LWCF for Applicants
Grants, up to $750,000 require a 50% match for eligible project costs; historically used to acquire lands, waters, and interests therein necessary to achieve the natural, cultural, wildlife, and recreation management objectives of federal land management agencies.
2026-2027 Funding CycleApplicants may request a maximum grant of $750,000 with each application.
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Application Information
The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) provides up to dollar-for-dollar matching grants to local governments for the acquisition, development, or a combination of both. Local governments may also apply for funding to renovate existing LWCF parks. A local government can request a maximum of $750,000 with each application.
Eligible Applicants
North Carolina counties and incorporated municipalities are eligible for LWCF grants. Federally recognized Native American tribes are also eligible.
Eligible Projects
LWCF grants can be used for acquisition, development, renovation, and combination projects for outdoor public recreation. A project must be located on a single site.
Matching Requirement
An applicant must match the grant with a minimum of 50 percent. Due to a federal share cap of $750,000, a greater match is required for projects that exceed total costs of $1.5 million. Projects should not include local government overmatch.
Site Control for a Proposed LWCF Project Site
An applicant must own the park property.
Public Use
Property acquired or developed with LWCF assistance must be used for public outdoor recreation use in perpetuity.
The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) provides up to dollar-for-dollar matching grants to local governments for the acquisition, development, or a combination of both. Local governments may also apply for funding to renovate existing LWCF parks. A local government can request a maximum of $750,000 with each application.
Eligible Applicants
North Carolina counties and incorporated municipalities are eligible for LWCF grants. Federally recognized Native American tribes are also eligible.
Eligible Projects
LWCF grants can be used for acquisition, development, renovation, and combination projects for outdoor public recreation. A project must be located on a single site.
Matching Requirement
An applicant must match the grant with a minimum of 50 percent. Due to a federal share cap of $750,000, a greater match is required for projects that exceed total costs of $1.5 million. Projects should not include local government overmatch.
Site Control for a Proposed LWCF Project Site
An applicant must own the park property.
Public Use
Property acquired or developed with LWCF assistance must be used for public outdoor recreation use in perpetuity.
Application will be evaluated using the scoring criteria presented in the LWCF application. The scoring criteria favor a project's consistency with the goals and initiatives outlined in the 2025-2023 NC Outdoor Recreation Plan. The evaluation will consider:
- the provision of renovated outdoor recreation facilities
- local planning efforts
- public participation
- underserved local governments
- site considerations
- clientele served
- accessibility of proposed project
- the ability of the sponsor to operate and maintain the project, and
- previous grant administration compliance
The total score awarded, per the Open Project Selection Process to each local government application will determine the project rankings. Applications that rank the highest according to the scoring criteria and can be funded with available LWCF revenue will be recommended for funding. All projects that are not able to be fully funded may reapply during a future funding cycle for local governments.
Applications are submitted through an electronic folder in Microsoft SharePoint. Applicants should contact their Recreation Resources Service regional consultant to request access to the SharePoint folder. Applicants are encouraged to request access early in the process to allow for technical support, as needed.
DPR is currently migrating LWCF from SharePoint to WebGrants. Early communication with DPR and RRS is critical during this transition.
Application Documents
Best practice is to download these documents and then work on them offline.