RESTORE Colorado Program 2026 Request for Proposals

RFP GUIDANCE

NFWF is committed to operating in full compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and Executive Orders. We continuously monitor legal and regulatory developments to ensure our policies, procedures, and operations align with current federal directives. We encourage all applicants to do the same.

The ability and extent to which NFWF is able to make awards is contingent upon receipt of funds from federal agencies and/or other funding partners. Final funding decisions will be made based on the applications received and the level and timing of funding received by NFWF.

 

TIMELINE

Dates of activities are subject to change. Please check the NFWF RESTORE Colorado page for the most current dates and information.

Applicant Webinar [Register Here] August 28th at 10:00am MDT / 12:00pm EDT
Full Proposal Due Date November 10th by 9:59pm MDT / 11:59pm EDT
Review Period November 2025 – March 2026
Awards Announced March 2026

 

OVERVIEW

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is soliciting proposals for the annual Restoration and Stewardship of Outdoor Resources and Environment (RESTORE) Colorado Program. Grants made through the RESTORE Colorado Program will focus on the voluntary restoration, enhancement, and expansion of high priority wildlife habitat throughout the state.

RESTORE Colorado is administered by NFWF and represents a unique partnership between Great Outdoors Colorado, Chevron, the Colorado Department of Natural Resources, Colorado Water Conservation Board, the Gates Family Foundation, OXY, Walton Family Foundation, U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

The RESTORE Colorado program was developed to accelerate the voluntary restoration, expansion, and improvement of critical wildlife habitat at-scale and provide opportunities for the proactive management of Colorado’s public and private lands for the greatest benefit to wildlife and local communities. Conservation at-scale refers to cross-jurisdictional projects that accomplish landscape-level benefits to wildlife habitat and ecological function across public and private lands. Competitive projects may combine multiple restoration and management strategies that enhance climate resiliency, ecological function, and habitat connectivity. For example, a stream restoration project could incorporate upland forest treatments in order to enhance watershed-level conservation outcomes or a project addressing big game migrations could cut across sagebrush, grassland, and forest habitats to improve ecological connectivity and function for multiple species and life stages. Projects that address a single priority habitat will still be considered but are encouraged to emphasize cross-jurisdictional components and multiple benefits.

In 2026, NFWF expects to make awards to projects focusing on the following habitats and statewide priorities:

  • Watershed resilience (wetlands, riparian and upland habitats including forests)
  • Eastern Colorado grasslands
  • Sagebrush rangelands
  • Big game winter range and migration corridors
  • Capacity building for conservation project development and delivery
  • Urban areas

 

GRANT AWARD INFORMATION

The RESTORE Colorado program expects to make awards to approximately 10 projects in 2026, with a minimum grant amount of $100,000. Projects should begin within six months of the award date and be completed within three years of the agreed start date. Due to the combination of federal, state, and private funding sources involved in the RESTORE Colorado Program, leverage and match is encouraged but not required. Leverage and match will be evaluated for its demonstration of community support and project partnerships, not for the dollar amount contributed, and can include cash, in-kind or volunteer contributions. Leverage should be reported in the proposal narrative in Easygrants. Matching contributions should be included in the “Matching Contributions” section of the proposal task in Easygrants. Please reach out to NFWF staff and review the Applicant Tip Sheet for additional guidance on how to report leverage and match in the proposal.

Leverage:

  • Leverage does not need to follow the rules outlined below for matching contributions. Leverage is intended to demonstrate community support and project partnerships rather than commit a specific amount of funding to the project.
  • Leverage does not need to be quantified with a dollar value if that is not applicable to the partnerships you wish to convey.
  • Leverage could include costs or other funding related to previous or current phases of the project, including design, on-the-ground implementation, or ongoing management actions. This section can also capture grant awards that have already been used to match other funding sources but still contribute to the overall outcomes of the project.

Match:

Non-federal Matching Contributions:

  • Verifiable from the grantee’s records
  • Not included as contributions for any other Federal award
  • Reasonable and necessary for accomplishment of project or program objectives
  • Committed directly to the project and used within the period of performance
  • Allowable under OMB 2 CFR 200 Cost Principles

Federal Matching Contributions:

  • Verifiable from the grantee’s records
  • Reasonable and necessary for accomplishment of project or program objectives
  • Committed directly to the project and used within the period of performance

 

GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS

All projects must occur entirely within the State of Colorado. Individual program priorities have geographic focus areas based upon the physical location of the resource. The program will consider projects that span multiple locations, but applicants should clearly define how these efforts contribute to connected outcomes across the landscape.

