Funding Database: NCLWF Donation Mini-Grant Program

This NC Land and Water Fund program provides funding for costs associated with the donation of property. Property ownership rights can be for irrevocable ownership of land, a form of purchase known as “fee simple.” Funding can also support the donation of property as a permanent conservation agreement. 

The NC Land and Water Fund is a program of the Division of Land and Water Stewardship within the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

Eligible Applicants

State agencies, local governments and nonprofits are eligible to apply. The primary focus of the nonprofits applying must be on the conservation, preservation or restoration of North Carolina’s cultural, environmental and natural resources.

Eligible Projects

Eligible costs include transaction, property management and stewardship expenses associated with the donation of property. Eligible donations include: 

• Land that is within the first 300 feet from the top of the stream bank, or the width of the 100-year floodplain, whichever is greater (The project purpose must be to protect surface water quality or to develop a greenway along the banks of a river or stream.) 
• Land containing natural areas; rare plants, animals and unique ecosystems — also known as element occurrences; or species of concern as defined the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program (Land can also be an adjacent buffer that is critical to protecting ecological diversity.) 
• Land buffering military installations for the purpose of minimizing incompatible land use for installations and training 
• Properties on which historic or cultural events occurred 

All project acres must be restricted with a permanent conservation agreement to protect natural or cultural resources.

Funding Amount

Donation Mini-Grants provide a maximum of $50,000.

Match Requirements

The value of the donation and at least 50% of any stewardship endowment requests are required as match.

Application Schedule

The NC Land and Water Fund program reviews applications several times per year. Check the website for more information. Award decisions will be made within six weeks of each application deadline.

Application Process

An eligible applicant must submit a completed application form, location map, property map, tax card and draft conservation agreement, if available.

Application Assistance

Field representatives are the first line of contact for general questions and for developing projects. Getting the field representative involved early will yield better results for your application and contract process.

Funding Source

The NC General Assembly funds the NCLWF through state appropriations.