National Forest Foundation Offers Community Assistance Program

Posted by on February 17, 2006

National Forest Foundation Offers Community Assistance Program

Deadline: April 28, 2006; and September 8, 2006

The National Forest Foundation <a href="http://www.natlforests.org/">http://www.natlforests.org/</a> established the Community Assistance Program to promote the creation of locally based forest partnerships that seek to build ecological, social, and economic sustainability. The program will support newly formed nonprofit organizations in need of start-up capacity-building and which intend to proactively and inclusively engage the local community in forest management and conservation issues on and around national forests and grasslands.

The NFF CAP provides start-up grants in the $5,000-$15,000 range, as well as basic tools and guidance, to enable newly forming grassroots community groups to resolve differences and play a more active role in the sustainable management of nearby National Forests and surrounding communities.

Organizations applying for funding through CAP will be considered based on need and will not be required to match the NFF contribution. CAP funds can be used for a wide range of tools, including technical assistance, training, consultants, community outreach, obtaining 501(c)(3) status, group facilitation, basic start-up and operating costs, materials and equipment, program development, nonprofit management skill-building, and communications.

Applications will be accepted from newly formed community-based nonprofits in need of capacity-building and start-up organizational and technical assistance that wish to proactively engage in natural resource issues on and around national forests and grasslands. Applicants must have 501(c)(3) nonprofit status or use a nonprofit fiscal sponsor organization with that designation until they have obtained 501(c)(3) status themselves.

Established organizations, fire safe councils, federal agencies, and state or local governmental entities are not eligible to apply.

The submission dates for the 2006 Community Assistance Program are as follows: Round 1 proposals due: April 28, 2006; Round 2 proposals due: September 8, 2006.

Visit the NFF Web site for complete program information.

RFP Link:
<a href="http://fconline.fdncenter.org/pnd/10000428/natlforests
">http://fconline.fdncenter.org/pnd/10000428/natlforests</a>

For additional RFPs in Environment, visit:
<a href="http://fdncenter.org/pnd/rfp/cat_environment.jhtml">http://fdncenter.org/pnd/rfp/cat_environment.jhtml</a>