The 2025 grant round is now open
The program supports the development of climate-informed land conservation, stewardship, policy or communications plans that address one or more of the following issues: habitat resilience, carbon mitigation, renewable energy siting or community adaptation to climate impacts such as stronger storms, flooding, drought, fire or extreme heat.
The 2025 grant round is open through June 16, 2025.
Projects should achieve one or more of the following deliverables:
Incorporate climate science into new or existing strategic conservation plans that target land protection for climate adaptation or mitigation.
Incorporate climate science into land stewardship or management plans to address adaptation and/or mitigation strategies.
Develop a comprehensive climate communication strategy that promotes the adaptation and mitigation goals of the organization and its conservation or stewardship plans.
Develop a plan, decision matrix and/or policies to guide organizational engagement with renewable energy siting on conservation lands and/or in service areas.
The program encourages proposals that address the disproportionate burdens of a changing climate and environmental harms on Black, Indigenous, and People of Color and low-income communities.
See 2024 grant awardeesTHANK YOU
This program is made possible through support from the Doris Duke Foundation and the Volgenau Foundation.
Opportunity and funding available
Through the program, Land Trust Alliance and Open Space Institute will award up to $150,000 to support projects in the 2025 grant round.
Applicants can apply for grants of between $5,000 - $15,000. Depending on the geography and focus of the proposal, requests will be reviewed and grant awards administered by either the Land Trust Alliance or the Open Space Institute.
Eligibility
Projects must begin in 2025 and be completed by December 1, 2026. Please carefully consider whether the project is ready, and whether your organization has the capacity to complete the work within this timeframe.
The grants may be used to cover costs associated with the development of strategic conservation plans or land management plans as described above and/or to develop internal policies, procedures, and communications in support of this work. Eligible costs include, but are not limited to staff time, travel, graphic design, printing, mailing, indirect costs (up to 15%) and project consultants.
General operating support.
Research that is not directly related to the conservation planning or management project described in the application.
Land acquisition and restoration capital costs.
Political lobbying.
Development of carbon offset projects.*
*The Alliance’s Carbon Offset Pilot Program provides a separate opportunity for qualified land trusts to apply for grants that support carbon offset project development.
Who may apply
Land Trust Alliance Grants
Match
There is no match requirement. Applicants will be asked to report the full project budget, and any sources of funding in addition to the grant request as part of the financial summary form. Documentation of in-kind or cash match is appreciated where possible.
Evaluation criteria
Project impact
The project has the potential to inform conservation decisions (such as land protection; land stewardship; or related activities), in the near term. If the project does not cover a broad geographic region (e.g., county scale or larger), the applicant should demonstrate how the project serves as a model or demonstration or will influence the way the organization operates.
Audience
The plan seeks to inform the actions of an identified audience (such as a land trust or organization, Tribe, landowners, municipalities, public agency partners, etc.) that has the resources and commitment to achieve the goals of the project.
Methods and use of science
The proposal identifies information sources that will be used in the project and articulates clear steps or methods to achieve outcomes.
Feasibility
The project team has the capacity, expertise and commitment to complete the project. The project is likely to succeed within the proposed timeframe. The applicant demonstrates ability to make effective use of technical support, if requested.
Community benefit
The applicant demonstrates how the project will strengthen climate resilience in communities facing climate threats and/or provide meaningful opportunities for community input.
Application process and timeline
Applications are open until June 16, 2025.
A PDF of the grant application and financial summary are available for reference purposes only. All applications must be submitted through the Land Trust Alliance’s grant portal, Foundant.
Applicants will be notified of grant decisions by August 31, 2025.
We encourage interested applicants to watch the information session recording before applying, and schedule time during our office hours on June 10 from 2-4 p.m. Eastern.
Questions?
If you have any questions regarding this opportunity, please do not hesitate to reach out via phone or email.
Learn more about how these resources were created in the webinar recording below.
