Deadline: 09-Jun-21
The National Forest Foundation (NFF) is seeking applications for its Matching Awards Program (MAP) to provide funding for results-oriented on-the-ground projects that enhance forest health and outdoor experiences on National Forests and Grasslands.
The National Forest Foundation (NFF) is the leading organization working on behalf of the American public to inspire personal and meaningful connections to our National Forests and Grasslands. Through direct fieldwork, facilitation, grant programs and promotion of responsible recreation, the National Forest Foundation inspires people to get personally involved in caring for the 193 million acres of public lands that make up our National Forest System. They do this because they believe these lands are an American treasure and are vital to the health of the communities.
Focus Areas
All projects proposed for MAP funding must align with one or both of the NFF’s two strategic focus areas of Outdoor Experiences and Forest Health. There are no funding targets for each program area; however, applications that cohesively integrate the two program areas receive weighted advantage in the review process.
- Outdoor Experiences Program Area: The NFF supports results-oriented, on-the-ground projects that improve the quality, condition, and care of Outdoor Experiences on National Forests. Projects supported under this program generate tangible conservation outcomes including enhancing high quality recreational experiences for the users of the National Forest System. Project examples include:
- Improving or maintaining recreation resource connectivity including, and similar to: trail maintenance, bridge and crossing construction or repair, and installation of trail drainage structures; and/or
- Engaging youth, volunteers, or diverse, underserved or under-engaged populations in hands-on stewardship activities; and/or
- Employing youth and/or veterans crews to implement on-the-ground conservation, stewardship and/or restoration work.
- Forest Health Program Area: The NFF supports results-oriented, on-the-ground, citizen-involved projects that maintain and/or restore ecosystem resiliency on National Forests. Projects should be consistent with or supportive of identified largescale conservation initiatives. Project examples include:
- Promoting ecosystem structure, function and diversity; and/or
- Promoting forest health through the removal or control of non-native invasive species, and/or reintroduction of native plants and trees.
- Integrated Projects: The NFF encourages projects that cohesively integrate Outdoor Experiences and Forest Health program areas. Ideal projects will have a strong connection to each of the individual program areas, and effectively connect both in a clear, direct manner. Project examples include:
- Engaging community volunteers to complete riparian plantings as part of a watershed-scale restoration project;
- Utilizing youth crews from underserved communities to complete habitat stewardship work and forest stand treatments.
Geographic Restrictions
MAP funding is available for projects that directly benefit U.S. National Forests and Grasslands nationwide. While work that does not physically take place on National Forest System lands is technically eligible for funding, the NFF currently funds very few projects off Forest Service lands.
Eligibility Criteria
501(c)(3) nonprofits, universities, and federally recognized Native American tribes are eligible to receive MAP grants. If an organization does not meet this eligibility requirement, it must utilize an eligible fiscal sponsor consistent with the NFF Policy on Fiscal Sponsorship. The NFF does not consider MAP applications from federal agencies, individuals, for-profit organizations, or regional, state or local governmental entities.
For more information, visit https://www.nationalforests.org/grant-programs/map