Youth and Veteran Organizations Conservation Activities (15.931)
Youth and Veteran Organizations Conservation Activities (Assistance Listing 15.931) is run by the National Park Service, part of the Department of the Interior. It awarded $285 million in 2,151 grants from fiscal 2021 to 2025, about $132,711 per award on average. No funding opportunity is open on Grants.gov right now.
The typical award was $55,000. Half of the 2,151 awards fell between $29,406 and $122,509, and they ranged from $400 to $6.4 million.
- Awarded, FY 2021 to 2025$285 million
- Grant awards2,151
- Typical award$55,000
- Awarded in FY 2025$56.0 million
- Size rank515 of 1824
- Type of assistanceCooperative agreements
Key findings
- Annual funding rose from $43.5 million in fiscal 2021 to $56.0 million in fiscal 2025.
- It is the 515th largest of 1,824 federal grant programs by five-year awards.
- The 20 largest recipients received 91% of the money.
- Awards went to recipients in 29 states and territories.
What the program funds
This program seeks to utilize qualified non-profit youth and veteran serving organizations to carry out appropriate natural and cultural resource conservation, education, and volunteer service projects on Department of the Interior lands through authorized National Park Service programs.
Open opportunities
No opportunity under this program is open or forecast on Grants.gov right now. Programs often post once a year, so the funding history below shows what to expect.
Rules from the program listing
Who can apply
Qualified youth or conservation corps - The term “qualified youth or conservation corps” means any program established by a State or local government, by the governing body of any Indian tribe, or by a nonprofit organization that— (A) is capable of offering meaningful, full-time, productive work for individuals between the ages of 16 and 30, inclusive, or veterans age 35 or younger in a natural or cultural resource setting; (B) gives participants a mix of work experience, basic and life skills, education, training, and support services; and (C) provides participants with the opportunity to develop citizenship values and skills through service to their community and the United States.
What the money can and cannot pay for
Funding can be used by organizations to support natural and/or cultural resource conservation projects; youth and young adult vocational/career training; natural/cultural resource conservation focused educational programming; natural resources conservation focused recreation activities. Projects must be connected to DOI/NPS lands or in support of NPS mission objectives through authorized NPS programs. The availability of discretionary funding is determined by various NPS units and/or program offices each fiscal year.;
Matching requirements
This program has no statutory formula. Projects completed under the Public Land Corp (PLC) Act require a 25% non-federal match (cash and/or in-kind services) as described in PLC. For those entities that do not qualify for assistance under PLC, 54 U.S.C. 101702(a) Cooperative Agreements, Transfer of Service Appropriated Funds and 54 U.S.C. 101701 (b) Challenge Cost-Share Agreement Authority shall apply, and a 25% non-federal match will be required.MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Award range and average, in the agency's words
Range: $5,000 -$1,000,000
Examples of funded projects
Fiscal Year2025: 1. Conservation Activities: Projects support youth organizations in conservation activities such as habitat restoration, invasive species management, and trail maintenance to preserve and enhance natural landscapes. 2. Historic Preservation: Projects engage youth in the preservation of historic buildings and structures, such as restoring historic trails, maintaining old buildings, and conducting archeological research to protect cultural heritage. 3. Environmental Education: Projects supports programs that engage youth in environmental education through activities like summer camps, interpretive programs, and educational hikes. These programs aim to foster a conservation ethic and provide educational opportunities related to natural and cultural resources. 4. Wildlife Monitoring: Projects support internships and youth programs focused on wildlife monitoring. Activities include tracking wildlife populations, conducting field research, and collecting data to inform conservation strategies. 5. Infrastructure Maintenance: Projects support the maintenance and improvement of park infrastructure, such as repairing trails, maintaining campgrounds, and improving visitor facilities.Fiscal Year2026: 1. Trail and Facility Maintenance: Funding supports maintenance on trails, roads, and visitor attractions, as well as conservation and restoration projects. This includes deferred, cyclic, and corrective maintenance to improve public access and resource conditions. 2.
Funding history and past recipients
From fiscal 2021 to 2025, Youth and Veteran Organizations Conservation Activities (15.931) awarded$285 million across 2,151 grant awards, an average of $132,711 per award.
Who usually wins
Nonprofits received 91% of the money, state and local governments 2.0% and individuals 1.3%.
| Recipient type | Awards | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nonprofits | 1,953 | $260 million | 91% |
| Other | 107 | $13.1 million | 4.6% |
| State and local governments | 48 | $5.6 million | 2.0% |
| Individuals | 2 | $3.7 million | 1.3% |
| Colleges and universities | 33 | $2.4 million | 0.9% |
| Businesses | 7 | $529,692 | 0.2% |
| Tribal governments and organizations | 1 | $122,500 | less than 0.1% |
By state
20 states have a page for this program: those that received at least $1 million or 10 awards.
| State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado | 465 | $100 million |
| Arizona | 526 | $59.4 million |
| Virginia | 473 | $32.8 million |
| Nevada | 145 | $25.1 million |
| New York | 136 | $13.4 million |
| California | 55 | $8.1 million |
| Georgia | 48 | $6.4 million |
| Oregon | 37 | $5.9 million |
| District of Columbia | 39 | $4.1 million |
| Utah | 57 | $3.7 million |
| Minnesota | 14 | $3.6 million |
| Illinois | 6 | $3.1 million |
| New Mexico | 21 | $3.0 million |
| Montana | 38 | $3.0 million |
| Hawaii | 11 | $2.7 million |
| Missouri | 5 | $2.4 million |
| Washington | 10 | $1.5 million |
| Texas | 13 | $1.5 million |
| Massachusetts | 10 | $1.1 million |
| Wisconsin | 8 | $909,098 |
| West Virginia | 4 | $897,206 |
| Maryland | 9 | $734,764 |
| Michigan | 10 | $681,383 |
| Maine | 2 | $330,723 |
| Alaska | 2 | $288,025 |
| Florida | 1 | $200,000 |
| North Carolina | 2 | $154,170 |
| New Jersey | 3 | $113,044 |
| Rhode Island | 1 | $44,516 |