Conservation Futures application process 

Apply for Conservation Futures funding to add parks and open spaces to your community

The application round for 2025 funding will open on November 6, 2023. Applications are due February 12, 2024.

CFT grants are used to buy or conserve parks and open spaces. These open spaces are used for passive recreation such as urban greenspaces, natural areas, forests, community gardens, farms, and trails. We may be able to partner on green stormwater acquisitions or create parks near affordable housing. CFT funding is provided to governmental agencies and eligible nature conservancy or historic preservation nonprofits. Community groups or individuals can partner on projects with local agencies and eligible nonprofits.

In communities that have been under-served with open space investments, CFT funding may be able to cover 100% of the acquisition costs for some projects. Please visit the match waiver page for details.

Application materials:

• CFT Application Guidance
• Projects Applying for Acquisition and Site Stabilization Cost Funding: download both of the following documents (materials will be posted by November 2023)
  • CFT application for 2025 funding
  • CFT funding request table
• Projects Applying for Site Stabilization Cost (SSC) Funding Only: download both of the following documents (materials will be posted by November 2023)
  • CFT application for 2025 Funding – Site Stabilization Costs Only
  • CFT SSC funding request table

Additional references:

• Schedule
• Conservation Futures Program manual
• Application evaluation criteria and general conditions
• Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
• Match waiver information
• Conservation Futures flyer

Optional help

General project support

Please email Ingrid Lundin to discuss your project - highly recommended for first-time applicants; nonprofits; match waiver requests; land match projects; projects with areas not eligible for CFT.

Workshops

Attend a Conservation Futures Application Workshop to learn how Conservation Futures funding can help buy parks and open spaces for your community. Workshops are held on Zoom and advanced registration is required. The same material is covered in each workshop. Get the workshop handout.

• Workshop #1: Wednesday, November 15, 2023 (1-3 pm) Register
• Workshop #2: Thursday, December 7, 2023 (6-8 pm) Register
• Workshop #3: Thursday, January 11, 2024 (1-3 pm) Register

If you can’t join one of these sessions, you can view a recording of an applicant workshop:

• Workshop recording (English language captions) (see workshop handout)
• Workshop recording (subtítulos en Español) (folleto en Español)

Technical assistance

We are pleased to have consultants providing grant-writing technical assistance to applicants. Our consultants can support applicants in the grant writing process. To request help please email Ingrid Lundin with requests for grant-writing technical assistance. To manage workload, please try to reach out early, and no later than January 12.

Translations

Email Ingrid Lundin with requests for interpretation and translation.