National Wildlife Refuge Friends Program

Posted by National Fish and Wildlife Foundation on August 6, 2018

NFWF Issues RFP to Support Refuge Friends Organizations

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, with corporate sponsorship from Enbridge, has issued a Request for Proposals for projects that support the efforts of refuge friends organizations to be effective co-stewards of the nation’s important natural resources within the National Wildlife Refuge System.

Through the 2018 National Wildlife Refuge Friends Program, NFWF will award grants of up to $15,000 to innovative and creative projects that seek to increase the number and effectiveness of organizations interested in assisting the Refuge System nationwide. While the grant program focuses on three areas, its overarching goals are to help refuge friends organizations build their capacity to develop and execute projects, build their skills, increase community recognition and support for the refuge and refuge friends organizations, build long-term relationships, and encourage the sharing of expertise within the Friends networks. Within each area of emphasis, priority will be given to proposals that demonstrate their ability to meet some or all of these overarching programmatic goals.

1) Nonprofit Capacity-Building Grants: Grants will be awarded to assist the efforts of both new and established refuge friends organizations to build their capacity. Funds for newly forming organizations may include formative and/or initial operational support. Funds for established refuge friends organizations may include activities that strengthen an organization’s ability to fully achieve its mission and sustain itself over time.

2) Project Specific Grants: Grants will be awarded to refuge friends organizations seeking support for projects initiated and managed by friends. For these grants, friends must clearly demonstrate their involvement in all aspects of the project in their narrative, including how the project will benefit friends and foster increased engagement of the public, community, volunteers, and/or members.

3) Peer-to-Peer Coaching: Funds will be provided to refuge friends organizations that propose to coordinate and execute a friends training workshop for a minimum of four other refuge friends organizations.

Eligible applicants include U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Refuge Friends organizations whose primary mission is to support a refuge or a complex of refuges. Applicants must be tax exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

See the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation website for complete program guidelines and application instructions.

Deadline: September 27, 2018

http://www.nfwf.org/refugefriends/Pages/2018rfp.aspx