Grants Awarded
2026 Grants Awarded: We are pleased to announce that PSCC, through funding from its Prairie State Conservation Fund, has awarded over $1.7 million in Land Acquisition & Conservation Easement Grants, and Stewardship Challenge Grants, during our 2026 grant cycle. These funds will be used to support 17 projects which will result in the acquisition and permanent protection of nearly 500 acres, and the stewardship of over 400 acres, of natural habitat and wildlife areas across Illinois.
Together, these projects will expand and protect high-quality natural areas, improve habitat connectivity and ecological health, strengthen community-based conservation efforts and partnerships, and help ensure that Illinois’ landscapes remain healthy, resilient, and accessible for generations to come.
PSCC congratulates all grant recipients and looks forward to seeing the lasting impact of these projects across the state!
|
Year |
Organization |
Awarded Amount |
Program Area |
|---|---|---|---|
|
2026 |
Friends of the Kankakee |
$50,000 |
Acquisition of Land and Conservation Easements |
|
2026 |
Grand Prairie Friends |
$482,000 |
Acquisition of Land and Conservation Easements |
|
2026 |
Illinois Audubon Society |
$35,000 |
Acquisition of Land and Conservation Easements |
|
2026 |
McHenry County Conservation District |
$100,000 |
Acquisition of Land and Conservation Easements |
|
2026 |
Boone County Conservation District |
$277,200 |
Acquisition of Land and Conservation Easements |
|
2026 |
The Nature Conservancy |
$179,025 |
Acquisition of Land and Conservation Easements |
|
2026 |
Forest Preserves of Cook County |
$100,000 |
Acquisition of Land and Conservation Easements |
|
2026 |
Urban Growers Collective |
$250,000 |
Acquisition of Land and Conservation Easements |
|
2026 |
HeartLands Conservancy |
$30,000 |
Stewardship Challenge |
|
2026 |
Center for Humans and Nature |
$30,000 |
Stewardship Challenge |
|
2026 |
Openlands |
$30,000 |
Stewardship Challenge |
|
2026 |
The Conservation Foundation |
$30,000 |
Stewardship Challenge |
|
2026 |
Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation |
$30,000 |
Stewardship Challenge |
|
2026 |
Community Development Corporation of Pembroke Hopkins Park |
$30,000 |
Stewardship Challenge |
|
2026 |
Lake Forest Open Lands Association |
$30,000 |
Stewardship Challenge |
|
2026 |
American Indian Center Chicago |
$30,000 |
Stewardship Challenge |
|
2026 |
ParkLands Foundation |
$30,000 |
Stewardship Challenge |
Previously Awarded Grants
|
Year |
Organization |
Awarded Amount |
Program Area |
|---|---|---|---|
|
2025 |
American Indian Center Chicago |
$60,000 |
Acquisition of Land and Conservation Easements |
|
2025 |
The Conservation Fund |
$500,000 |
Acquisition of Land and Conservation Easements |
|
2025 |
Ducks Unlimited |
$280,000 |
Acquisition of Land and Conservation Easements |
|
2025 |
Forest Preserve District of Kane County |
$190,000 |
Acquisition of Land and Conservation Easements |
|
2025 |
McHenry County Conservation District |
$369,600 |
Acquisition of Land and Conservation Easements |
|
2025 |
The Nature Conservancy |
$143,250 |
Acquisition of Land and Conservation Easements |
|
2025 |
Openlands |
$226,000 |
Acquisition of Land and Conservation Easements |
*All grantees in 2025 were awarded grants at the level requested in their applications