Applications open for Matching Awards Program (United States)

Deadline: 09-Jul-2026

The Matching Awards Program (MAP) is the National Forest Foundation’s flagship competitive grant program that supports community engagement and stewardship projects benefiting National Forests and Grasslands across the United States. Administered in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, the program funds projects that combine meaningful community participation with on-the-ground conservation, restoration, recreation, and public lands stewardship activities.

The program prioritizes initiatives that create long-term relationships between communities and public lands, expand participation among underrepresented groups, and generate measurable environmental and social benefits for National Forest System lands.

Program Overview

The Matching Awards Program (MAP) supports projects that actively engage communities in caring for, restoring, protecting, and improving National Forest System lands.

The program is built on the principle that long-term conservation success depends on strong community connections to public lands. Every funded project must include direct community engagement and stewardship activities that provide clear benefits to National Forests, National Grasslands, or adjacent public lands.

The National Forest Foundation administers the program in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service to encourage public participation in public land stewardship while improving environmental, recreational, and community outcomes.

Program Objectives

The program aims to:

• Strengthen community connections to public lands.
• Increase public participation in stewardship activities.
• Improve the health and resilience of National Forest System lands.
• Support conservation and restoration efforts.
• Foster long-term community engagement.
• Expand access to public land experiences.
• Promote collaborative leadership opportunities.
• Encourage inclusive participation in public land management.
• Support sustainable recreation and resource protection.

Key Focus Areas

Projects may address one or more of the following priorities:

• Community engagement and stewardship
• Forest restoration
• Watershed restoration
• Recreation site improvement
• Trail maintenance and enhancement
• Native tree planting
• Native shrub planting
• Invasive species management
• Hazardous fuels reduction
• Public lands education
• Ecological monitoring
• Social monitoring
• Community science initiatives
• Outdoor recreation stewardship
• Indigenous ecological practices
• Collaborative conservation
• Nature-based wellbeing programs
• Public lands accessibility and inclusion

Eligible Stewardship Activities

Funded projects may include direct stewardship activities completed by community participants.

Examples include:

• Recreation site clean-up events.
• Trail construction and maintenance.
• Native vegetation restoration.
• Tree and shrub planting projects.
• Invasive species removal.
• Watershed improvement activities.
• Habitat restoration initiatives.
• Hazardous fuels reduction efforts.
• Public land monitoring projects.
• Visitor education programs.
• Resource protection campaigns.

Projects must produce measurable benefits for National Forest System lands.

Eligible Community Engagement Activities

Community engagement is the central requirement of every MAP project.

Eligible engagement activities may include:

• Public lands volunteer days.
• Community stewardship events.
• Field trips and outdoor learning experiences.
• Outdoor skills training programs.
• Indigenous ecological knowledge activities.
• Cultural and natural resource ceremonies.
• Nature-based therapeutic programs.
• Community ambassador initiatives.
• Community science projects.
• Public land awareness campaigns.
• Youth engagement activities.
• Collaborative leadership opportunities.

The program encourages engagement approaches that are culturally appropriate, community-driven, and meaningful to participants.

What Is Community Stewardship?

Community stewardship refers to active participation by community members in protecting, maintaining, restoring, and improving public lands.

Examples include:

• Volunteering for restoration projects.
• Participating in conservation activities.
• Monitoring environmental conditions.
• Educating visitors about responsible recreation.
• Supporting habitat restoration efforts.

The goal is to create lasting relationships between people and public lands while generating tangible conservation outcomes.

Project Location Requirements

Projects must:

• Take place on U.S. National Forests.
• Take place on U.S. National Grasslands.
• Occur on adjacent public lands that directly benefit National Forest System lands.
• Demonstrate clear environmental, recreational, educational, or community benefits.

Projects that cannot show a direct connection to National Forest System lands are generally not eligible.

Direct and Indirect Benefits

The program recognizes both direct and indirect stewardship benefits.

Direct Benefits

Examples include:

• Trail maintenance.
• Recreation site improvements.
• Habitat restoration.
• Invasive species removal.
• Tree planting.
• Watershed restoration.

Indirect Benefits

Examples include:

• Environmental monitoring.
• Visitor education programs.
• Community science projects.
• Data collection to inform management decisions.
• Public awareness campaigns that reduce resource damage.

Both direct and indirect benefits must clearly contribute to the care and management of National Forest System lands.

