Land and Water Conservation Fund

Portal ID:
126555
Status:
Active
Opportunity Type:
  • Grant
Last Updated:

Details

Purpose:

Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grants provide funding for the acquisition or development of land to create new outdoor recreation opportunities for the health and wellness of Californians.  Since 1965, over one thousand parks throughout California have been created or improved with LWCF assistance.

 

Description:

Project applications must be for land acquisition or land development for outdoor public recreation access.

A minimum of 50% of the total project cost must come from matching sources.

Up to $6 million may be requested per project application.

Eligibility Requirements

Eligible Applicants:

  • Public Agency
  • Tribal Government

Must be local government public agencies or Federally Recognized Tribes.

 

Eligible Geographies:

Statewide

Matching Funding Requirement:

MATCH is no less than 50% of the TOTAL PROJECT COST. 

MATCH can range from 50% to 99% of the TOTAL PROJECT COST. 

The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) GRANT amount can fund no more than 50% of the TOTAL PROJECT COST. LWCF grant amount can range from 1% to 50% of the TOTAL PROJECT COST.

Important Dates

The date (and time, where applicable) by which all applications must be submitted to the grantmaker. Time listed as “00:00” equates to midnight.
The date on which the grantor expects to announce the recipient(s) of the grant.
Spring 2026
The length of time during which the grant money must be utilized.
3 years

Funding Details

The total projected dollar amount of the grant.
$35,000,000
A single grant opportunity may represent one or many awards. Some grantors may know in advance the exact number of awards to be given. Others may indicate a range. Some may wish to and wait until the application period closes before determining how many awards to offer; in this case, a value of “Dependent” will display.
Dependent
Grant opportunities representing multiple awards may offer awards in the same amount or in varied amounts. Some may wish to wait until the application period closes before determining per-award amounts; in this case, a value of “Dependent” will display.
Dependent
Certain grants require that the recipient(s) provide a letter of intent.
No
Certain grants require that the recipient(s) be able to fully or partially match the grant award amount with another funding source.
50%
The funding source allocated to fund the grant. It may be either State or Federal (or a combination of both), and be tied to a specific piece of legislation, a proposition, or a bond number.
  • Federal

Funding Source Notes:

This is a federal funding program through the National Park Service. The California Department of Parks and Recreation reviews proposed project applications then forwards recommended projects to the National Park Service. 

The manner in which the grant funding will be delivered to the awardee. Funding methods include reimbursements (where the recipient spends out-of-pocket and is reimbursed by the grantor) and advances (where the recipient spends received grant funds directly).
  • Reimbursement(s)

Funding Method Notes:

Reimbursement only. If awarded, the grantee must cash flow 100% of the project. 

How to Apply

State agencies/departments recommend you read the full grant guidelines before applying.

Resources

For questions about this grant, contact:
Xochi Prock, 1-916-215-2961, Xochi.Prock@parks.ca.gov