The RESTORE program contributes to two NFWF business plans, the Rocky Mountain Rangelands business plan and the Southwest Rivers business plan. If your project contributes to the goals of either business plan, please elaborate how within the application.

 

PROGRAM PRIORITIES

All proposals must specifically address how projects will directly and measurably contribute to the landscape-scale accomplishment of one or more of the program priorities described below. The program seeks projects that develop and implement voluntary on-the-ground conservation practices and/or increase organizational capacity to implement conservation activities. Preference will be given to projects that impact more than one priority habitat type, improve ecological connectivity and resilience, and are prioritized within local, regional, and/or statewide strategies.

All proposals should demonstrate direct and meaningful benefit to priority species and habitats, including those listed in Colorado State Wildlife Action Plans, NFWF business plans, federally listed species, NRCS Working Lands for Wildlife priority species, or other planning efforts named in the priority habitat section of this RFP.

Community Impact and Engagement: Projects that incorporate community engagement and pursue collaborative management leading to measurable conservation outcomes are encouraged. When possible, projects should be developed through community input and co-design processes. Additionally, projects should engage community-level partners (e.g., municipalities, NGOs, community organizations, community leaders, private landowners) to help design, implement, and maintain projects to secure maximum benefits for communities, maintenance, and sustainability post-grant award.

Colorado’s Outdoors Strategy: Colorado’s Outdoors Strategy advances coordination, tools, and funding to align, prioritize, and implement strategic actions on the landscape for conservation, outdoor recreation, and climate resilience. The Strategy elevates the need for coordinated conservation and restoration actions that protect and enhance high priority habitat, improve biodiversity, and ensure long-term benefits of healthy ecosystems and working lands for future generations. Proposals are highly encouraged to utilize the many collaboratively developed tools on the Strategy’s “Resource Hub” (e.g. plan library, data and mapping tools, and engagement frameworks) when developing their project and clearly define how the project advances key goals of the Strategy.

Competitive projects may include but are not limited to:

Watershed Resilience Projects:

  • Holistic watershed projects that restore multiple habitat types including riparian, wetland, forests and other upland habitats in order to enhance system-level resilience. Projects should emphasize ecosystem resilience and direct species benefits for a species or suite of species of interest, including evaluation of the effectiveness of practices for species conservation.
    • Projects without a direct wildlife nexus or watershed resilience outcome will not be competitive, for example general thinning and fuels management or stormwater management.
  • Restoration of both age class variability, forest stand structure variability that contributes to returning to natural fire regimes and enhance watershed function.
  • Enhancement and restoration of natural fluvial processes that increase floodplain connectivity and recruitment of native riparian vegetation. Activities may include beaver mimicry structures, livestock exclusion fencing, and riparian vegetation planting. Activities can be in coordination with adjacent forest management activities, such as wildfire mitigation or post-fire recovery.
  • Priority will be given to nature-based solutions on the Western Slope within the broader Colorado River Basin including process-based wetland and riparian habitat restoration and instream flow projects.
  • Enhancement and restoration of hydrology and connectivity for native species, including barrier removal.
  • Enhancement and restoration of aquatic habitat for various life stages of priority species.
  • Projects identified within a Stream Management Plan or Integrated Water Management Plan are strongly encouraged.
  • Increase capacity for nature-based solutions implementation in and among conservation organizations working in the Colorado River Basin. Here we define increased capacity broadly, from new positions within an organization to funding for contracting with external partners that bring knowledge or resources to extend the reach of nature-based solutions throughout the Southwest. These funds are intended to provide opportunities for training and sharing best practices to support new hires and organizations interested in expanding their reach and impact using nature-based solutions.

