Preservation Trust Fund (PTF) – FY27 – Fall Round
🏛 Virginia Outdoors Foundation
✓ Free, no account · Source: Virginia state grants portal · Last verified Jun 17, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for land conservation and open-space preservation on public or private land in Virginia. Applicants must have a real estate interest to convey (such as fee simple ownership or development rights) and must partner with the Virginia Outdoors Foundation or a locality to hold the protected interest. The grant funds acquisitions, easements, and conservation easements that permanently protect open space for farming, forestry, wildlife habitat, recreation, water quality, historic sites, and public access. Projects must demonstrate readiness for implementation and cannot be on land already protected by existing deed restrictions.
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Program description
Preservation Trust Fund (PTF) Overview Established by the Virginia General Assembly in 1997 and administered by the Virginia Outdoors Foundation (VOF), the Open-Space Lands Preservation Trust Fund (PTF) provides grants for acquisitions, easements, rights of way, and other methods of protecting open space for farming, forestry, recreation, wildlife, water quality, and more. A right, privilege, or interest in real estate must be conveyed to an eligible holder pursuant to Virginia’s Open-Space Land Act, to be eligible for PTF funding . Opportunity VOF hosts two grant rounds annually, with requests for proposals announced in the beginning and the middle of the calendar year and grant awards made in late spring and fall. Grant agreements have a two-year lifespan. VOF seeks proposals for projects that protect natural and cultural resources such as exceptional farms, forests, wildlife habitat, or historic sites. In addition, VOF seeks proposals for projects that protect new or expanded public access to open space, such as parks, preserves, trails, greenways, outdoor classrooms, beaches, and boat launches. Proposals may be submitted for both public and private lands. Successful proposals will protect and permanently preserve open space with deed restrictions to protect the highest conservation values of a property. Project Eligibility PTF grants may be awarded to any person, organization, or locality with a real estate interest to convey on either public or private land. Land acquisition or protection of owned land are eligible activities for PTF funding as long as the parcel is not already protected through existing deed restrictions. The total amount of impervious surface will be capped, and project sites that are currently predominantly hardscape or are intended to be predominately hardscape are not good candidates. Priority will be given to land protection projects that are ready for implementation. Land Protection Partnership Permanent land protection is a required component of the Preservation Trust Fund, with the legislative language specifying that VOF or a locality must take a real estate interest in a property. Legislative requirements may be met by partnering with a state agency. No funds may be disbursed until the real estate interest is conveyed. Funds Available The amount of funding available for each grant round is determined annually. In recent cycles, grant awards have averaged $150,000 per project. However, there is no absolute cap, and exceptional projects, as well as those with substantiated need, have been funded at higher amounts. Alternatively, partial funding is also possible. The amount of a PTF grant must be substantiated by the value of the real estate interest being conveyed as shown by an assessment, appraisal, or other accepted methodology. Funds may be disbursed only when a real estate interest has been conveyed to VOF or a locality. Once a land protection instrument is recorded, the grant award may be issued in full. Eligible Costs PTF grants may pay for any costs associated with the conveyance of an interest, right, or privilege in open space to VOF or a locality including fee-simple acquisition, development rights, public access rights of way. Federal Program Compatibility The requirement for VOF or a locality to take a real estate interest may complicate or prevent land from being eligible for federal sources of grant funding, federal ownership, or, in the case of a tribal applicant, to have ownership placed in federal trust for the benefit of the tribe. Grant applicants who may be considering federal partnerships of any kind should contact grant staff before applying. Application Process Applications will be accepted through an online process, which can be accessed at https://www.vof.org/protect/grants/ptf/ . Interested applicants should check the website for updates. Please contact grant program staff at grants@vof.org with any questions about the application process or project eligibility. Resource Material Resource Material
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Online application form
- Real estate appraisal or assessment documentation
- Project narrative describing conservation values and goals
- Proof of real estate interest or intent to convey
- Partnership agreement or letter from VOF or locality confirming willingness to hold the interest
Program contact
- 👤 Emily White
- 📧 ewhite@vof.org
- 📞 (434) 282-7054
FAQ
Who can apply for PTF grants?
Any person, organization, or locality with a real estate interest to convey on public or private land. You must partner with VOF or a locality to hold the conservation interest.
What types of projects are funded?
Land acquisitions, conservation easements, development rights, and public access rights of way. Projects must protect farms, forests, wildlife habitat, historic sites, or public access areas like trails and parks.
When are applications due?
VOF typically accepts proposals twice annually in spring and fall. Check vof.org/protect/grants/ptf/ for specific deadlines.
What is the typical award amount?
Recent grants have averaged around $150,000, but awards vary based on the real estate value being protected. Partial funding is also available.
Is cost-sharing required?
No, cost-sharing is not required. Grant amounts must be supported by an appraisal or assessment of the real estate interest conveyed.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Ensure you have a confirmed real estate interest (ownership or development rights) before applying. VOF or a locality must be willing to hold the conservation easement or fee interest.
- Get a professional appraisal or assessment before submitting. The grant amount must be justified by the value of the real estate interest being conveyed.
- Prioritize projects ready for implementation. VOF prioritizes applications where the land protection can happen quickly.
- Avoid heavily developed or hardscape-intensive sites. The grant favors projects that protect natural and working lands, not urban development projects.
- Contact VOF staff early with questions about federal funding compatibility. If you're pursuing federal money separately, discuss this with grants@vof.org before applying.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applying without a confirmed partner (VOF or locality) to hold the conservation interest; projects fail because this partnership is a legal requirement. Submitting land already protected by existing deed restrictions or projects heavily focused on hardscape/impervious surfaces. Underestimating timeline—grants are only disbursed after the real estate interest is recorded, so projects not ready to close are weaker candidates.
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