Grant Guidelines for
Nonprofit Conservation Organizations

The Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program recognizes the important role private citizens and nonprofit organizations play in meeting the conservation and recreation needs of Wisconsin. To facilitate partner participation, the program provides 50% match grants to eligible nonprofit conservation organizations (NCOs) to:

• Acquire land and conservation easements for resource protection and outdoor recreation
• Develop the Ice Age National Scenic Trail on state-owned lands or lands dedicated for the Trail

Stewardship grant applications are big undertakings! Please make yourself familiar with the process, which projects are eligible for Stewardship funding, and the terms and conditions that accompany stewardship contract.

Stewardship grants are increasingly competitive, and not all applicants will be awarded funds. To make your project the most competitive, please make yourself familiar with the NCO scoring and ranking criteria.

The FY 2013 Grant Cycle

The postmark deadline for NCO Grants for fiscal year 2013 awards is February 15, 2012. This is a firm deadline. The grant review and approval cycle is on a tight timeline and DNR staff cannot make exceptions.

Evaluation and approval requirements for Stewardship grant applications are extensive and take several months. If your project is selected for funding, you will be notified in May 2012.

The following information is for NCOs that wish to apply for a grant to acquire land or easements.

The Grant Process

• The “Big Picture” – steps to receiving a Stewardship Grant
• NCO project scoring and ranking criteria
• Application Forms, Checklists and Instructions and Links to Scoring Information
• Awarding the Grant

General Information

• Contact Grant Staff in your Region
• Organization Eligibility
• Eligible Projects and Program Priorities
• Stewardship Terms and Conditions
• Financing Your Project
• Grants for Conservation Easements
• Land Acquisition Guidelines for NCOs
• DNR List of Appraisers

Property Acquisition Guidance

• Real Estate Appraisal Guidelines [PDF]
• Appraisal Report Checklist [PDF]
• Appraiser List [PDF]

Grant Payments

• Grant Payment Options
• Grant Payment Checklist and Instructions
• Grant Payment Request Form
• Reimbursement Worksheet
• Accounting Standards

Grants to NCOs for Development Projects

NCOs interested in funding development projects or a habitat restoration on state lands or lands dedicated as a State Natural Areas or for the Ice Age National Scenic Trail should go to Guidelines for Friends Groups.