NACD Announces Application Period For Urban & Community Conservation Grants

The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) announced the open application period for the 2025 Urban and Community Conservation (UAC) grant initiative. The grants are open to any conservation district within the U.S. and the territories NACD serves, state associations, and tribal organizations. Proposals are due by April 1, 2025.

Since 2016, NACD has led the efforts of this successful grant program in collaboration with the Natural Resources Conservation Service to help conservation districts build technical capacity within nontraditional agricultural systems. Through the partnership, NACD has awarded over $9.2 million to over 200 conservation districts and tribes in 40 states and Puerto Rico.

New this year, state associations are now eligible to apply. Additionally, the maximum budget for implementation grants has been raised from $60,000 to $75,000.

There are two types of grants: planning and implementation. The planning grants—up to $10,000— will allow organizations new to urban or community agriculture to begin early-stage program development to provide conservation technical assistance. For example, funds may be used for workshops to conduct needs assessments with local urban farmers or to develop partnerships for their planned program. The implementation grants focus on providing technical assistance and fulfilling projects.

Both the UAC planning and implementation grants will enable organizations and their partners to address multiple resource concerns while supporting underrepresented clients and addressing important themes like local food security.

More information about the program, including past grantees and the application process for 2025, is available on NACD’s Urban and Community Conservation webpage.