Virginia Land Conservation Foundation Grants
Forecasted
Virginia Land Conservation Foundation Grants support public bodies, Virginia Indian Tribes, and nonprofits in acquiring land or easements to permanently protect Virginia’s farms, forests, natural areas, and open spaces.
Funder: Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
Due Dates (Anticipated): August 2027 (Application deadline)
Funding Amounts: Up to 50% of eligible project costs; up to 100% for state agencies and eligible Virginia Indian Tribes. FY27 round: $17.21 million allocated.
Summary: Grants support the permanent protection of Virginia land through purchases of property interests or conservation easements.
Key Information: Applicants must identify a specific property and its boundaries; nonprofit projects require an open-space easement held or co-held by a public body.
Description
The Virginia Land Conservation Foundation funds the permanent protection of land across the Commonwealth. The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) provides staff and administrative support. Grants help acquire land or easements to conserve working farms and forests, historic and cultural places, natural areas, and open spaces and parklands.
An interagency task force reviews and recommends projects, and the foundation’s board makes awards. Projects are evaluated under five funding categories, with attention to conservation value, public access, underserved communities and ConserveVirginia priorities. The program supports acquisition of interests in property that have not yet been permanently protected.
