Capacity Building Grants for Land Trusts

The California Council of Land Trusts (CCLT) is inviting proposals for projects that build the capacity of land trusts and their partners to help the state of California meet its goals in Pathways to 30x30 (30x30) and the Natural and Working Lands Climate Smart Strategy (NWLCSS). 

CCLT will award a maximum of $1.05 million in reimbursable grants to build the capacity of the state’s land trusts and their partners through four categories:

1. Organizational Capacity Building
2. Building and Sustaining Partnerships
3. Strategic Planning for NWLCSS & 30x30 Implementation
4. Demonstration Projects

Funding for the Capacity Building Grant Program has been provided by the California Department of Conservation (DOC) through the Climate Smart Land Management Program (CSLMP).

Purpose of Funding
The purpose of the Capacity Building Grant Program for Land Trusts is to support land trusts and their partners to advance the goals of California’s Pathways to 30x30 (30x30) and the Natural and Working Lands Climate Smart Strategy (NWLCSS). Land trusts are uniquely positioned to implement those efforts and, with additional support, have identified over 3.5 million new acres that could be contributed to the goals of 30x30. Through this program, CCLT aims to not only increase the capacity of land trusts but also to build the diversity of partners engaged by land trusts through specific support for partnerships with Tribes, Native-led organizations, and through projects benefiting underserved communities. 

CCLT has the following two goals for the program.

1. Building a pipeline of 1 million new acres toward the goal of 30x30 and the NWLCSS, and 
2. leveraging $20 million in local, state, federal, and private funding toward the goals of 30x30 and the NWLCSS.

Funding
A maximum of $1.05 million will be awarded in Capacity Building Grants. Applicants are encouraged to submit proposals that range from $25,000-$150,000.  There are no funding targets set for specific Grant Categories.

Proposals outside the suggested grant range may be considered and require consultation with the Program Director prior to submitting. Any proposals with budgets above the $150,000 suggested maximum should clearly demonstrate the scale of impact expected to result from the increased investment.

Reserved Funding 
A minimum of 15% of available funding will be reserved for projects located in or directly benefiting underserved communities. An additional minimum of 15% of funding will be reserved for projects partnering with California Native Tribes or Native-led organizations or led by Native-led land trusts.

If you are partnering with a Tribe, Native-led, or underserved organization and need additional time to complete your application due to capacity limitations, please contact the Program Director.

CCLT is grateful for the funding from the Department of Conservation for this program.

Grant Guidelines

Webinar Registration
July 24 at 12:00pm

Grant Timeline*

*Applications from Native-led land trusts, or applications that include partnerships with underserved community organizations and/or Tribes or Native-led organizations may be submitted at any time. Please contact the CA Onward Program Director by September 20, 2024 to inform us of your intent to apply. Funding is limited and will be provided as applications are received and evaluated. 

Resources and FAQs

Contact Information
Karin Winters, Program Director
E-mail:  [email protected]
Phone: 916-497-0272 x2
Book a meeting with Karin