Florida Communities Trust (FCT) Parks and Open Space Florida Forever grant program is a state land acquisition grant program that provides funding to Local Governments and eligible Nonprofit Environmental Organizations for acquisition of community-based parks, open spaces, and greenways that further outdoor recreation and natural resource protection needs identified in Local Government comprehensive plans.
Donor Name: Florida Department of Environmental Protection
State: Florida
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 01/19/2026
Size of the Grant: More than $1 million
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
Pursuant to the above referenced Florida Statutes and Florida Administrative Codes, along with, Chapter 2020-111, Section 5, Laws of Florida, the Florida Legislature intends that FCT emphasize funding projects in low-income or otherwise disadvantaged communities and projects that provide areas for direct water access and water-dependent facilities that are open to the public and offer public access by vessels to waters of the state, including boat ramps and associated parking and other support facilities. Also emphasized is the acquisition of lands for recreational trail system.
Funding Information
- A total of $6.8 million is available in funding for this application cycle.
- The total amount of any Award or combination of Awards applied for by any Local Government(s) or Nonprofit Environmental Organization(s) under any Application(s) or Partnership Application(s) for any project(s) shall not exceed five million dollars ($5,000,000.00) during any one cycle.
- A 25% minimum Match is required except for Awards to counties with a population of 75,000 or fewer, municipalities with a population of 10,000 or fewer, and qualified Nonprofit Environmental Organizations. Florida Forever Funds cannot be used as Match.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible applicants for the FCT Parks and Open Space Florida Forever grant program include:
- Local Governments,
- Eligible Nonprofit Environmental Organizations, or
- A partnership between a Local Government and Nonprofit Environmental Organization.
For more information, visit FDEP.
