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National Forest Foundation

Annual Giving
$8.6M
Grant Range
$5K - $0.1M
Decision Time
3mo

National Forest Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $8.6 million (2023 grants distributed)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Varies by program (2-3 months typical)
  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $75,000
  • Geographic Focus: National (U.S. National Forests and Grasslands)

Contact Details

Website: https://www.nationalforests.org/grant-programs

Main Office: Missoula, Montana

Grant Programs Contact: Adam Liljeblad, aliljeblad@nationalforests.org, (406) 830-3357

Newsletter: Sign up for the quarterly Taproot eNewsletter for grant opportunities, webinars, and collaboration resources at nationalforests.org/grant-programs

Overview

The National Forest Foundation (NFF) was created by Congress in 1992 to serve as the official nonprofit partner of the United States Forest Service. Headquartered in Missoula, Montana, the organization distributed $8,649,265 in grants across 115 awards in 2023. Under recent leadership, revenue has grown by more than 250%, and staff has expanded to over 160 people. In FY2024, the organization invested over $80 million directly into projects—double the previous year's amount. The NFF has earned the highest charity ratings from respected watchdog organizations, including a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and GuideStar's Platinum participation level. The organization is governed by a 30-member board of directors chaired by Rob Leary, with Dieter Fenkart-Froeschl serving as President and CEO since November 1, 2024.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Matching Awards Program (MAP): $5,000 - $70,000 (new applicants encouraged to request $30,000 or less)

  • Flagship competitive grant program focusing on in-person community engagement and stewardship activities
  • Projects run up to 18 months
  • Requires 1:1 cash match from non-federal sources
  • Applications accepted through online portal with fixed deadlines
  • Two rounds annually (Round 1 deadline: January 22, 2026; Round 2: Mid-May application period)

Collaborative Capacity Program (CCP):

  • Mini Grants: Up to $10,000 (10-20 awards expected)
  • Standard Grants: $10,001 - $75,000 (approximately 10-15 awards up to $30,000; 5-10 awards up to $75,000)
  • Supports collaborative activities for organizational and technical assistance needs
  • 20% cash or in-kind match required for Standard Grants
  • Projects run 12, 18, or 24 months
  • Applications accepted through online portal with fixed deadlines

Startup Grants: $5,000 - $15,000

  • Promotes creation of locally-based organizations or groups seeking to resolve natural resource issues

Polaris Fund for Outdoor Recreation: Varies (recent awards totaled $113,000+ across five projects)

  • Specific endowment supporting outdoor recreation projects in National Forests

Innovative Finance for National Forests (IFNF): Up to $200,000

  • Co-managed with U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities
  • Supports projects demonstrating innovative approaches to forest conservation finance

Priority Areas

  • Community Engagement: In-person activities connecting people to National Forests
  • Stewardship Activities: Hands-on conservation work completed by community members
  • Wilderness Conservation: Projects directly benefiting wilderness areas in the National Forest System
  • Wildfire Resilience: Collaborative activities increasing forest and community resilience
  • Recreation Opportunities: Improving public access and recreation infrastructure
  • Forest Health: Restoration, invasive species control, watershed protection
  • Rural Economies: Supporting communities dependent on National Forest resources
  • Youth Engagement: Programs involving youth in conservation and stewardship

What They Don't Fund

  • On-the-ground project implementation (for Collaborative Capacity Program only; MAP does fund implementation)
  • Advocacy or lobbying activities
  • Litigation
  • Political organizing
  • Projects outside National Forest System lands (though adjacent public lands may qualify if demonstrating benefit to National Forests)
  • Individuals (must be 501(c)(3) nonprofit, university, federally recognized Tribal government/organization, or local government entity)

Governance and Leadership

President & CEO: Dieter Fenkart-Froeschl (November 2024 - present) Dieter reports to a 30-member board of directors and works with U.S. Forest Service leadership, nationwide partners, and 160+ staff. He previously held leadership positions at the National Park Foundation, National Parks Conservation Association, American Museum of Natural History, and San Diego Museum of Art.

