The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is soliciting proposals within the Cumberland Plateau region that will help accelerate the restoration and enhancement of critical forest and freshwater habitats and associated wildlife species in the region.

Funding is provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, International Paper’s Forestland Stewards Partnership, and the Altria Group.

Program Priorities

• Establishing Shortleaf Pine and Oak Forests
• Enhancing and Maintaining Existing Shortleaf Pine and Oak Ecosystems
• Restoring and Enhancing Riparian Forests and Watershed Health to Support Aquatic Species
• Expanding and Coordinating Technical Assistance and Outreach
  • Increase outreach and technical assistance delivery success
  • Advancing new market-oriented and/or incentive programs
  • Increasing participation in third-party forest certification
• Conservation Easements

Funding Information

• The Cumberland Plateau Stewardship Fund anticipates awarding approximately $1 million in grants in 2021.
• Grant awards are expected to range from $100,000 to $250,000.
• This program has one annual application cycle and awards approximately 6-8 grants per year.
• Projects should begin within six months of the award date and be completed within two to three years from the start date.
• These grants require non-federal matching contributions valued at 50% of the total project costs (1:1 ratio).

Ineligible Uses of Grant Funds

• Equipment: Applicants are encouraged to rent equipment where possible and cost-effective or use matching funds to make those purchases.
• NFWF funds and matching contributions may not be used to support political advocacy, fundraising, lobbying, litigation, terrorist activities or Foreign Corrupt Practices Act violations.
• NFWF funds may not be used to support ongoing efforts to comply with legal requirements, including permit conditions, mitigation and settlement agreements. However, grant funds may be used to support projects that enhance or improve upon existing baseline compliance efforts.

Eligibility Criteria

• Geographic focus: Projects within the Cumberland Plateau in Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia are eligible with preference given to projects located within the identified focal areas.
• Eligible and Ineligible Entities:
  • Eligible applicants include non-profit 501(c) organizations, state government agencies, local governments, municipal governments, Tribal Governments and Organizations, and educational institutions.
  • Ineligible applicants include U.S. Federal government agencies, businesses, unincorporated individuals, and international organizations. U.S. Federal agencies, businesses and unincorporated individuals are encouraged to partner with applicants, but are not eligible to submit an application.

For more information, visit NFWF.