406-46-0552 Partners for Conservation (PFC) – Cost-Share
🏛 Illinois Department of Agriculture
Can you apply?
This grant is for Illinois county Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) that provide natural resource management and technical assistance to landowners. Only local county-level SWCDs in Illinois are eligible. Districts may fund landowner cost-sharing projects, streambank stabilization, nutrient loss protection, sustainable agriculture (including cover crops and new technologies), and health insurance costs.
Awards range from $1,600 to $500,000. No cost-share requirement. Applications accepted until June 15, 2026. Funding is formula-based across approximately 98 awards.
This grant is for Illinois county Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) that provide natural resource management and technical assistance to landowners. Only local county-level SWCDs in Illinois are eligible. Districts may fund landowner cost-sharing projects, streambank stabilization, nutrient loss protection, sustainable agriculture (including cover crops and new technologies), and health insurance costs.
Awards range from $1,600 to $500,000. No cost-share requirement. Applications accepted until June 15, 2026. Funding is formula-based across approximately 98 awards.
Program description
The Illinois Department of Agriculture (the “Department” or “IDOA”) is issuing this Notice of Funding Opportunity (“NOFO”) to fund projects for landowner cost sharing, streambank stabilization, nutrient loss protection and sustainable agriculture under the Soil and Water Conservation Districts program per the Soil and Water Conservation Districts Act (70 ILCS 405) and Partners for Planning and Conservation (30 ILCS 105/6z-32) Sec. 6z-32.
The Partners for Conservation Program is a long-term, state-supported initiative to protect natural resources and enhance outdoor recreational opportunities in Illinois. Several state agencies share responsibility for administering the Partners for Conservation Fund. The Illinois Department of Agriculture oversees the program’s agriculture-related components. Under the Illinois Department of Agriculture, the program implements strategies for maintaining the viability of Illinois’ soil and water resources. Soil and Water Conservation Districts assist landowners in natural resource management by providing technical assistance in such areas as soil conservation, water quality protection, wetlands management, flood control, soil erosion control at urban construction sites, stream bank stabilization, recycling, soil interpretation, land use and site suitability, and conservation education.
Local County Soil and Water Conservation Districts in Illinois that provide natural resource management technical assistance to landowners in such areas as soil conservation, water quality protection, wetlands management, flood control, soil erosion, stream bank stabilization, recycling, soil interpretation, land use and site suitability, and conservation education are eligible to apply.
Awards will be granted to applicants who meet all eligibility criteria. Applications are accepted until June 15, 2026. District funding is formula-based and will be allocated to projects supporting landowner cost sharing, streambank stabilization, nutrient loss protection, and sustainable agriculture, including the implementation of cover crops and adoption of new technologies. Funding is also available to cover health insurance costs. Awards will range from $1,600 to $500,000, with the Illinois Department of Agriculture planning to distribute these funds across 98 awards. Federal Assistance Listing: 10.902. Administered by the Illinois Department of Agriculture via the Illinois GATA Catalog of State Financial Assistance (CSFA 406-46-0552).
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Details
This grant is for Illinois county Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) that provide natural resource management and technical assistance to landowners. Only local county-level SWCDs in Illinois are eligible. Districts may fund landowner cost-sharing projects, streambank stabilization, nutrient loss protection, sustainable agriculture (including cover crops and new technologies), and health insurance costs.
Awards range from $1,600 to $500,000. No cost-share requirement. Applications accepted until June 15, 2026. Funding is formula-based across approximately 98 awards.
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- GATA application form
- Project narrative and workplan
- Budget and budget narrative
- Evidence of SWCD recognition/status in Illinois
- Description of landowner assistance capacity
Program contact
- 👤 Michelle Curby Michelle.Curby@Illinois.gov
- 📧 Michelle.Curby@Illinois.gov
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 10.902 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$105,000,000
-
$74,000,000
-
$60,000,000
-
$56,471,520
-
$47,783,820
-
$35,707,828
-
$30,739,045
-
$24,904,365
-
$21,235,103
-
$17,246,775
Top States by Funding
- OR 4 awards $130.3M
- MS 8 awards $104.2M
- CO 5 awards $63.5M
- AR 4 awards $52.2M
- MI 4 awards $35.5M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Only local county Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) in Illinois. Individual landowners, nonprofits, and other entities cannot apply directly.
What activities can districts fund with awards?
Landowner cost-sharing, streambank stabilization, nutrient loss protection, sustainable agriculture (cover crops, new technologies), and health insurance costs for district staff.
Is cost-sharing required?
No. This is a cost-share program for landowners, but the district does not need to contribute matching funds to receive the grant.
When is the deadline?
June 15, 2026. The state is accepting applications until that date.
How are awards distributed?
Funding is formula-based. Awards range from $1,600 to $500,000, distributed across approximately 98 awards statewide.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Confirm your SWCD is recognized as a local county conservation district in Illinois before applying. Registration and good standing matter.
- Plan projects aligned with the four priority areas: landowner cost-sharing, streambank stabilization, nutrient loss protection, and sustainable agriculture adoption.
- Document the technical assistance your district provides to landowners. Reviewers want evidence of capacity and past performance.
- Propose realistic timelines for streambank work and cover crop adoption. Multi-year projects may be stronger if multi-year funding is available.
- Include health insurance cost details if requesting those funds. Show connection to retaining district staff delivering conservation services.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applying without verified status as a local county SWCD in Illinois. Proposing projects outside the four eligible categories. Overestimating district capacity without showing historical project performance or partnerships.
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