Board Chair: Rob Leary

Previous CEO: Mary Mitsos (served seven years, stepped down in 2024 after growing revenue by 250% and quadrupling staff)

The organization maintains standard nonprofit governance practices including policies on conflicts of interest, whistleblower protections, and document retention.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Matching Awards Program (MAP):

  • Applications submitted through online portal at nationalforests.org/grant-programs/map
  • Two annual rounds with fixed deadlines
  • Critical requirement: Must coordinate with appropriate U.S. Forest Service jurisdiction to secure written acknowledgement of support from District Ranger before applying
  • All applicable permitting and environmental compliance work (including NEPA) must be complete before submission
  • Applicants must have or obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) if selected
  • No physical checks required for match documentation (policy updated recently)
  • NFF encourages applicants to reach out well in advance of deadline with eligibility questions

Collaborative Capacity Program (CCP):

  • Separate application pathways for Mini Grants (up to $10,000) and Standard Grants ($10,001-$75,000)
  • Applications submitted through online portal
  • One application per organization per year
  • Contact NFF staff for pre-application guidance

General Application Tips:

  • Review past awards at nationalforests.org/grant-programs/past-awards to understand funded project types
  • Subscribe to Taproot eNewsletter for announcements and resources
  • Contact Adam Liljeblad (aliljeblad@nationalforests.org or 406-830-3357) with questions

Decision Timeline

Matching Awards Program: Approximately 3 months from deadline to award announcement. Projects begin three months after application deadline.

Collaborative Capacity Program:

  • Mini Grants: Decisions by end of October
  • Standard Grants: Decisions by early December
  • Activities begin in late 2025

Success Rates

Specific success rates are not publicly disclosed. In 2023, NFF made 115 awards totaling $8.6 million. The organization receives applications "ranging from less than $5,000 to over $70,000" for MAP, but does not publish total application numbers.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations with prior MAP funding can apply for new rounds if they fully execute and close their existing award before the next project start date. Organizations that received funding in MAP Round 2 2025 may not apply to MAP Round 1 2026, but may apply to Round 2 2026 after completing their previous award.

The search results did not reveal specific waiting periods for unsuccessful applicants, suggesting they may reapply in subsequent rounds. Applicants are encouraged to request feedback from NFF staff about their proposals.

Application Success Factors

Essential Requirements for MAP:

  • All projects must include three elements: (1) community engagement, (2) hands-on stewardship activities completed by engaged community members, and (3) direct benefit to the National Forest System
  • Forest Service partnership is mandatory—secure written District Ranger support before applying
  • Complete all permitting and NEPA compliance before submission
  • Demonstrate 1:1 cash match from non-federal sources

Program Alignment:

  • Focus on action-oriented projects that directly enhance forest health and well-being
  • Emphasize in-person community engagement (not just virtual)
  • Show clear stewardship outcomes and measurable forest benefits
  • Align with Forest Service priorities for the specific forest or grassland

Successful Project Examples: Recent funded projects demonstrate the range of activities NFF supports:

  • Youth engagement in watershed restoration benefiting millions of downstream residents (Sierra Nevada)
  • Invasive species control to protect endangered salmon habitat (Skagit River)
  • Reopening fire-impacted trails using diverse volunteer crews (Idaho)
  • Navigation signage improvements for motorized recreation (Coconino National Forest, Arizona)
  • OHV area safety enhancements with parking and traffic improvements (Kentucky)
  • Burned landscape trail restoration post-wildfire (New Mexico)

Budget Guidance:

  • New MAP applicants should request $30,000 or less
  • Applications have ranged from under $5,000 to over $70,000
  • Be realistic about matching funds—demonstrate you can secure required non-federal match

Strategic Advice:

  • Contact NFF staff before applying to discuss eligibility and project fit
  • Build relationships with local Forest Service personnel early
  • Document your organization's capacity to manage federal grants
  • Show how your project complements Forest Service priorities and resources
  • Highlight community partnerships and volunteer engagement models
  • For Collaborative Capacity Program, demonstrate how funding strengthens the collaborative itself, not just project implementation

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Forest Service partnership is non-negotiable: Secure written District Ranger support before investing time in a MAP application—this is a hard requirement
  • Match requirements are strict: Must demonstrate 1:1 cash match from non-federal sources for MAP; 20% for CCP Standard Grants. In-kind contributions don't count toward MAP match
  • Complete compliance first: All NEPA and permitting must be finished before submission—incomplete projects will be disqualified
  • New applicants should start small: NFF explicitly recommends $30,000 or less for first-time MAP applicants
  • Three-part test for MAP: Every project must include community engagement + hands-on stewardship + direct forest benefit
  • Relationship building matters: Contact program staff early, attend webinars, subscribe to Taproot newsletter, and study past awards
  • Choose the right program: MAP funds implementation; CCP funds capacity-building. Applying to the wrong program wastes time and opportunity

References

All sources accessed December 2024.

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