YORK COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION

This program is dedicated to helping communities and non-profit organizations throughout York County preserve and protect open space. It offers grant funding in three categories: Land Acquisition, Planning and Ordinance Assistance, and Improvement (Marcellus Shale Legacy). Grants are for acquiring land for natural resource protection or parkland; conducting planning studies and developing portions of comprehensive plans and ordinances to address the County Comprehensive Plan’s open space, land protection, sensitive natural features, and agricultural protection related goals and objectives; and planning, acquiring, developing, rehabilitating, and repairing open spaces and recreational facilities. For details on these grants, please refer to the program guidelines and FAQs.

Note: There will be a virtual grant workshop on August 20, 2026, at 1:30 P.M. To register for the workshop, please contact YorkOpenSpace@ycpc.org.

Eligible Entities: Any municipality in York County, PA (multi-municipal applications are eligible and encouraged); charitable non-profit organizations with 501(c) status with an identified focus on natural resource protection, land preservation, parks/recreation, or conservation; York County Parks Department; Other York County agencies (Improvement funding only); York County school districts (Improvement funding only)
Award Amount: Varies based on the grant category
Required Match: Varies based on the grant category
Applications Due: September 30, 2026