Non-Federal Lands_CFP Community Forest Program-final OMB approved.docx

State, Private, & Tribal Forestry

NOTICE OF

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

STATE, PRIVATE, & TRIBAL FORESTRY

Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program

August 2026

Table of Contents

I. BASIC INFORMATION

The Forest Service is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that manages 193 million acres of National Forest System land. The agency also provides technical and financial assistance to over 140 million acres of state, private and tribal lands, and makes up the largest forestry research organization in the world. The Forest Service helps people share and enjoy forests while conserving the environment for generations to come.

The mission of the Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of all the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. The Forest Service motto, “Caring for the Land and Serving People,” captures the spirit of our mission, which we accomplish through these main activities:

· Protection and management of natural resources on lands we manage

· Research on all aspects of forestry, rangeland management, and forest resource utilization

· Community assistance and cooperation with State and local governments, forest industries, and private landowners to help protect and manage non-Federal forest and associated range and watershed lands to improve conditions in rural areas

· International assistance to formulate policy and coordinate U.S. support for the protection and sound management of the world's forest resources Executive Summary The Forest Service is requesting applications for the Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program (hereafter, “Community Forest Program”), authorized by the 2008 Farm Bill. The Community Forest Program is a competitive grant program that provides financial assistance to federally recognized Indian Tribes, local governments, and qualified conservation non-profit organizations to establish community forests through the fee simple acquisition of private forest land.

The purpose of the program is to establish community forests by protecting forestland from conversion to non-forest uses and provide community benefits including public recreation, environmental and economic benefits, and forest-based educational programs. Public access is required for all projects. More information on past awarded projects can be found at https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/private-land/community-forest/program. Applications are submitted to State Foresters or equivalent Tribal officials; applications are NOT submitted via Grants.gov. All applicants must also send an e-mail to SM.FS.CFP@usda.gov to confirm that an application has been submitted to the State Forester or equivalent Tribal official for funding consideration.

· Funding Opportunity Title: Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program

· Announcement Type: Annual Grant Announcement

· Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-FS-2026-CFP

· Assistance Listing Number(s): 10.689 – Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program

· Funding:

· Estimated Total Program Funding: Up to $4,950,000.

· Expected Number of Awards: 6-10 awards estimated, to be determined by individual award funding requests.

· Individual Award Funding: Up to $600,000 for eligible land acquisition and transactional costs. The Agency reserves the right to award an applicant less than the funding requested based on funding availability and project eligibility.

· Disqualifying Criteria: Applications will be reviewed for disqualifying factors that include:

· Ineligible land

· Ineligible applicant

· Incomplete application submissions

· Lack of public access to the land for which funding is requested

· Inactive Sam.gov registration

· Inadequate cost-share

· Unallowable costs

· Key Dates:

· Deadline for eligible applicants to submit applications: 11:59PM Eastern Time on Tuesday, October 13, 2026. Notes:

· Applicants must submit applications to their State Forester or equivalent Tribal official. (See here for State Forester contact information.)

· All applicants must send an e-mail to SM.FS.CFP@usda.gov to confirm that an application has been submitted to the State Forester or equivalent Tribal official for funding consideration.

· Applications are not submitted electronically via Grants.gov. See below for contact information and application instructions.

· Applicants do not apply directly to the Forest Service, rather applications are submitted to a State Forester or equivalent Tribal official.

· State Foresters and equivalent Tribal officials are responsible for conducting an initial review of applications before sending the applications onward to the USDA Forest Service for further review and final selection. States and Tribes will send applications to the Forest Service for review by Tuesday, October 27, 2026.

· Anticipated Award Date: early 2027

· Expected Time to Process Application and Notify Applicant: 2-4 months from application deadline

· Agency Contact Information:

· General questions about the program or grant applications may be directed to the national email inbox: SM.FS.CFP@usda.gov

· Applicants are encouraged to reach out to and work with the appropriate Forest Service points of contact during the application process before submission. Please contact the appropriate Forest Service contact if you would like review and feedback on your application and maps before submitting the final application. A list of relevant Forest Service staff is available on the Forest Service Community Forest Program Contacts website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/about-agency/contact-us/community-forest-regional-coordinators.

· When questions posed by applicants are broadly applicable, the Forest Service will consolidate answers and any supplemental information into a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document that will be shared and available to all applicants via Grants.gov.

