This Highlands Council currently has four active grant programs. Please Note: As required by the Highlands Act, all grantees will be required to submit a detailed scope of work that includes only deliverables that effect local or county regulatory changes or master planning initiatives. Highlands Open Space Partnership Funding Program Sustainable Agriculture Grants TDR Feasibility Grants The Highlands Council provides planning grants to support costs associated with the development and/or revision of local planning and regulatory documents to integrate the land use provisions and resource management protections of the Highlands Act, so that those documents align with the goals, polices, and objectives of the Highlands Regional Master Plan. Grants are non-competitive and no match is required. Grants are reimbursement based and require an approved scope of work prior to project start. Technical assistance and coordination with other state agencies is also available. Eligibile Applicants Applications/Guidance
Contact An overview of planning grant expenditures to-date is available here. Highlands Open Space Partnership Funding Program OverviewThe Highlands Open Space Partnership Funding program is a matching grant program designed to support the acquisition of property for the protection of resources within the Highlands Region, and to further the goals of landowner equity as specified in the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act of 2004 and the Highlands Regional Master Plan (RMP). The Highlands Council will provide a maximum grant award of 50% of the total purchase price of the property. Eligible Applicants
Eligible Projects Application Package PLEASE NOTE: Applications are accepted at any time; there is no application deadline. Following review of materials, applicants will be notified if funding is currently available for the submitted project proposal. Contact Completed OSP Projects: Open Space Registry (pdf) Sustainable Agriculture Grants OverviewThe Highlands Council is offering grants to nonprofit organizations and public institutions of higher education for projects that advance innovative/alternative sustainable agriculture. Applications are currently not being accepted in this program. Please check back periodically for updates. Complete Program Details and Application Instructions (pdf) Eligible Applicants Verification of nonprofit status is required. Eligible Projects Ideal proposals in this grant program will be innovative in nature, replicable, and aligned with goals, policies, and objectives of the Highlands Regional Master Plan (RMP). Contacts James Humphries Director of Planning, Science and GIS TDR Feasibility Grants provide financial and technical support to municipalities interested in exploring the possibility of designating a TDR receiving zone in their community. Participation in this grant program requires a commitment by a municipality to fully evaluate the feasibility and desirability of designating a receiving zone, but does not obligate a municipality to establish such a zone. Additional information is available via the link below. Eligible Applicants Contact |