Grant Payment Options

Grant recipients have two options for receiving their grant payment. Each option has slightly different requirements as to what documentation is needed by the Department before payment can be authorized. Information about these requirements is provided in the Grant Payment Checklist and Instructions and Grant Payment Request Form.

Option #1: Escrow closing

In an “escrow closing”, a third party, typically a title insurance company, receives all funds for the transaction and handles the closing on the property. The Department sends a check for the Department’s share of the purchase price of the property to the escrow agent along with a letter containing escrow instructions. The escrow agent is responsible for ensuring that all conditions contained in the escrow letter are met before releasing the funds. The Warranty Deed or Conservation Easement and the Grant Contract must be recorded immediately after the closing.

Within 60 days of the closing, you must submit final documentation for the transaction as well as a second Payment Request Form for miscellaneous acquisition costs. We can then authorize a second grant payment for up to 50% of those costs.

Option #2: Reimbursement after the closing

In this case, you do not need to submit required documentation before the closing because the Department provides its share of project costs as a reimbursement after you have closed on the property. We will authorize one payment that covers all eligible acquisition costs after all required materials have been submitted and reviewed by Department staff.