II. APPLICANT ELIGIBILITY

Eligible Applicants

· Entity Types:

· Federally recognized Indian/Native American/Alaska Native Tribal Governments

· Local government entities (County Government, Municipality or Township Government)

· Nonprofit organizations that are qualified to acquire and manage land Individuals are not eligible to receive funds through this program.

· Restrictions: Qualified conservation non-profit organizations eligible to apply are defined in the Community Forest Program final rule as any organization that is described in Section 170(h)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 170(h)(3)) and operates in accordance with one or more of the conservation purposes specified in Section 170(h)(4)(A) of that Code (26 U.S.C. 170(h)(4)(A)).

· Disqualifying Criteria:

· Applicants that do not meet eligibility criteria will be deemed ineligible and removed from competition without further consideration.

· Funding Restrictions Affecting Eligibility:

· Land proposed for acquisition must meet eligibility requirements as described in Section II Program Description, Eligible Land.

· If negotiations on a selected project fail, the applicant cannot substitute an alternative site.

· A proposed project cannot be submitted for funding consideration simultaneously for both the Community Forest Program and the Forest Legacy Program (https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/private-land/forest-legacy).

· Cost sharing is required for all proposals.

· Factors Disqualifying an Application:

· Inactive Sam.gov registration

· Ineligible applicant type

· Land proposed for acquisition is ineligible

· Limit on Allowable Application Submissions: There are no limits on the number of applications that may be submitted by an applicant.

Cost Sharing

· Required Cost Sharing: Cost sharing is required for all proposals. Failure to include cost-sharing at time of application will result in a determination of ineligibility.

· Cost Sharing Calculations: All applicants must demonstrate a 1:1 match of federal funds to non-federal funds for the total project cost, which may include cash, in-kind services, or donations from a non-Federal source. Cost share is not required for requested technical assistance funds.

· Cost Sharing Restrictions: Match contributions must consist solely of eligible and allowable costs and must comply with the cost‑sharing requirements outlined in 2 CFR 200.306.

· Cost Sharing Commitment Requirements: Cost share contributions must be verifiable from the non-Federal entity’s records.

III. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

· Funding Purpose: The intent of Community Forest Program funds is to acquire private forest land threatened by conversion to non-forest uses and establish community forest that provide community benefits. Community benefits include economic benefits through active forest management, environmental benefits such as clean water and wildlife habitat, educational opportunities and public access for recreation.

The program supports administration priorities to expand access to recreation opportunities, increase timber production, expand rural economies in accordance with Executive Orders 14223, 14225, and policy described in Establishing the President’s Make America Beautiful Again Commission, and Secretarial Memos 1078-006 and 1078-011.

· Funding Priorities: Priority will be given to proposals that:

· Provide exceptional community benefits (economic, environmental, educational, recreational) that are specific to the lands to be acquired, planned for, and supported by data, evidence, and/or local knowledge.

· Demonstrate meaningful and broad community engagement through the planning and long-term management of the project.

· Provide strategic contributions and connection to broader landscape initiatives.

· Acquire forest lands that are exceptionally threatened for conversion to non-forest uses.

· Support the development of domestically sourced timber and wood products, in support of Executive Order 14225, Immediate Expansion of American Timber Production.

· Program Goals and Objectives: The Community Forest Program protects important private forestland from conversion to non-forest uses and supports locally-led forest management through the establishment and expansion of community forests. The program’s objectives are to ensure that these community forests provide public access and deliver benefits to local communities, defined as:

· Economic benefits, such as timber and non-timber products resulting from sustainable forest management, recreation and tourism

· Environmental benefits, including clean air and water, stormwater management/flood mitigation, wildlife habitat, and cultural resources

· Benefits from forest-based experiential learning, including K-12 conservation education programs; vocational education programs in disciplines such as forestry and environmental biology; and environmental education through individual study or voluntary participation in programs offered by organizations

· Benefits from serving as replicable models of effective forest stewardship for private landowners

· Recreational benefits such as hiking, hunting, and fishing secured through public access

· Award Goals and Objectives: Successful projects will permanently conserve private forestlands, provide public access, and deliver community benefits as described above.

· Expected Achievements: Community Forest projects result in the acquisition and establishment of community forests which provide defined community benefits. The Community Forest Program reports annually on the acres of private forestlands conserved permanently as a metric of program performance.

