Delaware River Restoration Fund 2022 Request for Proposals

Full Proposal Due Date: Thursday, March 31st 2022 by 11:59 PM Eastern Time

OVERVIEW

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is soliciting proposals to conserve and restore fish and wildlife habitat and water quality in the Delaware River watershed. The Delaware River Program will award matching grants of $75,000 to $500,000 each to conserve and restore waters and habitats on public and private land that contribute to the overall health and water quality of the Delaware River watershed—as well as benefit the quality of life and economic vitality of the communities in the Delaware River watershed. Approximately $2 million in grant funding is available. Major funding for the Delaware River Program is provided by the William Penn Foundation with additional funding from AstraZeneca.

In 2022, NFWF’s Delaware River Program will award grants through two distinct Requests for Proposals: Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund (DWCF) and Delaware River Restoration Fund (DRRF).  While these funding opportunities are both concurrent and complementary parts of the Delaware River Program, for simplicity, the programs will use separate RFPs and applicants for the DWCF should use the DWCF RFP.

DRRF Targeted Implementation and Cornerstone Grants will be awarded to nonprofit organizations, local governments, and educational institutions to implement on-the-ground restoration activities to improve water quality in one or more of seven Delaware River Watershed Initiative (DRWI) restoration or hybrid “Clusters,” including: the Poconos and Kittatinny, Kirkwood-Cohansey, New Jersey Highlands, Middle Schuylkill, Schuylkill Highlands, Brandywine-Christina, and Upstream Suburban Philadelphia.  Projects should be located within or directly benefit Cluster focal areas as identified in Phase 2+ Cluster Plans.  One or more of three priority strategies (described in the Program Priorities section below) must be addressed:  conservation on working lands – farms and forests; restoring streams, floodplains and wetlands; and green stormwater infrastructure in urban/suburban landscapes.  Cornerstone Grants will be awarded for especially large-scale, strategic, collaborative project(s) in Cluster focus areas that will serve as models for restoration aggregation via the priority strategies.

 GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS

All Delaware River Program projects must be implemented entirely within the Delaware River watershed, which includes portions of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. Organizations located outside the watershed may apply if the project will be conducted entirely within the watershed.  

To be eligible for DRRF Targeted Implementation and Cornerstone Grants, projects must be within or substantially affect Phase 2+ focus areas of one or more of the Clusters listed above.  Please see the detailed map at this link for more information on Clusters and their focus areas.

PROGRAM PRIORITIES

All proposals must clearly address how projects for which funds are requested will directly and measurably contribute to the accomplishment of program priorities enumerated below.  Applicants are also encouraged to reference NFWF’s Delaware River Watershed Business Plan for opportunities to enhance project competitiveness by linking Business Plan strategies and Cluster goals whenever possible.  For 2022, the Delaware River Program seeks proposals that address the following program priorities: 

DRRF Targeted Implementation and Cornerstone Grants. Priority for Targeted Implementation and Cornerstone Grants will be given to projects that address at least one of the following strategies in one or more of the focus areas identified in the DRWI Phase 2 or Phase 2+ Cluster plans.  Note that this is the first year of DRRF funding for DRWI Phase 2+. Year 2 of Phase 2+ will offer a reduced amount of DRRF funding and DRRF funding will not be available in Year 3 of Phase 2+.  For questions about Cluster plans, please contact Rachel Dawson (rachel.dawson@nfwf.org). 

