Iowa’s cities and counties can now apply for funding through the Land and Water Conservation Fund grant program, which provides financial support for outdoor recreation projects at the local level. The grant cycle is open Dec. 1, 2025 through March 6, 2026.
Created by Congress in 1964 and administered in Iowa by the DNR, the grant program provides funding for a wide range of outdoor recreation projects. The program provides up to 50 percent cost share in the form of reimbursement grants, with annual assistance of up to $250,000 per proposal.
Examples of projects include: acquisition of land to build new parks and open spaces; development of recreational facilities such as playgrounds, campgrounds, trails, skateparks and more. The LWCF has a history of broad impact, supporting projects in all 99 Iowa counties.
Funding is available exclusively to local governments including cities and counties. For more information on the program and how to apply, please visit the Iowa DNR LWCF web page, or contact Jessica Flatt at jessica.flatt@dnr.iowa.gov.