Matching Awards Program

The Matching Awards Program is the flagship competitive grant program of the National Forest Foundation, the official nonprofit partner of the U.S. Forest Service. The organization operates across National Forests and Grasslands nationwide, working to restore ecosystems, improve recreation access, and build community engagement with public lands. This program specifically emphasizes connecting people to forests by supporting projects that combine public participation with on-the-ground stewardship activities that directly benefit National Forest System lands. The primary purpose of the program is to fund projects that actively engage communities in caring for public lands while delivering measurable conservation outcomes. All funded projects must integrate three core components: community engagement, stewardship activities performed by participants, and a demonstrated benefit to National Forests or adjacent public lands. The program prioritizes initiatives that expand participation to communities that have historically had limited access to public lands, and that foster long-term relationships between participants and natural resources. Funding is provided through federal funds in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service under Federal Assistance Listing 10.682. Awards are typically issued as advance funding, and recipients are required to provide a one-to-one nonfederal cash match. This match must be direct cash contributions received by the applicant organization and cannot include in-kind contributions or federal funds. Both grant funds and matching funds must be used for the same project and expended within the approved performance period, which for the Round 2 2026 cycle is expected to begin in October 2026 and last up to 18 months. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, Tribal governments and organizations, and universities. Organizations that do not meet these criteria must apply through an eligible fiscal sponsor. Federal and state agencies, local governments, individuals, and for-profit entities are not eligible to apply directly. Projects must take place on U.S. National Forests or Grasslands, or on adjacent public lands that provide a clear benefit to the National Forest System. The application process requires submission through an online grant platform following completion of an eligibility quiz that grants access to the application. Applicants must provide detailed project descriptions, budget documentation, and required forms such as financial plans and expanded budgets. Proposals are evaluated by a committee based on criteria including strength of community engagement, potential to expand beneficiaries, stewardship impact, long-term outcomes, and overall feasibility. Applicants must also coordinate with U.S. Forest Service officials prior to submission and may be required to secure formal acknowledgment if selected for funding. For Round 2 2026, the application window opens May 27, 2026 and closes July 9, 2026 at 11:59 PM Mountain Time. A webinar for applicants will be held on June 10, 2026 to provide guidance. The Request for Proposals will be released prior to the application window opening. Following submission, the review process typically takes several months, with project performance expected to begin in October 2026. The program is recurring and highly competitive, funding only projects that strongly align with its goals of community engagement and stewardship impact. Program contact information is provided through the National Forest Foundation, with a designated Conservation Awards Coordinator available for applicant support. Applicants are encouraged to review all program materials and guidance documents prior to submission to ensure alignment with eligibility and evaluation criteria. The program continues to operate on a recurring basis, offering multiple funding rounds each year to support conservation and community engagement across public lands.

Align strongly with community engagement and stewardship requirements; demonstrate measurable impact and long-term benefits; ensure feasibility within 18 months; engage communities meaningfully in project design and execution