1. What is the National Forest Foundation’s Matching Awards Program?

The NFF Matching Awards Program provides challenge cost-share awards, on a competitive basis, to community-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, to engage in on-the-ground conservation initiatives benefiting National Forests and Grasslands. The Matching Awards Program is unique in that it effectively doubles the money available to forest conservation projects by adding federal funds to private, non-federal matching dollars. Project funding is for one year, with two award decision cycles per year. If awarded, project activities must be complete and all NFF and matching funding requested and fully expended by the end of the one-year award cycle.

2. Who is eligible for funding?

Applications will be considered from non-Federal partners, community-based organizations, Native American tribes and other nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations doing on-the-ground conservation work in or around National Forests or Grasslands.

Applications will not be considered from:

• 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 support;
• Organizations seeking funding for litigation or advocacy;
• Organizations that cannot produce a 1:1 match of non-federal, project-directed funds.

3. How do I apply to the National Forest Foundation’s Matching Awards Program?

You may send your completed MAP pre-proposal via email or via mail. If you choose to submit your pre-proposal via mail, please keep in mind that the due date reflects the date by which pre-proposals must be received by the NFF, not the postmarked date. Regardless of the method chosen to submit the proposal, you should receive an email notifying you of receipt of your pre-proposal within 3 days from the NFF. Please visit the MAP Application Process page for more information.  

4. What types of projects are eligible for funding?

The NFF supports projects that address community-based forest stewardship, watershed health and restoration, wildlife habitat improvement, and recreation issues in proactive ways by completing innovative on-the-ground conservation work in partnership with other community groups and individuals. The NFF Matching Awards Program focuses on “action-oriented” projects that serve to demonstrate and evaluate measurable outcomes. In addition, each partner must meet the non-federal cash match on at least a 1:1 basis. 

5. How does the funding work?

All non-federal matching funds and documentation of contributed goods and services to the project must be sent directly to the NFF. Once the non-federal funds, documentation and a cash request form have been received by the NFF, matching funds will be released for receipt within about two weeks of the invoicing dates (the first and third Wednesdays of each month, and additionally as necessary). The NFF funds will be released on a 1:1 basis to non-federal funds received. Non-federal funds can be submitted incrementally throughout the award period as soon as they are received.

6. What types of projects are not eligible for funding?

The NFF does not support general operating or overhead expenses, funding for multiple years, political advocacy or litigation of any kind, or scholarly research or education that is not oriented towards an on-the-ground conservation project.

7. Is there a typical grant amount?

Over $2.6 million in matching funds is available in 2007, with no average grant award. The NFF asks that applicants request an amount that accurately reflects their need for a given project. Past awards range from $500 to over $100,000, with most awards in the $20,000-$40,000 range. While federal and in-kind donations can be used to demonstrate leverage for the project, they cannot be used to meet the private cash match requirement. 

8. What documentation will I need to provide if my project is approved?

If your pre-proposal is approved, you will be asked to submit a detailed project proposal within approximately one month, in addition to a full financial plan, evidence of 501(c)(3) status, financial statements, IRS form 990, and a letter of support from the appropriate Forest Supervisor.