NFWF Long Island Sound Futures Fund

The Long Island Sound Futures Fund (LISFF) 2025 Request for Proposals is administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Long Island Sound Study (LISS). Primary funding is provided by EPA through LISS, with additional contributions from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the Zoetis Foundation. This program supports initiatives that restore the ecological health of Long Island Sound by funding projects aligned with the Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP) 2020–2024 Update. The initiative reflects a regional commitment to water quality, habitat protection, and community-based environmental stewardship. The LISFF offers funding across three project categories: Implementation Projects ($50,000 to $1.5 million), Education and Public Participation Grants ($50,000 to $250,000), and Design/Planning Projects ($50,000 to $500,000). Implementation grants target activities such as habitat restoration, coastal resilience, water quality improvements, and community outreach. Education grants support engagement and public awareness programs, while planning grants focus on preliminary design, feasibility assessments, and community resilience strategies. Project periods vary, with education and complex implementation projects allowed up to 36 months from the award date, projected for November 2025. All projects must start within six months of notification. Eligible projects must take place within the Long Island Sound Watershed. Geographic eligibility varies by project type; for example, habitat restoration must occur within the coastal watershed of Connecticut or New York, while nitrogen reduction projects may extend to areas of Massachusetts, Vermont, and New Hampshire. Proposals must document the expected benefits to the Sound and include long-term maintenance plans. All projects are required to align with at least one CCMP theme and incorporate relevant implementation actions and cross-cutting principles. A mandatory nonfederal match of 50% of the requested LISFF funding is required. Contributions may be provided in cash or in-kind, such as staff time, donated materials, or volunteer labor. Competitive proposals typically exceed the minimum match and demonstrate cost-effectiveness and measurable environmental impact. Metrics must be selected from a defined list in the application system and aligned with the project’s CCMP focus. Additional documentation, such as quality assurance plans, may be required for projects involving data collection. Applications must be submitted online through NFWF’s Easygrants portal by May 29, 2025, at 11:59 PM EDT. Proposal evaluation will consider alignment with LISFF priorities, technical feasibility, budgetary clarity, long-term sustainability, and community impact. The review period will take place during Summer/Fall 2025, with award notifications anticipated in November 2025. Applicants may access technical assistance, including regional Proposal Labs, and may be eligible for grant writing support through the Long Island Sound Resilience Grant Writing Assistance Program.

Prioritize CCMP alignment, quantifiable metrics, and long-term maintenance plans.