The Florida Communities Trust (FCT) Parks and Open Space Florida Forever Grant Program provides funding to local governments and nonprofit environmental organizations for acquiring land to create parks, open spaces, greenways, and other outdoor recreational areas. The program emphasizes projects that serve disadvantaged communities, offer public water access, or contribute to recreational trail systems. It operates under statutory authority outlined in Chapter 380, Florida Statutes, and associated administrative codes.

For the fiscal year 2024-2025, $15.7 million is available. Grant requests must not exceed $5 million per applicant per cycle, and applicants with three or more active grant agreements are ineligible until they close out enough to reduce their active agreements to two. Applications are accepted from November 1, 2024, through January 15, 2025, at 5:00 PM EST.

Eligible applicants include local governments, nonprofit environmental organizations, or partnerships between the two. Applications must align with procedures detailed in Form FCT-5 and include supporting documentation such as acquisition plans, estimated project costs, and due diligence products. Applications must be submitted in binders with clearly tabbed exhibits and include original signature cover letters from all applicants and partners.

Projects must focus on land acquisition through voluntary transactions and may include pre-acquired, reimbursement, or joint acquisitions. Cost estimates should include land purchase prices, surveys, appraisals, title reports, and environmental audits. Matching funds are required and can include contributions from local governments, nonprofits, private donations, or other grants, but not from the Florida Forever Trust Fund.

The grant application process also considers project excellence, such as strong community support, coordination of natural resource protection, and addressing land use conflicts. Applications are evaluated based on their compliance with environmental, recreational, and community goals outlined in state guidelines.

Interested applicants should review the detailed instructions and requirements available online or contact FCT staff via email or phone for assistance. Applications must be received at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Land and Recreation Grants Section in Tallahassee by the deadline to be considered.