Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program
About This Grant
<p>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. </p> <p><br></p> <p><strong>Ap</strong><strong style="color: black;">plications are not submitted electronically via Grants.gov. </strong><span style="color: black;">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.</span></p> <p><br></p> <p>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. <strong>All applications must be received by State Foresters or Tribal governments by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on Tuesday, October 13, 2026. </strong>All applicants must also send an e-mail to SM.FS.CFP@usda.gov to confirm that an application has been submitted.</p> <p><br></p> <p>State Foresters or Tribal government officials must forward applications to the appropriate Forest Service Regional office or International Institute of Tropical Forestry by <strong>11:59 PM Eastern Time on</strong> <strong>Tuesday, October 27, 2026. </strong> </p> <p> </p> <p>Projects must conform to laws and authorities in Section 7A of the <a href="https://www.agriculture.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Cooperative%20Forestry%20Assistance%20Act%20Of%201978.pdf" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act</a> ([16 U.S.C. 2103d] Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program) as amended. </p>
Grant Summary
Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program is a Forest Service grant providing $0K to $600K for municipality, nonprofit, tribal government. Applications are due 2026-10-13 (open). Check eligibility and apply with FindGrants.
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Eligibility
- Eligible local governments are any municipal government, county government, or other local government with jurisdiction over local land use decisions. Eligible Indian Tribes are federally recognized Indian tribes and Alaska Native Corporations. Qualified nonprofit organizations eligible for this opportunity are organizations that are consistent with Section 170(h)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and operates in accordance with one or more of the conservation purposes.
How to Apply
$0K–$600K
2026-10-13
- 1Confirm your organization is eligible for Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program from Forest Service, checking organization type, location, and any population or project requirements.
- 2Gather the required documents and information, including your organization details, project plan, and budget figures.
- 3Draft your application narrative and budget addressing the funder's priorities and review criteria. FindGrants can draft each section for you to review and edit.
- 4Review every section against the requirements checklist, then export a submission-ready application pack and submit it to Forest Service before the deadline.
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Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program: Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program?
Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program is offered by Forest Service and is generally open to municipality, nonprofit, tribal government. It is open to organizations nationwide unless the funder specifies otherwise. Review the specific eligibility terms before applying, since funders set their own requirements around organization type, location, and the population or project being served.
How much funding does the Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program provide?
Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program provides between $1 and $600K per award from Forest Service. Actual award sizes depend on the scope of your project, available program funds, and the number of applicants, so build a budget that reflects realistic, allowable costs rather than the maximum figure.
When is the Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program deadline?
Applications for Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program are due 2026-10-13 (open). Because deadlines can change, verify the date with the funder, Forest Service, and give yourself enough time to prepare a complete, competitive application before the close date.
How do you apply for the Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program?
To apply for Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program, confirm your eligibility, gather the required documents, and prepare a narrative and budget that address the funder's priorities. FindGrants guides you step by step and can draft each section, then exports a submission-ready application pack for this grant from Forest Service.