Working together with our partners.

The NFF is the only conservation organization focused on addressing the challenges that face America’s National Forests. It stands apart from similar organizations through its commitment to facilitating local involvement and encouraging grassroots participation in forest stewardship.

The NFF provides financial support to our partner organizations and raises funds to effectively double or triple the total contribution to numerous local conservation initiatives. Involving a variety of stakeholders in forest stewardship provides further leverage by expanding the number and quality of skills dedicated to ensuring successful outcomes.

We fund our work and that of our partners through these grant programs:

Matching Awards Program - Nonprofit organizations dedicated to addressing the issues directly affecting natural resource issues on National Forests can apply for matching funding twice a year for hands-on stewardship projects. Areas of interest include: community-based forestry, watershed health and restoration, recreation, and wildlife habitat restoration.

Community Assistance Program - Newly forming organizations can apply for start-up grants of $5,000 to $15,000. Funds may be used for a variety of needs including: basic start-up and operating costs, materials and equipment, technical assistance, training, community outreach, obtaining 501(c)(3) status, program development, nonprofit management skill-building, and communications.

**CAP award recipients, once they demonstrate success in building organizational capacity and are able to raise non-federal match money, make natural fits to apply for MAP awards, and are encouraged to develop conservation projects that could be funded by the MAP.

Wilderness Stewardship Challenge - In celebrating the 40th anniversary of The Wilderness Act, the Forest Service issued a Wilderness Stewardship Challenge, calling for all Wilderness Areas in the National Forest System to be managed to standard within the next decade. The NFF will increase the resources available to meet this challenge by providing matching grants of up to $50,000 to nonprofit partners to implement projects that directly benefit Wilderness Areas within our National Forests System.

Unsure for which program you or your group should apply? Click here >>>

Need help applying for 501(c)(3) status or developing a sustainable community organization? Visit our Partnership Resource Center.