Parks and Open Space Florida Forever Grant Program

The Parks and Open Space Florida Forever Grant Program, managed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, aims to preserve green spaces by funding local governments and eligible nonprofits for park and open space acquisitions. This initiative not only enhances outdoor recreation but also supports conservation efforts aligned with local comprehensive plans. A minimum 25% match is required from local governments, while smaller municipalities and nonprofits may have different criteria. Applications are accepted from November 3, 2025, to January 19, 2026.

NOTE: The application submission period is from November 3, 2025 - January 19, 2026
The preservation of green space, including parks, open space, beaches and natural areas, is an important factor in creating livable communities. In 1989, the Florida Communities Trust was created to meet this need. The Trust was funded through the Preservation 2000 bond program until the Florida Forever program was approved by the Florida Legislature in 1999.
The Parks and Open Space Florida Forever grant program provides funding to local governments and eligible nonprofit environmental organizations for acquisition of community-based parks, open space and greenways that further outdoor recreation and natural resource protection needs identified in local government comprehensive plans. The program provides local governments the opportunity to leverage local dollars with state dollars to optimize conservation benefits and encourages both public-private partnerships and land acquisition initiatives.
The Parks and Open Space Florida Forever Grant Program requires local governments to provide a minimum 25% match, except for nonprofit environmental organizations and small local governments (defined as municipalities with a population less than 10,000 and counties with a population less than 75,000).