The Virginia Outdoors Foundation seeks proposals for projects that protect new or expanded public access to open space, such as parks, preserves, trails, greenways, outdoor classrooms, beaches, and boat launches. Proposals may be submitted for both public and private lands.
Donor Name: Virginia Outdoors Foundation
State: Virginia
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 03/18/2026
Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
Established by the Virginia General Assembly in 1997 and administered by the Virginia Outdoors Foundation (VOF), the Open-Space Lands Preservation Trust Fund (PTF) provides grants for acquisitions, easements, and other methods of permanently protecting open space for farming, forestry, recreation, public access, wildlife, and water quality. 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.
Funding Information
In recent cycles, grant awards have averaged $150,000 per project.
Eligible Costs
- PTF grants may pay for costs associated with the conveyance of an interest, right, or privilege in open space under the Open-Space Land Act including fee-simple acquisition, public access rights of way, due diligence, legal and survey costs.
- The amount of a PTF grant must be substantiated by the value of the real estate interest being conveyed as shown by an assessment, appraisal, or other accepted methodology.
- No funds may be disbursed until the real estate interest is conveyed.
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.
