The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Forest Service, State, Private & Tribal Forestry, is accepting applications for its 2024 Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program.
Donor Name: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
State: All States
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 01/12/2024
Size of the Grant: may not exceed $600,000
Grant Duration: 2 years
Details:
CFP is a competitive grant program that provides financial assistance to Indian Tribes, local governments, and qualified conservation non-profit organizations to establish community forests through the fee simple acquisition of private forest land.
The purpose of the program is to establish community forests by protecting forestland from conversion to non-forest uses and provide community benefits including public recreation, environmental and economic benefits, and forest-based educational programs. Public access is required for all projects.
Funding Information
- Individual grant applications may not exceed $600,000 in requested federal funding, which does not include technical assistance requests. Grant applications must also include at least 50 percent nonfederal cost share.
- The initial grant period shall be for two years, and acquisition of lands should occur within that timeframe.
Eligible Land
Eligible land for grants funded under this program are private forest that provides defined community benefits under CFP and is:
- At least five acres in size;
- Suitable to sustain natural vegetation;
- At least 75 percent forested;
- Threatened by conversion to non-forest uses;
- Not held in trust by the United States on behalf of any Indian Tribe and not Tribal allotment lands;
- Offered for sale by a willing seller.
Eligible Uses of Funding
Allowable project costs include the purchase price for the property as well as transactional costs related to its acquisition. This includes:
- Appraisals and appraisal reviews;
- Land surveys;
- Legal and closing costs;
- Development of the Community Forest Plan;
- Title examination
Eligibility Criteria
Federally Recognized Indian Tribes (including Alaska Native Corporations), local governmental entities, or qualified nonprofit organizations that are qualified to acquire and manage land. Individuals are not eligible to receive funds through this program.
For more information, visit Grants.gov.
