The LCCMR makes recommendations for the use of the Environmental and Natural Resources Trust Fund, which is a fund appropriated by law for the public purpose of protection, conservation, preservation, and enhancement of the state’s air, water, land, fish, wildlife, and other natural resources.
Grant Guide
Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota's Resources (LCCMR)
Trust Fund Appropriations
Overview
Application & Review Process
Deadline: March 27, 2024 (for 2025)
Interested applicants should look at the RFP process. Applicants submit their proposals online for projects to be implemented starting the following year in July. If selected after the first round, applicants need to present their projects in person to the committee. The LCCMR recommends projects to the Minnesota Legislature, which then decides whether or not to approve.
Funding Amount
No maximum request
There is no minimum or maximum request amount. Projects less than $200,000 are considered small projects.
Eligibility
Projects
Recent project priorities include: foundational natural resource data and information, water resources, environmental education, aquatic and terrestrial invasive species, air quality, climate change, and renewable energy, methods to protect or restore land, water, and habitat, land acquisition, habitat, and recreation, and small projects.
Land/Resource
People/Engagement
Applicants
Any entity the demonstrates fiscal capacity.
Government Entity
501(c)(3) Nonprofit
Land Type & Geography
Projects within Minnesota are eligible.
State 
Regional
Local
Parks 
Trails
Statistics & Examples
Funding History
| Year | Funds Awarded | # Projects | Average Award |
| FY20 | $61,387,000 | 82 | $748,622 |
| FY19 | $45,828,000 | 67 | $684,000 |
| FY18 | $64,250,000 | 65 | $988,462 |
| FY17 | $37,909,000 | 79 | $479,861 |
| FY16 | $46,383,000 | 65 | $713,585 |
Past Award Examples
| Amount | Recipient | Project |
| $30,000 | Project Get Outdoors | Equip out-of-school youth programs for outdoor engagement |
| $191,000 | Superior Hiking Trail Association | Restore and repair five sections of the Superior Hiking Trail |
| $350,000 | Superior Cycling Association | Create single-track mountain bike trail connecting Britton Peak to Lutsen Mountains |
| $350,000 | City of Babbit | Adding a new campground at Birch Lake Recreation Area |
| $3,000,000 | St. Louis & Lake Counties Regional Railroad Authority | Mesabi Trail extensions |