Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program (CFP) (10.689)
Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program (CFP) (Assistance Listing 10.689) is run by the Forest Service, part of the Department of Agriculture. It awarded $24.3 million in 67 grants from fiscal 2021 to 2025, about $363,061 per award on average. 1 funding opportunity is open or forecast now.
The typical award was $400,000. Half of the 67 awards fell between $218,078 and $600,000, and they ranged from $3,266 to $600,000.
- Awarded, FY 2021 to 2025$24.3 million
- Grant awards67
- Typical award$400,000
- Awarded in FY 2025$6.3 million
- Size rank1249 of 1824
- Type of assistanceProject grants (discretionary)
Key findings
- Annual funding rose from $3.9 million in fiscal 2021 to $6.3 million in fiscal 2025.
- It is the 1249th largest of 1,824 federal grant programs by five-year awards.
- The 20 largest recipients received 60% of the money.
- Awards went to recipients in 24 states and territories.
What the program funds
The Community Forest Program (CFP) is a competitive grant program that provides financial assistance to tribal entities, local governments, and qualified conservation non-profit organizations to acquire and establish community forests that provide community benefits. Community forest benefits are specified in the authorizing statute (16 U.S.C. 2103(d)) and Final Rule (36 CFR Part 230), including: economic benefits from sustainable forest management and tourism; environmental benefits from natural resource conservation such as storm water management, clean air and water, and wildlife habitat; forest-based educational programs, model forest stewardship activities; and recreational opportunities. Public access to the community forests is required and intended to enhance public health and well-being. In addition, the program authorizes allocation of a limited amount of appropriated funds to State Foresters and equivalent Indian tribe officials for technical assistance to implement community forest projects.
Open opportunities
Rules from the program listing
Who can apply
Project grants are awarded to Federally Recognized Indian Tribes (including Alaska Native Corporations), local governmental entities, or qualified nonprofit organizations (as defined in 16 U.S.C. 2103(d)) that are qualified to acquire and manage land. Individuals are not eligible to receive funds through this program.
What the money can and cannot pay for
Assistance will be used to acquire easements or land in fee-simple to meet the goals of the program. Landowner participation in the program is voluntary and consists of conveying land to achieve conservation objectives.
Matching requirements
This program has no statutory formula. Funds reimbursed by the Federal Government may not exceed 50 percent of the total project budget expended by the grantee. The non-Federal share of the match may be in the form of cash, services, or in-kind contribution. This program may use up to 10% of its funds for each fiscal year to provide technical assistance grants. Technical assistance funds do not have a matching requirement and are available to state foresters or equivalent officials of Indian tribes with a funded project in their jurisdiction.MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Deadlines
Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for application deadlines
Award range and average, in the agency's words
Individual grant applications may not exceed $600,000 in program financial assistance. Range is from $150,000 to $600,000
Examples of funded projects
Fiscal Year2025: This award will facilitate the acquisition of the Mosher Hill Falls Community Forest; a forested property selected for funding through a competitive process based on the public benefits this acquisition will have on the surrounding community. The property will be acquired and subsequently managed as a community forest under an approved community forest plan.
Funding history and past recipients
From fiscal 2021 to 2025, Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program (CFP) (10.689) awarded$24.3 million across 67 grant awards, an average of $363,061 per award.
| Recipient | State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Great Peninsula Conservancy | Washington | 3 | $1.8 million |
| Whidbey-Camano Land Trust | Washington | 2 | $1.0 million |
| Hudson Taconic Lands, Inc. | New York | 3 | $960,134 |
| Bayfield County | Wisconsin | 2 | $912,379 |
| Inland Woods + Trails | Maine | 2 | $900,112 |
| Ozaukee County | Wisconsin | 1 | $600,000 |
| Five Valleys Land Trust Inc | Montana | 1 | $600,000 |
| Stoddard, Town of | New Hampshire | 1 | $600,000 |
| Kaniksu Land Trust Inc | Idaho | 1 | $600,000 |
| Missoula County | Montana | 1 | $600,000 |
| Anchorage, Municipality of (Inc) | Alaska | 1 | $600,000 |
| Town of Gorham | New Hampshire | 1 | $600,000 |
| Dekalb County Department of Finance | Georgia | 1 | $600,000 |
| Red River Gorge Climbers Coalition Incorporated | Kentucky | 1 | $600,000 |
| Harris Center for Conservation Education | New Hampshire | 1 | $600,000 |
| City of Munising | Michigan | 1 | $600,000 |
| Clinton Community Nature Center Association, Inc | Mississippi | 1 | $600,000 |
| Rising Appalachia | Ohio | 1 | $600,000 |
| Superior Watershed Partnership | Michigan | 1 | $598,320 |
| MT. Adams Resource Stewards | Washington | 1 | $591,754 |
Who usually wins
Nonprofits received 63% of the money, state and local governments 36% and tribes 1.5%.
| Recipient type | Awards | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nonprofits | 40 | $15.3 million | 63% |
| State and local governments | 26 | $8.7 million | 36% |
| Tribal governments and organizations | 1 | $357,250 | 1.5% |
By state
8 states have a page for this program: those that received at least $1 million or 10 awards.
| State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire | 9 | $4.0 million |
| Washington | 6 | $3.4 million |
| Wisconsin | 6 | $2.2 million |
| Maine | 10 | $2.1 million |
| New York | 7 | $2.0 million |
| Michigan | 3 | $1.6 million |
| Vermont | 3 | $1.2 million |
| Montana | 4 | $1.2 million |
| Ohio | 2 | $942,975 |
| Alaska | 1 | $600,000 |
| Georgia | 1 | $600,000 |
| Idaho | 1 | $600,000 |
| Kentucky | 1 | $600,000 |
| Mississippi | 1 | $600,000 |
| North Carolina | 2 | $564,000 |
| Rhode Island | 1 | $541,000 |
| Virginia | 1 | $417,000 |
| California | 1 | $357,250 |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | $251,000 |
| Iowa | 2 | $248,266 |
| South Carolina | 1 | $210,000 |
| West Virginia | 1 | $192,000 |
| Oregon | 1 | $62,489 |
| Colorado | 1 | $25,000 |