A $220,000 grant from the Land for Maine’s Future program will kick start the capital campaign to purchase and preserve Hacker’s Hill, a hilltop in Casco popular for its views of Sebago Lake and the White Mountains.

“It’s going to get us one really big step ahead,” said Carrie Walia, executive director of the Loon Echo Land Trust, which has an option to purchase the property.

The land trust signed an agreement in May with owners Jeff and Conrad Hall to buy 27 acres on Hacker’s Hill for $700,000, if the group could raise that money within a year.

The fundraising campaign, which started last week, has a goal of $800,000 to cover legal costs and establish an endowment for keeping Hacker’s Hill open to the public.

The first major pledge came from Casco residents, who voted at their June town meeting to donate $75,000. Since then, the land trust has also received $20,000 from a private donor and $3,000 from Norway Savings Bank, Walia said, leaving about $480,000 still to be raised.

Last week, the board of the Land for Maine’s Future program selected 22 projects, from 38 applicants, to receive a total of $7 million, most of which came from a $9.25 million bond package approved by voters in November.

Of the 16 conservation and recreation projects selected, Hacker’s Hill was the only one in southern Maine. Six farms, including Randall Orchard in Standish and Winter Hill Farm in Freeport, also received money.

In its application, the land trust asked for $350,000. Jody Harris, director of program services at the State Planning Office, said none of the applicants received as much money as requested.

Harris said the land trust must meet about a dozen requirements before it can receive the money. They include completing a boundary survey and an environmental assessment.

The land trust also needs to match 50 percent of the grant – about $110,000 – to get the money.

Walia said the group last week started handing our brochures asking for donations. Signs were expected to go up at Hacker’s Hill on Monday, she said.

Walia said the land trust plans to apply for several other grants and is already receiving donations from local residents.

“It’s a lofty goal. It’s a big project, but I feel like there’s a lot of public support out there,” she said.

Staff Writer Leslie Bridgers can be contacted at: 791-6364 or at lbridgers@mainetoday.com