Land and Water Conservation Fund

The Land and Water Conservation Fund is a federal grant program administered by the National Park Service and implemented at the state level by the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism. Established in 1965, the program has supported the acquisition and development of public outdoor recreation spaces nationwide, with South Carolina alone investing tens of millions of dollars into over a thousand projects. The program is designed to create and preserve high-quality outdoor recreation opportunities and requires that any funded property be maintained in perpetuity for public recreational use. The primary purpose of the program is to provide matching funds to support the acquisition of land and the development or renovation of outdoor recreational facilities. Eligible uses include the construction of new parks, renovation of existing parks, development of support infrastructure such as restrooms and parking, and land acquisition for public use. Projects must align with statewide recreation priorities and demonstrate a clear benefit to community recreation needs. Importantly, all funded sites must remain dedicated to outdoor recreation indefinitely, and any changes require federal approval. Funding is provided on a reimbursement basis and requires a one-to-one matching contribution from the applicant. This means that the grant will cover up to 50 percent of total eligible project costs, with the applicant responsible for the remaining share. Applicants must demonstrate that they have the financial capacity to fully fund the project upfront, as reimbursement occurs after project completion. Matching funds can come from local or certain federal sources, but some federal funds, such as those from specific recovery programs, are not eligible for use as match. Eligibility for the program is limited to state agencies and local government entities, including counties, municipalities, and special purpose districts with authority over parks and recreation. Applicants must meet strict compliance requirements, including having no open or unresolved grants under related programs and maintaining existing funded properties in good condition. Additionally, applicants must own the land associated with the project or meet specific tenure requirements. Each eligible entity may submit up to two applications per funding cycle, provided the total funding request does not exceed program limits. The application process begins with a required pre-application submitted through an online grants management portal. Only applicants who pass this initial eligibility screening are invited to submit a full application. The full application requires extensive documentation, including environmental reviews, historic preservation clearances, property documentation, and a formal application form. Projects are evaluated through a competitive scoring process that considers alignment with state recreation priorities, project feasibility, community impact, and readiness. The 2026 funding cycle opens in early August 2025, with pre-applications due in September and full applications due in early December. Applications are reviewed over several months, with final approvals expected in late 2026 following federal review. The typical grant period is 24 months, during which projects must be completed and made available for public use. The program operates on a biennial cycle, meaning it is offered every two years, and applicants are encouraged to plan accordingly for future funding opportunities.

Prioritize demonstrating maintenance and proper use of existing LWCF properties; ensure all compliance and environmental documentation is complete before submission; align project with SCORP priorities