The 2025 Standard Grants Request for Proposals under the Collaborative Capacity Program (CCP) is administered by the National Forest Foundation (NFF). The NFF leads efforts to steward the United States’ 193 million acres of National Forest System lands by fostering natural solutions and encouraging responsible recreation. Through partnerships, grant programs, and fieldwork, the foundation seeks to improve the health and resilience of forest ecosystems and adjacent communities.
The CCP specifically supports collaborative efforts aimed at enhancing wildfire resilience, forest health, sustainable recreation, and rural economic development. These efforts must demonstrate benefits to lands managed under the National Forest System and contribute to long-term stewardship strategies. Funding supports a broad range of collaboration-based activities such as developing shared planning tools, conducting community assessments, organizing meetings, and hiring staff or contractors to support strategic collaboration efforts. However, it explicitly excludes direct on-the-ground implementation activities such as restoration treatments or trail maintenance.
The 2025 funding round includes two pathways: Mini Grants (up to $10,000) and Standard Grants ($10,001–$75,000). This solicitation applies only to Standard Grants. Awards are expected to include approximately 10–15 grants of up to $30,000 and 5–10 larger grants up to $75,000. A 20% cash or in-kind match is required for all Standard Grant applications. Eligible applicants include federally recognized Tribal governments and Tribal organizations, as well as nonprofit organizations, local governments, and colleges and universities. If an organization is not independently eligible, it may apply through a fiscal sponsor that meets the eligibility criteria and complies with NFF fiscal sponsorship policies.
Applications must clearly describe collaborative goals, expected outcomes, and how these outcomes benefit the National Forest System. Applicants are required to submit narratives, budgets with justifications, organizational history, and references from key partners, including U.S. Forest Service representatives, Tribal entities (if applicable), and other collaborating organizations. Only contact information is required at submission; full letters of support are only needed if the project is conditionally selected.
Applications are currently open, with deadlines of August 1, 2025, for Community Partner Applicants and August 22, 2025, for Tribal Applicants. Grants will begin in December 2025 and can have a duration of 12, 18, or 24 months, ending as late as December 2027. An informational webinar is scheduled for June 25, 2025, from 1:00–2:00 pm MDT. This session will cover eligibility, submission processes, and proposal scope. It will be recorded and made available on the CCP webpage. Additional questions may be directed to Rebecca Brickner at collab-capacity@nationalforests.org or by phone at 205-659-7822.
Coordinate early with U.S. Forest Service staff. Letters of support are only required post-selection.
