Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s Outdoor Fund – Local Impact Grants (Rolling Applications)

Grants Up to $5,000 for Wildlife Conservation, Habitat Protection, and Outdoor Recreation Access

The Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s Outdoor Fund provides Local Impact Grants of up to $5,000 to nonprofit organizations, municipalities, and public institutions working to conserve wildlife and habitat or connect new audiences to the outdoors.

The program supports specific projects, programs, and community events that benefit communities near Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s retail locations throughout the United States and Canada.

Examples of eligible projects include youth fishing clinics, adaptive kayak launches, outdoor equipment libraries, and local trail maintenance initiatives.

Applications are accepted year-round, and partial funding may be awarded.

Application Timeline: Rolling / Ongoing

Organization: Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s Outdoor Fund
Support Type: Conservation and outdoor recreation grants
Geographic Focus: United States and Canada, near Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s retail locations
Funding Amount: Up to $5,000

About the Funder

The Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s Outdoor Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing conservation and outdoor recreation across North America.

The Fund is supported by customer contributions made through Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s retail locations.

Under the leadership of Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris, the company and its charitable partners support wildlife conservation, habitat protection, outdoor recreation, and efforts to introduce new generations to nature.

The Outdoor Fund works with nonprofit organizations and conservation partners to support projects that protect natural resources and expand opportunities for people to experience the outdoors.

Its Local Impact Grants Program focuses on community-based initiatives near Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s stores.

What This Program Supports

Local Impact Grants focus on two primary conservation priorities.

Wildlife & Habitat Conservation

The Outdoor Fund supports projects that protect wildlife, restore habitat, and improve the health of natural ecosystems.

Potential activities include:

• Wildlife habitat restoration
• Conservation education
• Habitat improvement projects
• Wildlife protection initiatives
• Local conservation stewardship
• Community-based conservation activities
• Trail maintenance supporting conservation and responsible outdoor access

Projects should demonstrate clear environmental benefits and meaningful community involvement.

Connecting New Audiences to the Outdoors

The Fund also supports initiatives that introduce new participants to outdoor recreation and help communities develop lasting connections with nature.

Potential activities include:

• Youth fishing clinics
• Outdoor education programs
• Programs teaching outdoor recreation skills
• Accessible outdoor recreation initiatives
• Adaptive outdoor activities
• Equipment libraries that expand outdoor access
• Community events introducing participants to nature

The program is particularly relevant to organizations removing barriers to outdoor participation.

Examples of Eligible Projects

Bass Pro Shops specifically identifies the following examples:

Youth Fishing Clinics

Programs introducing children and young people to fishing, conservation, and responsible outdoor recreation.

Adaptive Kayak Launches

Projects improving access to kayaking for people with disabilities. Applicants should note that the program excludes construction and building costs, so proposed accessibility improvements must comply with those restrictions.

Outdoor Gear Libraries

Equipment purchases that allow organizations to lend outdoor recreation gear to community members.

Local Trail Maintenance

Projects maintaining existing trails and supporting safe, responsible outdoor access.

These examples illustrate the types of projects the Outdoor Fund seeks to support.

Eligible Support Types

Local Impact Grants may support:

• Specific conservation projects
• Outdoor education programs
• Community outdoor recreation initiatives
• Equipment purchases for qualifying programs
• Trail maintenance
• Habitat improvement activities
• Community events directly aligned with conservation or outdoor access

Funding must be tied to a defined project, program, or community event.

The program does not provide unrestricted general operating support.

Eligibility & Preferences

United States Applicants

Eligible organizations include:

• IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations
• Organizations with another qualifying IRS 501(c) determination
• Municipalities
• Public institutions

Canadian Applicants

Eligible organizations include:

• Provincially registered nonprofit organizations
• Municipalities
• Public institutions
• Organizations registered as charities with the Canada Revenue Agency

Project Eligibility

Proposed projects must:

• Benefit communities near Bass Pro Shops or Cabela’s retail locations
• Align with wildlife and habitat conservation or connecting new audiences to the outdoors
• Have a clearly defined project, program, or community event
• Be ready for implementation rather than remaining in the design or development phase
• Use awarded grant funds within one calendar year of the funding date

Applicants should explain how their project will benefit local communities and advance the Fund’s conservation priorities.

Geographic Eligibility – United States and Canada

The Local Impact Grants Program supports projects serving communities near Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s retail stores.

The Fund does not publish a fixed list of eligible states, provinces, cities, or distance limits.

Applicants should identify their nearest retail location and demonstrate how the proposed project will benefit the surrounding community.

Organizations do not need to be located in the same city as a retail store, but their project should have a clear local connection.

