Donate Unbuildable Land, Save Money and Feel Good

We Created The Massachusetts Urban Conservancy (MUC)

Pronounced like “muck” =)
MUC receives donations of unbuildable or junk land.
Plants, pollinators and birds will live there.
Local school kids will learn about nature.
You’ll be free of the taxes, insurance and other costs.

A small lot sits between two houses, with cars parked to either side. The lot is full of undergrowth and trees.

Unbuildable? No problem. We focus on urban areas and environmental justice communities. This is our first lot!

Email info@muc.bio to tell us about your land.

Proven Donor Model

Grant-funded
First donation closed July 2026
Donor feels great!
No more taxes, insurance or maintenance.

the front of a black and white postcard. On the left is a line drawing showing a man looking down into a shallow ravine. Behind him is the corner of a house on the same lot, with a fence and cityscape in the background

No Lot Too Problematic

Postage stamp
Sliver lot
Junk land
Unknown lot lines
Encroachment
No road access
Paved over
Steep
Wetlands
Environmental assessment needed
Not even sure where it is

A map of a lot in Randolph, Massachusetts showing undevelopable forest space between two buildings.

This lot in Randolph is now owned by the Massachusetts Urban Conservancy because a previous owner donated it.

How it works

We’ll apply for a grant naming your lot.
If the grant is awarded, MUC will receive your donation. You’ll be free of it.
If the grant is declined, we’ll try again.
You can cancel as long as we haven’t named you in an active grant proposal.

MassLandlords works with the Massachusetts Urban Conservancy for land donations.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long will it take?

The grant cycle is once per year, so anywhere from 60 days to one year depending on when you enroll with us.

How much will it cost me?

Our first acquisition in Randolph cost the donor $0.

We apply for grant funding to pay for both side’s separate attorneys and closing costs.

Do I need to have paid my back taxes?

Yes, the taxes will need to be paid prior to closing. We can proceed with a donation but we will need a deposit at time of purchase and sale signing equal to the tax arrears so that we can pay those.

Who can donate?

This donation process is available to MassLandlords members at time of signing the purchase and sale agreement. You must remain a member in good standing through closing. You can join online. Joining does not guarantee that we will be successful in a grant application, but while you wait, there are many other membership benefits to take advantage of.

How will the donation be acknowledged?

Pending grant funding, we will plan to put in place a permanent commemorative stone and plaque on the land. We also express public thanks in articles and on our site.

Can I see a sample purchase and sale?

Yes, you can download it from the MUC site.

What exactly will you do with the land?

We will conduct a lot survey and environmental assessment. We’ll protect the land from development forever. We’ll remove invasive species over time and potentially replant (requires a separate grant). We’ll invite local schools to take field trips to the land to study any topic of interest (requires a separate grant).

Can I donate something other than land?

Yes! We are entirely grant and donor funded, so if you are in a position to make a monetary donation of any amount, we’d be enormously grateful.

We potentially could use volunteer hours depending on your location.

How many lots can I donate?

There is no limit to the number of lots that can be donated by a single owner or set of owners. We just need to apply for the grants listing each lot.

How do I get started?

Email info@muc.bio to start a conversation.

MUC Acquires Its First Parcel, Launching Statewide Educational, Environmental Mission

First Published July 24th, 2026 | Updated August 26th, 2026 Posted in News - 0 Comments

photo of a patch of forested land overgrown with green weeds and trees, with a wooden perimeter fence in the background and part of a wooden storage shed visible in the distance, on a sunny day with streaks of sun cutting through shade spotting the trees and bushes.

The Massachusetts Urban Conservancy acquired its first property in July, embarking on its long-term vision of creating a statewide series of protected urban natural spaces.