• Conservation on Working Lands – Farms and Forests. Deliver outreach and technical assistance to successfully engage private landowners and agricultural producers in voluntary restoration and conservation on their lands. Programs may provide technical assistance to producers, forest managers, and other private landowners to improve stream health and water quality.  Competitive projects will prioritize a comprehensive and geographically aggregated approach to agriculture conservation and demonstrate strong collaboration with relevant federal, state, regional agencies, and conservation organizations.  Projects should leverage federal Farm Bill resources and other government programs for implementation and ensure landowners are invested in the success of the project.  Specific approaches include the following:
  • Reducing pollutants (bacteria, nitrogen, phosphorus, sediment, thermal, etc.) entering headwater streams by increasing landowner adoption of conservation and nutrient management plans and implementation of conservation practices. 
  • Establishing comprehensive, or “whole farm” best management practice (BMP) programs working with landowners to address all aspects of polluted runoff from barnyard, field, pasture, and areas of conveyance including hydric soils, groundwater, wetlands, floodplains, and streams; establishing a comprehensive conservation approach on the farm that includes implementation of a conservation plan that addresses all water quality resource concerns.       
  • Increasing farmer participation in programs to conserve water and improve efficiency, increase on-farm infiltration of water to the aquifer and increase riparian buffers. 
• Restoration of Streams, Floodplains and Wetlands. Improve or restore natural stream hydrology to reduce stream bank erosion and scouring, improve floodplain storage/infiltration and filtering capacity, and restore stream function to provide clean water. Priority will be given to restoration on public lands or lands that are otherwise permanently or semi-permanently protected.  Priority will be given to projects that contribute to the aggregation of restoration. Specific approaches include the following:
  • Restoring and enhancing existing stream buffers that will significantly improve function to protect in-stream water quality, reduce non-point source pollution conveyance.
  • Restoring the capacity of rural/urban/suburban streams to mitigate impact of land disturbance and improve floodwater retention by maximizing infiltration, addressing underlying hydrological challenges, increasing connectivity of streams with floodplains, enhancing and restoring associated wetlands, managing forests for water quality, improving riparian buffers, and restoring eroding stream banks. 
• Green Stormwater Infrastructure in Urban/Suburban Landscapes. Accelerate adoption of high-impact green infrastructure practices on urban and suburban private lands. Strong preference will be given to projects of sufficient size and scope to significantly reduce polluted stormwater runoff into sewer systems and contaminant discharge to local waterways. Smaller, isolated projects (e.g., a single, small parking lot) without a connection to a larger green infrastructure strategic plan or other aggregation effort will not be competitive. Similarly, projects intended to educate or provide an outreach function should be considered “complementary strategies” under the DRWI. Projects in geographies that are legally required under existing state or federal consent decrees or regulations should demonstrate an effort to go above and beyond minimum compliance, promoting or accelerating innovative and transformative practices for stormwater management.
  • Increasing large-scale water conservation and on-site infiltration to reduce runoff, decrease aquifer withdrawals, and improve recharge. Projects may target improved municipal and commercial water management, implementation of upland measures for decreased nonpoint source runoff, technically-appropriate retrofits to stormwater basins (including engineered/scaled graduated outlet structures and increased native re-vegetation in infiltration areas) and other stormwater control measures. 
  • Restoring and enhancing existing stream buffers and other natural stream function to protect in-stream quality, reduce non-point source pollution, and improve infiltration. 
• Cornerstone Grants. Cornerstone Grants will be awarded to projects that exhibit exceptional strategic planning and partner engagement to deliver one large project or a suite of projects within the Phase 2 or Phase 2+ focus areas of the seven DRWI restoration or hybrid Clusters. Projects should be designed for measurable impact—and will serve as models that collaboratively advance Cluster efforts to achieve goals set forth in Cluster plans. Proposals should have a specific commitment to increasing the reach and impact of DRWI activities and should leverage complementary strategies to further restoration efforts. Specifically, these projects will:
  • Establish a project leadership team and coordinate well-defined roles and activities of Cluster partners and other participants for effective project delivery; consider engaging new and non-traditional partners to broaden impact; ensure landowner/operator participation and buy-in.
  • Address multiple DRRF Priorities as described for Targeted Implementation Grants.
  • Thoughtfully consider watershed context by complementing existing or planned Cluster projects, aggregating efforts, and/or implementing pollution source reduction strategies (upstream and upland) prior to downstream treatments.
  • Present a clear work plan with an achievable timeline that includes outputs by which progress will be measured.
  • Prioritize and fully incorporate monitoring (existing or planned) through coordination with DRWI monitoring, modeling, and citizen science efforts.
  • Integrate data collection, employ adaptive management and incorporate information-sharing mechanisms within the Cluster and with external partners.
  • Consult with NFWF and the Circuit Riders in the development of Cornerstone proposals (contact the program director for additional details); ensure appropriate technical assistance is available to partners.
  • Frame methods and outcomes to serve as examples of strategic restoration to be exported as models to other focal areas and DRWI Clusters.

 
PROJECT METRICS 

To assess project progress and ensure greater consistency of data provided by multiple grants, the Delaware River Program provides a list of metrics in Easygrants. We ask applicants to select only the most relevant metrics for the project (all possible program metrics are shown in the table below). To increase consistency in the usage and calculations of metrics, the NFWF Delaware team created a 2022 Metrics Guidance document to provide additional details and instructions about each metric. Please ensure that, upon choosing a metric to include in your proposal, the calculation of the target value accounts for the instructions listed in the Metrics Guidance. If you believe an applicable metric has not been provided, please contact Sydney Godbey (sydney.godbey@nfwf.org).

HABITAT RESTORATION
Project Activity	Recommended Metric	Additional Guidance
Floodplain restoration	Acres restored	Enter the number of floodplain acres restored. In the NOTES, indicate the % of vegetation on the pre-project site (0-20%, 21-40%, 41-60%, 61-80%, 81-100%) and the dominant vegetation being restored (Broadleaf, Conifer, Shrub, Grass, Marsh, Swamp).
Instream restoration	Miles restored	Enter the number of miles restored; briefly indicate the type of restoration in the NOTES section
Land, wetland restoration	# trees planted	Enter the number of trees planted and sustained (tree plantings that are urban/green infrastructure can also be included). In the NOTES section, specify the specify the landcover type prior to planting (barren, cropland, grassland, shrubland), # of acres, density per acre, and mortality rate. Do not include any additional trees planted to replace mortality in the numerical metric value.
Riparian restoration	Miles restored	Enter the number of riparian acres restored. In the NOTES section, specify the landcover type prior to planting (barren, cropland, grassland, shrubland), the % of vegetation on the pre-project site (0-20%, 21-40%, 41-60%, 61-80%, 81-100%), the dominant vegetation being planted (Broadleaf, Conifer, Shrub, Grass, Marsh, Swamp), the buffer width, and the acres. DO NOT include instream restoration miles in this measurement.
Wetland restoration	Acres restored	Enter the number of acres restored or enhanced. In the NOTES section, specify the dominant vegetation being planted (Marsh, Swamp). DO NOT include riparian or instream restoration miles in this measurement.
HABITAT MANAGEMENT
Project Activity	Recommended Metric	Additional Guidance
BMP implementation	Miles of stream with reduced and/or protected water temperature	Enter the number of stream miles with BMPS to reduce and/or protect water temperature. Use the NOTES section to describe the actual degree decrease (or maintenance) of temperature.
BMP implementation for fencing improvements	Miles of livestock fencing improved or installed	Enter miles of fencing and indicate type of improvements or if the fencing is new construction in the NOTES section.
BMP implementation for nutrient or sediment reduction	Acres with BMPs	Enter number of acres; indicate the type of BMP(s) (e.g. manure storage, barnyard practices) and indicate method of calculating reduction in NOTES section.  Please see the DWCF toolbox on the website for calculation resources. DO NOT include cover crops, conservation tillage, enhanced cropland nutrient management, or managed grazing.
BMP implementation for nutrient or sediment reduction	Acres with cover crops	Enter the number of cropland acres with cover crops practices. Please describe the cover crop practices in the NOTES section.
BMP implementation for nutrient or sediment reduction	Acres with conservation tillage	Enter the number of cropland acres with conservation tillage practices. Please describe conservation tillage practices in the NOTES section.
BMP implementation for nutrient or sediment reduction	Acres with enhanced nutrient management	Enter the number of cropland acres with enhanced nutrient management practices other than or in addition to conservation tillage or cover crops. Please describe the nutrient management practices in the NOTES section.
BMP implementation for nutrient or sediment reduction	Acres with managed grazing	Enter the number of acres with managed grazing (i.e., promoting plant growth above and below ground, improving wildlife habitat, and maximizing soil carbon through a variety of grazing approaches). Please describe the grazing practices in the NOTES section.
BMP implementation for nutrient or sediment reduction	Lbs N avoided (annually)	Enter the amount of nitrogen prevented from entering system annually and indicate method of calculating reduction in NOTES section
BMP implementation for nutrient or sediment reduction	Lbs P avoided (annually)	Enter the amount of phosphorous prevented from entering system annually and indicate method of calculating reduction in NOTES section
BMP implementation for nutrient or sediment reduction	Lbs sediment avoided (annually)	Enter the amount of sediment prevented from entering system annually and indicate method of calculating reduction in NOTES section
BMP implementation for stormwater runoff	Acres with BMPs	Enter number of acres treated with stormwater BMP(s); indicate the type of BMP(s) (e.g., rain gardens, constructed wetlands, green roofs, rain barrels, etc.) and inches of rainfall that will be stored, infiltrated and/or filtered within a 48-hour rain event in NOTES section. Include method of calculation; please see the DWCF toolbox on the website for calculation resources
BMP implementation for stormwater runoff	Volume stormwater prevented	Enter the volume (in gallons) of stormwater prevented from entering the system per year; indicate type of BMP(s) in the NOTES section; include method of calculation.  Please see the DWCF toolbox on the website for calculation resources.
Improved management practices	Acres under improved management	Enter the number of acres under improved management, enter type of land (i.e. public or private ), and enter specific practice(s) in NOTES section; DO NOT double count with acres of BMPs and please reference the 2022 Metrics Guidance for more specific metric options for working lands projects (e.g. agriculture and forestry).
CAPACITY, OUTREACH, INCENTIVES
Project Activity	Recommended Metric	Additional Guidance
Outreach/ Education/ Technical Assistance	# people reached	Enter the number of people who responded to an offer and inquiry delivered by outreach, training, or technical assistance activities; specify the percentage of individuals reached; indicate type of audience (farmers, landowners, municipalities) in the NOTES section
Outreach/ Education/ Technical Assistance	# people with changed behavior	Enter the number of individuals demonstrating a minimum level of behavior change; briefly describe method of measurement in NOTES section. Characterize the audience (farmers, landowners, municipalities) in the NOTES section
Volunteer participation	# volunteers participating	Enter the number of volunteers participating

ELIGIBILITY

Eligible and Ineligible Entities

• DRRF Targeted Implementation and Cornerstone Grants
  • Eligible applicants include:  non-profit 501(c) organizations, local governments, municipal governments, Tribal governments and organizations, and educational institutions
    • Priority for Targeted Watershed Implementation Grants will be given to DRWI Cluster participants and their partners. Applicants unaffiliated with the DRWI should apply to the DWCF.
    • Ineligible applicants include:  unincorporated individuals, businesses, U.S. Federal government agencies, state government agencies, and international organizations

Ineligible Uses of Grant Funds 

• NFWF funds and matching contributions may not be used to support political advocacy, fundraising, lobbying, litigation, terrorist activities or Foreign Corrupt Practices Act violations.
• NFWF funds may not be used to support ongoing efforts to comply with legal requirements, including permit conditions, compensatory mitigation and settlement agreements. However, grant funds may be used to support projects that enhance or improve upon baseline legal and permit compliance efforts.
• Equipment: Applicants are encouraged to rent equipment where possible and cost-effective or use matching funds to make those purchases. NFWF acknowledges, however, that some projects may only be completed using NFWF funds to procure equipment. If this applies to your project, please contact the program staff listed in this RFP to discuss options.
• Federal funds and matching contributions may not be used to procure or obtain equipment, services, or systems (including entering into or renewing a contract) that uses telecommunications equipment or services produced by Huawei Technologies Company or ZTE Corporation (or any subsidiary or affiliate of such entities) as a substantial or essential component, or as critical technology of any system. Refer to Public Law 115-232, section 889 for additional information.

FUNDING AVAILABILITY AND MATCH

NFWF will award approximately $2 million in grants via the DRRF in 2022. Generally, grants of less than $200,000 will be awarded for restoration at a single site and/or involving fewer partners. Proposals requesting $200,000 to $500,000 should represent broad-based partnerships engaged in implementing comprehensive restoration and conservation approaches that may include multiple sites and multiple strategies. Grants will be awarded as follows:

DRRF Targeted Implementation and Cornerstone Grants will range from $75,000 to $500,000 each. Approximately $2 million is available. Only Cornerstone projects are eligible for up to $500,000; all other DRRF projects may request up to $300,000. These grants require a minimum matching contribution valued at 25% of total project costs (i.e., 1/3 of the grant request); grants in the higher end of the range, especially Cornerstone Grants are strongly encouraged to approach or exceed 50% match (1:1) to ensure competitiveness. Projects must be ready to begin implementation within six months of the grant award and completed within two years of grant award.

Applicants may only submit a project to one funding designation (e.g. an applicant cannot use the same project or components of the project to apply concurrently for a Targeted Implementation and Cornerstone grant).

EVALUATION CRITERIA

All proposals will be screened for relevance, accuracy, completeness and compliance with NFWF and funding source policies. Proposals will then be evaluated on the extent to which they meet the following criteria:

Technical Merit – Project is technically sound and feasible, and the proposal relies on sound methods relative to a realistic budget to achieve success. Project engages appropriate technical experts (or includes expert staff) throughout project planning, design, and implementation. Project outcomes are reasonable and measurable.

Cost-Effectiveness – Project includes a cost-effective budget that balances performance risk and efficient use of funds. Cost-effectiveness evaluation may include, but is not limited to, an assessment of either or both direct and indirect costs in the proposed budget. The federal government has determined that a de minimis 10% indirect rate is an acceptable minimum for organizations without a NICRA, as such NFWF reserves the right to scrutinize ALL proposals with indirect rates above 10% for cost-effectiveness.  

Metrics – Proposal includes specific, quantifiable performance metrics. Proposal includes requested details and justifications in the metrics NOTES section. Project performance metrics are distinguished from, and contribute to, ecological and social outcome metrics (e.g. water quality improvements, sustainable species population measures, ecological integrity/resilience indices, landscape permeability, community resilience index, outdoor activity participation/volunteer measures, etc.). DRRF proposals must select metrics relevant to their Cluster Plans.

Work Plan – The applicant provides a detailed work plan with clear activities, roles (including partner roles), timeline and outcomes for the project. The work plan can be used to assess project progress. Work plan also notes if and how project will be maintained in the long-term, and by whom.

Monitoring and Project Evaluation – Project includes a plan for monitoring project effectiveness at meeting goals and objectives (outcomes) during and after the proposed project period. Applicant includes an approach to adaptively address new challenges and opportunities as they arise during the grant period. Applicant describes how resources will be used to implement the plan, and to continue evaluating project success. DRRF proposals must describe how the project will integrate with ongoing or planned Cluster monitoring efforts, either by the grantee or by partners.

Long-term Sustainability – Project will be maintained to ensure benefits are achieved and sustained over time. This should include how future funding will be secured to implement necessary long-term monitoring and maintenance activities.

Partnership – Project is supported by, and will be delivered by, a strong partnership that leverages additional skills and resources, and will sustain it after the life of the grant. Proposed partners and roles—including short- and long-term—are clearly identified (including potential or contemplated subawards to third party subrecipients of the applicant). A project partner is any community, non-profit organization, tribe, and/or local, state, interstate and federal government agency that contributes time and/or funding to support project planning, design and/or implementation. Proposals requesting more than $100,000 should include a broader, more robust project partnership.

Community Impact and Engagement – The applicant partners and engages collaboratively with diverse local community members, leaders, community-based organizations, and other relevant stakeholders to develop and implement the proposed project. This ensures long-term sustainability and success of the project, integration into local programs and policies, and community acceptance of proposed restoration actions. Non-traditional partners or communities are directly enlisted to broaden the sustained impact from the project and equity is carefully considered in project design. Priority will be given to projects that benefit and engage underserved or traditionally excluded communities. The applicant describes community characteristics of the project area, identifies any communities impacted, describes outreach and community engagement activities and how those will be monitored and measured. Demographic data is included to support descriptions and proposal includes letters of support from community partners and/or collaborators demonstrating commitment to the project and engagement in project activities as proposed. Projects are strongly encouraged to submit letters of support from community partners and/or collaborators demonstrating their commitment to the project and engagement in project activities as proposed. 

Letters of Support – Proposal includes letters of support from project partners, stakeholders, contributors and/or technical assistance providers; letters should describe any match or contribution offered to the project and confirm partner roles. Proposal includes landowner or site manager support, acknowledgements or permissions (e.g. certifying site access). Letters of support are strongly encouraged; see the tip sheet and Letters of Support Best Practices for additional guidance.

Transferability – Project has potential and a plan to transfer lessons learned to other communities, practitioners or to be integrated into government programs and policies. Proposal notes the demonstration value of the project if relevant.

Evaluation Criteria Specific to DRRF Targeted Implementation and Cornerstone Grants

Program Goals and Priorities – Project contributes to the DRWI’s overall water quality improvement goals and has specific, quantifiable activities that contribute to Cluster Plan targets.  Project addresses one or more of the priority strategies outlined in the Request for Proposals.

Cluster Plan and Context – The project advances the relevant Cluster Plan and Phase 2+ goals, is presented as part of the broader focus area, Cluster and/or watershed context, and is an important element of a thoughtful shared Cluster strategy.  Applicants should use FieldDoc to provide additional Cluster context for their projects and also explore other tools and resources as necessary, including NFWF’s Delaware River Watershed Business Plan. 

• NFWF’s Delaware River Watershed Business Plan was developed with input from a wide range of watershed partners and stakeholders and incorporates water quality goals from the DRWI.  The goals and strategies included in the Business Plan are the result of a watershed-wide prioritization process and geospatial analysis—and they provide a distinct avenue for achieving measurable impact on the ground for habitat and water quality.

OTHER  

Budget – Costs are allowable, reasonable and budgeted in accordance with NFWF’s Budget Instructions cost categories. Federally-funded projects must be in compliance with OMB Uniform Guidance as applicable.

Matching Contributions – Matching Contributions consist of cash, contributed goods and services, volunteer hours, and/or property raised and spent for the Project during the Period of Performance. The value of land protection activities, including easements or acquired parcels is eligible. Larger match ratios and matching fund contributions from a diversity of partners are encouraged and will be more competitive during application review. Federal funding requires a 1:1 non-federal match. Voluntary additional match beyond the 1:1 requirement may be from either federal or non-federal sources.

Procurement – If the applicant chooses to specifically identify proposed Contractor(s) for Services, an award by NFWF to the applicant does not constitute NFWF’s express written authorization for the applicant to procure such specific services noncompetitively. When procuring goods and services, NFWF recipients must follow documented procurement procedures which reflect applicable laws and regulations.  

Publicity and Acknowledgement of Support – Award recipients will be required to grant NFWF the right and authority to publicize the project and NFWF’s financial support for the grant in press releases, publications and other public communications. Recipients may also be asked by NFWF to provide high-resolution (minimum 300 dpi) photographs depicting the project.

Receiving Award Funds – Award payments are primarily reimbursable. Projects may request funds for reimbursement at any time after completing a signed agreement with NFWF.  A request of an advance of funds must be due to an imminent need of expenditure and must detail how the funds will be used and provide justification and a timeline for expected disbursement of these funds.

Compliance Requirements – Projects selected may be subject to requirements under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Endangered Species Act (state and federal), and National Historic Preservation Act. Documentation of compliance with these regulations must be approved prior to DWCF projects initiating activities that disturb or alter habitat or other features of the project site(s). Reimbursement for project activities, including non-construction activities, may be delayed until compliance requirements are complete. Applicants should budget time and resources to obtain the needed approvals. As may be applicable, successful applicants may be required to comply with additional Federal, state or local requirements and obtain all necessary permits and clearances. NFWF has made resources available to assist grantees in completing NEPA and other federal compliance. These resources include templates, contacts, and a NFWF-funded consultant available to review documentation and provide process guidance. Please see the tip sheet (link below) for more information.

Permits – Successful applicants will be required to provide sufficient documentation that the project expects to receive or has received all necessary permits and clearances to comply with any Federal, state or local requirements. Where projects involve work in the waters of the United States, NFWF strongly encourages applicants to conduct a permit pre-application meeting with the Army Corps of Engineers prior to submitting their proposal.  In some cases, if a permit pre-application meeting has not been completed, NFWF may require successful applicants to complete such a meeting prior to grant award.

Federal Funding – The availability of federal funds estimated in this solicitation is contingent upon the federal appropriations process. Funding decisions will be made based on level of funding and timing of when it is received by NFWF.

Applicant Demographic Information – In an effort to better understand diversity in our grantmaking, NFWF is collecting basic information on applicants and their communities via a voluntary survey form (available in Easygrants). This information will not be shared externally or with reviewers. For more details, please see the tip sheet and the Uploads section of Easygrants.    

TIMELINE

Dates of activities are subject to change.  Please check the Delaware River Program page of the NFWF website for the most current dates and information.

Applicant Webinar (Register)	Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022, 10:00AM, EST
Proposal Tools Webinar (Register)	Wednesday, March 2, 2022, 11:00AM, EST
Full Proposal Due Date	Thursday, March 31, 2022, 11:59pm, EST
Review Period	April – May 2022
Awards Announced	Mid-August, 2022

         
HOW TO APPLY

All application materials must be submitted online through National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Easygrants system.

1. Go to easygrants.nfwf.org to register in our Easygrants online system. New users to the system will be prompted to register before starting the application (if you already are a registered user, use your existing login).  Enter your applicant information. Please disable the pop-up blocker on your internet browser prior to beginning the application process. 
2. Once on your homepage, click the “Apply for Funding” button and select this RFP’s “Funding Opportunity” from the list of options.
3. Follow the instructions in Easygrants to complete your application. Once an application has been started, it may be saved and returned to at a later time for completion and submission.

APPLICATION ASSISTANCE 

A Tip Sheet is available for quick reference while you are working through your application. This RFP document can be downloaded here. 

Guidance and best practice documents have been pulled together to assist grantees in building a strong proposal:

• Metrics Guidance
• Letters of Support Best Practices
• DWCF Toolbox

Additional information to support the application process can be accessed on the NFWF website’s Applicant Information page.

For more information or questions about this RFP, please contact: 

Rachel Dawson – Program Director, Delaware River
(202) 595-2643
rachel.dawson@nfwf.org

Sydney Godbey – Manager, Northeastern Region    
(202) 595-2612
sydney.godbey@nfwf.org  

Erin Lewis – Coordinator, Northeast Regional Programs
(202) 595-2413
erin.lewis@nfwf.org 

Field liaisons are available to provide application assistance, guidance and troubleshooting for DRRF projects. Please reach out to NFWF staff for more information on or access to this free technical assistance. DRWI Cluster partners are strongly encouraged to connect with them prior to submitting an application.

For issues or assistance with our online Easygrants system, please contact:
Easygrants Helpdesk
Email: Easygrants@nfwf.org
Voicemail: 202-595-2497
Hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm ET, Monday-Friday. 
Include: your name, proposal ID #, e-mail address, phone number, program you are applying to, and a description of the issue.