· Eligible land: Land eligible for grants funded under this program is private forest land that is suitable to sustain natural vegetation and provides community benefits under Community Forest Program and is:

· At least 75 percent forested;

· At least five acres in size;

· Threatened by conversion to non-forest uses;

· Not held in trust by the United States on behalf of any Indian Tribe and not Tribal allotment lands[footnoteRef:1]; [1: Lands acquired by Tribes through the Community Forest Program cannot be added into trust.]

· Offered for sale by a willing seller.

· Allowable Costs: Costs must conform to Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations (2 CFR 200), Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards. Allowable project costs include the purchase price for the property as well as transactional costs related to its acquisition. This includes:

· Appraisals and appraisal reviews

· Land surveys

· Legal and closing costs

· Development of the Community Forest Plan

· Title examination

· Unallowable Costs: Project costs cannot include:

· Indirect costs

· Long-term operations, maintenance, and management of the land

· Construction of buildings or recreational facilities

· Research

· Existing liens or taxes owed

· Costs associated with preparing this application (except for any of the allowable project costs specified above)

· Beneficiaries or Program Participants Eligibility: There are no specific eligibility criteria for beneficiaries or program participants other than Federal award recipients.

· Program Citations: Grants awarded under this announcement must conform to laws and authorities in Section 7A of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act ([16 U.S.C. 2103d] Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program) as amended.

OTHER INFORMATION

· Program History: The Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program is a grant program that was authorized in the 2008 Farm Bill, which amended the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978. To date, the program has conserved over 40,000 acres of private forestlands and contributed to the creation of over 100 community forests.

· Examples of Previously Successful Projects: Examples of previously successful projects can be found on the Community Forest Program website.

· Grant Award Time Frame: The initial grant period shall be for two years, and acquisition of lands should occur within that timeframe. Lands acquired prior to the grant award are not eligible for Community Forest Program funding. The grant may be reasonably extended by the Forest Service when necessary to accommodate unforeseen circumstances in the land acquisition process.

IV. APPLICATION CONTENTS AND FORMAT

· Required Contents: A full application is required. No initial pre-application or letter of intent is required. The following documents must be submitted with each application:

· Application Narrative (8 pages maximum)

· Note: The project budget is included in the application narrative and counts towards the 8-page limit.

· Two project maps

· Two maps displaying the project area must be submitted with the application.

· The maps must be of sufficient scale showing the location of the property in relation to roads and other improvements as well as parks, refuges, or other protected lands in the vicinity.

· Each map should fit within a single 8.5” x 11” page.

· Eligibility verification

· Written description verifying eligibility: Applicants must submit a written description or documentation verifying that the applicant is an eligible entity. Eligible entities include local governmental entities, federally recognized Indian Tribes, and qualified nonprofit organizations.

· Letter of concurrence (conditionally required): If the property is located within the designated boundary of a Federal land management unit, the application must include a letter of concurrence from the Federal land manager. Reach out to the appropriate Forest Service representative prior to submission if you are unsure whether the property is located within the boundary of a Federal land management unit or how to secure the letter.

· Letters of support may accompany the application but are not required.

· Requirements after Notification of Intent: The Forest Service may have responsibility to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, 42 U.S.C. § 4321 et seq., and the USDA NEPA regulations at 7 CFR part 1b. If NEPA review is required, the awardee may not initiate any activity under this federal award (except NEPA support activities) until any NEPA review, if required, has been completed and documented by the Forest Service.

· Formatting Requirements: The application narrative, including the project budget, should use a standard typeface with no smaller than 12-point font and 0.5 inch margins, and shall not exceed eight pages (sized at 8.5 by 11 inches). See below for required elements for application narratives.

The application should clearly describe the land to be acquired with Community Forest Program funds. If the proposed project is an expansion of existing conserved lands (including a phase or addition to an existing community forest) or part of a larger land acquisition effort occurring at the site, the application should be specific to the community forest portion of the effort proposed for funding.

The following information must be included in the application narrative:

About the Proposed Community Forest

1) Contact information for the project lead (name, title, phone number, email).

2) A description of how the land proposed for acquisition meets the eligibility requirements of the program.

· See ‘Eligible Land’.

