Capacity Building Grant Program

This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NFO) is released by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), for the purpose of establishing partnership agreements. The overarching goal, which aligns with the NRCS's mission to conserve natural resources on private lands, is to leverage agency resources to address local resource issues, encourage collaboration, and cultivate state-and-community-level conservation leadership. The funding is intended to facilitate projects that advance these conservation efforts, particularly those focused on priority topics within a specific geographic area. The availability and level of funding are noted as potential, pending full appropriation for fiscal year 2024. The program's target beneficiaries encompass a broad range of public and private entities capable of performing conservation work. Eligible applicants include various levels of government, such as city, county, special district, state, and Native American tribal governments and organizations. Nonprofits, both with and without 501(c)(3) IRS status, are eligible, as are private and public institutions of higher education. The impact goals are centered on effectively addressing critical local natural resource challenges and substantially strengthening conservation efforts through on-the-ground project implementation. A key strategic priority of this NFO is a singular focus on projects based within Texas. Proposals must specifically address "conservation priority topics as noted in Section A of this notice." The agency places high value on collaborative projects that are designed to provide direct, on-the-ground support for Texas NRCS Field Offices, indicating a strategic effort to integrate partner work with established agency operations. Conversely, the NFO explicitly excludes and will not consider research proposals, thereby directing resources toward implementation and practical application. The NRCS's strategic approach operates under a theory of change that posits that local, collaborative leadership is the most effective driver for sustained conservation results. By funding a diverse range of partners (the listed eligible applicants) to work on local priorities and support agency field offices, the NRCS intends to multiply its conservation impact beyond its direct capacity. Expected measurable results for successful applicants include securing an agreement with a federal share funding floor of $25,000 and a ceiling of $300,000. The agency anticipates making selections by June 15, 2024, and expects to execute awards by September 15, 2024, ensuring a swift turnaround from selection to project initiation.