Project Advancement Grants for Land Trusts

The California Council of Land Trusts (CCLT) is inviting proposals from land trusts and their partners for projects that advance the goals of the State of California described in Pathways to 30x30 (30x30) and the Natural and Working Lands Climate Smart Strategy (NWLCSS).

In this first round of funding, CCLT will award a maximum of $1.0 million in reimbursable grants to build the capacity of the state’s land trusts and their partners to advance projects towards the goals of 30x30 and NWLCSS in three categories:

1. Transaction, Project Development, and Permitting
2. Organizational Capacity Building
3. Building and Sustaining Partnerships

Funding the Project Advancement Grant Program has been provided by the California Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB). Over the next three years, a total of approximately $3.5 million will be available through at least two rounds of funding.

Purpose of Funding
The purpose of the Project Advancement Grants 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 objectives for the program.

1. Build a pipeline of over 1 million acres of completed or in-progress conservation projects that directly contribute to 30x30 goals and the NWLCSS,
2. Support projects that provide a direct benefit to underserved communities,
3. Support partnerships between land trusts and California Native Tribes or Native-led organizations, and
4. Support land trusts and partners to leverage $7 million toward projects.

Funding
A maximum of $1.0 million will be awarded through the first round of this Project Advancement Grant Program. Applicants are encouraged to submit proposals that range from $25,000 to $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 (see Contact Information in the sidebar) 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.

Funding Reserves
A minimum of 40% of funding will be reserved for projects located in or directly benefiting disadvantaged communities or 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 Wildlife Conservation Board for this program.

Grant Guidelines

Save the Date
Project Advancement Grants Webinar
Aug 28, 2024

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 Program Director by October 18, 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