Community Conservation Partnerships Program Grants

The Community Conservation Partnerships Program (C2P2) is administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), specifically through its Bureau of Recreation and Conservation (BRC). This initiative aims to build stronger connections between Pennsylvanians and the outdoors by supporting a broad range of projects focused on recreational improvements, natural resource conservation, and the revitalization of local communities. Through this effort, DCNR seeks to enhance quality of life, promote environmental stewardship, and strengthen community engagement across the state. The program distributes approximately $50 million annually, with funding sourced from both state and federal agencies. Individual awards typically range between $50,000 and $500,000. Grant categories under the C2P2 umbrella include park rehabilitation and development, conservation planning, land acquisition, trail creation and maintenance, and projects that support motorized recreation through ATVs and snowmobiles. Additional project types eligible for funding include rivers conservation and development, forestry efforts such as riparian buffer zones and urban tree planting, and specialized grant types such as Peer and Circuit Rider grants. Each of these funding tracks is designed to address specific aspects of outdoor and conservation-focused community development. Eligible applicants vary by project type, but generally include county and municipal governments, their agencies, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, and, to a limited extent, for-profit businesses. Certain categories of grants, such as those involving public parks or conservation planning, may be restricted to public or nonprofit entities. All applicants must demonstrate the relevance and community impact of their projects and show that they can comply with the program’s spending guidelines and evaluation criteria. The application process follows a fixed annual timeline. Most grants open for application on the third Tuesday of January and close on the first Wednesday of April each year. While the C2P2 includes multiple grant categories, this timeline is consistent for the majority of them. However, some specialized grants may have separate deadlines. For up-to-date information about submission timelines for all grant categories, applicants are encouraged to visit DCNR’s grant application portal. The application system allows for centralized submission and tracking of proposals. Applications are evaluated based on several criteria, including the project’s alignment with DCNR’s conservation and recreation goals, feasibility, budget justification, community benefit, and long-term impact. While specific scoring rubrics may vary by grant type, successful applicants typically present well-documented needs, clear objectives, and achievable outcomes. Matching funds may be required for certain grants, although exact percentages and conditions are not universally stated and may depend on project type and funding source. For questions or assistance, applicants are advised to contact their DCNR Bureau of Recreation and Conservation regional advisor. A directory of regional advisors is available via a downloadable PDF from DCNR’s website. Additional support is offered through grant workshops and newsletters, including a grant workshop playlist for 2025 and signup options for the DCNR Grants News newsletter. These resources aim to help potential applicants better understand the funding landscape, strengthen their proposals, and stay informed of future opportunities.