About the Virginia Wildlife Grant Program
The Virginia Wildlife Grant Program is a joint effort of the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) and the Wildlife Foundation of Virginia (WFV). It provides funding to organizations with a common mission of connecting people to the outdoors and supports activities such as archery, boating/paddling, fishing, hunting/recreational shooting, and wildlife viewing. The grant prioritizes programs that are aligned with DWR’s R3 Plan as well as the Inclusive Excellence Plan.
Through a partnership with the Wildlife Foundation of Virginia, funds to support the Virginia Wildlife Grant Program come from:
- Round-up on purchases at Go Outdoors Virginia
- The sale of merchandise at Go Outdoors Virginia
- Direct contributions from corporations and individuals
- Fundraising events
Virginia Wildlife Grant History
Since 2014:
- Nearly 80,000 Participants
- Over $1 million in Awards
- Funding for 270 Projects
2026 Grant Awardees
The 2026 grant program gave out approximately $100,000 to organizations connecting people to the outdoors. Grant applications were divided among two development award areas:
- Start-up: This award area is for new or emerging programs or organizations (less than 2 years) that are establishing themselves and looking to add new programs or opportunities to get people outdoors.
- Growth: This award area is for developed or established programs or organizations (2+ years) that are looking to add new programs or initiatives to support the work they are already doing to connect people to the outdoors.
| Awardee | Project Title | Primary Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Amherst County Recreation, Tourism, and Cultural Development | Paddle Mill Creek: Amherst County Community Kayak Access Initiative | Boating Growth |
| Dinwiddie 4-H - Top Shots Shooting Club | Top Shots Shooting Range Improvements | Recreational Shooting Growth |
| Friends of Reston (FoR) | Reston Wildlife Viewing Expansion | Wildlife Viewing Growth |
| Impact Living Services | Impact Outside | Fishing Start-up |
| James River Association | 2026 Wildlife Viewing Summer Camps | Wildlife Viewing Growth |
| Jamestown 4-H Educational Center | Nature Neighbors: Connecting Youth to Virginia Wildlife | Wildlife Viewing Start-up |
| Kids Outdoor Zone@ Broadus Memorial Baptist Church, Hebron Campus | Outfitting Kids Outdoor Zone Youth for Deer Hunting 2026 | Hunting Start-up |
| Manahoac Bowmen | Expanding Archery Training and Availability | Archery Growth |
| Northern Neck Sail & Power Squadron | Waves of Wellness: Boating, Nature and Community Connection | Boating Start-up |
| Peake Adventures | Valley Pescadores | Fishing Growth |
| Split Nocks Archers | 3D expansion | Archery Start-up |
| The Mayfly Project, Richmond, Virginia | Leading Youth in Foster Care to the Outdoors in Richmond, Virginia with Fly Fishing and Mentorship | Fishing Start-up |
| Truly Outdoors / Eritrean Muslim American Network for Youth and Professionals | Archery for All! | Archery Start-up |
| Virginia Beach Adaptive Watersports | Adaptive Watersports: Waterskiing, Tubing, Boat Rides | Boating Growth |
| Virginia Piedmont Chapter of Quail Forever | Youth Introduction to Quail Hunting | Hunting Start-up |
| Virginia Trappers Association | Trapping Education | Hunting Start-up |
About the Better Together Partners
Through a multiyear partnership and as an extension of the Virginia Wildlife Grant Program, DWR is funding four organizations that have received grant funding over multiple years. Through this three-year partnership, the aligned organizations will develop opportunities for storytelling, engaging new audiences, and promoting conservation through outdoor recreation.
Backwoods Warriors
Mission Statement: For the Next Generation: Backwoods Warriors is dedicated to fostering a community where youth, veterans, and first-time hunters thrive. Through outreach and mentorship, Backwoods Warriors provides the foundation for the next generation of ethical hunters to build an everlasting connection with the outdoors. Ensuring hunting heritage lives on for generations to come.
Beyond Boundaries
Mission Statement: Beyond Boundaries' offers individuals of all ability levels, no matter physical, cognitive, or economic situation, the opportunity to experience outdoor activities with the surrounding community.
James River Women
Mission Statement: James River Women is dedicated to supporting and promoting the inclusion of FTWN-B paddlers within the whitewater community. James River Women belongs to everyone and is for everyone. It is an open group that supports growth in the whitewater paddling community and is totally free. The goal of this group is to rewrite the narrative of who belongs in this sport — the answer is everyone…
Shenandoah Reel Women
Mission Statement: Shenandoah Reel Women’s mission is to gather women of all ages to the river — to learn, share and empower each other.
From Our Awardees:
“This grant elevated the program to heights we couldn't have dreamed of last year. Our program was able to nearly double in size thanks to the equipment we were able to purchase, as this allowed us to accept participants who did not have the means to obtain their own...We have been able to build up a core community around archery on campus, with many people coming into it brand new who have grown to be dedicated to the sport.”
— Club Archery at George Mason, Primary Grant Activity: Archery, Grant Year: 2023
Interested in Supporting the Grant?
For those companies or individuals interested in supporting or partnering with the Virginia Wildlife Grant Program, please contact Kelsey Steenburgh, Kelsey.Steenburgh@dwr.virginia.gov.
