"We aim to raise $10,000 to support outdoor education programs." - Attainable: Ensure goals are ambitious but realistic, considering your resources and capacity. Stretch your organization without overextending it.
- Relevant: Align goals with your mission. For an environmental education program, a relevant goal might be:
"Develop a new curriculum for 50 local students to deepen their connection to nature." - Timely: Set deadlines to maintain focus and momentum. For example: "Submit the grant application by the end of next month."
Using the SMART framework ensures your goals are actionable and meaningful, making your grant applications more persuasive and your programs more impactful.
How Grants Enhance Goal Setting
Grants often require a clear outline of your program's goals and impact, making effective goal setting essential. Funders need to see how their support will create measurable results. By presenting well-defined SMART goals, you not only strengthen your program’s foundation but also help funders clearly understand how their investment will be utilized. Grants also provide the resources and flexibility needed to achieve these goals. Whether you're looking to:
- Hire additional staff
- Expand to new locations
- Offer scholarships to participants
- Build a gear library or lending program
- Supply gear to participants
Grants can turn these aspirations into concrete outcomes.
The Grant Application Journey: Tips for Success
Navigating the grant application process can be challenging, especially if you're new to it. Hearing from others who have successfully applied for grants can provide valuable insights. We recently partnered with Hartley Nature Preschool in Duluth, MN, to support their grant application process. Our team at Outdoor School Shop (ODSS) curated a gear list tailored to their outdoor programs, allowing Hartley to include a detailed purchase order and total gear cost with their application. This preplanning helped them avoid surprises and present a clear budget, demonstrating exactly how the funds would be used. At ODSS, we specialize in preplanning bulk gear requests to ensure availability and alignment with your program’s needs. By understanding how you intend to use the gear, we help you maximize your grant dollars through thoughtful budgeting and advanced planning. In Hartley’s case, we also provided a "letter of support," which Hartley highlighted as a crucial component of their application. According to Hartley Nature Center:
The letter provided three key benefits:
- It demonstrated that we have invested partners, enhancing our credibility with the granting agency.
- ODSS offered an in-kind donation within the letter, which further strengthened our application.
- Many grants, including this one, require matching funds. In-kind donations like ODSS’s contribution helped us meet the required match and leverage the grant funding.
Congratulations to the Hartley Nature Center team for their successful efforts to foster joyful, lasting connections to nature. They recently kicked off a fundraising campaign with Give to the Max Day, clearly communicating their goals to inspire support. At ODSS, we’re always here to help you achieve your goals. Whether you need assistance with budgeting, gear planning, or grant support, we’re happy to contribute. Learn more about Hartley’s work and their Give to the Max Day efforts here.
Unsure Where to Start?
Many organizations struggle to navigate the grant application process. Here’s a simple guide to help you get started:
- Research Funding Opportunities
- Identify grants that align with your mission. Review eligibility requirements and note submission deadlines.
- Develop a Clear Proposal
- Build your proposal around SMART goals. Include a detailed budget, clear objectives, and a plan for how the funds will support your goals.
- Gather Support Materials
- Prepare required documents like letters of support, data on past successes, and community testimonials in advance to streamline the application process.
- Submit and Follow Up
- Submit your application on time, then follow up with the funder to confirm receipt and stay informed about the decision timeline.
- When You Hear Back
- Celebrate your success if you receive the grant! If not, use any feedback provided to improve your next application and keep moving forward.
With persistence and preparation, you’ll be better equipped to secure funding for your organization.
Join the Conversation on Giving Tuesday
We’d love to hear how grants, goal setting, and Giving Tuesday have impacted your program. How did you set your goals? What strategies helped with your grant application? And how has this process brought you closer to your mission of getting more kids outdoors? If you’re interested in sharing your story or tips for navigating the grant process, we’d love to feature your insights in our upcoming content. Your experiences can inspire and guide other organizations looking to improve their funding strategies. With Giving Tuesday around the corner, it’s a great time to reflect on the impact your program can have with the right resources—and how thoughtful goal setting and strategic grants can help make it happen. Let’s work together to create more opportunities for kids to explore the outdoors. Reach out if you’d like to contribute your story or have questions about grants or goal setting. Together, we can amplify the impact of outdoor programs and inspire the next generation of environmental stewards.
— The Outdoor School Shop Team
Jenny, Gina, Ruth, Amanda, & Alyssa