California Council of Land Trusts is excited to announce the availability of approximately $1.75 million in Round 2 of Project Advancement Grants specifically for conservation land trusts. In 2024, CCLT awarded approximately $1.9 million in the first round of funding. Details on funded projects are available here.
Supported generously by the California Wildlife Conservation Board, this program supports 6-12 month transaction, project development, capacity building, and implementation projects by land trusts and their partners that demonstrate a clear connection to Pathways to 30×30 and/or Natural and Working Lands Climate Smart Strategy (NWLCSS).
The Project Advancement Grants Round 2 portal is now open >>
Project Advancement Grants Informational Webinar
June 16, 2025, from 1:00pm-2:00pm
Register Today
Project Advancement Grant Program – Overview
The California Council of Land Trusts (CCLT) launched the Project Advancement Grant Program to support the capacity of land trusts and their partners to advance the goals of 30×30 and NWLCSS. In this second grant round, CCLT will award approximately $1.75 million in three categories, 1) Transaction, Project Development, and Permitting; 2) Organizational Capacity Building; and 3) Building and Sustaining Partnership Projects.
Additionally, CCLT aims to increase the capacity of land trusts and 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. The program includes funding set aside and a rolling application deadline for partnership applications to support this purpose, which is further described in the program guidelines.
Eligible applicants for Project Advancement Grants include:
- Conservation land trusts located in and serving California that are tax-exempt organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code,
- OR
- Conservation land trusts in partnership with federal, state, and local government agencies; federally and non-federally recognized California Native Tribes; resource conservation districts; special districts; universities, colleges, and research institutions; and other California 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations.
| Key Dates | |
| May 2, 2025 | Grant Applications Open |
| May 19-July 31, 2025 | Program Director available for consultations |
| June 16, 2025, 1-2p | Project Advancement Grants Informational webinar |
| Aug 1, 2025 | Applications Due |
| Sep 15, 2025 | Grant Decisions (estimated) |
| Oct 17, 2025 | Last day to execute contracts |
| Nov 1, 2025–Oct 31, 2026 | Potential Grant Period |
Contact information
Karin Winters
Program Director
[email protected]
For the most up to date information, please visit https://calandtrusts.org/project-advancement-grants-for-land-trusts/