Southern Plains Grassland Grant Program 2026

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) has released the Southern Plains Grassland Program 2026 Request for Proposals. NFWF is a congressionally chartered nonprofit organization that works in partnership with federal agencies, private corporations, and other funders to sustain, restore, and enhance the nation’s fish, wildlife, plants, and habitats. The Southern Plains Grassland Program was created to support conservation in the grasslands of the Southern Great Plains, which have been under significant stress from habitat conversion, invasive species, and changing land-use practices. This program is supported by major corporate partners including Sysco, Burger King, and Cargill, and seeks to leverage both financial and technical resources to protect ecological integrity while sustaining the livelihoods of ranching communities. The primary purpose of this program is to restore and enhance the resilience of grasslands across Eastern Colorado, Kansas, Southern Nebraska, Northeastern New Mexico, Oklahoma, and the Texas Panhandle. Proposals are expected to emphasize voluntary approaches that enhance grazing management, restore grassland habitats, and build long-term community capacity to deliver conservation outcomes. Applicants are encouraged to propose projects that increase connectivity between grassland habitats, mitigate the spread of woody invasives, and enhance practices such as prescribed fire, re-seeding, and fence modification for wildlife movement. Community-led approaches are prioritized, especially those that provide direct technical assistance to ranchers and rural stakeholders. Funding is intended for projects that directly restore or improve grasslands, provide measurable conservation outcomes for wildlife species, and improve the resilience of working ranch lands. Applicants may not use NFWF funds for political advocacy, lobbying, fundraising, litigation, or compliance with existing permit conditions. While equipment purchases are discouraged, they may be allowed if essential to the project. Additionally, funds cannot be used to procure telecommunications equipment from restricted vendors, in compliance with federal law. All applicants must provide a one-to-one match of non-federal funds, which may include cash, in-kind contributions, or volunteer support. Matching contributions will be a significant factor in the review process, and applicants unable to meet this requirement are encouraged to contact program staff. Eligible applicants include nonprofit 501(c) organizations, U.S. federal agencies, rancher and community-led organizations, educational institutions, Native Nations and Indigenous-led organizations, and state or local governments. For-profit entities and unincorporated individuals are not eligible. Proposals will be evaluated based on community impact, cost-effectiveness, conservation impact, monitoring and sustainability plans, partnerships, and demonstrated past success. Reviewers will assess how projects engage local communities and leverage partnerships to broaden impact and ensure long-term sustainability. The application process requires submission through NFWF’s Easygrants online system. Applicants must register at easygrants.nfwf.org and complete their proposals online. A webinar will be held on October 8, 2025, to provide guidance for prospective applicants. Full proposals are due by November 13, 2025, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. The review period will take place from November 2025 to February 2026, and awards will be announced in March 2026. NFWF notes that final funding decisions are contingent on the receipt of funds from federal agencies and other partners. Program contacts for this funding opportunity include Seth Gallagher, Program Director of Grasslands and Mountain West (seth.gallagher@nfwf.org), and Dani Tinnin, Regional Programs Coordinator (dani.tinnin@nfwf.org). For technical issues with the Easygrants platform, applicants can reach out to the Easygrants Helpdesk at easygrants@nfwf.org or by phone at 202-595-2497 during business hours. NFWF emphasizes compliance with applicable federal, state, and local permitting requirements, as well as quality assurance standards for projects involving monitoring and data collection. Applicants should allocate sufficient time and resources to meet these requirements.

Applicants should select only the most relevant program metrics, coordinate with NFWF staff if unsure, and provide strong letters of support. Matching contributions should be planned in advance