To save open space, care for nature, and connect people to the outdoors through land conservation, stewardship of preserves and gardens, and community engagement.
A three-year transfer of Natural Lands to the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation Land Conservancy stands out as the clearest signal of Natural Lands Trust Inc.'s recent work: $2,906,684 in 2023, $2,076,167 in 2024, and $653,509 in 2025 for land transfer. That pattern points to a funder that works on conservation transactions as well as ongoing stewardship. The foundation's stated purpose is to save open space, care for nature, and connect people to the outdoors through land conservation, stewardship of preserves and gardens, and community engagement. Its recent grant list also shows repeated support for conservation partners that manage land and habitat in Pennsylvania, including PA DCNR, PECO Open Space, Foundation of Pottstown Education, Pocono Heritage Land Trust, and Berks Nature. Those awards are often framed as monetary assistance to support the operations of other conservation efforts, which fits the organization’s operating and partnership-oriented philosophy. With annual grants of $6,933,259 and assets of $324,446,503, the foundation operates at a substantial local scale.
Land conservation is the most visible thread in the recent awards. Natural Lands Trust Inc. gave $2,906,684 in 2023, $2,076,167 in 2024, and $653,509 in 2025 to Delaware River Waterfront Corporation Land Conservancy for transfer of natural lands. In conservation operations, it supported PA DCNR with $164,335 in 2025 and $82,729 in 2024, both described as monetary assistance to support other conservation efforts. PECO Open Space received $160,000 in 2023 and $150,000 in 2024 for the same kind of operating support. The foundation also backed community-based land and nature work through $88,000 to Foundation of Pottstown Education in 2023 and $69,322 in 2025, plus $49,999 in 2023 and $41,666 in 2024 to Pocono Heritage Land Trust. Its grantmaking extends to local civic conservation efforts as well, including New Garden Township and the City of Coatesville.
Typical grant size sits at $43,333 at the 25th percentile, $70,884 at the median, and $160,000 at the 75th percentile. The pattern is repeat support rather than one-off giving: several recipients appear in multiple years, including PA DCNR, PECO Open Space, Foundation of Pottstown Education, Pocono Heritage Land Trust, and Berks Nature. The foundation also makes large transaction-oriented grants for land transfer alongside smaller operating-support awards for conservation partners. It does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments.
$4.6M
$342.5M
$26.6M
$23.8M
Most grants fall between $43K and $160K, with a median of $71K.
25th Percentile
$43K
Median
$71K
75th Percentile
$160K
Oliver P Bass
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Giving is entirely in Pennsylvania, with 100% of grants to recipients in the HQ state and Pennsylvania also the top state by grant count. Philadelphia appears through Delaware River Waterfront Corporation Land Conservancy, while Harrisburg, Warminster, Pottstown, East Strousburg, Reading, Landenberg, Jim Thorpe, and Coatesville also appear in the recent grants list. The geography is local and focused within the state rather than spread across multiple regions or countries.
Its stated focus includes land conservation, stewardship and habitat management, public access to nature and outdoor programming, community green spaces, gardens and cultural landscapes, and bird conservation. Recent grants also show support for conservation operations and land transfers.
Typical grant size is $43,333 at the 25th percentile, $70,884 at the median, and $160,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent list also includes much larger transaction grants and smaller local operating-support awards.
Yes. The recipient country distribution is entirely US, and 100% of grants in the recent list went to recipients in Pennsylvania. Cities and towns in the list include Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Warminster, Pottstown, Reading, and Coatesville.
Yes. PA DCNR, PECO Open Space, Foundation of Pottstown Education, Pocono Heritage Land Trust, and Berks Nature each appear in more than one year, which suggests recurring support rather than isolated awards.
No. The funder does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Current and upcoming funding from Natural Lands Trust that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Southeastern Pennsylvania municipal applicants and, within the City of Philadelphia, nonprofit organizations proposing projects to preserve, protect, or improve open spaces.
Deadline: The application period for 2025 is closed; applicants are told to check back for 2026.
