Grants for Nonprofits - Natural Resources

This program provides funding to Connecticut local governments and non-profits to improve urban forests, focusing on preserving trees and expanding tree canopy in underserved communities.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to state and local governments, tribal organizations, and nonprofits in New Mexico for projects that reduce wildfire risks and promote community resilience against climate change.

Federal Awarding Agency Name: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) Funding Opportunity Title: Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) Alternative Funding Arrangements (AFA) for Federal fiscal year (FY) 2024 Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-NRCS-NHQ-RCPPAFA-24-NOFO0001355 Assistance Listing: 10.932, Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) Due Date: NRCS must receive proposals by 4:59 p.m. Eastern Time on July 12, 2024. Note: The RCPP AFA and Classic FY 2024 notices of funding opportunity (NFO) will run concurrently. For information on Classic proposals please see USDA-NRCS-NHQ-RCPP-24-NOFO0001354. The RCPP promotes the coordination of NRCS conservation activities with partners that offer valueadded contributions to expand our ability to address on-farm, watershed, and regional natural resource concerns. Through the RCPP, NRCS seeks to co-invest with partners to implement projects that provide solutions to conservation challenges thereby measurably improving the resource concerns they seek to address. RCPP promotes collaboration with partners, stakeholders, and various communities, which is paramount to achieving equity in NRCS programs and services. Using guidance contained in this notice, partners propose projects that generate conservation benefits by addressing specific natural resource concerns in a state or multistate area or by addressing one or more priority resource concerns within an NRCS-designated critical conservation area (CCA). NRCS and partners collaborate to design, promote, and implement RCPP projects on agricultural and nonindustrial private forest land. Through RCPP, NRCS may provide both financial assistance (FA) and technical assistance (TA) funds to project partners and agricultural producers for implementing projects. RCPP proposals are evaluated through a competitive proposal process based on three criteria: impact, partner contributions, and partnership and management. Up to $1.5 billion is available for RCPP projects through this announcement and the FY 2024 Classic announcement, which includes $300 million of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill) funding and $1.2 billion of Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funding. Proposals will be accepted from all 50 States, the Caribbean Area (Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands), and U.S. territories in the Pacific Island Areas (Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands). NRCS will prioritize using IRA funds for projects that will implement climate-smart agriculture and forestry conservation activities as described in section F.3.a. of this announcement. Up to $100 million is being made available specifically for NRCS to enter into programmatic partnership agreements with Indian tribes. This set aside will be shared by this announcement and the FY 2024 Classic announcement. Any unused funds may be available for other partnership agreements. RCPP AFAs are intended to support project structures and approaches that cannot be carried out as effectively through the RCPP Classic NFO. RCPP AFA applicants must describe the innovative nature of the conservation approach they are proposing to justify potential funding through an RCPP AFA NFO rather than an RCPP Classic NFO. Moreover, applicants should consider the additional administrative and technical assistance responsibilities that accompany receipt of an RCPP AFA award. The 2018 Farm Bill provides the following examples of project types that might be implemented through RCPP AFA: projects that use innovative approaches to leverage the Federal investment in conservation; projects that deploy a pay-for-performance conservation approach; and projects that seek large-scale infrastructure investments that generate conservation benefits for agricultural producers and nonindustrial private forest owners. Although RCPP AFA provides flexibilities to partners, these projects share the overarching focus of RCPP, which is to engage with producers and landowners to implement conservation practices, systems, and approaches on (or for the benefit of) agricultural and nonindustrial private forest lands. NRCS can make up to 15 awards through this funding opportunity through Farm Bill funding. This limit does not apply to projects funded through the Inflation Reduction Act. Submissions: Proposals must be submitted through the RCPP portal. See section E of this announcement for information on using the RCPP portal to submit proposals. Access to the RCPP portal requires a level 2 eAuthentication credential or a Login.gov credential. Obtaining a new Login.gov credential involves multiple steps and can take several days to complete. Instructions are posted on the How to Apply to RCPP web page listed below. For More Information: Applicants are expected to contact the appropriate state conservationists and state RCPP coordinators prior to submitting a proposal. NRCS will use a state conservation questionnaire to record the results of these conversations. Proposals without a completed questionnaire may have their score and ranking reduced. A list of state RCPP coordinators (as of the date of this announcements posting) is on the NRCS How to Apply to RCPP web page. Applicants can also email the RCPP inbox (rcpp@usda.gov) with any questions about the announcement. The NRCS RCPP website is also a great source of current information about the program. Interested applicants are encouraged to participate in one or more of the webinars below to learn about the program and how to apply. 2024 RCPP NFO Applicant Outreach Webinar This webinar will provide general information for applicants submitting proposals for the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). The same material will be covered at both webinars followed by a question-and-answer section. Please refer to the RCPP website for more information. Regional Conservation Partnership Program Natural Resources Conservation Service (usda.gov) April 23, 2024, RCPP Applicant Outreach Webinar Registration Link 2pm to 4pm EDT - https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/e2f45f75-7ea4-410b-b1c9-567537cd2454@ed5b36e7-01ee-4ebc-867e-e03cfa0d4697 May 30, 2024, RCPP Applicant Outreach Webinar Registration Link 2pm to 4pm EDT - https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/226dcb51-0b57-43b1-b340-95e535238713@ed5b36e7-01ee-4ebc-867e-e03cfa0d4697 NRCS will schedule additional webinars on RCPP easements and providing outreach to tribal applicants. Information on all webinars will be posted to the RCPP how to apply page.

