Great Plains Grassland Fund
Great Plains Grassland Fund supports ranchers and conservation partners in voluntary land protection and grassland management to conserve threatened habitat and sustain working lands across the Great Plains.
Funder: National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
Due Dates: January 27, 2027, 9:59 p.m. MT (Full proposal) | May 2027 (Awards announced)
Funding Amounts: Up to $10 million available for projects in 2027; minimum 1:1 match required
Summary: Supports voluntary land protection and rancher-led management to conserve threatened Great Plains grasslands and sustain working lands.
Key Information: Individuals and for-profit entities cannot be primary applicants, but may participate as subrecipients or through matching funds.
Description
The Great Plains Grassland Fund is a public-private grant program administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF). It pairs durable land protection with technical and financial assistance for ranchers to conserve high-value grasslands at risk of conversion to cropland or intensive development. The program supports community-based, voluntary, rancher-led efforts across the Great Plains of the United States.
Voluntary conservation easements are the central strategy. Applicants are encouraged to supplement them with grassbanks, grazing associations, and other community-led models that strengthen surrounding working lands. Projects should protect wildlife habitat, improve grazing management and grassland resilience, connect protected landscapes, and benefit local ranching economies. The fund also seeks measurable progress in grassland protection, biodiversity, water, and rancher livelihoods.
