Acquisition of Land or Conservation Easements Grant Program

The Prairie State Conservation Fund (PSCC) administers a grant program dedicated to the acquisition of land or permanent conservation easements that support the preservation and enhancement of natural habitats and wildlife areas across the state of Illinois. PSCC, a conservation-focused organization operating in Illinois, aims to ensure the long-term protection of ecological assets through targeted land conservation efforts. This program reflects the funder's ongoing mission to increase public access to open spaces while safeguarding ecologically significant areas. Funding under this opportunity supports two types of eligible transactions: fee simple land acquisition and conservation easements. All acquired properties must be located wholly within the state of Illinois and must provide verifiable benefits to natural habitats and wildlife. Crucially, applicants must commit to making the acquired property accessible to the public, once the area has been made safe and accessible, aligning with PSCC’s values of both conservation and public engagement. The program has a specific matching requirement: applicants must contribute at least 20% of the purchase price through either cash or in-kind sources. Grant funds cannot be used to purchase buildings on the property, although applicants may use their matching funds for that purpose. An appraisal conducted by a licensed Illinois appraiser is mandatory and must conform to the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP). Importantly, the purchase price may not exceed the appraised value by more than 10%, and funds will only be released once a signed purchase contract and the appraisal have been reviewed and approved by PSCC. Applicants eligible to apply for this opportunity include 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and units of local government with statutory authority to acquire land for open space purposes, such as park districts and forest preserve districts. The application process begins with a required Letter of Intent (LOI). Approved applicants will then be invited to submit a full proposal that includes detailed project descriptions, budgets, maps, organizational financials, and verification documents such as IRS status letters and statutory authority proofs. The timeline for the 2026 cycle began with LOI submissions (now closed). Approved applicants received their full proposal link on February 6, 2026, with a submission deadline of March 27, 2026. Following submission, the review process may take up to three months, and notifications of award decisions are expected in late spring. The program is competitive, and not all eligible projects will be funded. Moreover, some may receive partial funding relative to their requests. If the awarded property is later transferred, proceeds must be reinvested in similar conservation acquisitions within Illinois, and the recipient must notify PSCC of such changes in advance. For further questions or program guidance, applicants are encouraged to contact Brad Hanzel, Senior Grant Program Officer, via email at [email protected]. The program guidelines, application portal, and sample project evaluation sheets are made available on the PSCC website to assist applicants in submitting high-quality proposals.

The grantor may request additional information; ensure the property appraisal meets USPAP standards and plan for stewardship commitments