VOF will host a one-hour Forest CORE Fund Grant Workshop Webinar on Wednesday, November 19, 2025 from 1:00-2:00 p.m. using Microsoft Teams. The webinar will address key program requirements and criteria, provide guidance on material to submit with the application and share tips on navigating the grant portal. Registration is required. Click the button below to register.
The Forest CORE (Community Opportunities for Restoration and Enhancement) Fund for the Mountain Valley Pipeline region was established under VOF’s TERRA Program in June 2018 using $15 million from a mitigation agreement between the Commonwealth of Virginia and Mountain Valley Pipeline, LLC. The Fund’s purpose is to mitigate forest fragmentation that results from the clearing and grubbing activities along the pipeline’s 303-mile right-of-way through Virginia. Grants will be awarded to projects that mitigate for forest fragmentation by preserving, connecting and enhancing forest resources.
Projects must be located within localities 50 miles or less from the Mountain Valley Pipeline route. See below for an interactive map of the route and eligible area for projects, which is outlined by the bold line on the map.
To provide mitigation of forest fragmentation through:
Projects that result in avoided deforestation such as:
Projects that restore or establish forest land such as:
Projects that enhance forest land such as:
$4 million will be made available to fund grant proposals in fiscal year 2026. There is no maximum or minimum grant award criteria. This will be the final grant round for the Forest CORE Fund.
Any forest land preserved, established, or enhanced using funding from this grant program must be:
The FY2026 grant round for the Forest CORE Fund is now closed. Grants awards will be made at the March 12, 2026 board meeting. Please contact grants@vof.org with questions.
Scroll down to the Downloads section to obtain a PDF version of the 2020-2021 grant manual and supporting documentation. Note that the FY 2021 grant round has been completed. These documents are being provided for reference only.
A grant from VOF’s Forest CORE Fund is making it easier for people in SWVA to learn about and grow native plants, contributing to cleaner water, healthier soil and restored habitats for pollinators.
The Read Mountain Preserve has more than doubled in size thanks to a fruitful public/private partnership between a local advocacy group, local agencies, landowners and grants from VOF’s Preservation Trust and Forest Core funds.