Eastern Colorado grasslands

  • Enhancement and restoration of large intact tracts of eastern Colorado grasslands focusing on the habitat needs of migratory grassland birds, lesser prairie-chicken and other species of greatest conservation need. Practices may include, but are not limited to:
    • Grassland restoration through reseeding, conversion from crops to native grass, or the removal of woody invasives;
    • Improvement of range condition through a change in grazing or management practices or strategic treatment of invasive annual grasses and weeds;
    • Implementation of wildlife friendly grazing practices, including on expiring Conservation Reserve Program lands; and
    • Obstruction removal to decrease grassland fragmentation.
  • There is dedicated funding available this year specifically in Northeast Colorado to support grassland restoration activities that benefit mule deer, pronghorn and other wildlife.

Sagebrush rangelands

  • Enhancement and restoration of sagebrush rangeland habitat in priority areas for conservation for the Greater and Gunnison Sage-grouse, sage sparrow, and sage thrasher. Projects may focus on one or more of the following practices:
    • Fence removal and modification;
    • Restoration of sagebrush through strategic treatment of encroaching pinon-juniper;
    • Improvement of range condition through a change in grazing or management practices or strategic treatment of invasive annual grasses and weeds; and
    • Mesic meadow restoration such as installation of temporary wood grade structures or low impact restoration structures such as Zeedyk structures.

Big game winter range and migration corridors

  • Improvement of winter range and/or priority migration corridors for elk, deer, pronghorn, bighorn sheep and moose. Projects that align with the Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Big Game Action Plan, State Wildlife Action Plan, Habitat Conservation and Connectivity Plan, and Colorado Wildlife and Transportation Alliance strategies will be most competitive, but projects outside this scope will still be considered if there are significant wildlife benefits. Projects may focus on one or more of the following practices:
    • Fence removal and modification;
    • Transportation corridor enhancement; and
    • Increasing forage quality and quantity (including management of invasive annual grasses and encroachment of woody species).
  • Due to the nature of big game migration, proposals are expected to include ecological connectivity (between summer ranges, transitional ranges, and winter ranges) and cross-jurisdictional overlap with other priority habitat types.

Capacity Building

  • Additional funding is available in this RFP specifically for capacity building and technical assistance that aligns with NRCS priorities.
    • Grant recipients will provide technical assistance to interested farmers, ranchers, and private forestland owners to develop management plans, design and implement conservation practices, share their experiences and lessons learned, and participate in Farm Bill programs, especially the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). A particular emphasis should be placed on promoting, designing, and implementing conservation practices that improve soil health, support grazing system resiliency, restore wetlands, develop perennial wildlife habitat, improve nutrient management, and enhance forest health.
    • Direct staff resources to help agricultural producers design and implement conservation practices.
    • Increase Farm Bill program participation and conservation practice implementation among agricultural producers.
  • NRCS Coordination – Please ensure the project aligns with NRCS goals, priorities, and capacity needs by conferring with the NRCS State Conservationist and their staff in the state in which your project is located. A list of NRCS contacts can be found here.
  • Please note that grantees applying for these capacity building funds may be required to report on additional performance metrics related to capacity building, conservation planning and practice implementation to be negotiated between NFWF and the grantee after award decisions have been made. Outcomes proposed under this category should comply with NRCS Conservation Practice Standards.
  • Applicants requesting funding for capacity building and technical assistance should describe how the proposal is in alignment with NRCS goals and priorities in the relevant state(s) in the proposal narrative. Describe any coordination efforts with the NRCS State Conservationist or state and/or field office staff. Indicate whether any of the new or existing positions funded through the proposal are intended to be co-located in USDA offices, and whether USDA has approved co-locating the positions if the proposal is funded.

Urban Areas

The RESTORE Colorado program is also interested in funding habitat restoration projects in urban areas that increase habitat quantity and quality for wildlife while also improving access to thriving outdoor spaces for people. Funding for urban projects is currently limited. Applicants are encouraged to bring forward projects that are cross-jurisdictional and/or have a larger impact on wildlife and community health beyond a specific project site. Since a limited number of projects will be awarded in urban areas, interested applicants should discuss potential projects with NFWF staff before applying. NFWF expects most urban area projects to align with the watershed resilience priority.

 

PROJECT METRICS

To better gauge progress on individual grants and to ensure greater consistency of project data provided by multiple grants, the RESTORE Colorado program has a list of metrics for applicants to choose from for future reporting. We ask that applicants select only the most relevant metrics for their project (all possible program metrics are shown in the table below). If you cannot select an applicable metric, please contact NFWF staff to discuss.

Project Activity Recommended Metric Additional Guidance
River Corridors, Riparian Areas, and Wetlands
Water acquisitions or leases Acre feet of water leased Enter the acre feet of water leased
Fish passage improvements # passage barriers rectified Enter the # of in-stream barriers removed or rectified as part of THIS grant to improve aquatic organism passage and/or flooding. If multiple barriers exist at one specific location, please list "1" and list each individual barrier in the notes. In the notes, provide the barrier's SARP ID--see SARP Natl. Aq. Barrier Inventory (aquaticbarriers.org). If the barrier(s) is not in SARP, provide its lat/long or its name and source.
Fish passage improvements Miles of stream opened Enter total # of miles opened to improve aquatic organism passage. Only include the miles of main stem & smaller tributaries connected until the next barrier upstream (or headwaters), but NOT lakes, ponds, or distance downstream from the barrier removed.
Restore stream geomorphology to increase aquatic species habitat Miles restored Enter number of instream miles restored to increase aquatic species habitat.
Invasive animal or predator removal / Fencing nests from predators Miles with goals met Enter the number of miles with predation reduction goals met
Reconnect floodplain and reestablish native riparian vegetation Acres restored Enter the number of riparian habitat acres restored, to include restoration of adjacent floodplain where restoration has reconnected floodplain riparian habitat with the river corridor and acres of reestablished native riparian vegetation. In the NOTES, indicate % 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, Redwood, Shrub, Grass, Marsh, Wet meadow, Swamp).
Installation of livestock exclusion fencing to protect riparian habitat Miles of fencing installed Enter miles of livestock exclusion fencing installed to improve and protect riparian habitat
Installation of barriers to prevent the migration of invasive aquatic species # barriers created Enter the number of barriers created to prevent migration of non-native aquatic species. Specify species benefited and invasive species prevented in the notes section.
Conduct translocation projects for target native fish species # translocations and/or social attraction projects Enter the # translocations and/or reintroduction projects for native fish species
Wetland restoration Acres restored Enter the number of wetland (NOT riparian or instream) acres restored. In the NOTES, specify landcover prior to restoration (Marsh, Tidal marsh, Wet meadow, Swamp) and indicate % of vegetation on pre-project site (0-20%, 21-40%, 41-60%, 61-80%, 81-100%).
Grassland/Sagebrush/Big Game Winter Range and Migration Corridors
Removal of wildlife unfriendly fencing Miles of fencing removed Enter the number of miles of fencing removed.
Improvement of wildlife unfriendly fencing Miles of fencing improved Enter the number of miles of fencing improved to wildlife-friendly specifications.
Mesic areas and wet meadows restoration # structures installed Enter the # structures installed and specify structure type in the notes section (i.e., Zeedyk, beaver analogs or similar structures)
Mesic areas and wet meadows restoration Acres of mesic habitat with restored hydrology (private) Enter the number of acres restored and restoration technique completed on private lands
Mesic areas and wet meadows restoration Acres of mesic habitat with restored hydrology (public) Enter the number of acres restored and restoration technique completed on public lands
Habitat Management # acres under improved management (private) Specify improvements in Notes section (i.e., grazing plan, infrastructure development etc.) completed on private lands
Habitat Management # acres under improved management (public) Specify improvements in Notes section (i.e., grazing plan, infrastructure development etc.) completed on public lands
Habitat Restoration Acres of grasslands restored on private land Enter # acres of habitat restored on private land. In the NOTES, specify landcover prior to restoration (barren, cropland, grass, shrub) and post-restoration (broadleaf, conifer, redwood, grassland, shrubland, marsh, wet meadow, tidal marsh, swamp, seagrass, kelp forest).
