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Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Grant Program

***Now accepting applications through Amplifund***

Applications due by 5PM CST, March 22, 2024.

2024 LWCF Manual

What is the LWCF Grant Program?

The federal Land & Water Conservation Fund program (known as both LWCF and LAWCON) is a similar program to Open Space Lands Aquisition and Development (OSLAD) with similar objectives. Both are managed in Illinois by the Department of Natural Resources.

This Federal program is financed nationally by revenue from offshore oil and gas leases.

Funding assistance is up to 50% of eligible expenses.  Grant awards of up to $1,725,000.00 are available for acquisition projects.

Applicant Eligibility

LWCF grants are available to units of local government that are authorized by Illinois law to expend public funds for the acquisition and development of land for public outdoor park, recreation, or conservation purposes are eligible to apply for funding assistance. School districts are not eligible.

There are now five grantee pre-award requirements statewide per Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA) State Statute 30 ILCS 708/1. The five pre-award requirements all state grantees must complete are described in more detail.

Eligible Projects

Example of Eligible Projects include:

  1. Acquisition of land for new park sites or park expansion, water frontage, nature study, and natural resource preservation

Project Evaluation

Applications must be submitted to IDNR during the period indicated on the current Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) on the GATA website. Only those local government agencies having statutory authority to acquire and develop land for public park purposes are eligible to apply for and receive assistance under the LWCF grant program.

Applications are evaluated and prioritized for funding assistance based upon recreation priorities and criteria identified in the Department's Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP). Lands acquired with LWCF funds are required to be operated and maintained in perpetuity for public outdoor recreation.

How to Apply

Step 1

All applicants must be pre-qualified through the State of Illinois Grantee Portal. Additional information on prequalification.

Step 2

Download the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Program Manual.

Step 3

Submit your application through the Amplifund Grant Management System.

No other form of submission will be allowed or considered.

IMPORTANT NOTES: Applications received after the application deadline, will not be considered. Submission of an incomplete application does not extend the application deadline.  The deadline for the 2024 round of LWCF is 5PM CST, March 22, 2024.  All requested documents must be submitted by this deadline.  Applications that do not contain the requested information and/or documents will not be considred.  Pay close attention to supporting documentation requirements.  If the requested documentation will not be available until after the deadline, please wait to apply in the next round.

Resources

Previous Years' Materials

Additional Materials

Please contact DNR.Grants@Illinois.gov for questions.