State Park And Forest Heritage Trust Fund Grant Program For Friends Groups

The State Park and Forest Heritage Trust Fund Grant Program is administered by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to support Friends Groups involved in the stewardship of Wisconsin’s state parks, southern state forests, state trails, and state recreation areas. Established by the Wisconsin Legislature, this program is designed to provide funding for operations and maintenance at eligible properties through a cost-share model. The initiative aims to promote conservation, accessibility, and community engagement by enabling Friends Groups to support public land assets. Funding for the program originates from two sources: donations to the Trust Fund and proceeds from the sale of utility easements on state park property. Grants are awarded annually, contingent upon the availability of funds. Under the funding structure, the DNR matches one-half of the amount contributed by the applicant Friends Group, establishing a 2:1 match ratio. Notably, Friends Groups may only use interest earned from a qualifying endowment fund as their match. The maximum grant award per property is capped at $30,000 per year. Grant funds may be advanced once the applicant can demonstrate they have secured the full matching amount. Eligible applicants must be nonprofit, nonstock corporations recognized under section 501(c)(3) or (4) of the Internal Revenue Code and exempt from taxation under section 501(a). They must have been organized specifically to raise funds for state parks or related properties and must have a current written Friends Group agreement with the DNR. Additionally, they must maintain a dedicated endowment fund that serves the specific benefit of a DNR-managed property, such as a park or trail. Southern state forests qualifying for the program are located in 16 designated counties, including Milwaukee, Rock, and Kenosha, among others. The scope of eligible projects includes expenses directly related to the operations and maintenance of DNR-approved plans. Funding can be applied to costs such as materials, supplies, labor, salaries, and equipment rental directly tied to grant-supported activities. Projects that are particularly encouraged include those that maintain or enhance interpretive programming, accessibility for individuals with disabilities, restoration of native plant communities, and ongoing maintenance of facilities previously established with Friends Group support. However, projects focused on constructing new facilities or supporting non-nature-based recreational activities (e.g., sports fields, pools) are ineligible. Applications are due annually by November 15 and must be postmarked accordingly. Interested applicants are advised to begin project planning early and to consult with their DNR Property Manager to gain initial approval and alignment with property goals. The application packet requires submission of Form 2500-110 and compliance with financial recordkeeping standards. Grant recipients are obligated to maintain accurate financial records for four years after final payment and must submit a final expenditure report within 90 days of project completion. For operational or maintenance projects, a year-end financial statement may suffice. For more information, applicants can contact the Friends Grant Program Manager, Cindi Semmann, at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The contact address is PO Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707-7921, and the contact number is 608-264-6058. Friends Groups may also qualify for additional support through other related DNR grant programs, such as the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Friends Grant. The Heritage Trust Fund remains a valuable mechanism to strengthen the partnership between Wisconsin’s public lands and the nonprofit groups that support them.