3) Detailed information about the property proposed for acquisition:

· A description of the property, including acreage and county location

· A description of current land uses, including improvements and plans for utilization or demolition of existing structures

· A description of forest type and vegetative cover

· A description of applicable zoning and other land use regulations affecting the property

4) A description of the type and the extent of community benefits that the property will provide in the following categories. The use of quantifiable metrics, where available, may help demonstrate the scale and significance of these benefits:

· Economic benefits, such as timber and non-timber products resulting from sustainable forest management, recreation, and tourism.

· Example metrics: Projected annual timber harvest volumes, anticipated non-timber forest product yields, estimated jobs supported by forest management or recreation, and projected recreation-driven economic impacts, such as visitor-related revenue.

· Environmental benefits, including clean air and water, stormwater management/flood mitigation, wildlife habitat, and cultural resources,

· Example metrics: Acres contributing to improved water quality, linear feet of protected waterways, acres providing stormwater or flood-mitigation benefits, and acres of wildlife habitat protected or enhanced.

· Recreational benefits, such as hiking, hunting, and fishing secured through public access

· Example metrics: Estimated annual visitor use, miles of trails, anticipated trail use counts, projected participation levels in hunting, fishing, paddling, mountain biking, hiking, or other outdoor activities.

· Educational benefits from forest-based experiential learning, including K-12 conservation education programs, vocational education programs in disciplines such as forestry and environmental biology, environmental education through participation in programs offered by organizations, and replicable models of effective forest stewardship for private landowners.

· Example metrics: Estimated annual participant counts, planned program hours, anticipated school or partner involvement, expected landowner engagement counts.

· Description of the planned public access and any limitations to public access on the property—If limitations to public access exist or will be proposed to protect cultural or natural resources, or public health and safety, provide an explanation.

· A description of the relationship of the property within and its contributions to landscape conservation initiatives

· A description of any threats of conversion to non-forest uses, including any encumbrances on the property that prevent conversion to non-forest uses Establishing the community forest

1) Objectives of the community forest

2) A description of the benefiting community, including:

· Demographics

· Availability and access to green spaces

· A description of how the project benefits the community and the associated benefits, including public access (a requirement of the program).

· A description of community engagement in the proposed community forest acquisition:

· Identify the engagement that has occurred, what is planned, who has been engaged, and strategies used to engage the community.

· Identify the people and organizations that support the project, describe their specific role in acquiring the land and establishing and managing the community forest.

3) A description of the resources that will be used to maintain and manage the property as a community forest in perpetuity.

Acquiring the community forest

1) A proposed project budget not exceeding $600,000 and a description of any technical assistance funding needs as coordinated with the State Forester or equivalent Tribal government official. The project budget should identify allowable acquisition costs, the requested federal share and non-federal cost-share. See Section IX Other Information for sample budget table

2) The status of due diligence, including signed option or purchase and sale agreement, title search, minerals determination, and appraisal

3) Description and status of cost share (secure, pending, commitment letter, etc.)

4) The status of negotiations with participating landowner(s) including purchase options, contracts, and other terms and conditions of sale

5) The proposed timeline for completing the acquisition and establishing the community forest

6) Long-term management costs and funding source(s) Technical Assistance If technical assistance funds are requested as part of the application, applicants must consult with the State Forester or equivalent Tribal government official and confirm that they are willing to provide that assistance before the application is submitted. Describe the purpose of the requested technical assistance in the application.

If awarded, the Forest Service will allocate technical assistance funds to State Foresters or equivalent Tribal officials as administrative grants. The State Forester’s member roster may be found on https://www.stateforesters.org/who-we-are/our-membership/.

V. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND DEADLINES

Address to Request Application Package

· Application Materials: Application materials can be accessed at http://www.Grants.gov/. Click on the “Search Grants” tab and enter the Funding Opportunity number or Assistance Listing number and click the search button.

· Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-FS-2026-CFP

· Assistance Listing: 10.689 Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM.gov)

· Each applicant must:

· Register in SAM.gov before applying

· Provide a valid Unique Entity Identifier (EIN) from SAM.gov in its application. Continue to maintain an active registration in SAM.gov with current information at all times during which it has an active Federal award or an application or plan under consideration by a Federal agency.

