NATIONAL RECREATION FOUNDATION, INC

NRF is pleased to announce that Matthew Lunn has joined our team as Manager of Operations. Matt brings valuable experience to the role from his time working in the private sector, and we're delighted to have him on board. Welcome, Matt! https://lnkd.in/gqsYVzHX

The Watersmith Guild offers programming that teaches kids about paddle sports, watershed conservation, and documentary filmmaking. NRF funding supports its First Waves initiative, which addresses environmental justice issues in western Pennsylvania. Through the program, young people spend time on their local waterways, recreating and taking environmental action through water quality surveys, watershed clean-ups, and community film festivals. #AdventureRecreation #WatersmithGuild #EnvironmentalFilmmaking #HolisticGrantmaking #RiverSports #WatershedConservation #FirstWaves #Paddleboarding https://lnkd.in/gzE6rF6M

NRF targets funding and holistic support to organizations that are led by and serve Native Americans. River Newe, Generations Indigenous Ways, and Yellow Bird Life Ways are three grantees that are doing important work to promote environmental stewardship and cultural connection among Indigenous youth. We’re proud to be a small part of their stories. #ConnectiontoNature #IndigenousYouth #IntergenerationalLearning #KidsOutside #CulturalConnection #RiverNewe #GenerationsIndigenousWays #YellowBirdLifeWays https://lnkd.in/gRKRQje3

Research conducted as part of the Civic Empowerment Project shows that young people feel unprepared to engage in civic action. While students feel academic material does not set them up to create change, many find meaning and community in extracurricular activities. Funders like NRF need to continue promoting access to programs where youth can feel seen, heard, and valued. #CivicEmpowermentProject #EnvironmentalAction #YouthCivicEmpowerment #ExtracurricularActivities #philanthropy #YouthAction #YouthCivicAction #YouthTruth #CivicEngagement https://lnkd.in/gh3NaJiG

Congratulations to NRF grantee Refugee Education & Adventure CHallenge (REACH), which recently received international attention from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). UNHCR recognized REACH's nature-based integration programs as "essential for helping refugees find belonging and build connections." Congratulations Shana Wills and the whole REACH team! NRF is proud to support your work connecting newcomer youth in Chicago with nature and adventure. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gwunWaCZ About REACH: https://lnkd.in/gFXFb3ju #outdoorrecreation #youthdevelopment #belonging #newcomeryouth #adventureeducation https://lnkd.in/gzabSvWn

Effective storytelling is essential for mission-driven non-profits. Crafting a powerful story about your work can help attract funding, build community engagement, and boost participation numbers. Remember to tell stories that are people-focused and created in collaboration with your subjects. #InspiringAction #EffectiveCommunication #NonprofitStorytelling #CommunicationsStrategy #CommunityEngagement #EthicalStorytelling https://lnkd.in/gQJmcBHW

Fabulous to see the Camping to Connect program featured on the NBC Nightly News! Congratulations to Founder & CEO Manny Almonte, NRF's 2023 Crawford Prize recipient, and the whole Camping to Connect team. Camping to Connect, a youth program under the Young Masterminds Initiative nonprofit organization, was born out of a need to provide safe spaces where young men can clear their minds and build meaningful relationships; to be nurtured by nature; to transcend stereotypes and redefine what's possible. #OutdoorsForAll #YouthDevelopment #OutdoorRecreation #CampingToConnect #RethinkOutside https://lnkd.in/gzWzsymb To learn more about Camping to Connect, visit campingtoconnect.com.

Hispanic Heritage Month occurs annually from September 15 to October 15 and celebrates the many cultures and identities that shape the experiences of over 65 million Hispanic Americans. At NRF, we celebrate the amazing work our grantees are doing to support and empower Latinx youth across the U.S. #CenterofSouthwestCulture #NuestraTierra #OKCLatina #StoryRiders #TheSemillaProject #KidsinNature https://lnkd.in/gkS-P7Rj

Our food system is both contributing to and suffering from climate change. We are largely dependent on large-scale agricultural system for our global food supply. Food forests are a great alternative. They produce a range of crops, contribute to local ecosystem health, and are amazing natural classrooms for people of all ages. #climateaction #urbanfarming #climatechange #foodsecurity #foodforests #localagriculture https://lnkd.in/gAtbzG3k