The Larimer County Department of Natural Resources (LCDNR) is requesting applications for its 2024 Small Grants for Community Partnering Program.
Donor Name: Larimer County Department of Natural Resources (LCDNR)
State: Colorado
County: Larimer County (CO)
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 10/13/2023
Size of the Grant: up to $3,500
Details:
Larimer County’s Department of Natural Resources (LCDNR) conserves and manages significant open space, natural areas and wildlife habitat and provides nature-based outdoor recreation opportunities for the public. This work would not be possible without the citizens of Larimer County who voted overwhelmingly to support a ¼-cent Help Preserve Open Spaces sales tax in 1995 (and with extensions in 1999 and 2014). Since the initial passage of the tax, Larimer County has successfully conserved over 56,000 acres of land throughout the county.
LCDNR invites new and returning applicants to apply for seed money or capacity building support to protect and enhance outdoor natural areas or community gathering spaces, provide environmental education opportunities, increase access to nature, conduct research on county open spaces, and so much more.
Grant Program Categories
Proposed projects must be located or take place within Larimer County (unincorporated or city/town limits). Projects must fall into at least one of the five Small Grants for Community Partnering Program grant categories listed below.

Provides or enhances natural landscapes, including wildlife habitat, rivers, wetlands, outdoor community gathering spaces, neighborhood parks, greenbelts, lakes/ponds, etc.

Projects that include planting and/or habitat improvements must include a landscape design plan and native (and non-invasive), drought-resistant plant species list appropriate for the selected environment.
Projects proposing a new structure, rehabilitation or change of use of an existing structure need to provide written response noting this would be allowable from the Larimer County Community Planning Department.


Provides nature-based environmental education opportunities, including outdoor education signs and materials, outdoor classrooms, workshops, trainings, etc.

In the grant narrative, applicants must provide all of the environmental education resources that will be used to develop the materials for the project. Environmental education materials must be based upon established principles and proven practices in the field.


Provides opportunities for people to connect with the land via providing access to nature for those experiencing barriers including limited transit options, financial obstacles, etc.

Project opportunities in this category must focus on nature-based education, health and wellness, and/or recreation.


Provides opportunities for people to connect with the land via local agricultural food production (projects that include practices around improving soil, water, habitat or community connection to agriculture).

The community garden or CSA must have local distribution in Larimer County.
Projects proposing a new structure, rehabilitation or change of use of an existing structure need to provide written response noting this would be allowable from the Larimer County Community Planning Department.


Research on Larimer County open spaces which will provide new information on the ecology, history, visitation, and/or human dimensions of county open spaces. Projects should encourage intellectual curiosity about the natural world and/or how people connect to it. All proposed rese arch projects must be discussed with the Program Coordinator and approved by LCDNR prior to submitting an application.

Funding for research may not be used for college or university overhead or administrative costs. No exceptions.



Funding Information
Applicants may request up to $3,500 and are limited to one application per grant cycle.
Eligible Expenses 

Project expenditures related to project implementation, materials, supplies, etc. Delivery or shipment of project materials is permitted but cannot exceed more than 5% of the total grant request.
Tools and equipment (e.g., GPS units, weed sprayers, etc.) may be funded to 501c3 nonprofit organizations, only with an acceptable justification as it relates to project implementation.

Eligibility Criteria 

Applicant Eligibility: The grant program is open to anyone to apply with a few exceptions and parameters.

Government agencies already receiving the Help Preserve Open Space tax dollars may not apply directly.
For projects on public lands, the applicant must be a 501c3 tax-exempt nonprofit organization identified by the IRS.
All affected landowners must agree in writing with the proposed project.

Homeowners and Property Owners associations must submit a copy of the board meeting minutes approving the proposed project.
K-12 Public Schools must provide a letter from the appropriate facilities director agreeing to the specific project.
Applicants leasing property from a private property owner must submit a letter from the owner agreeing to the proposed project and include the signed lease agreement by all parties.
Projects proposed on public lands must include a letter or permit from the land management agency agreeing to the proposed project.




Project Eligibility: All projects must align with LCDNR’s mission: Connect People, Nature and Place with a community centered focus which is inclusive and collaborative. Applicants may seek seed or capacity building funding for their project, general operating requests will not be considered. Projects may be declined by LCDNR for any reason.
Project Location: Proposed projects must be located or take place within Larimer County (unincorporated or city/town limits). Grant dollars can only be distributed in Larimer County. Preference will be given to those projects associated with conserved land.

For more information, visit LCDNR.