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Find similar grantsLand and Easement Acquisition Program (LEAP) is sponsored by Connecticut Land Conservation Council (CLCC). Empowers land trusts in Connecticut to secure critical conservation lands by providing financial support for land and conservation easement acquisitions.
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CT LEAP Grants – Connecticut Land Conservation Council Land & Easement Acquisition Program (LEAP) CLCC's LEAP grant program empowers land trusts to swiftly secure critical conservation lands by providing financial support for land and conservation easement acquisitions. Launched in 2025, LEAP (formerly known as Land Capital Grants) is designed to bridge funding gaps and accelerate the protection of valuable conservation lands.
The program builds upon CLCC’s successful track record of supporting land conservation efforts through its Transaction Assistance Grant Program , Connecticut Conservation Partnership Program , and Climate Smart Land Stewardship Program. CLCC prioritizes projects that: Demonstrate a strong commitment to conservation. Align with statewide land conservation goals.
Have leveraged and/or exhausted other public and private funding sources. Have a closing time frame of 12 months or less. Potential applicants are required to contact Yaw Darko , CLCC’s Director of Grants & Programs, to discuss their project and determine eligibility.
Since 2025, CLCC has awarded a total of 16 LEAP grants totaling more than $2. 3MM that helped land trusts unlock additional funding and protect more than 7,788 acres of natural and working lands across Connecticut. Explore our StoryMap to learn more about each project and view site photos and maps.
Explore the Map (opens in new tab) Applications are accepted by invitation only. Email Yaw to discuss your project(s) and eligibility for funding. Must be submitted by a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with a mission dedicated to land conservation in CT.
Applicant is a current member of CLCC. Project is located within CT. Multi-state projects may be considered as long as the project is predominantly (minimum 50% of land area) in CT.
Project must entail permanent protection through fee simple acquisition by the land trust, pass-through to a partner entity with a mission to permanently protect land (e.g., a state agency or a tribe), and/or a permanent conservation easement. Grant funds must cover only acquisition costs. For transaction expenses, refer to the Transaction Assistance Grant Program .
Project must close within 12 months or less of grant award notification. Applications must include appraisals dated within 12 months of the grant application. The number of appraisals required depends on the land’s value: $0 - $500,000: One appraisal.
$500,001 - $1,000,000: One appraisal and an appraisal review. Over $1,000,000: Two appraisals. Applications will be due throughout the calendar year on the 1st of every other month beginning on February 1.
Funding decisions will be announced at the end of the review period (see table above). Applications must be submitted by the 1st of the month to be considered for that review period. Applications received between the 2nd and end of the month will be considered in the following review period.
For example, applications submitted on February 2, 2026, will be reviewed in April and funding decisions announced by May 31, 2026. The project closing deadline for a successful applicant would be May 31, 2027. Projects must close within 12 months or less of the funding decision announcement.
Applications will be accepted in accordance with the above schedule until funds are fully expended. Projects will be evaluated based on the following principal criterions, along with other relevant factors such as project readiness, cost-share, community benefit, urgency, and the applicant’s capacity to complete and steward the acquisition.
The project site contains high-quality intact habitat and supports species or ecological communities of conservation concern. Data Resources Applicants May Reference : Site’s recognized biodiversity: Per The Nature Conservancy’s Resilient Mapping Tool . CT Environmental Conditions Online (CT Eco): Map and Image Services .
Critical Habitats: CT DEEP Map . Core forest areas: CT DEEP 2020 Forest Action Plan Story Map . Species of special concern: CT DEEP NDBB Maps by Town .
Prime or statewide important farmland soils: NRCS Online Map Viewer . The project strengthens landscape-scale conservation by expanding or linking existing conserved lands, greenways, or priority habitat areas. Data Resources Applicants May Reference: Maps showing proximity to conserved lands.
Local, regional, or state conservation plans. Land trust or partner conservation priority maps. The project site is inherently resilient and/or contributes to climate mitigation and adaptation.
Data Resources Applicants May Reference: Site’s resilience score: Per The Nature Conservancy’s Resilient Mapping Tool . Site information on forests, wetlands, soils, topography, and hydrology. The project protects or improves water quality and/or water quantity.
The site includes or is adjacent to inland surface waters, wetlands, riparian areas, or drinking water supply watersheds. Data Resources Applicants May Reference: Water Quality Classification: CT Eco Resource Guide . Water Quality Classification Maps: Interactive Maps .
Location in a drinking water watershed: Parcel prioritization for source water protection . Public Access & Accessibility The project provides public access, with attention to accessibility and inclusive use. Applicants should describe: Whether public access will be provided and for what uses.
How visitors will access the site. Any accessibility features or community engagement plans. Applicants invited to apply will be asked to submit the materials listed below as part of their application.
Signed purchase and sale agreement. Aerial imagery map with parcel outline. Context map showing town boundaries and roads, as well as the project location relative to other parcels of conserved land, state parks/forests, and other open space.
Map showing current and proposed recreational uses and how the public will access the proposed acquisition. Statement of financial position (balance sheet) - preferably audited. Photos of the property highlighting distinctive features.
Documentation demonstrating urgency / development threat ( e.g., listing status; site plans; etc. ). Title search (if available). Environmental assessments (if available).
Certificate of Incorporation. Letters of support ( These do not need to be new letters for this funding source. Letters addressed to other funders are acceptable.
) Hosted on Tuesday, January 21, 2025 Learn more about our LEAP grants and discover how this program can help you protect vital natural and working lands in your community. Watch on YouTube (opens in new tab) Conservation Conversations Conserving Land By Staying Connected Advanced Collaboration & Merger Assistance Community-Centered Conservation Connecticut Land Conservation Conference
According to the current listing, eligibility includes: Land trusts in Connecticut. Confirm the full requirements in the official notice before applying.
Land and Easement Acquisition Program (LEAP) is funded by Connecticut Land Conservation Council (CLCC). Verify program details on the funder's official page before applying.
This opportunity targets applicants in Connecticut. If your organization operates elsewhere, check the official notice for location requirements.
Start from the official opportunity page linked in this listing — it carries the sponsor's submission instructions.
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