· Helpful resources:

· New registration: https://sam.gov/entity-registration

· Self-help: https://sam.gov/help

· Registration video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJju__0bNCY&t=63s

· Frequently Asked Questions: https://www.grants.gov/applicants/applicant-faqs

· For assistance related to Grants.gov registration and accessing the forms, contact the Grants.gov helpdesk at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov.

Submission Instructions

· Actions Prior to Applying: Applicants are encouraged to contact and work with a Forest Service representative during the application process and before submission. Forest Service staff can assist with navigating program requirements, determining eligibility, providing guidance on allowable costs and cost-sharing, and other questions. See the below section “Contact for Further Information” or visit the Forest Service Regional Contacts website to identify the appropriate contact.

When questions posed by applicants are broadly applicable, the Forest Service will consolidate answers and any supplemental information into an FAQ document that will be shared and available to all applicants via Grants.gov.

To assist applicants, the following resources are available on the Community Forest Program website: a Community Forest Road Map, map recommendations, and more. The Community Forest Program website is located at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/private-land/community-forest/program. See ‘Resources’ section of this document under ‘IX. Other Information.’

· Application Submission Methods: Applications are not submitted electronically via Grants.gov. Applications may be submitted either via email (preferred) or in hardcopy to the appropriate State or Tribal official as follows:

· Local government and qualified nonprofit organizations: Submit applications to the State Forester of the State where the property is located. State Foresters’ contact information may be found at: https://www.stateforesters.org/who-we-are/our-membership/.

· Tribal applicants: Submit applications to the equivalent Tribal government official.

· All applicants: In addition to submitting to the relevant State or Tribal official, also send an e-mail to SM.FS.CFP@usda.gov to confirm that an application has been submitted to the State Forester or equivalent Tribal official for funding consideration.

· Submission Alternatives: Contact the Forest Service at SM.FS.CFP@usda.gov if you encounter any difficulties with submitting your application.

Submission Dates and Times

· Full Application Deadline: Eligible applicants must submit all application materials to their State Forester or Tribal official no later than 11:59PM Eastern Time on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.

· Note: State Foresters or Tribal governments will forward applications to the appropriate Forest Service regional contacts by: 11:59 PM Eastern Time on Tuesday, October 27, 2026.

Intergovernmental Review

· Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs: This funding opportunity is not subject to Executive Order 12372, “Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.”

VI. APPLICATION REVIEW

Responsiveness Review

· Responsiveness Review Process: All submissions will be screened for completion, adherence to application requirements, alignment with program goals, and compliance with Forest Service policies before advancing in the review process.

· Disqualifying Criteria: Applications will be reviewed for disqualifying factors that include:

· Ineligible land

· Ineligible applicant

· Incomplete application submissions

· Lack of public access to the land for which funding is requested

· Inactive Sam.gov registration

· Inadequate cost-share

· Unallowable costs Review Criteria

· Criteria: The documents that comprise each applicant’s full application will be evaluated and assigned scores out of a maximum of 40 points based on the criteria described below.

1) Type and extent of community benefits provided (up to 20 points). Full points are reserved for projects that demonstrate all the attributes (economic, environmental, educational, recreational) and provide exceptional benefits that are specific to the lands to be acquired, planned for in each attribute, and supported by data, evidence and/or local knowledge. Community benefits are described in the final program rule as:

a) Economic benefits, such as timber and non-timber products resulting from sustainable forest management, recreation and tourism

b) Environmental benefits, including clean air and water, stormwater management/flood mitigation, wildlife habitat, and cultural resources

c) Benefits from forest-based experiential learning, including K-12 conservation education programs; vocational education programs in disciplines such as forestry and environmental biology; and environmental education through individual study or voluntary participation in programs offered by organizations

d) Benefits from serving as replicable models of effective forest stewardship for private landowners

e) Recreational benefits such as hiking, hunting, and fishing secured through public access

2) Community Engagement (up to 10 points). Extent and nature of community engagement in the establishment and long-term management of the community forest.

3) Strategic Contribution and Connection (up to 5 points). Extent to which the community forest contributes to any landscape conservation initiatives.

4) Threat (up to 5 points). Likelihood that, unprotected, the property would be converted to non-forest uses.

The complete scoring guidance document that will be used by the national review panel to evaluate and score applications is available to review as an attachment on Grants.gov.

· Cost Sharing: Cost sharing is an eligibility criterion for this opportunity.

Application Reviewers

· Reviewers: Forest Service personnel, including national and regional CFP program managers. Reviewers may also include other Forest Service personnel with backgrounds and expertise in areas relevant to the program (e.g. lands, forestry, community engagement).

· Reviewer Process: To ensure the application review process is transparent and fair, the Forest Service will establish a national review panel consisting of the individuals described above. Representatives are primarily national and regional CFP program managers who have familiarity with program requirements and land acquisitions. Applications will be reviewed and evaluated by the national review panel based on the criteria identified in Review Criteria, under VI. Application Review.

Review and Selection Process

· Applications submitted to State Foresters and equivalent Tribal officials undergo a preliminary review to ensure eligibility before they are forwarded to the appropriate Forest Service regional contacts. Applications found to be ineligible at this stage may not be forwarded to the Forest Service.

· Regional Forest Service contacts will review forwarded applications to verify application requirements and eligibility before they advance to the national review panel for funding consideration.

· The national review panel will review, scope, and rank applications using the Review Criteria stated above and develop a recommended ranked project list.

· The ranked project list will be submitted to the appropriate Forest Service Senior executive for approval. Consistent with 2 CFR 415.1(c), the Forest Service will consider the national review panel’s recommendations when making their decision on grant awards.

Risk Review

· Risk Review Factors: In accordance with 2 CFR 200.206, before any funding is awarded, the Forest Service will conduct a risk review considering the applicant’s financial stability, history of performance, audit reports and findings, and ability to implement the project and meet grant requirements.

· (If applicable) When Award Exceeds Simplified Acquisition Threshold:

· Prior to awarding a Federal share greater than the simplified acquisition threshold (currently $350,000), the Federal agency must review and consider any applicant information in the responsibility/qualification records available in SAM.gov (see 41 U.S.C. 2313).

· An applicant can review and comment on any information in the responsibility/qualification records available in SAM.gov.

· Before making decisions in the risk review required by 2 CFR 200.206, the Federal agency will consider any applicant comments along with information available in the responsibility/qualification records in SAM.gov.

VII. AWARD NOTICES

· Award Notification: The Forest Service will notify selected applicants via email. After the notification, the Forest Service will begin working with selected applicants on required grant award forms to finalize a Federal award. Required grant forms include FS-1500-22 Financial Capability, SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance, SF-424C Budget Information – Construction Project. The notification of project selection is not an authorization to begin project performance. The executed Federal award is the sole authorizing document.

· Pre-Award Costs: For purposes of calculating the cost share contribution, the grant recipient may request inclusion of project due diligence costs, such as title review and appraisals, incurred prior to issuance of the grant. These pre-award costs may have been incurred up to one year prior to the issuance of the grant but cannot include the purchase of Community Forest Program land, including cost share tracts. If pre-award costs are allowed, beginning performance is at the applicant’s own risk.

· Federal Award: Once an application is selected, the applicant must work with the Forest Service to successfully execute a Federal award agreement to receive funding. The notice of Federal award signed by the Forest Service Signatory Official, or equivalent, is the official document that allows for funds to be obligated into the agreement. This document will be provided to the applicant by email.

· Notifications to Applicants Not Awarded: The Forest Service will notify unsuccessful applicants via email shortly after successful applicants have been notified. The notification will include contact information for a Forest Service staff member who may be contacted if the applicant would like further information about their application.

VIII. POST-AWARD REQUIREMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION

· Administrative and National Policy Requirements. The USDA General Terms and Conditions for Federal Awards and the Forest Service Federal Financial Assistance General Terms and Conditions apply to awards issued pursuant to this Notice of Funding Opportunity.

· Amendments/Modifications. Forest Service must approve any amendments to an application or request to reallocate funding within a grant application.

· General Terms and Conditions: All awards will be subject to the USDA General Terms and Conditions and the Forest Service General Terms and Conditions.

· Specific Terms and Conditions: Specific program terms and conditions will be provided at the time of award, in alignment with Section 7A of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2103d).

· Special Requirements: Within 120 days of the land acquisition, grant recipients will be required to provide the Forest Service with the following documents:

· Geographic Information System (GIS) shapefile: a digital, vector-based storage format for storing geometric location and associated attribute information, of Community Forest Program project tracts and cost share tracts, if applicable

· Final Community Forest Plan

· Reporting:

· Reporting Type: Financial and Performance

· Financial reporting is accomplished through the submission of a Federal Financial Report (SF-425).

