North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund

The North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) provides matching grants to local governmental units across the state for park and recreation purposes. Authorized under G.S. 143B-135.56 and funded annually by the North Carolina General Assembly, PARTF allocates 30% of its appropriated funds specifically to support local park projects. The program is administered by the North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation in coordination with the Recreation Resources Service at NC State University. Oversight and grant award decisions are managed by the Parks and Recreation Authority, a nine-member board appointed by the Governor and leaders of the General Assembly. The PARTF program awards dollar-for-dollar matching grants to eligible local government units for the acquisition, renovation, or development of public parks and recreational facilities. Projects must be located on a single site and meet various eligibility criteria. Public authorities defined by N.C. General Statute 159-7 are eligible if they are authorized to acquire land or develop recreational facilities for public use. Eligible project elements include land acquisition, facility construction, and renovation of aging park infrastructure, provided the site is used exclusively for public recreation. All properties acquired with PARTF funds must be dedicated in perpetuity for public recreational use, and developed facilities must be maintained for a minimum of 25 years. The maximum PARTF grant request per application is $500,000. Each project must be matched dollar-for-dollar by the applicant. Contributions may exceed 50% of total project costs, but in-kind services such as volunteer labor or municipal staff time are not allowable as match. However, the appraised value of donated land may be applied toward the match. The applicant must own the land or have a minimum 25-year lease or easement to be eligible, and facilities must remain publicly accessible without restriction. Additional project rules include requirements for site control, ADA accessibility, underground utility placement, use of native plants, and exclusion of ineligible items like maintenance equipment and sports gear. Applicants must submit their complete application through the WebGrants portal by May 1, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. EST. Technical reviews of draft applications can be requested from Recreation Resources Service (RRS) consultants up until March 13, 2026. The grant announcement for the current cycle was made on October 31, 2025, and grant recipients will be selected by the Parks and Recreation Authority at a meeting scheduled for August 28, 2026. All application materials, including site plans, project budgets, and supporting documentation, must be uploaded directly into WebGrants. Paper submissions are not accepted. An important prioritization applies for the 2025–2026 fiscal year. Applicants from counties designated by HUD as most impacted and distressed due to Hurricane Helene—and with populations under 300,000—may qualify for additional consideration. To access this prioritization, the project must address damage from Hurricane Helene, and the applicant must attest that requested funds represent unmet need beyond insurance and federal support. An additional 10 points may be awarded in the PARTF scoring system for eligible applicants. Applications are evaluated on several criteria including degree of planning, public involvement, type and number of new facilities, geographic distribution, previous grant performance, and project justification. The application package must also include a certification from the local governing board affirming the availability of matching funds, and an attorney's certification confirming legal control of the project site. Upon award, applicants enter into a contract with the State, and all reimbursements will be made on a quarterly basis for documented, approved expenses. Technical assistance is available through RRS consultants, who can assist with questions, site planning, budget preparation, and compliance. For questions about the program or eligibility, local governments can contact the PARTF Manager, Vonda Martin, at vonda.martin@ncparks.gov or 919-707-9338.

Submit early and ensure all site control documentation is complete. Technical reviews available before March 13, 2026.