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Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PA GAME COMMISSION (STATE GAME LANDS) | HARRISBURG, PA | $3,005,522 | 2026 | Transfer of Natural Lands |
| WESTTOWN TOWNSHIP | WEST CHESTER, PA | $550,000 | 2026 | Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts. |
| CHESTER HEIGHTS BOROUGH | CHESTER HEIGHTS, PA | $500,000 | 2026 | Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts. |
| FRENCH CREEK STATE PARK | ELVERSON, PA | $188,179 | 2026 | Transfer of Natural Lands |
| Delta Borough | Delta, PA | $50,000 | 2026 | Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts. |
| EASTTOWN TOWNSHIP | DEVON, PA | $49,972 | 2026 | Transfer of Natural Lands |
| Berks Nature | Reading, PA | $43,334 | 2026 | Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts. |
| Colebrook Railroad Preservation Trust | Boyertown, PA | $16,343 | 2026 | Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts. |
| Historic Trappe | Trappe, PA | $13,500 | 2026 | Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts. |
| Heritage Conservancy Inc | Doylestown, PA | $13,500 | 2026 | Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts. |
| Lower Salford Township | Harleysville, PA | $11,448 | 2026 | Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts. |
| National Audubon Society | Audubon, PA | $10,445 | 2026 | Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts. |
| Riverfront North Partnership | Philadelphia, PA | $10,000 | 2026 | Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts. |
| West Bradford Township | Downingtown, PA | $10,000 | 2026 | Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts. |
| Lower Makefield Township | Yardley, PA | $10,000 | 2026 | Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts. |
| New Garden Township | Landenberg, PA | $10,000 | 2026 | Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts. |
| Warminster Township | Warminster, PA | $10,000 | 2026 | Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts. |
| The Experimental Farm Network | Philadelphia, PA | $10,000 | 2026 | Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts. |
| Upland Borough | Upland, PA | $10,000 | 2026 | Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts. |
| Hispanic Association of Contractors & Enterprise | Philadelphia, PA | $10,000 | 2026 | Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts. |
| Cosacosa Art at Large Inc | Philadelphia, PA | $10,000 | 2026 | Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts. |
| Bristol Township | Bristol, PA | $10,000 | 2026 | Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts. |
| Radnor Township | Wayne, PA | $10,000 | 2026 | Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts. |
| East Coventry Township | Pottstown, PA | $9,000 | 2026 | Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts. |
| Hatboro Borough | Hatboro, PA | $7,500 | 2026 | Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts. |
| Limerick Township | Limerick, PA | $7,500 | 2026 | Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts. |
| Pottstown Borough | Pottstown, PA | $7,500 | 2026 | Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts. |
| Upper Gwynedd Township | North Wales, PA | $7,500 | 2026 | Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts. |
| Wyomissing Borough | Wyomissing, PA | $7,200 | 2026 | Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts. |
| Denver Borough | Denver, PA | $6,900 | 2026 | Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts. |
| Rodale Institute | Kutztown, PA | $5,851 | 2026 | Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts. |
| Washington Memorial Heritage | King of Prussia, PA | $5,396 | 2026 | Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts. |
| Delaware River Waterfront Corporation Land Conservancy | Philadelphia, PA | $653,509 | 2025 | Transfer of Natural Lands |
| PA DCNR | Harrisburg, PA | $164,335 | 2025 | Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts. |
| PECO Open Space | Warminster, PA | $160,000 | 2025 | Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts. |
| Foundation of Pottstown Education | Pottstown, PA | $69,322 | 2025 | Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts. |
| Pocono Heritage Land Trust | East Strousburg, PA | $58,335 | 2025 | Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts. |
| Delaware River Waterfront Corporation Land Conservancy | Philadelphia, PA | $2,076,167 | 2024 | Transfer of Natural Lands |
| PECO Open Space | Warminster, PA | $150,000 | 2024 | Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts. |
| PA DCNR | Harrisburg, PA | $82,729 | 2024 | Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts. |
| Foundation of Pottstown Education | Pottstown, PA | $65,000 | 2024 | Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts. |
| Berks Nature | Reading, PA | $43,333 | 2024 | Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts. |
| Pocono Heritage Land Trust | East Strousburg, PA | $41,666 | 2024 | Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts. |
| Carbon County Citizens for Water Farms & Land | JIM THORPE, PA | $10,000 | 2024 | Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts. |
| City of Coatesville | Coatesville, PA | $8,402 | 2024 | Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts. |
| Delaware River Waterfront Corporation Land Conservancy | Philadelphia, PA | $2,906,684 | 2023 | Transfer of Natural Lands |
| PECO Open Space | Warminster, PA | $160,000 | 2023 | Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts. |
| Foundation of Pottstown Education | Pottstown, PA | $88,000 | 2023 | Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts. |
| PA DCNR | Harrisburg, PA | $72,445 | 2023 | Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts. |
| Pocono Heritage Land Trust | East Strousburg, PA | $49,999 | 2023 | Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts. |
PA GAME COMMISSION (STATE GAME LANDS)
$3,005,522Transfer of Natural Lands
WESTTOWN TOWNSHIP
$550,000Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts.
CHESTER HEIGHTS BOROUGH
$500,000Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts.
FRENCH CREEK STATE PARK
$188,179Transfer of Natural Lands
Delta Borough
$50,000Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts.
EASTTOWN TOWNSHIP
$49,972Transfer of Natural Lands
Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts.
Colebrook Railroad Preservation Trust
$16,343Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts.
Historic Trappe
$13,500Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts.
Heritage Conservancy Inc
$13,500Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts.
Lower Salford Township
$11,448Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts.
National Audubon Society
$10,445Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts.
Riverfront North Partnership
$10,000Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts.
West Bradford Township
$10,000Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts.
Lower Makefield Township
$10,000Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts.
New Garden Township
$10,000Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts.
Warminster Township
$10,000Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts.
The Experimental Farm Network
$10,000Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts.
Upland Borough
$10,000Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts.
Hispanic Association of Contractors & Enterprise
$10,000Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts.
Cosacosa Art at Large Inc
$10,000Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts.
Bristol Township
$10,000Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts.
Radnor Township
$10,000Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts.
East Coventry Township
$9,000Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts.
Hatboro Borough
$7,500Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts.
Limerick Township
$7,500Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts.
Pottstown Borough
$7,500Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts.
Upper Gwynedd Township
$7,500Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts.
Wyomissing Borough
$7,200Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts.
Denver Borough
$6,900Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts.
Rodale Institute
$5,851Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts.
Washington Memorial Heritage
$5,396Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts.
Transfer of Natural Lands
PA DCNR
$164,335Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts.
PECO Open Space
$160,000Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts.
Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts.
Pocono Heritage Land Trust
$58,335Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts.
Transfer of Natural Lands
PECO Open Space
$150,000Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts.
PA DCNR
$82,729Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts.
Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts.
Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts.
Pocono Heritage Land Trust
$41,666Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts.
Carbon County Citizens for Water Farms & Land
$10,000Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts.
City of Coatesville
$8,402Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts.
Transfer of Natural Lands
PECO Open Space
$160,000Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts.
Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts.
PA DCNR
$72,445Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts.
Pocono Heritage Land Trust
$49,999Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts.