Oregon Conservation & Recreation Fund

The Oregon Conservation and Recreation Fund (OCRF), administered by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), is now accepting proposals for its Winter 2025/2026 funding cycle. This grant opportunity is managed by the Oregon Conservation and Recreation Advisory Committee, which oversees the allocation of funds to conservation and outdoor recreation projects throughout Oregon. The fund was established to support impactful projects that benefit Oregon’s fish, wildlife, and their habitats while also expanding public access and equity in outdoor recreation, particularly for underserved communities. For the current cycle, the OCRF will award approximately $400,000 in total funding. Individual grant requests are capped at $25,000. This opportunity is particularly designed to support smaller and newer organizations, with special consideration given to groups originating from environmental justice communities. Projects eligible for funding may include research, ecological monitoring, habitat restoration, environmental education, community outreach, technical assistance, and other conservation and recreation initiatives. Projects that implement the State Wildlife Action Plan—formerly known as the Oregon Conservation Strategy—are especially encouraged, as these align with the state’s priorities for proactive habitat and wildlife preservation. Eligible applicants include a broad range of organizations and institutions such as tribal governments, watershed councils, soil and water conservation districts, not-for-profit corporations with IRS 501(c)(3) status, schools, higher education institutions, state and federal agencies, and local governments. Institutions of higher education and fiscal sponsors may submit more than one application on behalf of different projects or partner organizations. However, in general, each organization is limited to submitting one proposal per cycle. A cap of 20% is placed on indirect costs as a percentage of the requested project budget. The grant application process is exclusively online and administered through the ODFW grant portal. Applications will be accepted beginning December 15, 2025, and must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on February 9, 2026. Applicants must use the access code “OCRF” to enter the system. An offline version of the application questions is available in PDF form for preparation purposes, though not all features of the portal are reflected in that version. A comprehensive guide is also provided to walk applicants through account creation, application submission, dashboard navigation, and form completion. Evaluation of proposals will be based on their alignment with the OCRF’s program priorities, which emphasize ecological impact, community engagement, and inclusivity. Particular focus will be placed on projects that contribute to conservation goals laid out in the State Wildlife Action Plan and enhance recreational access for marginalized populations. Prospective applicants are encouraged to review OCRF’s administrative rules and insurance guidelines prior to applying. For questions or assistance with the application process, applicants can reach the program team via email at [email protected] or by phone at 541-961-8421.