# Conservation Partners Legacy (CPL) Grant Program

From Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Listed on naturefunding.org, a free directory of nature restoration and conservation funding where every fact is read from the funder’s own page or the organisation that runs the programme for it.

- Status, from the check on 2 November 2026: Open (FY2027 Expedited Conservation Projects, Round 2): apply by 9 November 2026, 16:00. The funder gives the deadline as “November 9, 2026: ECP Round 2 closes at 4:00pm.”. Grants of $5,000 to $75,000 for restoration and enhancement only. Later rounds close on 11 January, 8 March and 10 May 2027, or when funds run out..
- How to apply: Apply directly
- Amount: $5,000 to $500,000 USD
- Who can apply: NGOs and Government bodies
- Where: Minnesota: the seven-county Twin Cities metro area, Duluth, Rochester and St. Cloud: United States
- Rounds: Fixed rounds with deadlines
- Co-funding required: Yes
- Restoration approach (our classification): Grasslands and savannas, Wetlands, Reforestation, Rivers and lakes, Protected areas and Urban nature
- Last checked: 2 November 2026. Every quote below was read on or after this day.

How to apply, who can apply and where are our categories, from the funder’s words; the quotes are below.
- Listing: https://naturefunding.org/p/mn-conservation-partners-legacy/
- Funder’s programme page: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/grants/habitat/cpl/index.html

Summary in naturefunding.org’s own words: Minnesota state matching grants for nonprofits and public bodies that restore, enhance or protect prairies, wetlands, forests and fish and wildlife habitat. In fiscal year 2027 all money goes to projects in the Twin Cities metro area and the state's largest cities.

## The facts, in the funder’s words

**Conservation Partners Legacy (CPL) Grant Program, how to apply:** Apply directly. When a call is open, eligible applicants apply to the funder or the organisation running the call.

> “Applications for Round 1 of the Metro and Expedited Conservation Project (ECP) grant cycles will be accepted online beginning August 1, 2026.”

Source: https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/fish_wildlife/cpl/fy27-rfp.pdf, checked 2 November 2026.
Cite this fact: https://naturefunding.org/p/mn-conservation-partners-legacy/#access

**Conservation Partners Legacy (CPL) Grant Program, amount:** $5,000 to $500,000 USD

> “provide competitive matching grants from $5,000 up to $500,000 to local, regional, state, and national non-profit organizations and government entities”

Source: https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/fish_wildlife/cpl/fy27-rfp.pdf, checked 2 November 2026.
Cite this fact: https://naturefunding.org/p/mn-conservation-partners-legacy/#amount

**Conservation Partners Legacy (CPL) Grant Program, where:** Minnesota: the seven-county Twin Cities metro area, Duluth, Rochester and St. Cloud: United States

> “Projects must be located within the 7- county metro area or within city limits of cities with a population of 50,000 or greater (Duluth, Rochester, St. Cloud).”

Source: https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/fish_wildlife/cpl/fy27-rfp.pdf, checked 2 November 2026.
Cite this fact: https://naturefunding.org/p/mn-conservation-partners-legacy/#geography

**Conservation Partners Legacy (CPL) Grant Program, who can apply:** NGOs and Government bodies

> “Registered 501 c(3) nonprofit organizations and government entities are eligible for CPL funding. Private individuals and for-profit organizations may not apply.”

Source: https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/fish_wildlife/cpl/fy27-rfp.pdf, checked 2 November 2026.
Cite this fact: https://naturefunding.org/p/mn-conservation-partners-legacy/#applicant_types

**Conservation Partners Legacy (CPL) Grant Program, rounds:** Fixed rounds with deadlines

> “Completed applications will be pulled for review every two months on the following days at 4:00 pm”

Source: https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/fish_wildlife/cpl/fy27-rfp.pdf, checked 2 November 2026.
Cite this fact: https://naturefunding.org/p/mn-conservation-partners-legacy/#window

**Conservation Partners Legacy (CPL) Grant Program, co-funding required:** Yes

> “A 10% match of non-state funds is required for all grants.”

Source: https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/fish_wildlife/cpl/fy27-rfp.pdf, checked 2 November 2026.
Cite this fact: https://naturefunding.org/p/mn-conservation-partners-legacy/#co_finance_required

## Calls (2)

### FY2027 Expedited Conservation Projects, Round 2

Call page: https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/fish_wildlife/cpl/funding_schedule.pdf

**Conservation Partners Legacy (CPL) Grant Program, FY2027 Expedited Conservation Projects, Round 2, status:** Open

> “Open continuously through May 10, 2027, or until funds run out, whichever comes first.”