Habitat Restoration Acres of grasslands restored on public land Enter # acres of habitat restored on public land. In the NOTES, specify landcover prior to restoration (barren, cropland, grass, shrub) and post-restoration (broadleaf, conifer, redwood, grassland, shrubland, marsh, wet meadow, tidal marsh, swamp, seagrass, kelp forest).
Habitat Restoration Conifer forest - Acres restored on private land Enter # acres of conifer forest habitat restored on private land. In the NOTES, specify landcover prior to restoration (barren, cropland, grass, shrub).
Habitat Restoration Conifer forest - Acres restored on public land Enter # acres of conifer forest habitat restored on public land. In the NOTES, specify landcover prior to restoration (barren, cropland, grass, shrub).
Habitat Restoration Quaking Aspen – Acres restored on private land Enter # acres of Quaking Aspen habitat restored on private land. In the NOTES, specify landcover prior to restoration (barren, cropland, grass, shrub)
Habitat Restoration Quaking Aspen – Acres restored on public land Enter # acres of Quaking Aspen habitat restored on public land. In the NOTES, specify landcover prior to restoration (barren, cropland, grass, shrub)
Habitat Restoration Acres managed to treat annual invasive plants Enter # acres of invasives removed. In the NOTES, specify: vegetation removed (junipers, shrubs, grasses/forbs), desired dominant vegetation (shrub, grass), average frequency (in years) of future treatment, and whether removed vegetation will be left on site to decompose (Yes/No).
Habitat Restoration Acres of trees removed Enter the number of acres of encroaching conifer removed
Widely Applicable Metrics
Expand species monitoring to new and additional sites # sites being monitored Enter the number of sites being monitored
Management or Governance Planning # plans developed Enter the number of plans developed that had input from relevant stakeholders
Research # studies completed whose findings are used to adapt management/ inform mgmt decisions Enter the number of studies completed whose findings are used to adapt management/ inform mgmt decisions
Volunteer participation # volunteers participating Enter the number of volunteers participating in projects
Capacity Building Metrics
Economic benefits # jobs created Enter the # of individuals hired to directly work on the project (non-volunteers). Jobs should be directly engaged in grant activities, funded by the grant, and shouldn't have existed prior to the grant. The starting value for this metric should be zero and target value should be a whole number. In the NOTES section, provide the FTE for the jobs created.
Economic benefits # jobs sustained Enter the # of paid jobs that are partially or fully sustained through this grant. The starting value for this metric should be zero and target value should be a whole number. Jobs should have existed prior to the grant, be funded by the grant, and be directly engaged in project activities.
Incentives # participants receiving gov't agency cost share or financial assistance Enter the number of participants enrolled in government cost share or financial assistance programs. In the NOTES section, specify which program(s) (e.g., NRCS EQIP), how you will track enrollment. This should be equal to or less than the “# people with changed behavior” metric.
Incentives Dollar value of government agency cost share or financial assistance Enter the dollar value of federal, state, or local government agency cost share or financial assistance. In the NOTES section, specify which program(s) (e.g., NRCS EQIP) and how the value was estimated.
Incentives Acres covered by government agency cost share or financial assistance Enter the number of acres enrolled in government agency cost share or financial assistance. In the NOTES section, specify which program(s) (e.g., NRCS EQIP). If applicable, number should be equal to or less than “Acreage of project footprint” metric.
Outreach/ Technical Assistance

