Matching Awards Program (MAP)

Grants to USA nonprofit organizations, universities, and tribes for projects and initiatives that enhance outdoor recreation and improve the health of public forests and grasslands. Funding is intended for on-the-ground restoration and conservation projects that make a significant impact on the National Forest System. All MAP applications must include direct public participation. Projects must contain significant, legitimate community involvement or civic engagement in the pre-implementation, implementation, or post-implementation phase.

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 a weighted advantage in the review process.

Outdoor Experiences: 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 large-scale 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 integrate 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.

For additional information about the program areas, see: https://www.nationalforests.org/assets/files/MAP-2021-RFP.pdf#page=3