The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is accepting applications for its Land Conservation Assistance Grant Program.
Donor Name: Commonwealth of Massachusetts
State: Massachusetts
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 04/30/2026
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) protects, conserves, and restores the natural resources of the Commonwealth. This program assists municipalities, 501(c)(3) conservation organizations, tribal governments, conservation districts, water or fire districts or other public water suppliers in securing services necessary to achieve property transactions that will result in the permanent protection of land. Applications will be reviewed, and funding will be provided, to approved eligible applicants on a first-come, first-served basis. This program is a component of the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s goal of increasing the pace of land protection to address climate change, achieve the goals of the Clean Energy & Climate Plans for 2030 and 2050, and to improve access to greenspaces and outdoor recreational opportunities. It is part of a longstanding tradition of protecting the Commonwealth’s rich natural heritage for generations yet to come.
Funding Information
This grant reimburses 90% of approved project expenses up to the following amounts:
- Grant application preparation assistance: up to $5,000 per grant for grant writing/preparation; up to $5,000 per grant for appraisal (if applicable); up to $10,000 in total per grant application.
- Open Space and Recreation Plan assistance: up to $25,000 per plan.
- Other eligible consultant/contractor services: up to $50,000 per project
Eligible applicants may apply for funding for one or more projects, services, or deliverables, including applications for regional projects with neighboring communities; however, the maximum award amount is$60,000 per applicant per grant round.
Eligible Projects
- Municipalities, 501(c)3 conservation organizations, tribal governments, conservation districts, water or fire districts and other public water suppliers may seek funding to hire contractors or consultants for any, or a combination, of the following project types:
- Assist with preparing a grant application to municipal, state, or federal funding programs and private foundations, including DCS grant programs, for land conservation, acquisition of land for eligible outdoor recreation projects, or park development/renovation.
- Complete some or all of the steps involved in land transactions for the acquisition of a fee interest in land or a Conservation Restriction (CR), Watershed Protection Restriction (WPR), or Agricultural Preservation Restriction (APR) for the protection of conservation values.
Eligibility Criteria
- Massachusetts Municipalities, qualified 501(c)(3) conservation organizations that have been formed for one of the purposes described of the General Laws, tribal governments, conservation districts, and water or fire districts and other public water suppliers. Qualified 501(c)(3) organizations that have been formed for one of the purposes described in Section 4
- Tribal governments
- Conservation districts in compliance with sections 19 through 24 inclusive of G.L. Chapter 21.
- Water districts, fire districts and other public water suppliers or Selectboards acting as such.
For more information, visit Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
