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Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) State and Local Assistance Program is a grant from the National Park Service / U.S. Department of the Interior that provides matching grants to state and local governments for developing and improving parks and outdoor recreation areas. Since 1965, LWCF has funded over 46,000 projects in communities across the country.
Funded projects support locally-led outdoor recreation, from playground replacements to wilderness waterways. Grants are distributed annually by the National Park Service to every state and territory. Eligible applicants are state and local governments; all land associated with funded projects must be government-owned.
Match is required. Award amounts vary by project and state allocation.
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State and Local Grant Funding - Land and Water Conservation Fund (U.S. National Park Service) Skip to global NPS navigation Skip to the footer section State and Local Grant Funding Mercer Memorial Park in North Dakota received a LWCF grant to replace second-hand park playground equipment. The new, accessible playground is open year-round and welcomes people of all ages.
North Dakota Parks & Recreation The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) supports close to home recreation opportunities and provides community access to the outdoors. It’s likely that one of your favorite state or local parks has received support from LWCF. Since its inception in 1965, LWCF has helped fund over 46,000 projects in communities and neighborhoods across the country.
Through federal grants to states and communities, the Land and Water Conservation Fund supports locally-led outdoor recreation projects by providing matching grants to state and local governments. With these resources, state and local governments are able to create and improve parks and recreation areas, with LWCF’s impact reaching millions of people each and every day.
Alongside state and local partners, the National Park Service is proud to extend the benefits of outdoor recreation to communities across the United States beyond the boundaries of America’s national parks. Parks and recreation spaces big and small have benefitted from state side LWCF, from the Allagash Wilderness Waterway in Maine to Gas Works Park in Seattle, Washington.
The state LWCF grant program is administered by the State and Local Assistance Programs Division of the National Park Service. Funding is distributed annually to develop and support basic recreation facilities in every state and territory of the nation. The National Park Service works with partners through state side LWCF to ensure that the recreational resources across the United States are protected for future generations.
Access contact information for state liaisons and the National Park Service’s grant teams by region. Last updated: July 24, 2025
Based on current listing details, eligibility includes: State and local governments. All land associated with the funded projects must be owned by a government entity. Applicants should confirm final requirements in the official notice before submission.
Current published award information indicates Funding amounts vary based on project scope and sponsor guidance. Always verify allowable costs, matching requirements, and funding caps directly in the sponsor documentation.
The current target date is May 1, 2026. Build your timeline backwards from this date to cover registrations, approvals, attachments, and final submission checks.
Federal grant success rates typically range from 10-30%, varying by agency and program. Build a strong proposal with clear objectives, measurable outcomes, and a well-justified budget to improve your chances.
Requirements vary by sponsor, but typically include a project narrative, budget justification, organizational capability statement, and key personnel CVs. Check the official notice for the complete list of required attachments.
Yes — AI tools like Granted can help research funders, draft proposal sections, and check compliance. However, always review and customize AI-generated content to reflect your organization's unique strengths and the specific requirements of the solicitation.
Review timelines vary by funder. Federal agencies typically take 3-6 months from submission to award notification. Foundation grants may be faster, often 1-3 months. Check the program's timeline in the official solicitation for specific dates.
Many federal programs offer multi-year funding or allow competitive renewals. Check the official solicitation for continuation and renewal policies. Non-competing continuation applications are common for multi-year awards.
Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) is sponsored by National Park Service / U.S. Department of the Interior. The LWCF is the largest federal outdoor recreation grant program, funding the acquisition and development of public parks and recreation areas. It requires a 50/50 matching fund. While not exclusively for dog parks, dog parks on public land are eligible projects.
Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) Grant Program is sponsored by National Park Service / U.S. Department of the Interior. The ORLP program is a nationally competitive grant program funded by the LWCF, enabling urban communities (jurisdictions of at least 50,000 people) to create new outdoor recreation spaces, reinvigorate existing parks, and form connections between people and the outdoors in econo…
Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) Program is sponsored by National Park Service / U.S. Department of the Interior. A nationally competitive grant program funded through the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) that focuses on communities with little to no access to publicly available, close-by, outdoor recreation opportunities in urban areas.