Find Bass Pro Shops Locations: https://stores.basspro.com/

Find Cabela’s Locations: https://stores.cabelas.com/

Ineligible Requests

The Outdoor Fund explicitly does not support:

• Fundraising events
• Fundraising banquets
• Merchandise or items intended to be given away to event participants
• General operating support
• Capital campaigns
• Endowments
• Construction costs
• Building costs
• Projects still in the design or development phase
• ATV requests
• UTV requests
• Boat requests

Important Distinction: Fundraising Events

Organizations seeking merchandise or gift cards for fundraising banquets, raffles, auctions, or giveaways should apply through the separate Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s Fundraising Events and Giveaway Donations Program.

The Local Impact Grants Program is intended for conservation and outdoor-access projects rather than fundraising support.

Funding Amounts

Maximum Grant Amount: $5,000

The Outdoor Fund accepts requests of up to $5,000.

Partial funding may be awarded.

The Fund does not publish a minimum grant amount.

Organizations should develop a realistic project budget and clearly explain how the requested funds will be used.

Grant Spending Requirement

All awarded funds must be used within one calendar year of the funding date.

Applicants should propose projects that can be implemented and completed within this timeframe.

Projects requiring extensive preliminary planning, construction, or multiyear development are unlikely to fit the program’s requirements.

Timeline & Review

📅 Application Timeline: Rolling / Ongoing

📅 Application Deadline: No fixed deadline published

📅 Funding Period: Grant funds must be used within one calendar year

📅 Review Period: No specific Local Impact Grant review timeline published

Applications are accepted throughout the year.

The Outdoor Fund does not publish a fixed annual application cycle or deadline for Local Impact Grants.

Organizations should submit requests well before their proposed project start date to allow sufficient time for review.

Applicants should also ensure that their project can use all awarded funding within one calendar year.

Application / Request Process

Applications must be submitted through the Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s Outdoor Fund online Benevity application.

Step 1: Confirm Organizational Eligibility

Verify that the organization qualifies as an eligible nonprofit, municipality, or public institution in the United States or Canada.

Step 2: Confirm Geographic Alignment

Identify the nearest Bass Pro Shops or Cabela’s retail location.

Explain how the proposed project will benefit the surrounding community.

Step 3: Identify the Conservation Priority

Projects must align with at least one of the following:

• Conserving Wildlife and Habitat
• Connecting New Audiences to the Outdoors

Applicants should clearly explain the connection between the project and the selected priority.

Step 4: Develop the Project Plan

Prepare a description of the proposed project, including:

• Project goals and activities
• Geographic location
• Target participants or beneficiaries
• Expected conservation or outdoor recreation benefits
• Project timeline
• Requested grant amount
• Proposed use of funds

Projects should be sufficiently developed to begin implementation if funding is awarded.

Step 5: Prepare the Project Budget

Develop a budget demonstrating how the requested funds will support eligible project expenses.

The maximum request is $5,000.

Applicants should exclude construction costs, general operating expenses, fundraising events, and other prohibited uses.

Step 6: Submit the Online Application

Complete the Benevity application.

Applicants can start a new application or return to an existing application through the portal.

Organizations should retain their application link and any submission confirmation for their records.

Apply / Learn More: https://forms.benevity.org/2f693700-44e9-4e6b-a57e-c5372c958a7f

Official Program Guidelines: https://about.basspro.com/community/support/

Bass Pro Shops Store Locator: https://stores.basspro.com/

Cabela’s Store Locator: https://stores.cabelas.com/

Why This Opportunity Is a Good Fit

Local Impact Grants are particularly well suited for organizations that:

• Work in wildlife or habitat conservation
• Provide youth outdoor education
• Introduce underserved communities to outdoor recreation
• Expand accessible outdoor opportunities
• Operate outdoor equipment lending programs
• Maintain existing recreational trails
• Organize conservation-focused community activities
• Serve communities near Bass Pro Shops or Cabela’s retail locations
• Have a defined project that can be implemented within one year
• Need up to $5,000 for eligible project expenses

The program offers an accessible funding opportunity for smaller, community-based conservation and outdoor recreation initiatives.

Its relatively modest grant size and rolling application process make it particularly relevant to organizations with clearly defined, implementation-ready projects.

Applicants should carefully distinguish eligible project costs from prohibited construction, fundraising, and general operating expenses.

Corporate Grants Guide Notes

Review Type: Rolling / Ongoing
Maximum Grant Amount: $5,000
Partial Awards: Possible
Funding Period: All grant funds must be used within one calendar year
Geographic Focus: Communities near Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s retail locations in the United States and Canada
Primary Focus Areas: Wildlife and habitat conservation; outdoor access and participation
Best Suited For: Conservation nonprofits, outdoor education organizations, municipalities, public institutions, and community-based outdoor recreation programs
Key Restriction: No general operating support, construction, capital campaigns, fundraising events, or projects still in development