Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program

Agency: Forest Service

10.689 -- Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program (CFP)

Archived opportunityLast Updated: May 13, 2026

Description

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Forest Service, State, Private & Tribal Forestry, is requesting applications for the Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program (Community Forest Program or CFP). 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.

...

To apply, interested local government and nonprofit applicants must submit applications to the State Forester where the property is located. Tribal applicants must submit applications to equivalent Tribal government officials. All applications must be received by State Foresters or Tribal governments by January 12th, 2024.

State Foresters or Tribal government officials must forward applications to the appropriate Forest Service Regional office or International Institute of Tropical Forestry by February 9th, 2024.

Projects must conform to laws and authorities in Section 7A of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act ([16 U.S.C. 2103d] Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program) as amended.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants

Government

Federally recognized Native American tribal governments
City or township governments

Nonprofit

Nonprofits non-higher education with 501(c)(3)

Additional information

Eligible local governments are any municipal government, county government, or other local government with jurisdiction over local land use decisions. Eligible Indian Tribes are federally recognized Indian tribes and Alaska Native Corporations. Qualified nonprofit organizations eligible for this opportunity are organizations that are consistent with Section 170(h)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and operates in accordance with one or more of the conservation purposes.

Grantor contact information

Description

Margaret Haines, National Program Manager 202-384-7192

Email

National CFP email inbox

SM.FS.CFP@usda.gov

Documents

File name	Description	Last updated
application-guidance-fy24-508.pdf	FY24 Application Guidance	Aug 18, 2023 06:15 PM UTC
community-forest-prog-fy24-rfa_508.pdf	FY24 Community Forest Program RFA	Aug 18, 2023 06:15 PM UTC

Link to additional information

Community Forest Program website

Archived: February 11, 2024

Application process

This site is a work in progress. Go to www.grants.gov to apply, track application status, and subscribe to updates.

Award

$--

Program Funding

Expected awards

$--

Award Minimum

$600,000

Award Maximum

Funding opportunity number:

USDA-FS-2024-CFP

Cost sharing or matching requirement:

Yes

Funding instrument type:

Grant

Opportunity Category:

Other

Opportunity Category Explanation:

To provide financial assistance to Indian Tribes, local governments, and qualified conservation non-profit organizations to acquire and establish community forests that provide community benefits.

Category of Funding Activity:

Natural resources

Category Explanation:

History

Version:

Posted date:

August 18, 2023

Archive date:

February 11, 2024