Lehigh Valley Greenways Mini Grants

The Lehigh Valley Greenways Mini Grant Program is a reimbursement-based funding initiative designed to support local conservation and outdoor recreation projects in the Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. This program is administered by the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor (DLNHC) and funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), specifically through the Bureau of Recreation and Conservation’s Environmental Stewardship Fund. The grant aims to encourage collaborative and strategic approaches to conservation and recreation that advance the goals of the Lehigh Valley Greenways Conservation Landscape. Lehigh Valley Greenways is one of eight designated Conservation Landscapes in Pennsylvania and brings together over 25 organizations and municipal partners working to protect natural resources and strengthen connections to the outdoors. The overarching vision of the Greenways Landscape is to connect communities with greenways, trails, and outdoor experiences, promoting improved public health, green infrastructure, stronger economies, and natural resource stewardship across Lehigh and Northampton Counties. The mini grants are intended for 12–16-month projects that can demonstrate readiness for implementation and alignment with at least one of the initiative’s four core goals: land conservation and restoration; outdoor recreation and trail connections; community revitalization through green infrastructure; and local education and outreach. Funding priorities in 2026 include projects like ecological restoration (riparian buffers, native meadows, bioswales), improvements to THE LINK trail network (gap closures, signage, stormwater management), and hosting inclusive educational events. Projects that incorporate ecological resiliency strategies will also be favored. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits registered with the Pennsylvania Bureau of Charitable Organizations, municipalities and municipal agencies, county conservation districts, and educational institutions (public/private schools, colleges, and universities in the Lehigh Valley). All projects must be located within Lehigh or Northampton counties. The program excludes projects that involve real estate acquisition, general operating expenses, or are unrelated to the four strategic goals. Grants range from $1,000 to $20,000, with a minimum 20% match required in cash and/or eligible in-kind contributions. Larger grant amounts (over $10,000) are generally reserved for resource management and infrastructure projects. The total funding available for the 2026 round is $100,000. All awarded funds are disbursed on a reimbursement basis, with grantees submitting eligible expenses for up to 50% reimbursement. Matching funds must be secured and documented at the time of application with formal commitment letters from contributing partners. The 2026 application window opens on February 13 and closes on March 27 at 4:00 PM Eastern Time. A pre-application webinar will be held on February 12, and participation is strongly encouraged. Applications must be submitted online. The review process includes a completeness check and an evaluation by a committee based on alignment with program goals, planning consistency, matching support, and partnership collaboration. Award announcements will be made on May 25, and project work may begin as early as June 1, 2026, provided grant agreements are returned. Projects must be completed by November 30, 2027. Questions and technical assistance are available from Brit Kondravy, the DLNHC Conservation Manager and Lehigh Valley Greenways Co-Lead.

Include matching letters and connect your project to local/regional plans; attending the pre-application webinar is strongly recommended.