Matching Awards Program

The Matching Awards Program (MAP): Connecting People to Forests is the National Forest Foundation’s (NFF) flagship competitive grant initiative. As a national nonprofit organization, the NFF works in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service to engage Americans in community-based and stewardship-driven restoration efforts on National Forests and Grasslands. This grant program evolved through extensive feedback collected over two years to better align with the current needs of the National Forest System and the strategic goals of the NFF. MAP prioritizes projects that foster direct community engagement and implement stewardship activities that result in tangible benefits for National Forests, Grasslands, or adjacent public lands. The program emphasizes equity and inclusion, striving to create lasting change by ensuring all communities can access and benefit from National Forest lands. It specifically supports in-person projects that combine community engagement with environmental stewardship, such as trail restoration, native habitat conservation, or interpretive programs conducted on or adjacent to National Forest System lands. The program is supported with federal funding provided via the U.S. Forest Service. All applicants are required to secure a 1:1 nonfederal cash match, and the performance period for projects may not exceed 18 months. Applicants must ensure that all relevant environmental compliance (including NEPA) is complete before submission. Additionally, applicants must coordinate with the relevant U.S. Forest Service District Ranger(s) to obtain a written acknowledgment of support for their project, which is mandatory for proposal eligibility. Eligible entities include nonprofit organizations, Tribal governments and organizations, and accredited universities. Entities not meeting these criteria may still apply if they secure a fiscal sponsor that meets eligibility standards. Fiscal sponsors must demonstrate a formal agreement with the applying entity and maintain separate budget accounting. The next application cycle opens in mid-May 2025, with proposals for Round 2 due by June 27, 2025. An informational webinar was hosted on June 4, 2025. A subsequent Round 1 cycle is anticipated in October 2025, with applications due by January 2026. Projects begin approximately three months after the application deadline. The MAP program is recurring and opens semiannually. Applicants are strongly encouraged to consult the Request for Proposals (RFP) for detailed instructions, application tips, and eligibility guidance. Questions should be directed to NFF staff well ahead of the deadline. Contact information for the NFF includes their headquarters at 27 Fort Missoula Rd., Suite 3, Missoula, MT 59804-7212, with phone support at 406-542-2805. Additional application resources, past grantee examples, and budget form guidance are available through the NFF’s official website.

Ensure US Forest Service coordination and documentation are complete before submission; proposals must demonstrate tangible community and stewardship outcomes