# Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program Request for Applications

Source: https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/usda-fs-cfp-2023-community-forest-and-open-space-conservation-program-request/  
Official notice: https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/346751

> Forest Service offered grants of up to $600,000 to nonprofits, state and local governments and tribes. It expected to make about 14 awards worth $6.0 million in total. Applications closed on March 31, 2023.

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Opportunity number | USDA-FS-CFP-2023 |
| Agency | Forest Service |
| Status | Forecast |
| Deadline | March 31, 2023 |
| Award ceiling | $600,000 |
| Award floor | not stated |
| Expected awards | 14 |
| Total funding | $6.0 million |
| Cost sharing | required |
| Assistance Listings | 10.689 |

## Who can apply

- County governments
- City or township governments
- Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
- Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education

## What the grant funds

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Forest Service, State and Private Forestry, Cooperative Forestry staff, requests applications for the Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program (Community Forest Program or CFP). This is a competitive grant program whereby local governments, qualified nonprofit organizations, and Indian tribes are eligible to apply for grants to establish community forests through the fee simple acquisition of private forest land from a willing seller. Interested local government and nonprofit applicants must submit applications to the State Forester. Tribal applicants must submit applications to the appropriate Tribal government officials. All applications, either hardcopy or electronic, must be received by State Foresters or Tribal governments by March 31, 2023. The purpose of the program is to establish community forests by protecting forest land from conversion to non-forest uses and provide community benefits such as sustainable forest management, environmental benefits including clean air, water, and wildlife habitat; benefits from forest-based educational programs; benefits from serving as models of effective forest stewardship; and recreational benefits secured with public access. Eligible lands for grants funded under this program are private forest that is at least five acres in size, suitable to sustain natural vegetation, and at least 75 percent forested. The lands must also be threatened by conversion to nonforest uses, must not be held in trust by the United States on behalf of any Indian Tribe, must not be Tribal allotment lands, must be offered for sale by a willing seller, and if acquired by an eligible entity, must provide defined community benefits under CFP and allow public access.

## Questions people ask

### Is USDA-FS-CFP-2023 still open?

No. It closed on March 31, 2023. A newer notice is open: USDA-FS-2026-GLRI-CFP, closes December 8, 2026 (31 days left).

### Who can apply for Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program Request for Applications?

Forest Service accepted applications from nonprofits, state and local governments and tribes.

### What is the deadline for Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program Request for Applications?

Closed March 31, 2023. Applications are no longer accepted; the program's newer notices are on this page when there are any.

### How much funding is available?

Awards of up to $600,000 each. About $6.0 million in total across about 14 awards.

### Who has won Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program (CFP) grants before?

The largest recipients over five fiscal years were Great Peninsula Conservancy, Whidbey-Camano Land Trust, Hudson Taconic Lands, Inc. The program made 67 awards worth $24.3 million in that time.