The Virginia Outdoors Foundation is making $1 million available from its Preservation Trust Fund (PTF) for grants that create or expand access to public open space in Virginia.
The grants may be used to acquire land, easements, rights of way, lease agreements, or other interests in real estate that result in significant public access. The real estate interest must be conveyed to either VOF or a local government to be eligible for funding, and protection must meet the requirements of Virginia’s Open-Space Land Act.
VOF has used PTF grants since 1997 to protect tens of thousands of acres of open space, ranging from family farms to public parks. In recent years, VOF’s Board of Trustees has earmarked a portion of the fund to be used exclusively for public access projects to meet the need for public open space as Virginia’s population grows.
The application deadline is December 18, 2020. The application form, eligibility requirements, and other materials may be found online at https://vof.org/ptf. VOF encourages potential applicants to contact staff prior to applying to discuss eligibility and seek guidance on producing a successful application. Contact grants@vof.org or (434) 282-7054 for information or to receive hardcopies of the application and supporting materials.