Source: https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/fish_wildlife/cpl/fy27-rfp.pdf, checked 2 November 2026.
Cite this fact: https://naturefunding.org/p/mn-conservation-partners-legacy/#call-fy2027-ecp-round-2-status

**Conservation Partners Legacy (CPL) Grant Program, FY2027 Expedited Conservation Projects, Round 2, deadline:** 9 November 2026, 16:00 (the funder writes “November 9, 2026: ECP Round 2 closes at 4:00pm.”)

> “November 9, 2026: ECP Round 2 closes at 4:00pm.”

Source: https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/fish_wildlife/cpl/funding_schedule.pdf, checked 2 November 2026.
Cite this fact: https://naturefunding.org/p/mn-conservation-partners-legacy/#call-fy2027-ecp-round-2-deadline

Condition: Grants of $5,000 to $75,000 for restoration and enhancement only. Later rounds close on 11 January, 8 March and 10 May 2027, or when funds run out..

### FY2027 Metro grants, Round 2

Call page: https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/fish_wildlife/cpl/funding_schedule.pdf

**Conservation Partners Legacy (CPL) Grant Program, FY2027 Metro grants, Round 2, status:** Upcoming

> “January 1, 2027: Round 2 application system opens if funds remain.”

Source: https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/fish_wildlife/cpl/funding_schedule.pdf, checked 2 November 2026.
Cite this fact: https://naturefunding.org/p/mn-conservation-partners-legacy/#call-fy2027-metro-round-2-status

**Conservation Partners Legacy (CPL) Grant Program, FY2027 Metro grants, Round 2, opens:** 1 January 2027

> “January 1, 2027: Round 2 application system opens if funds remain.”

Source: https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/fish_wildlife/cpl/funding_schedule.pdf, checked 2 November 2026.
Cite this fact: https://naturefunding.org/p/mn-conservation-partners-legacy/#call-fy2027-metro-round-2-opens

**Conservation Partners Legacy (CPL) Grant Program, FY2027 Metro grants, Round 2, deadline:** 16 February 2027, 16:00 (the funder writes “February 16, 2027: Application system closes at 4:00pm”)

> “February 16, 2027: Application system closes at 4:00pm”

Source: https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/fish_wildlife/cpl/funding_schedule.pdf, checked 2 November 2026.
Cite this fact: https://naturefunding.org/p/mn-conservation-partners-legacy/#call-fy2027-metro-round-2-deadline

Condition: Held only if funds remain after Round 1..

## What the funder asks grantees to report

**Conservation Partners Legacy (CPL) Grant Program, reporting:** Grantees file an accomplishment report by 31 December of each year the grant is active, updated cumulatively until it becomes the final report, and prepare an ecological restoration and management plan with the first payment request.

> “Accomplishment Reports must be submitted by December 31 of each year that the grant is active. The Accomplishment Report form is designed to be cumulative and updated each year until it becomes the Final Report.”

Source: https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/fish_wildlife/cpl/fy27-rfp.pdf, checked 2 November 2026.
Cite this fact: https://naturefunding.org/p/mn-conservation-partners-legacy/#reporting

## How to cite

naturefunding.org, “Conservation Partners Legacy (CPL) Grant Program”, checked 2 November 2026, https://naturefunding.org/p/mn-conservation-partners-legacy/. Data CC BY 4.0. Quotes are the funder’s words; cite the funder’s page for them.

## Something wrong?

Report a problem: mailto:contact@naturefunding.org?subject=Problem%20with%20Conservation%20Partners%20Legacy%20(CPL)%20Grant%20Program&body=Listing%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fnaturefunding.org%2Fp%2Fmn-conservation-partners-legacy%2F%0A%0AWhat%20is%20wrong%20(deadline%2C%20amount%2C%20eligibility%2C%20link%E2%80%A6)%3F%0A%0A%0AWhere%20did%20you%20see%20the%20correct%20information%3F%20A%20link%20to%20the%20funder%E2%80%99s%20own%20page%20helps%20most.%0A
Funders can correct their listing: mailto:contact@naturefunding.org?subject=Funder%20correction%3A%20Conservation%20Partners%20Legacy%20(CPL)%20Grant%20Program&body=Listing%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fnaturefunding.org%2Fp%2Fmn-conservation-partners-legacy%2F%0A%0AYour%20name%2C%20role%20and%20organisation%3A%0A%0AWhat%20should%20change%2C%20and%20the%20page%20on%20your%20website%20that%20says%20so%3A%0A%0AWe%20change%20a%20listing%20only%20after%20confirming%20it%20on%20your%20own%20website.%20Listings%20can%E2%80%99t%20be%20bought.%0A