Foundation / Corporation
National Forest Foundation (NFF)
06/13/19 11:59 PM MDT
Grants to USA nonprofit organizations, universities, and tribes for projects and initiatives that improve outdoor experiences and the health of public forests and grasslands. Funding is available for on-the-ground restoration and conservation projects that yield an immediate and quantifiable impact on the National Forest System. These projects provide a lasting impact to the lands, waters, and wildlife of the National Forest System through the alteration of the physical environment.
The current NFF strategic plan focuses on the Program Areas of Outdoor Experiences and Forest Health. Organizations may self-select into one of the Program Areas defined below, or choose to submit a proposal that cohesively integrates the two Program Areas. Projects that strongly integrate the program areas are highly encouraged. The NFF does not have funding targets for the Program Areas, and strongly encourages applicants to integrate the programs areas cohesively in their proposals.
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 should generate tangible conservation outcomes or enhance high quality recreational experiences for the users of the National Forest System.
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 large-scale conservation initiatives.
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 integrate both in a clear, direct manner.
Civic Engagement and Community Involvement:
In addition to focusing on the above Program Areas, MAP requires projects show a strong commitment to civic engagement and community involvement through direct public participation. In order to be eligible for MAP funding, projects must contain significant, legitimate community involvement or civic engagement in the pre-implementation, implementation, or post-implementation phase.
More information about the program areas can be found at:
https://www.nationalforests.org/assets/files/MAP-2019-RFP.pdf#page=2
GrantWatch ID#: 177799
For reference purposes, the following details are from the 2018 Awards:
- Average Request: $25,066
- Median Request: $24,775
- Average Award: $24,271
- Median Award: $25,000
Requests from new applicants should come in at or below the average.
The proposed project period should be no more than 12 months long and start at least 2 months after the application deadline for the round.
- The award period for projects funded in Round 1 will begin in April/May 2019 and run for 12 months.
- The award period for projects funded in Round 2 will begin in August/September 2019 and run for 12 months.
501(c)(3) nonprofits, universities, and 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.
The NFF will not consider MAP applications from the following:
- Federal agencies;
- Regional, state or local governmental entities;
- For-profit organizations;
- Consultants;
- Educational and research organizations proposing projects that do not show tangible, on-the-ground benefit;
- Organizations seeking general operating or programmatic support;
- Organizations seeking funding for litigation or advocacy;
- Organizations that cannot produce 1:1 cash match of non-federal, project-directed funds.
- Organizations considering submitting a proposal for a work over a timeline longer than one-year.
The following project types are not eligible for funding:
- Funding for outreach and/or education as a primary project component;
- General operating or programmatic support;
- Funding for any form of advocacy or litigation;
- Funding provided to the U.S. Forest Service or any other federal entity.
Outdoor Experiences Program funds cannot support improvements of hardened facilities including, and similar to: campgrounds, parking lots, restrooms, visitor centers, and major signage.
Forest Health Program Area: The NFF will not fund monitoring work unless it is focused on determining the long-term effectiveness of previous NFF-funded on-the-ground work.
Proposal Deadlines:
- Round 1: January 23, 2019 at 11:59 PM MST
- Round 2: June 13, 2019 at 11:59 PM MDT
The process from proposal submission to notification of funding generally takes about two months. Organizations may have only one MAP award open at a time and should submit no more than one application per round.
Matching Requirements:
1:1 match of nonfederal cash funds required. Match must be expended contemporaneously with NFF grant funds and towards completion of the same project. In-kind and federal contributions are ineligible for use as match.
Forest Service Letters of Support:
All applications must include a letter of support from the Forest Supervisor of each National Forest or Grassland unit included in a proposal.
The NFF held an informational webinar about the Matching Awards Program on Monday, May 13, 2019. View webinar recording:
http://nationalforestfoundation.adobeconnect.com/piyvudc0h0dj/
Eligibility Questionnaire:
https://www.nationalforests.org/grant-programs/map/eligibility-questionnaire
Before starting your grant application, please review the funding source's website listed below for updates/changes/addendums/conferences/LOIs.
Apply Online:
https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=nationalforests
If you have questions not answered on the website or in the MAP Request for Proposals, please contact:
Adam Liljeblad, Director, Conservation Awards
(406) 830-3357
aliljeblad@nationalforests.org
National Forest Foundation
Bldg 27, Ste 3, Fort Missoula Rd
Missoula, MT 59804
P: 406.542.2805
F: 406.542.2810
Although they are technically eligible for funding, the NFF currently funds very few projects that do not physically take place on National Forest System lands.
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