Conservation Partnership Grant Program
Forecasted
Conservation Partnership Grant Program supports nonprofits’ land acquisitions and donation due diligence to protect land for conservation or recreation while providing public access.
Funder: Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs
Due Dates (Anticipated): July 2027 (Application deadline)
Funding Amounts: Acquisition and donation due diligence support; bargain-sale reimbursement requests may use appraised land value
Summary: Supports nonprofit acquisition of land interests and due diligence for land donations for conservation or recreation.
Key Information: Applicants must be IRS 501(c)(3) nonprofits whose mission is protecting land in perpetuity; all funded sites require public access.
Description
The Conservation Partnership Grant Program helps nonprofit groups acquire interests in land for conservation or recreation. It is offered by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs through the Division of Conservation Services and the EEA Office of Grants and Technical Assistance. Support covers purchases of fee interests in land or conservation restrictions, as well as due diligence costs associated with donations of either type of interest.
The program pairs land protection with appropriate public access. Selected projects require a conservation restriction held by a municipal or state agency or another land trust. Passive recreational activities are allowable on funded sites. Public access is required even when the acquisition involves a farm; applicants should discuss farm-specific access arrangements with the grant manager.
