The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Grant Program provides funding for the acquisition, development and renovation of outdoor recreation lands and facilities. The minimum grant request amount is $25,000 and maximum grant request amount is $750,000.

Applicants may submit pre-applications for both LWCF and Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program, but applications must be for separate projects.

SCORP 2022-2026 is the guiding document for funding projects from the LWCF and can be found here.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants include:

• incorporated municipalities
• counties
• legally constituted recreation authorities and recreation commissions

Applicants must have an approved Comprehensive Plan as authorized by the Georgia Planning Act of 1989 (Growth Strategies Law). Additionally, applicants must have a verified Service Delivery Strategy as mandated by House Bill 489 (The Service Delivery Strategy Law, O.C.G.A 36-70-20 et seq.).

Local governments need not apply if they are not eligible to receive state and federal grants under the Georgia Planning Act and the Growth Strategies Law.

Match Requirement

LWCF requires 50% match for all grant requests.

Workshops

DNR Grants Staff will host one in-person and one webinar-based educational workshop covering GOSP and the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grant programs. Both sessions will cover the same material, including program overviews and an introduction to the application process. These workshops are offered at no cost to the public; however, registration is required. Please register using the links below:

Register for In-person Workshop: Wednesday, June 10, 2026, 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (GOSP and LWCF Grants)

Indian Springs State Park, Idlewilde Event Center, 678 Lake Clark Rd., Flovilla, GA 30216

Register for Online Webinar: Wednesday, June 24, 2026, 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (GOSP and LWCF Grants)

How to Apply

Applications may be submitted when the Funding Cycle opens on August 3, 2026.

Contact

Julianne Carroll
LWCF Grants Specialist (reimbursements, extensions, quarterly reports, etc.)
404.463.8393 | julianne.carroll@dnr.ga.gov

Rayne Gaston
LWCF Grant Coordinator (active grants/compliance)
404.290.7958 | rayne.gaston1@dnr.ga.gov

Deadlines & Funding Cycle Dates

• August 3, 2026 : Funding Cycle opens
• October 2, 2026 : Funding Cycle closes at 11:59 PM
• October – November 2026 : Pre-applications Reviewed and Ranked
• December 2026 : Selected Applications Announced
• January – April 2027 : Formal Application Workshop & Building
• May 15, 2027 : Formal Application Submitted to NPS for Review
• Fall of 2027 : Grant Awards Anticipated