Priority Considerations

Special consideration may be given to projects that:

• Build long-term relationships with public lands.
• Increase participation among underserved communities.
• Expand access to outdoor experiences.
• Promote collaborative leadership.
• Incorporate Indigenous ecological knowledge.
• Create sustainable stewardship models.
• Develop future conservation leaders.
• Foster community ownership of conservation efforts.

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include:

• Nonprofit organizations.
• Tribal governments.
• Tribal organizations.
• Universities.
• Educational institutions that meet program requirements.

Organizations that are not directly eligible may apply through an eligible fiscal sponsor.

Who Is Not Eligible?

The following entities are not eligible to receive funding directly:

• Federal agencies.
• State government agencies.
• Local governments.
• Individuals.
• For-profit organizations.
• Private businesses.

These entities may participate as partners but cannot serve as direct grant recipients.

Matching Requirement

All funded projects must provide a one-to-one nonfederal cost share.

Matching contributions may include:

• Cash contributions.
• In-kind contributions.
• Volunteer labor.
• Donated materials.
• Third-party commitments.
• Professional services.

Matching funds must be:

• Nonfederal in origin.
• Verifiable and documented.
• Necessary for project implementation.
• Consistent with approved budgets.
• Compliant with federal grant requirements.

Example of the Match Requirement

If a project receives $20,000 in MAP funding, the applicant must provide at least $20,000 in eligible nonfederal matching contributions.

Why This Program Matters

National Forests and Grasslands provide critical environmental, recreational, cultural, and economic benefits.

The Matching Awards Program helps:

• Protect public lands.
• Restore ecosystems.
• Improve recreation opportunities.
• Support biodiversity conservation.
• Strengthen community involvement.
• Expand environmental education.
• Build stewardship ethics.
• Increase public access and inclusion.

By combining community participation with conservation action, the program creates lasting benefits for both people and landscapes.

How to Apply

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Verify that your organization is eligible to apply directly or through an eligible fiscal sponsor.

Step 2: Identify a Stewardship Need

Develop a project that addresses a specific conservation, restoration, recreation, or stewardship need on National Forest System lands.

Step 3: Design Community Engagement Activities

Create meaningful opportunities for community members to actively participate in stewardship activities.

Step 4: Develop a Matching Strategy

Secure the required one-to-one nonfederal match through cash, in-kind contributions, volunteer support, or partner commitments.

Step 5: Prepare a Project Plan

Include:

• Project goals.
• Stewardship activities.
• Community engagement strategy.
• Expected outcomes.
• Timeline.
• Budget.
• Matching contribution details.

Step 6: Submit the Application

Complete the application process and provide all required supporting documentation.

Tips for a Strong Application

• Demonstrate clear benefits to National Forest System lands.
• Prioritize meaningful community engagement.
• Include measurable environmental outcomes.
• Build strong partnerships.
• Highlight long-term stewardship impacts.
• Develop realistic budgets and timelines.
• Clearly document matching contributions.
• Show how the project will engage diverse communities.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Focusing on conservation without community engagement.
• Failing to demonstrate benefits to National Forest System lands.
• Providing insufficient matching contributions.
• Submitting unrealistic budgets.
• Offering vague stewardship outcomes.
• Lacking measurable performance indicators.
• Overlooking long-term sustainability planning.
• Failing to document matching commitments properly.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the Matching Awards Program?

The Matching Awards Program (MAP) is the National Forest Foundation’s primary competitive grant program supporting community-based stewardship projects on National Forest System lands.

Who administers the program?

The program is administered by the National Forest Foundation in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service.

What types of projects are eligible?

Eligible projects include stewardship, restoration, conservation, recreation improvement, community science, environmental education, and public engagement initiatives that benefit National Forests and Grasslands.

Is community engagement required?

Yes. Community engagement is the central component of every funded project and must involve active participation by community members.

Can universities apply?

Yes. Universities are eligible applicants under the program.

Are Tribal governments eligible?

Yes. Tribal governments and Tribal organizations are eligible to apply.

Is matching funding required?

Yes. All funded projects must provide a one-to-one nonfederal cost share through eligible matching contributions.

Conclusion

The National Forest Foundation’s Matching Awards Program provides critical support for community-driven stewardship initiatives that improve National Forests and Grasslands while strengthening public engagement with public lands. By funding projects that combine conservation action, restoration, education, recreation, and community participation, the program helps build healthier ecosystems, stronger communities, and lasting connections between people and the lands they help protect.

For more information, visit National Forest Foundation.