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Open Space and Land Preservation Grant Program – Pennsylvania

The York County Community Foundation is seeking applications for its the Open Space and Land Preservation Grant Program to create a coordinated and connected landscape by preserving the agricultural economy, providing land for recreation, preserving natural habitats and protecting the waterways.

Donor Name: York County Community Foundation

State: Pennsylvania

County: York County (PA)

Type of Grant: Grant

Deadline: 09/30/2024

Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000

Grant Duration: 3 Years

Details:

The York County Open Space and Land Preservation Program is dedicated to helping communities and non-profit organizations around the County to preserve and protect open space that can be enjoyed by both current and future generations.

The York County Open Space and Land Preservation Grant Program can provide grant funding to municipalities, York County Parks Department and other County agencies, school districts, and charitable non-profit organizations with 501(c) status. Organizations should be in existence for at least five consecutive years.

Funding Information

  • Land Acquisition
    • The maximum annual grant request is $150,000.
    • Grant Period: Three- year.
  • Planning and Ordinance Assistance
    • The maximum annual grant request is $25,000.
    • Grant Period: Three- year.
  • Act 13 of 2012 – Marcellus Shale Legacy Funding
    • The maximum annual grant request is $40,000.
    • Grant Period: Three- year.

Eligible Activities 

Financial assistance under the York County Open Space and Land Preservation Grant Program fall under three separate categories: Land Acquisition; Planning and Ordinance Assistance; or Marcellus Shale Legacy funds. Each category and the eligible activities and applicants are discussed in more detail in the following sections.

  • Land Acquisition
    • Eligible Projects:
      • The York County Open Space and Land Preservation Grant Program will assist applicants with the purchase of properties that provide public access and one or more of the following benefits.
        • Natural Resource Protection – lands that protect the water or other natural resources or provide wildlife habitat.
        • Parkland – lands that provide active or passive recreational opportunities for current and future generations.
      • Grants may only be used to purchase land. Grants may not be used to acquire structures or improvements. Any land occupied by structures or future building sites must be subtracted from the total land area submitted for funding.
  • Planning and Ordinance Assistance
    • Eligible Projects: The York County Open Space and Land Preservation Grant Program will enable applicants to conduct planning studies, update comprehensive plans and ordinances to address the County Comprehensive Plan’s open space, land protection, sensitive natural features, and agricultural protection related goals and objectives.
    • Eligible Activities: The York County Open Space and Land Preservation Grant Program funds can be used to conduct planning studies and to develop portions of comprehensive plans and ordinances to address the County Comprehensive Plan’s open space, land protection, sensitive natural features, and agricultural protection related goals and objectives. The following activities are eligible:
      • Comprehensive Plans- new plans or amendments to existing plans
      • Zoning Ordinances – new ordinances or amendments to existing ordinances
      • Subdivision and Land Development Ordinances – new ordinances or amendments to existing ordinances
      • Official Map Ordinances – new ordinances or amendments to existing ordinances
      • Special Plans – i.e. revitalization, park master plan, open space/park/recreation plan, natural resource protection plan, etc.
      • Other planning tasks as deemed eligible.
  • Act 13 of 2012 – Marcellus Shale Legacy Funding
    • Eligible Projects:
      • The York County Open Space and Land Preservation Grant Program – Marcellus Shale Legacy funds will assist applicants with planning, acquisition, development, rehabilitation and repair of greenways, recreational trails, open space, natural areas, community conservation and beautification projects, community and heritage parks and water resource management. Funds may be used to acquire lands for recreational or conservation purposes and land damaged or prone to drainage by storms or flooding.
      • Even though these funds can also be used for planning and acquisition, priority will be given to the development, rehabilitation and repair projects. Efforts will be made to select a variety of projects that are disbursed throughout the County. Projects related to park, recreational and trail improvements that are funded with Marcellus Shale Legacy funds, shall be open to and accessible to the public.

Eligibility Criteria 

The following entities are eligible to apply for funding under the York County Open Space and Land Preservation Grant Program:

  • Any municipality in York County, PA. Multi-municipal applications are eligible and encouraged.
  • Charitable Non-profit Organizations with 501(c) status that have an identified focus on natural resource protection, land preservation, parks/recreation, or conservation. Organizations should be in existence for at least five consecutive years. Any Non-profit with 501(c) status can apply for Marcellus Shale Legacy Funds.
  • York County Parks Department
  • Other County Agencies – Marcellus Shale Funding only
  • School Districts – Marcellus Shale Funding only.

For more information, visit York County Planning Commission.

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