Grants & Awards

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Alliance Grants

Maine Land Trust Excellence Program
The Maine Land Trust Excellence Program will provide grants for services of up to $18,000 to 20 qualified land trusts in Maine, to support preparation for accreditation. Applications for the final round of grants will be available in the spring of 2010, with decisions to be made in the late summer.  For more information about the program, including a full description, applications and related materials, and contact information please visit the Maine Land Trust Excellence Program website hosted by the Maine Land Trust Network http://mltn.org/resources/mep.html.

Guided Organizational Assessment Cost-Share Grant
Deadline: none
These cost-share grants of $1,000 to $2,000 (which require the recipient land trust to contribute in the range of $250-$1500, depending on complexity,) will be awarded for professional assistance from Alliance staff or counselors for guiding an Organizational Assessment. Remember that a requirement for Accreditation is an Organizational Assessment against the full Land Trust Standards and Practices within 3 years prior to applying for Accreditation. The assessment process helps the land trust evaluates its performance, determine its conformance to Land Trust Standards and Practices' operational procedures, and identifies areas needed in program improvement to qualify for accreditation.  Contact us for more detailed information about guided Organizational Assessments and our cost-share grants and available counselors to guide the assessment process. Download application

Land Trust Program Improvement Grant
Deadline: none
These cost-share grants (reduced this year to no more than $2,500, until such time when the Land Trust Alliance may secure new funding resources,) will be awarded to help land trusts selected for the Mentoring Program, improve their operational proficiencies based on priority needs identified by assessments of their operational Standards and Practices. They are primarily intended to help land trusts advance to higher levels of conservation program excellence and to prepare themselves for Land Trust Accreditation. Outcomes of these grants are for enhancement of the land trust’s operations and land protection/stewardship programs to bring them in closer adherence to Land Trust Standards and Practices.  Contact us for more detailed information about our Mentoring Program and associated cost-share agreements.  Download application

Strategic Conservation Planning in Priority Watersheds
Deadline: none
A few cost-share grants ($3,500 to $7,500) will be awarded to help land trusts develop collaborative alliances with other conservation organizations and devise conservation plans within high priority watersheds and critical freshwater ecosystems, which identify and map places of top priority for protection, and establish partnerships to implement the protection plans.  Contact us for more detailed information about availability and specific requirements and application instructions for these demonstration projects. Download application

Regional Grants

Open Space Institute Saving New Engalnd's Wildlife Grants
Letters of Intent Due: November 8th, 2010, 5:00pm
The Open Space Institute (OSI) is pleased to announce a third grant round for Saving New England's Wildlife. OSI launched Saving New England's Wildlife in 2009 thanks to an inspired and generous grant from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. To date the program has helped land trusts and communities in Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts conserve critical wildlife habitat identified in State Wildlife Action Plans. These conserved lands provide refuge for New England's most significant and declining wildlife, while also safeguarding clean water, scenic vistas and productive forests. In addition, OSI's amplification grantees are increasing support and funding for wildlife conservation through community involvement, education of state legislators, public opinion research and targeted public outreach. Interested non-profit conservation organizations and agencies are invited to submit a Letter of Intent for capital and non-capital grants (amplification grants). Please note that the application process, including the deadlines, is different for the two types of grants. For more information visit OSI's website.

GOCO Spring 2010 Grant Cycle
The State Board of the Great Outdoors Colorado Trust Fund is pleased to announce its next round of competitive grant cycles. The Board will be accepting applications for Conservation Excellence, Local Parks and Outdoor Recreation (LPOR), Mini, Open Space and Planning grants. Please visit www.goco.org for details on deadline dates and the schedule of LPOR Grant Writing Workshops.

Southern Forests Network (Southeast)
The Southern Forests Network is seeking land trust partners to facilitate sustainable forest management. SFN has begun providing certification for family forestlands and small wood products facilities in the Southeast and seeks to work with any land trusts which wants to explore utilizing Forest Stewardship Council certification as a tool for ensuring sustainable management and monitoring on "working" forestlands. SFN is developing new resources for forest health monitoring and forest carbon sales; and has begun utilizing GIS to facilitate conservation planning for working forestlands. If you are interested in partnering with the Southern Forests Network, contact Alyx Perry at 828-277-9008 or through www.southernforestsnetwork.org.

Pacific Forest and Watershed Lands Stewardship Council Seeks Proposals for Youth Investment Programs (CA)
Deadline: Various
In 2008 the Stewardship Council will grant between a total of $2 million and $2.5 million in funding to improve the lives of underserved youth in northern and central California by providing greater access to outdoor experiences -- from urban parks in the city to watersheds in the wilderness. In 2008, there are four different grant rounds -- three rounds focused on outdoor and environmental education programs and one on building parks and playgrounds.

California Wildlands Grassroots Fund
Deadline: Always open
Applications for grants of up to $5,000 each from the California Wildlands Grassroots Fund for projects that protect and preserve ecosystems, plants, natural landscapes, wildlands, and wildlife in California. Program details

More than $6 Million Available in Great Lakes
Deadline: Always open
Land trusts and public agencies in the eight-state Great Lakes basin can apply to The Conservation Fund for interim funding to purchase land or conservation easements to protect coastal and freshwater sites of high ecological significance. Application forms are available from Michael Kelly, Great Lakes Office, The Conservation Fund, PO Box 734, Bay City, MI 48707, 989-892-9171, fax: 989-892-9172, kellym@conservationfund.org

Shell Marine Habitat Program - Gulf of Mexico (AL, FL, LA, MS, TX)
Deadline: Proprosals due April 1 and September 1, Final proposals due June 1 and November 1
Grants from $50,000 to $200,000 each will support projects that protect and restore wetland habitats in and around the Gulf of Mexico. Priority will be given to projects that offer volunteer opportunities or education programs and to those that focus on preserving marine species native to the U.S. Southeast.  Program details

National Grants

ARRA Stimulus Opportunities for Coastal Habitat Enhancement, Restoration and Improvement and Partners for Fish and Wildlife Programs
The following are two new programs being administered by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).  The maximum grant amount for each program is $25,000.
Recovery Act - Coastal
Recovery Act - Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program

Norcross Wildlife Foundation Loan Fund for Land Protection
Deadline: Always open
In an effort to facilitate the land conservation work of grassroots organizations across the country, The Norcross Wildlife Foundation is offering a rare source of financial support. Loans are available for the purpose of acquiring interests in land that contains priority wildlife habitat. More information