Grant Resources

A few grant opportunities and contact information are listed here for quick reference. We will update this page as new information becomes available.

National Fish and Wildlife Foundation

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation offers two types of grant programs:

• General Matching Grant Program
  The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation funds projects to conserve and restore fish, wildlife, and native plants through matching grant programs. The Foundation awards matching grants to projects that address priority actions promoting fish and wildlife conservation and the habitats on which they depend, works proactively to involve other conservation and community interests, leverages Foundation-provided funding, and evaluates project outcomes. Federal, state, and local governments, educational institutions, and nonprofit organizations are welcome to apply for a general matching grant throughout the year, using the General Matching Grant Guidelines.

• Special Grant Programs
  In addition to the general matching grant, the Foundation administers a number of special grant programs with specific guidelines and time-lines. If your project does not meet the criteria of any program described below, please consider applying under the general matching grant program. Also, please note, if your project is not funded under the grant program for which it was submitted, Foundation staff may move your project to the general matching grant program or a different special grant program if it has the potential of being funded under it. Program deadlines are listed for the most recent grant cycle and are updated when a new call for proposals is released.

Contact:
National Office
1120 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 900
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-857-0166
Fax: 202-857-0162
www.nfwf.org

Massachusetts State Division of Conservation Services

The Massachusetts State Division of Conservation Services offers three types of grant programs:

• Massachusetts Self-Help
  The Self-Help program was established in 1961 to assist municipal conservation commissions acquiring land for natural resource and passive outdoor recreation purposes. Lands acquired may include wildlife, habitat, trails, unique natural, historic or cultural resources, water resources, forest, and farm land. Compatible passive outdoor recreational uses such as hiking, fishing, hunting, cross-country skiing, bird observation and the like are encouraged. Access by the general public is required.

  This state program pays for the acquisition of land, or a partial interest (such as a conservation restriction), and associated acquisition costs such as appraisal reports and closing costs.

• Urban Self-Help
  The Urban Self-Help Program was established in 1977 to assist cities and towns in acquiring and developing land for park and outdoor recreation purposes. Only projects that are to be developed for suitable outdoor recreation purposes, whether active or passive in nature, shall be considered for funding. Grants are available for the acquisition of land, and the construction, restoration, or rehabilitation of land for park and outdoor recreation purposes such as swimming pools, zoos, athletic play fields, playgrounds and game courts. Access by the general public is required.

• Massachusetts Land and Water Conservation Fund
  The Federal Land & Water Conservation Fund (P.L.88-578) provides up to 50 percent of the total project cost for the acquisition, development and renovation of park, recreation or conservation areas. Municipalities, special districts and state agencies are eligible to apply. Nearly 4,000 acres have been acquired and hundreds of parks renovated using the $90.5 million that Massachusetts has received from the state side portion of the federal program since 1965. DCS administers the state side Land & Water Conservation Fund program in Massachusetts. Access by the general public is required.

Contact:
Executive Office of Environmental Affairs
100 Cambridge, 9th Floor
Boston, Massachusetts 02114
Jennifer Soper
(617) 626-1015
www.mass.gov/envir/dcs/

Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife

The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife offers one program for non-governmental entities:

• MassWildlife Landowner Incentive Program
  Individual landowners, land trusts, sportsmen's clubs, and other conservation organizations are eligible to apply for available wildlife habitat management funding through MassWildlife's Landowner Incentive Program (LIP). Projects which focus on maintaining grasslands and creating areas of young tree and shrub growth (early woodlands) to enhance wildlife habitat will receive priority. Some of the important ranking criteria for applications to LIP include: type of habitat, number of at-risk species affected; proximity to BioMap Core Habitat; and percentage of "match" the landowner is willing to commit to the project. Private landowners such as land trusts, non-profit groups and individuals are eligible to apply for this funding.

Contact:
Ken MacKenzie
Wildlife Biologist-LIP
MassWildlife
One Rabbit Hill Road
Westboro, MA 01581
(508) 792-7270 x.113
(508) 792-7275 (fax)
Ken.MacKenzie@state.ma.us
www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/dfw_lip.htm

State Agencies and Grants Providing Assistance with Land Protection on Cape Cod