DCNR Peer Grant

DCNR Peer Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources (DCNR)
Amount: Up to US $18,000
Last Updated: March 11, 2026

Summary

The DCNR Peer Grant, initiated by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, supports collaborative municipal projects to enhance park, recreation, and conservation services. With funding up to $18,000, municipalities can engage professional consultants to address specific, small-scale challenges. This initiative fosters community partnerships and emphasizes sustainable management of natural resources, ensuring that local ecosystems are preserved and enjoyed by future generations.

Overview

About DCNR Established on July 1, 1995, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) is charged with: Maintaining and protecting 121 state parks Managing 2.2 million acres of state forest land Providing information on the state's ecological and geologic resources Establishing community conservation partnerships with grants and technical assistance to benefit rivers, trails, greenways, local parks and recreation, regional heritage parks, open space, and natural areas. DCNR Mission DCNR’s mission is to conserve and sustain Pennsylvania’s natural resources for present and future generations’ use and enjoyment. DCNR Vision As Pennsylvania’s leader and chief advocate for conservation and outdoor recreation, DCNR will inspire citizens to: Value their natural resources Engage in conservation practices Experience the outdoors Partnership The goal of the Partnerships Grant Program is to advance collaborative multi-municipal or large-landscape recreation, conservation, and heritage projects. Funding is available for partnerships projects that help build local, county, regional, and statewide capacity to better develop and manage resources through the creation and implementation of public planning processes. Peer Grant The Peer Program is available to assist municipal entities with hiring a professional consultant to study specialized small-scale issues. Up to $18,000 can be made available to hire a peer -- typically a park and recreation professional -- to work in close collaboration with community leaders to develop an action plan.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. These projects help municipalities improve their park, recreation and conservation services through a collaborative process. Projects are accomplished through contracts with experienced park, recreation or conservation professionals working closely with community leaders.The applicant must provide at least a ten percent (10%) local cash match.The applicant must provide at least a ten percent (10%) local cash match.In special circumstances non-profit entities will be considered for peer funding on a case by case basis.Eligible Activities, Costs and Match:Contracted/Professional Services–These include costs provided under contract/professional service agreement with the grantee to perform all or part of the official scope of work.In-House Professional Services-These include the grantee’s paid staff for services and labor to perform all or part of the official scope of work. Volunteer Services–These include non-skilled services, which are not paid for by the applicant/grantee to perform all or part of the official scope of work.Donated Professional Services -These include services provided at no cost to the grantee by individuals possessing specialized skills or expert knowledge to perform all or part of the official scope of work.Other Project Cash Costs and Donations–These include miscellaneous costs and donations associated with performing all or part of the official scope of work. They include but are not limited to advertisements, meeting room rentals, map reproduction, printing, postage, travel, meals and lodging.The value of Equipment Use will be equal to the established hourly rate that the applicant/grantee normally charges for this use, as documented on an invoice.If the organization does not have established equipment rates or has to rent the equipment, the rental rate, as supported by a written quote or invoice will be used. For Municipalities, cash reimbursement of any equipment use requires a written justification and the approval of the Bureau prior to expenditure of local resources.Costs related to an independent project audit, if required by the Bureau. These costs may be considered eligible even if the audit is performed after the grant agreement period, as specified in the grant terms and conditions.Administrative costs for projects funded through the Environmental Stewardship Fund (GG1) are limited, by law, to a maximum of 5% of the grant amount. Some typical allowable administrative costs include legal counsel, accountant and bookkeeping costs.Administrative costs for projects funded with Heritage Areas funding are limited to a maximum of 5% of the grant amount. Some typical allowable administrative costs include legal counsel, accountant and bookkeeping costs.Meeting and conference costs associated with the completion of the scope of work are allowable. This includes costs of meals, transportation, facility rentals, speaker fees and other items incidental to such meetings or conferences.If the Partnerships grant request includes specific planning and/or development projects, refer to the eligible and ineligible activities documents for these types of projects.

Ineligibility

Non-cash match is not accepted for Peer-to-Peer Projects.Ineligible Activities, Costs and Match: Costs related to the preparation of the grant application. Costs for projects located outside of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Costs of conducting fundraising activities. Costs for lobbying activities. Costs of food, drink, gifts and or other hospitality items related to the general promotion of the grantee organization or not related to overnight travel expenses. Costs determined by the Bureau, to be in violation of the Grant Terms and Conditions. Match, whether in the form of cash, non-cash or a land donation, may be used only once as match. If it has been counted as match for another project/grant or portion of this project, it may not be used again as match, no matter who funded the project(s).