The Virginia Outdoors Foundation (VOF) is seeking applications for the Open-Space Lands Preservation Trust Fund (OLPTF), which provides grants for acquisitions, easements, and other methods of permanently protecting open space for farming, forestry, recreation, public access, wildlife habitat, and water quality.
Donor Name: Virginia Outdoors Foundation
State: Virginia
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 07/28/2025
Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
A right, privilege, or interest in real estate must be conveyed to VOF or a locality pursuant to Virginia’s Open-Space Land Act to be eligible for PTF funding. Land already protected through existing deed restrictions, such as an open-space easement, may not be eligible.
In addition to grants for land protection, VOF also provides Easement Assistance grants, which are income-based cost-share assistance grants to landowners conveying an open-space easement to VOF or to a locality. These grants can cover legal, appraisal, and other costs associated with conveying an open space easement.
Funding Information
The amount of funding available for each grant round is determined annually. In recent cycles, grant awards have averaged $150,000 per project.
Eligible Costs
PTF grants may pay for any costs associated with the conveyance of an interest, right, or privilege in open space to VOF, a locality, or an approved eligible holder under the Open-Space Land Act including fee-simple acquisition, development rights, public access rights of way, legal costs, and survey costs. Components critical for public use of the land may be included as part of the grant request. Priority will be given to land protection projects that are ready for implementation. The total amount of impervious surface will be capped, and project sites that are not good candidates for PTF funding.
Eligibility Criteria
PTF grants may be awarded to any person, organization, or locality with a real estate interest to convey on either public or private land. Land already under ownership of the applicant may be eligible for PTF funding as long as the parcel is not already protected through existing deed restrictions.
For more information, visit VOF.
