Building Capacity for Conservation Impact

A three-year action-research project for local and regional land conservation organizations

Are you ready to build a strong sustainable professional organization?

Does your organization wish to grow its work to increase the rate of land conservation in your community?

Do you want to set ambitious conservation goals?

The Centre for Land Conservation (CLC) is undertaking a three-year project to help ambitious and high-performing non-profit charitable land conservation organizations realize their bold conservation goals. The project will invest in building their capacity to significantly increase their conservation outcomes through strengthened governance, fundraising, program delivery, and operational performance.

Working with up to ten local and regional land conservation organizations across Canada, the CLC will provide up to $300,000 in support for selected capacity-building initiatives, complemented by mentorship and peer-learning opportunities, with the goal of at least doubling the rate of conservation of participating organizations.

Is your land conservation organization a good fit?

To be eligible, you must be a local or regional non-profit charitable land conservation organization in good standing. The project is best suited for those organizations that:

Have at least three properties and over $1 million in assets (land and/or financial)
Have in place, or are ready to set and achieve bold science-based conservation goals
Are prepared to develop and undertake a multi-year strategic fundraising campaign
Participate or commit to participate in the Conservation Excellence Certification Program and the Conservation Leadership Program
Commit to raising at least 1:1 matching funds

This program will not support:

Direct or related costs for land securement or land stewardship
Stewardship equipment purchases or rentals
Non-charitable activities

How to Apply

Step 1: Submit a short Expression of Interest (EOI) – Due November 27, 2025

See form below.

Step 2: Selected organizations will be notified and invited to complete a full application – December 9, 2025

Step 3: Full Application (If selected) – Due January 12, 2026

Step 4: Review and approval process

A comprehensive review of applications, including external expert reviewers, will select up to ten organizations for CLC Board approval. Please note that applicants may be contacted during the review process for clarifications or additional information.

Why Participate?

By participating in the Building Capacity for Conservation Impact project, your land conservation organization will not only strengthen its own capacity – you’ll be part of a national learning cohort working to identify barriers, test solutions, and help shape the future of conservation in Canada.

Questions? Contact us anytime at [info@centreforlandconservation.org]