2026 Pocono Forests and Waters Conservation Landscape Mini Grant Program

 2026 Pocono Forests and Waters Conservation Landscape Mini Grant Program Instructions & Guidelines 

General Information : The Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC) was awarded a total of $80,000 from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) through their Community Conservation Partnership Program (C2P2) to administer the 2026 Pocono Forests and Waters Conservation Landscape (PFWCL) Mini Grant Program. The DCNR funding is provided through the Environmental Stewardship Fund administered by the Bureau of Recreation and Conservation. The PFWCL mini grant is administered by PEC as a reimbursement funding program.                    

Mini grants of $2,000 to $10,000 that support and advance the priorities of the PFWCL will be considered. All projects, related costs and funding must conform to the guidelines of the DCNR C2P2 Program: Partnership Grants 

All PFWCL mini grants require a 20% match of the total project cost, up to the maximum grant award of $10,000. Total project cost cannot exceed $50,000.  

• Cash Match - No portion of the cash match can originate from DCNR funding.
• In-kind Match - the value of municipal labor and/or professional services is equal to the hourly billable rate multiplied by the number of hours performing that service or job. The value of volunteer in-kind will be valued at the current Independent Sector Volunteer Rate for Pennsylvania at the time the work was performed. Currently this value is $32.28/hour. No portion of the in-kind match can originate from a DCNR funded project.
• All match must occur during the contracted begin and end date of the grant award.
• For more information on eligible and ineligible match and project costs click here. 

*Applicants should provide proof of match commitment. 

As mentioned above, the 2026 PFWCL Mini Grant Program is a reimbursement funding program. Costs should be described in the budget and will be paid only to the extent that they are incurred by the Grantee in performance of the Project Scope of Work. Grantees can receive reimbursement distributions as they are incurred but reimbursement requests must include documentation and proof of expenditures. Grantees are also required to submit a mid-grant progress report and a final Success Story (template provided). All project deliverables (if applicable) must also be submitted at the close-out of the grant.                     

Grants are awarded to projects that will be undertaken after the award of the grant, not to retroactively reimburse the cost of projects that have already begun or been completed prior to the grant award. No match can be expended prior to award of the grant; you cannot retroactively use match.

 Important Dates: 

• Grant Round Opens: March 16,2026                   
• Pre-Application Meeting: April 10, 2026 (Not required - but highly recommended)                    
• Application Deadline: May 4, 2026 (5:00 pm)                    
• Grant Awards Announced: End of May 2026                    
• Mini-Grant Kick-off meeting: June 5, 2026 (Required)                   
• Projects Begin: June 1, 2026                    
• Project Completion: May 31, 2027

 Questions 

For project and content related questions contact:   

• Janet Sweeney 
• Phone: 570.718.1635
• Email: jsweeney@pecpa.org 

For technical questions regarding completion of this application contact:   

• support@submittable.com
• Monday-Friday, 11:00am - 7:00pm, with limited availability on weekends. 

Completing the application: It is possible to complete the application during multiple sessions. Be sure to save as you go and before you end your session.  It is now possible to "Collaborate" on your application with project partners. Please answer all questions, complete the budget worksheet, and upload necessary documents before your final submission. 

Eligibility 

Who is eligible? 

Non-profit organizations with tax-exempt status 501(c)(3), municipalities, municipal agencies and school districts, colleges, universities. 

Non-profit organizations must submit proof of non-profit status and must submit the BCO certificate showing your organization is registered with the PA Department of State Bureau of Charitable Organizations.   

What kind of project is eligible? 

Projects must be located within the PFWCL region which includes the counties of Carbon, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike and Wayne.              

Projects must advance one or more of the priorities of the PFWCL. To see past projects that have been funded by this mini grant program, please click here.   

PFWCL Vision - Amplify regional efforts to conserve the Landscape’s natural resources through partnership and networking with core values of Conservation, Community, and Connections.   

Examples of projects that support PFWCL connection, conservation, and community priorities that will be considered for funding include:

Connections - Identify and create greenway and trail connections to public lands and communities throughout the landscape.

• Conduct trail corridor studies/feasibility studies

• Enhance and provide trailheads and trail amenities

• Develop wayfinding and educational signage

• Construct public access amenities   

Conservation – Conserve important natural landscape areas through methods such as acquisition, easements, and other land protection measures while championing stewardship of the region’s array of natural resources.

• Mapping, Signage, Access Improvements

• Promote land stewardship through education and outreach

• Develop educational programs regarding land and water conservation

• Protect waterways by addressing AMD and non-point source pollution

 Community - Engage communities to promote, enhance, and sustain local natural, cultural, and outdoor recreational resources.

• Promote recreational opportunities and use of land and water trails and conserved lands

• Implement projects identified in Open Space and Greenway Plans

• Create educational programs that engage participants using the natural, cultural, and outdoor recreational resources

• Develop tools to highlight the natural, cultural, and outdoor recreational assets and their benefits      

Application Submission Applicant Responsibility:

• For non-profit applicants: provide current proof of IRS 501(c)3 non-profit status and registration with the PA Bureau of Charitable Organizations. If you are not able to provide this documentation, a qualifying entity must serve as your fiscal agent.
• Identify projects within the conservation landscape region that advance the priorities of the PFWCL.
• Provide a budget that reflects realistic expenditures and complies with DCNR guidelines. (Eligible and Ineligible costs and match)
• Secure 20% match: All PFWCL mini grants require a 20% match of the total project cost, up to the maximum grant award of $10,000. (can be cash, in-kind services, or a combination of both). No portion of the match can originate from DCNR funding or a DCNR funded project. 
•  Provide letters of support and/or commitment from partners providing match. Letters should describe the type of program assistance (financial, technical, general), match amount and how that partner is contributing to the success of the project.

 Application Review 

Applications will be ranked by a review committee.                   

Applications will be ranked on the following:                    

Project Details (15 points)

• Project Need well thought out and explained = 10 pts.    
• Partners Engaged = 5 pts.

PFWCL Priority(ies) Alignment (10 points)

• Aligns and advances the priorities of the PFWCL and is clearly defined = 10 pts.

Goals, Measurements of Success, Activities/Actions (15 points)

• Goals, Measurements of Success, Activities/Actions are defined, implementable, and measurable = 15 pts.

Budget (10 points)

• Budget is complete and local match is documented and secured = 5pts.
• Budget costs reflect realistic expenditures and comply with DCNR guidelines = 5pts.

WOW = Up to 5 bonus points

• You can earn up to an additional 5 points for projects that are unique or innovative. You must describe what sets the project apart, such as how it differs from existing efforts, introduces new ideas or partnerships, addresses identified needs in a creative way, etc. = 0 - 5 pts.

*The review committee reserves the right to request additional information if they feel such information is crucial to the ranking process.