Nominations open for Matching Awards Program in United States

Deadline: 22-Jan-2026

The National Forest Foundation (NFF) is accepting applications for its Matching Awards Program (MAP) to support hands-on community engagement and stewardship of America’s National Forests and Grasslands. The program funds projects that combine direct public land care with community involvement, prioritizing historically underserved populations, youth, Tribes, and schools. Awards require a 1:1 nonfederal cash match, with projects typically requesting $30,000 or less over an 18-month period.

Program Overview

The Matching Awards Program (MAP) aims to:

• Strengthen community connections to National Forests and Grasslands

• Encourage hands-on stewardship activities that improve public lands

• Foster long-term relationships and shared responsibility between communities and natural spaces

• Multiply impact through a matching funding model, pairing federal support with nonfederal cash

MAP emphasizes projects that:

• Center community engagement in stewardship

• Deliver tangible benefits such as trail maintenance, habitat restoration, environmental education, or data collection

• Are inclusive, engaging communities with historically limited access or involvement in conservation

Eligible Activities

Projects should integrate hands-on stewardship with community engagement, such as:

• Trail maintenance and habitat restoration

• Environmental education and outreach

• Citizen science or data collection to support land management decisions

• Activities appropriate for local communities and adaptable to their capacities

Priority Populations

MAP encourages proposals that:

• Engage youth, schools, Tribes, or underrepresented groups

• Create leadership and decision-making opportunities for community members

• Build long-term engagement strategies and sustained relationships with public lands

Funding and Match Requirements

• Applicants are encouraged to request $30,000 or less for new projects

• 1:1 nonfederal cash match required, encouraging local partnerships and investment

• Project periods may last up to 18 months, starting mid-2026

• Funding can support direct project costs and proportionate administrative expenses linked to stewardship and engagement

Eligible Applicants

• Nonprofit organizations

• Tribal governments and organizations

• Universities

• Applicants may use a fiscal sponsor if necessary

How to Apply

1. Check Eligibility: Ensure your organization fits MAP criteria.

2. Develop Project Proposal: Include objectives, community engagement plans, hands-on stewardship activities, expected outcomes, and budget.

3. Plan Match Funding: Confirm 1:1 nonfederal cash match availability.

4. Submit Application: Follow NFF submission guidelines by the specified deadline.

5. Implement and Monitor: Track participation, activities, and benefits to public lands and communities.

Why It Matters

MAP ensures that public lands benefit from active stewardship while communities gain access, skills, and leadership opportunities. The program:

• Expands who benefits from National Forests and Grasslands

• Strengthens local stewardship capacity

• Promotes environmental awareness, education, and sustainability

• Creates enduring social and ecological impacts

FAQ

Q1: What is the purpose of MAP?
A: To fund hands-on stewardship projects that actively engage communities with National Forests and Grasslands.

Q2: Who can apply?
A: Nonprofits, Tribal governments/organizations, and universities, with fiscal sponsors allowed.

Q3: What activities are eligible?
A: Trail maintenance, habitat restoration, environmental education, citizen science, and other stewardship-focused initiatives.

Q4: How does the matching requirement work?
A: Applicants must provide $1 of nonfederal cash for every $1 of federal funding requested.

Q5: What populations are prioritized?
A: Youth, schools, Tribes, underrepresented communities, and communities with historically limited access to public lands.

Q6: How long can projects last?
A: Up to 18 months, typically beginning mid-2026.

Q7: What is the typical funding amount?
A: Most new applicants request $30,000 or less.

Conclusion

The National Forest Foundation MAP program provides an opportunity to strengthen community engagement, improve public lands, and create lasting connections between people and forests. By combining hands-on stewardship with inclusive participation and a matching funding model, MAP ensures sustainable ecological and social impact across America’s National Forests and Grasslands.

For more information, visit National Forest Foundation.