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Nonprofits and Conservation Futures
Conservation Futures grants for open space acquisition may be available to nature conservancy and historic preservation nonprofits.
What nonprofits are eligible for Conservation Futures funding?
Conservation Futures grants may be awarded to two types of nonprofits: 501c nature conservancy nonprofits and 501c3 historic preservation nonprofits (see this document for technical definitions). Nature conservancy nonprofits need to have one of their primary purposes be to conserve open space or natural resources for public benefit. For example, conserving natural resources for public benefit might include concepts such as preserving farmland for a collective, community-led farming opportunity to produce locally grown food.
Examples of nonprofit-led projects
Examples of nonprofit-led projects that may be a good fit for a Conservation Futures grant include:
- preserving a site as a local park, open space, or natural area valued to a community
- creating a community garden or p-patch
- providing a collective farming opportunity that allows for farmland access and tenure to individuals who have historically not had access to farmland
- securing land to produce culturally relevant food to serve the community in direct support of the nonprofit’s mission
Examples of projects that may not be a good fit for a Conservation Futures grant:
- projects that are providing land for use by an affiliated for-profit business
- projects for commercial production that are not directly tied to nonprofit mission, and/or without clear public or community benefits
There could be opportunity for such projects to partner with the King County Farmland Preservation Program, where Conservation Futures funding could help fund a county easement on the property to preserve it as farmland long-term.
Key Information: Getting to know your organization
Land acquisition brings opportunities to fulfill a nonprofit’s vision. It also comes with significant operating costs, capital costs, risks, and responsibilities. We want to develop a relationship with interested nonprofits before application. We want to make sure that nonprofits are fully prepared to take on land management responsibilities. The pathway to a Conservation Futures grant may be a multi-year process.
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Talk with us as early as possible
Please email Ingrid Lundin to set up time to meet.
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Share your information
We want to have conversations with you, and gather information about your organization’s goals, vision, financial health, and organizational practices. -
We evaluate
We’ll do an eligibility and capacity review.
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We respond
We'll give feedback about readiness to apply.
Contact us
Please contact Ingrid Lundin, Conservation Futures Coordinator, about your project idea. We’d love to get to know your organization, and discuss whether your project may be a good fit for Conservation Futures.
Photo credits
1 Save Ballard P-Patch
2Ching Community Gardens
3 SHADOW