Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program
Agency: Forest Service
Assistance Listings: 10.689 -- Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program (CFP)
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.
...Applications are not submitted electronically via Grants.gov. The full Notice of Funding Opportunity and supporting documents (including scoring guidance and FAQs) are available under the 'Related Documents' tab of this listing and can be downloaded.
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 11:59 PM Eastern Time on Tuesday, October 13, 2026. All applicants must also send an e-mail to SM.FS.CFP@usda.gov to confirm that an application has been submitted.
State Foresters or Tribal government officials must forward applications to the appropriate Forest Service Regional office or International Institute of Tropical Forestry by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on Tuesday, October 27, 2026.
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
- City or township governments
- Federally recognized Native American tribal governments
Nonprofit
- Nonprofits non-higher education with 501(c)(3)
Additional information
Grantor contact information
Description
National CFP email inbox
Documents
| File name | Description | Last updated |
|---|---|---|
| Non-Federal_Lands_CFP_Community_Forest_Program-final_OMB_approved.docx | FY26 Community Forest Program NOFO | Aug 12, 2026 05:06 PM UTC |
| scoring-guidance-FY26.docx | FY26 Scoring Guidance | Aug 12, 2026 04:02 PM UTC |
Link to additional information
Closing: October 13, 2026
Award
$4,950,000
Program Funding
--
Expected awards
$1
Award Minimum
$600,000
Award Maximum
Funding opportunity number:
USDA-FS-2026-CFP
Cost sharing or matching requirement:
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:
6
Posted date:
August 12, 2026
Archive date:
November 12, 2026
