PARTF: For Applicants

PARTF provides dollar-for-dollar matching grants to local governments for the acquisition and/or development of park and recreational projects to serve the general public. A local government can request a maximum of $500,000 with each application.

Eligible applicants

North Carolina counties and incorporated municipalities are eligible for PARTF grants. Public authorities, as defined by N.C. General Statute 159-7, are also eligible if they are authorize to acquire land or develop recreational facilities for the general public.

Eligible projects

Local governments can apply to acquire land for parks and build recreational facilities for use by the public. A PARTF grant can also be used to protect the natural and scenic resources or renovate older park facilities. A project must be located on a single site.

Matching requirement

An applicant must match the grant dollar-for-dollar, 50 percent of the total cost of the project, and may contribute more than 50 percent. The appraised value of land to be donated to the applicant can be used as part of the match. The value of in-kind services, such as volunteer work, cannot be used as part of the match.

Applicants must have control of the PARTF park site

An applicant must own or have at least a 25-year signed lease or easement for the property where a PARTF facility will be located.

Public use

Property acquired with PARTF must be dedicated forever for public recreational use. Facilities built or renovated with a PARTF grant must be available for public recreational use for at least 25 years.

Administrative rules

The N.C. Administrative Rules for the PARTF local grant program describe the requirements of the grant program, including who can apply and how grant recipients are selected:

N.C. Administrative Code

2024 to 2025 funding cycle

March 14, 2025: Application review deadline

Local governments may submit their draft applications to their RRS regional consultant for a technical review to ensure that the application is complete.

May 1, 2025: Application deadline

Applications are due online in WebGrants.

Aug. 22, 2025: Selecting grant recipients

The Parks and Recreation Authority meets to select grant recipients.

Would you like help with your PARTF application?

The N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation provides technical assistance to local governments through a contract with Recreation Resources Services at N.C. State University.

RRS regional consultants

Complete the application early — by March 14, 2025 — and give it to your regional consultant for a preliminary technical review.

Maximum grant amount

Applicants can request a maximum grant of $500,000 with each application.

Matching requirement

An applicant must match the grant dollar-for-dollar, 50% of the total cost of the project and may contribute more than 50 percent. The appraised value of land to be donated to the applicant can be used as part of the match. The value of in-kind services, such as volunteer work, cannot be used as part of the match.

Land donations

A local government can use the appraised value of donate land as part of the 50% match for the grant. The donor of the land must be a private organization or individual. The applicant must provide a 5-year history of conveyance for the property. Land that is transferred to the applicant due to a statute or rule is not considered a donation. Do not transfer ownership to the local government until you have discussed this with your RRS Consultant and read the Land Acquisition Requirements section in the application.

Costs to build or renovate facilities

You will be submitting specific cost estimates as part of the PARTF grant application. Get estimates from contractors, architects, or planners who develop parks and recreational facilities. Consider the impact of inflation by assuming that the project may be completed over a 3-year period after the grantee signs a contract with the state. See the PARTF grant application for more information.

Costs to acquire land

In the cost estimates, an applicant will use the appraised value of the land that it proposes to buy or that will be donated. See the PARTF grant application for specific instructions.

The Parks and Recreation Authority, a nine-member board appointed by the Governor and the General Assembly, selects which applicants will receive funding. The factors considered by the Authority as it selects grant recipients include, but are not limited to:

• the criteria contained in the scoring system
• the geographic distribution of projects across the state
• the presence or absence of other funding sources
• the population of the applicant
• the level of compliance with prior grant agreements
• the grant amount being requested by the applicant
• the PARTF funds available for all grant applications

Each project is evaluated and scored by a team of PARTF staff and regional consultants from the Recreation Resources Service.