STATE AND LOCAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

The LWCF State and Local Assistance Program (often referred to as “LWCF Stateside”) is administered by the National Park Service (NPS), and provides matching grants to state, local and tribal governments to create and expand parks, develop recreation facilities, and further local recreation plans.  Each year, funds are distributed to every U.S. state and territory using a population-based formula.  Ranging from active recreation facilities to natural areas, these funds are a vitally important tool to renovate existing sites, develop new facilities, acquire land for state and local parks and promote statewide recreation planning. 

LWCF grants are provided to the states, and through the states to local governmental jurisdictions, on a matching basis for up to 50% of the total project-related costs for the acquisition of land and the development of facilities for public outdoor recreation and for fulfilling the program's planning requirements. Nonprofit partners can collaborate with states and municipalities to identify community needs, develop a strong grant application, and secure matching funds from a variety of public and private sources. Grants to eligible insular areas (American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands) shall be for 100% assistance.

Local units of government participate in the program as subrecipients of the state with the state retaining primary grant responsibility. Each State must have a “State Liaison Officer” (SLO) appointed by the governor or designated by the State legislature to administer the LWCF program at the State level. States and territories must produce a Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) at least once every five years in order to maintain eligibility.

In addition to the annual Congressional appropriation to the State and Local Assistance Program, 12.5% of the revenues from certain Offshore Continental Shelf (OCS) leasing in the Gulf of Mexico (referred to as “GOMESA funding”) is directed to the stateside program to be used in accordance with the program manual.

In collaboration with the Department of War, the NPS State and Local Assistance Program also administers the Readiness and Recreation Initiative (RARI), a nationally competitive grant program that uses Stateside LWCF funding to enhance recreational opportunities near military installations. More info below:

LWCF State and Local Assistance Program

Eligible Entities

  • State, Local, and Tribal Governments
    • Nonprofit community partners should contact their state administrator to find out more about how the LWCF grant process works, which is slightly different in each state, and what they can do to advance ideas, support local projects, and participate in the process of updating the SCORP to reflect current public priorities every five years.

Grant Eligibility

  • Acquisition of land or water for outdoor recreation (must include public access)

  • Development of new park and recreation facilities

  • Redevelopment or renovation of existing park infrastructure to ensure it meets current standards

  • Planning grants to assist states in creating and updating their SCORP’s

Sources of Matching Funds

More Information

Readiness and Recreation Initiative

About RARI

  • The Readiness and Recreation Initiative (RARI) is a nationally competitive grant program that provides LWCF funding to enhance recreational opportunities near military installations. It was established in 2023 through a partnership between the Department of the Interior LWCF State and Local Assistance Program and the Department of War's Readiness and Environmental Integration Program (REPI).

  • RARI ‘s goals are to preserve the environment, boost disaster resilience for military installations and communities, and provide public outdoor recreation opportunities. Since its creation, RARI has committed $9.4 million from the Land and Water Conservation Fund to projects nationwide.

  • RARI funds an array of projects and facilities, like sports fields, playgrounds, walking trails, and nature reserves. RARI projects must benefit the general public and military families alike.

Grant Eligibility

  • Eligible projects must occur within REPI Partnership Opportunity Areas (defined as a military installation or range’s priority area for REPI projects) and/or designated sentinel landscapes. Please refer to the REPI Interactive Map to determine eligibility locations.

  • Applicants must have a Letter of Support from a Military Installation or Range commander.

  • Land Acquisition - All RARI projects must include a land acquisition component. Projects that combine land acquisition and site development are also eligible.

  • Matching Requirement - RARI funds and reimburses up to 50% of all project costs. Applicants are responsible for finding other non-federal funds for at least 50% of project costs or pursuing Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (REPI) funds to meet the cost sharing requirement.

  • Perpetuity Requirement - Projects assisted through RARI must be maintained and accessible exclusively for public outdoor recreation use in perpetuity.

  • Other Land & Water Conservation Fund Requirements – As an Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) program, RARI projects must align with the purposes and requirements of the LWCF Act, LWCF Manual, and your relevant state’s State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP).

  • Projects will be selected through a National Park Service-led competition amongst projects solicited and nominated by each LWCF State Lead Agency.

  • Eligible applicants seeking a grant under the Readiness & Recreation Initiative must contact their LWCF State Lead Agency to get details about their state’s process for identifying and selecting projects for submission under this competition.

Funding Opportunities

Previous Grants

  • Through the 2024 Readiness and Recreation Initiative, DOW and DOI will invest $15 million in projects supporting military installation resilience, conservation, and recreational access around military bases in Florida (Naval Station Mayport), Indiana (Naval Support Activity Crane), Minnesota (Camp Ripley Military Training Center), North Carolina (Fort Liberty), and Virginia (Naval Weapons Station Yorktown).

Program Information