Grants and Outreach

The Grants and Outreach Team (GO) in NC State Parks administer recurring grant programs for local communities, the state funding through the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF), federal funding through the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and the nationally competitive Outdoor Legacy Partnership Program (ORLP). Non-recurring grants administered by the GO Team include the state funding for Accessibility for Parks, Accessible Parks, Helene Recovery Fund through PARTF and the Great Trails State Program (GTSP).

Grants and Outreach Links

Open Application Deadlines

Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF)

Application deadline is November 2.

Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program (ORLP)

Application deadline is October 1.

Complete the Trails (CCST): Connecting Communities to State Trails Grant

Application deadline is October 8.

Future Funding Opportunities

Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF)

Funding opportunity opens October 26

Great Trails State Program (GTSP)

Funding opportunity opens in spring 2027

Recreational Trails Program (RTP)

Funding opportunity opens in March 2027

At a Glance: Grant Programs in North Carolina

434

local sponsors

assisted through PARTF

1,122

local projects

funded as of Fall 2026

$290,413,801

PARTF grants awarded

as of Fall 2026

318

local governments

assisted through LWCF

785

local government projects

funded with LWCF assistance

$57,832,564

LWCF grants

awarded to local government projects

PARTF Grant

Funded through the North Carolina General Assembly, the N.C. Parks and Recreation Trust Fund awards matching grants to local governments for parks, public beach access, and improvement in state parks.

LWCF Federal Grant

The Division assists in managing North Carolina's allocation of the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund, a nationwide Department of the Interior program permanently funded through royalties from offshore oil and natural gas.

2025-2030 Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan

For states to be eligible for the Land and Water Conservation Fund, a Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan, or SCORP, must be updated every 5 years. The 2025-2030 SCORP is called "Shaping Outdoor Recreation from Mountains to Sea."

RRS Grant Locator Tool

The map below can be viewed in a full window on the ARCGIS website.

Contact Us

Meet the Grants and Outreach Team

The Grants and Outreach Team (GO) in NC State Parks administers Parks and Trails Grants for local communities throughout North Carolina including: Federal Grants from Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF), non-recurring state grants including: Accessibility Grants, the Helene Recovery Fund through PARTF and the Great Trails State Program (GTSP).

Find your RRS regional consultant

The Recreation Resources Service is a technical assistance program jointly administered by the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation and North Carolina State University's Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management. RRS provides field administration for grants administered NC State Parks.

Grants and Outreach