The North Carolina Land and Water Fund (NCLWF) provides funding opportunities for the conservation, preservation, and restoration of North Carolina's natural and cultural resources. The fund is managed under the Division of Land and Water Stewardship within the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. NCLWF offers an annual competitive grant cycle for several major programs, including Acquisition, Restoration, Planning, and Innovative Stormwater projects. Additionally, the Donation Mini-Grant (DMG) program provides multiple funding opportunities throughout the year.
The primary purpose of these grants is to support efforts that enhance water quality, protect and restore critical natural habitats, conserve land for public benefit, and mitigate the effects of stormwater. Eligible projects include land acquisition for conservation, ecological restoration efforts, planning initiatives for water and land stewardship, and innovative stormwater management solutions. The fund aims to benefit both environmental preservation and the well-being of North Carolina communities.
Funding is provided through a structured competitive process. The regular grant cycle opens on January 15 each year, with applications due by March 1. Applications undergo a rigorous evaluation process, including field visits by NCLWF representatives and scoring based on the NCLWF Application Rating System. Final award decisions are made in the fall by the NCLWF Board of Trustees. For the Donation Mini-Grant program, there are three annual deadlines: January 15, April 15, and August 15.
Eligible applicants include state agencies, local governments, and nonprofit organizations whose primary focus aligns with conservation, restoration, and preservation efforts in North Carolina. Interested applicants must submit their proposals through an online webform, which requires a username and password to save and return to applications in progress. No advance registration is required for applicants.
The evaluation process involves a multi-step review, including a project site visit, assessment of conservation strategies, and development of project scopes and contract details. While numerical scoring plays a role in the selection process, final funding decisions are made by the NCLWF Board of Trustees based on overall project merit. Applicants can update their landowner commitment and match security status by July 7 before final funding deliberations occur.
All application materials, including forms and funding manuals, become available each January for the upcoming grant cycle. Updated forms and guidance documents are accessible on the NCLWF website. The organization encourages applicants to contact NCLWF Field Representatives for pre-application consultation to assess project eligibility and improve proposal development.