· Performance reporting is submitted using the cooperator’s preferred format although an optional reporting form (FS 1500 23) is available. Performance reporting should include:

· a comparison of accomplishments to the objectives of the Federal award established for the reporting period

· explanations on why established goals or objectives were not met

· additional information, analysis, and explanation of cost overruns or higher than expected unit costs

· Reporting Frequency: At a minimum annually, with Federal award letter articulating required frequency.

· Reporting Submission: Electronic

· References: 2 CFR 200.301 and 200.329

· Awards Exceeding $500,000: If the Federal share of the award exceeds $500,000 over the period of performance, post-award reporting requirements in 2 CFR 200 Appendix II may apply.

IX. OTHER INFORMATION

Resources

· SAM.gov Website where applicants can register and obtain a Unique Entity Identifier required per submission requirements.

· SAM.gov new registration: https://sam.gov/entity-registration

· SAM entity registration video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJju__0bNCY&t=63s

· For assistance with SAM registration, contact an APEX Accelerator organization near you: https://www.apexaccelerators.us

· Grants.gov (Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-FS-2026-CFP)

· FY26 Request for Applications: The current notice of funding opportunity.

· Community Forest Program Scoring Guidance: The scoring instructions provided to national panel members who review and rank submitted Community Forest Program applications.

· USDA Forest Service Community Forest Program Website: Home to many resources for applicants, including:

· Community Forest Program Roadmap: Provides an overview of the Community Forest Program, including information about eligibility and the application process.

· Map recommendations and examples: Guidance for applicants regarding maps submitted as part of a Community Forest Program application.

· Contact information for State Foresters (National Association of State Foresters)

· Contact information for Community Forest Program Regional Coordinators (Forest Service)

· The Principal Laws Relating to USDA Forest Service State and Private Forestry Programs Community Forest Program Contacts Potential applicants should send general questions about the Community Forest Program or grant applications to the program inbox: SM.FS.CFP@usda.gov. Additional information about the Community Forest Program may be found at https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/private-land/community-forest/program.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact and work with the appropriate Forest Service contact during the application process before submission. Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may call their state’s telecommunications relay service (TRS) by dialing 711.

USDA Forest Service contacts for the Community Forest Program:

Eastern Region (CT, DC, DE, IA, IL, IN, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VT, WI, WV)

· Liam Krause: Liam.Krause@usda.gov, 414-238-4843 Northern (MT, ND) and Intermountain Regions (ID, NV, UT)

· Patrick Bridegam: Patrick.A.Bridegam@usda.gov, 406-329-3348 Rocky Mountain Region (CO, KS, NE, SD, WY)

· Laura Wagner: laura.wagner@usda.gov, 970-295-5849 Southwestern Region (AZ, NM)

· Kathy Moore: kathleen.moore@usda.gov, 970-732-1734 Pacific Southwest Region (CA, HI)

· Katie Friday (HI): kathleen.friday@usda.gov, 808-785-5197

· Miki Fujikawa: miki.fujikawa@usda.gov, 971-303-2816 Pacific Northwest (OR, WA) and Alaska (AK) Regions

· Candice Washington: candice.washington@usda.gov, 971-710-2346 Southern Region (AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA)

· Michael Middlebrook: michael.middlebrook@usda.gov, 470-426-0697 International Institute of Tropical Forestry (PR, VI)

· Magaly Figueroa Vázquez: magaly.figueroa@usda.gov, 787-309-9565

Example Budget Tables

Estimated Project Costs

Land Cost

Land Surveys

Appraisals and appraisal reviews

Legal and closing costs

Community Forest Plan Development

Title examination

Total Project Cost

Cost Share

Community Forest Program

(Enter Name of Organization)

(Enter Name of Organization)

Total

Explanation of Cost-share:

Technical Assistance Request

Community Forest Plan Development

Total

Explanation for Technical Assistance[footnoteRef:2]: [2: Technical assistance funds are issued to the State to the Tribe if the project is funded. Do not repeat the ask for Community Forest Plan Development in the Project Cost table above.] image1.png image2.jpeg image3.png image4.jpeg