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Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program is sponsored by USDA Forest Service, State, Private & Tribal Forestry. This competitive grant program provides financial assistance to Indian Tribes, local governments, and qualified conservation non-profit organizations for the fee simple acquisition of private forest land.
The purpose is to establish community forests, protect forestland from conversion, and provide community benefits such as public recreation, environmental and economic benefits, and forest-based educational programs. Public access is required for all projects.
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How the Community Forest Program Works | US Forest Service How the Community Forest Program Works The Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program (Community Forest Program) of the Forest Service offers a unique opportunity for communities to acquire and conserve forests that provide public access and recreational opportunities, protect vital water supplies and wildlife habitat, serve as demonstration sites for private forest landowners, and provide economic benefits from timber and non-timber products.
Community forests expand recreation opportunities. Photo by Janet Valle. Full fee title acquisition is required.
Conservation easements are not eligible. Community Forests can be owned by local governments, tribal governments, and qualified nonprofit entities. The program pays up to 50% of the project costs and requires a 50% non-federal match.
Public access is required for Community Forest Program projects. Lands acquired through the program are actively managed in accordance with a community forest plan to provide community benefits. Community forests provide educational opportunities.
Photo by Margee Haines. FY25 Request for Applications available on Grants. gov (Opportunity Number: USDA-FS-2025-CFP) Community Forest Program Road Map (DOCX, 13.
4 MB) Map Recommendations and Examples (PDF, 8 MB) State Foresters Contact Information Funding and Accomplishments FY23 Funded Projects (PDF, 143 KB) FY22 Funded Projects (PDF, 52. 7 KB) FY21 Funded Projects (PDF, 167 KB) FY20 Funded Projects (PDF, 186 KB) Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act (.
pdf, 551KB) Program Guidelines and Performance Forest Service Budget and Performance Community Forest Program Accomplishment Map Community Forest Program Progress as of April 20, 2023 Email questions or comments to SM. FS. CFP@usda.
gov
According to the current listing, eligibility includes: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education; Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized); City or township governments. 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 are those consistent with Section 170(h)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and operate in accordance with one or more conservation purposes. Confirm the full requirements in the official notice before applying.
Applications for Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program are due October 13, 2026. Build your timeline backwards from this date to cover registrations, approvals, and final submission checks.
Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program is funded by USDA Forest Service, State, Private & Tribal Forestry. Verify program details on the funder's official page before applying.
This opportunity targets applicants in Alaska. If your organization operates elsewhere, check the official notice for location requirements.
Start from the official opportunity page linked in this listing — it carries the sponsor's submission instructions.
Past winners and funding trends for this program
USDA-FS-2026-CFP puts $4.95 million behind fee-simple forest acquisition, caps requests at $600,000, and requires a 50 percent non-federal match. But the deadline that will actually disqualify you is October 13 — the date your application must be in your State Forester's hands, two weeks before the Forest Service ever sees it.
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