# people with changed behavior

*to report # of farmers changing practices

 Enter the number of producers implementing new conservation practices with or without federal, state, local, or private financial assistance. This should be equal to or greater than the “# of farmers receiving gov't agency cost share or financial assistance” metric.
Project footprint Acreage of project footprint Enter the total number of unique acres where one or more conservation practices were implemented. Only count an acre once, even if multiple activities or treatments will occur on that acre during the project.
BMP development # mgmt plans with BMPs Enter the number of completed management plans into which Best Management Practices (BMPs) were incorporated.
BMP development # acres covered by conservation plan Enter the number of acres that are receiving conservation planning and other technical assistance to help producers meet eligibility requirements for USDA NRCS conservation programs and other Federal, State, and local conservation programs.

 

ELIGIBILITY

Eligible and Ineligible Entities

  • Eligible applicants include non-profit 501(c)3 organizations, political subdivisions of the state, local and municipal governments, Native Nations and Indigenous-led organizations, and educational institutions.
  • Ineligible applicants include businesses and unincorporated individuals.

 

EVALUATION CRITERIA

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

Conservation Outcomes Budget Technical
  • Alignment with program goals and priorities
  • Quantifiable performance metrics
  • Appropriate monitoring of activities and outcomes
  • Partnership & community engagement
  • Project long-term sustainability
  • Allowable and reasonable costs
  • Matching contributions
  • Cost effective
  • Technically sound and feasible
  • Logical and achievable work plan and timeline
  • Engages technical experts
  • Accurate spatial data
  • Sound compliance approach (permits, NEPA, QAQC)
  • Past grantee success
  • Transferable

 

Partnership and Community Impact – The applicant organization partners and engages collaboratively with 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. Partners or communities are enlisted to broaden the sustained impact from the project. Describe the community characteristics of the project area, identify any communities impacted, describe outreach and community engagement activities and how those will be monitored and measured. Use data to support descriptions and submit letters of support from community partners and/or collaborators demonstrating their commitment to the project and engagement in project activities as proposed.

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, spent, and acquired for the Project during the Period of Performance. Larger match ratios and matching fund contributions from a range of partners are encouraged and will be more competitive during application review.

Cost-Effectiveness – Cost-effectiveness analysis identifies the economically most efficient way to meet project objectives. Project includes a cost-effective budget that balances performance risk and efficient use of funds. Cost-effectiveness evaluation includes, but is not limited to, an assessment of effective direct/indirect costs across all categories in the proposed budget according to the type, size and duration of the project and project objectives. Project budgets will be compared to similar projects to ensure proposed costs across all budget categories are reasonable for the activities being performed and the outcomes proposed.

Spatial Data – Project spatial data submitted to NFWF’s online mapping tool accurately represent the location(s) of conservation activity(ies) at the time of proposal submission. Successful projects will be required to submit improved spatial data for each conservation activity within the period of performance as necessary.

 

OTHER

Ineligible Uses of Grant Funds

  • NFWF funds and matching contributions are strictly prohibited from being used for a number of reasons to include, for example, political advocacy, fundraising, lobbying, litigation, terrorist activities, or in violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. See OMB Uniform Guidance for additional information.
  • 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.
  • NFWF funds may not be used to support ongoing efforts to comply with legal requirements, including permit conditions, mitigation and settlement agreements. However, grant funds may be used to support projects that enhance or improve upon existing baseline compliance efforts.

Environmental Services – NFWF funds projects in pursuit of its mission to sustain, restore and enhance the nation's fish, wildlife, plants and habitats for current and future generations. NFWF recognizes that some benefits from projects may be of value with regards to credits on an environmental services market (such as a carbon credit market). NFWF does not participate in, facilitate, or manage an environmental services market nor does NFWF assert any claim on such credits.

Intellectual Property – Intellectual property created using NFWF awards may be copyrighted or otherwise legally protected by award recipients. NFWF may reserve the right to use, publish, and copy materials created under awards, including posting such material on NFWF’s website and featuring it in publications. NFWF may use project metrics and spatial data from awards to estimate societal benefits that result and to report these results to funding partners. These may include but are not limited to: habitat and species response, species connectivity, water quality, water quantity, risk of detrimental events (e.g., wildfire, floods), and carbon accounting (e.g., sequestration, avoided emissions).

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 award 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. Requests for monthly advances will not be considered.

Compliance Requirements – Projects selected may be subject to requirements under the National Environmental Policy Act, the Endangered Species Act (state and federal), and the National Historic Preservation Act. Documentation of compliance with these regulations must be approved prior to initiating activities that disturb or alter habitat or other features of the project site(s). Applicants should budget sufficient 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.

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.

 

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 document can be downloaded here.

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

There is a pre-recorded webinar available here which provides in-depth instructions on how to navigate Easygrants and submit an application online. Please also join our applicant webinar on August 28th to learn more about the programmatic components of this funding opportunity and to ask questions of NFWF staff.

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

General Inquiries and Application Support:
Emma Wigger
Coordinator, Rocky Mountain Regional Programs
Emma.Wigger@nfwf.org

Watershed Resilience Project Inquiries:
Kirstin Neff
Program Director, Southwest Rivers
Kirstin.Neff@nfwf.org

Sagebrush, Grassland, and Migration Project Inquiries:
Chris West
Director, Rocky Mountain Regional Office
Chris.West@nfwf.org

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.

 

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