This funding opportunity supports Ohio-based government agencies, nonprofits, and research institutions in projects that protect and restore Lake Erie and its watershed, focusing on ecological health and sustainability.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for projects that enhance marine education and training, particularly for indigenous Pacific Islanders and underserved communities in Hawaii and the Pacific Islands, focusing on sustainable fishing practices and traditional knowledge integration.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to non-profit organizations and local government units in the Bronx and Manhattan to deliver mobile outreach services focused on harm reduction for individuals who use drugs and face barriers to care.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations and community groups for marketing, operational support, and events that promote culture and tourism in Salem, Oregon.

This funding opportunity supports projects that promote sustainable pest management practices to protect human health and the environment, particularly in underserved communities and agricultural areas near schools.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in nine Pennsylvania counties that offer programs and services for young children affected by abuse, focusing on creating safe and joyful environments.

This funding opportunity supports non-profit organizations in DeKalb, Illinois, that provide essential services to help homeless individuals, low-income residents, the elderly, and people with disabilities achieve greater independence and self-sufficiency.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for wildlife habitat restoration and conservation projects in Oregon and Washington, targeting state and local governments, tribal entities, non-profits, and educational institutions.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for projects that advance the conservation of California's coastal waters, particularly benefiting local agencies, universities, nonprofits, and Native American tribes.

This program provides funding to tribal communities in Montana for forestry projects that enhance green spaces, improve air and water quality, and support cultural practices and climate resilience.

This funding opportunity supports state fish and wildlife agencies, nonprofit organizations, and educational institutions in developing regional and national conservation projects that enhance wildlife management and promote hunting and recreational shooting participation.

The Ramsey County's Critical Corridors Development & Infrastructure program is a redevelopment grant, offering $100,000 to $500,000 for projects that intensify land use, facilitate multifamily housing, improve pedestrian or bicycle infrastructure, and promote development in disinvested areas within transit, economic, and cultural corridors in Ramsey County, Minnesota.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to government entities, educational institutions, and nonprofit organizations in California for projects aimed at reducing wildfire risks and enhancing community resilience through fuels management and fire prevention education.

The Seattle Department of Neighborhoods (DON) is offering a Starter Fund Grant Program, ranging from $5,000 to $25,000, for small community organizations and groups focusing on advancing an equitable and sustainable local food system within Seattle, with eligible activities including food justice initiatives, community organizing, food-related job training, and more.

The Child and Family Mental Well-Being Grants, offered by Intermountain Health, aim to support programs and services that focus on families with children, aligning with a broader mission to enhance mental well-being in the community. While a specific foundation mission statement isn't explicitly detailed, the grant's focus strongly suggests an alignment with improving public health outcomes, particularly in the realm of mental health for younger populations. This initiative directly addresses critical health challenges within Idaho and Utah, specifically targeting Cassia and Minidoka counties, indicating a localized yet impactful approach to community health improvement. The primary target beneficiaries of this grant are families with children. The impact goals are clearly defined, centering on reducing negative mental health indicators. These include a reduction in suicide deaths, a decrease in frequent mental distress (such as anxiety and depression), and a reduction in opioid misuse. These goals reflect a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted nature of mental health challenges facing families today, aiming for tangible improvements in the well-being of the target population. The grant prioritizes several key areas to achieve its objectives. These include mental well-being as an overarching theme, alongside specific focuses on prevention and early intervention strategies. Comprehensive programs that engage the entire family are highly valued, as is the implementation of trauma-informed systems specifically designed for young children. Furthermore, the grant seeks to support and strengthen community coalitions, recognizing the importance of collaborative efforts in creating sustainable mental health support systems. These priorities suggest a strategic approach that emphasizes holistic care, early intervention, and community-wide engagement. Expected outcomes and measurable results from this grant are directly tied to the stated impact goals. Programs are anticipated to demonstrate a measurable reduction in suicide deaths, decreased instances of frequent mental distress, and a decline in opioid misuse among the beneficiary population. While specific metrics for "prevention and early intervention," "comprehensive family programs," "trauma-informed systems," and "community coalitions" are not detailed, the expectation is that funded initiatives will contribute to these broader outcomes. The funding structure, allowing grant awards between $5,000 and $50,000 and requiring an organization's annual operating budget to be at least five times the grant request, implies a focus on supporting established and capable organizations that can demonstrate effective program delivery and measurable impact.

This funding opportunity supports research, education, and innovative projects that enhance understanding and management of ocean resources, targeting a wide range of eligible applicants including universities, nonprofits, and governments.

This funding supports conservation organizations in Alaska that are working to protect vital natural areas and address environmental issues by enabling staff to travel for advocacy and outreach efforts.