Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program

Closed Posted

Opportunity number
USDA-FS-2026-CFP
Agency
Applications due
Award size
Up to $600,000

Opportunity facts

Funding instrument
Grant
Category
  • Natural Resources
Eligible applicants
  • City/Township Governments
  • 501(c)(3) Nonprofits
  • Tribal Governments (Federally Recognized)
Points of contact
Full announcement

Opportunity details come from Grants.gov. Updated .

About this opportunity

Written by GovTribe AI ·

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service is soliciting applications for the Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program to fund fee-simple acquisition of private forest land, with applications due to State Foresters or Tribal governments by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on October 13, 2026. All applicants must demonstrate a 1:1 non-federal cost-share match.

Eligible applicants are federally recognized Indian Tribes, Alaska Native Corporations, municipal or county governments with jurisdiction over local land use decisions, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits consistent with Internal Revenue Code Section 170(h)(3) conservation organization standards. Individuals are ineligible.

The program has up to $4.95 million in estimated total funding with 6–10 awards expected. Individual awards reach up to $600,000 per project for land acquisition and transaction costs including appraisals, surveys, legal and closing costs, title examinations, and community forest plan development. Recent awards typically range from $400,000 to $1.6 million. The initial grant period is two years, with extensions available upon 60-day advance request.

Eligible properties must be at least five acres and at least 75 percent forested, threatened by conversion to non-forest uses, not held in trust by the United States, and offered by willing sellers. Properties already owned by governmental entities, properties with conservation easements, and properties less than 75 percent forested are ineligible. Severed mineral rights must be acquired to prevent surface disturbance incompatible with forest use. All projects require public access on a non-discriminatory basis and must remain forested in perpetuity. Violation of conditions requires repayment equal to the current sale price or appraised value, whichever is greater.

Applications are scored on four criteria: community benefits including economic, environmental, educational, and recreational advantages (0–20 points); community engagement breadth and meaningfulness (0–10 points); strategic contribution to landscape conservation initiatives (0–5 points); and threat of conversion to non-forest uses (0–5 points). Additional consideration is given to proposals supporting domestically sourced timber and wood products per Executive Order 14225.

Applicants submit to State Foresters or Tribal officials, who forward to Forest Service Regional offices or the International Institute of Tropical Forestry by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on October 27, 2026. Confirmation email to SM.FS.CFP@usda.gov is required from all applicants. Assistance Listing / CFDA 10.689.

Synopsis

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Forest Service, State, Private & Tribal Forestry, is requesting applications for the Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program (Community Forest Program or CFP). CFP is a competitive grant program that provides financial assistance to 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.


Applications are not submitted electronically via Grants.gov. The full Notice of Funding Opportunity and supporting documents (including scoring guidance and FAQs) are available under the 'Related Documents' tab of this listing and can be downloaded.


To apply, interested local government and nonprofit applicants must submit applications to the State Forester where the property is located. Tribal applicants must submit applications to equivalent Tribal government officials. All applications must be received by State Foresters or Tribal governments by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on Tuesday, October 13, 2026. All applicants must also send an e-mail to SM.FS.CFP@usda.gov to confirm that an application has been submitted.


State Foresters or Tribal government officials must forward applications to the appropriate Forest Service Regional office or International Institute of Tropical Forestry by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on Tuesday, October 27, 2026.

Projects 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.

Eligibility

Eligible local governments are any municipal government, county government, or other local government with jurisdiction over local land use decisions. Eligible Indian Tribes are federally recognized Indian tribes and Alaska Native Corporations. Qualified nonprofit organizations eligible for this opportunity are organizations that are consistent with Section 170(h)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and operates in accordance with one or more of the conservation purposes.

Files

File Type Posted
CFP FAQ August 2026.docx DOCX document
scoring-guidance-FY26.docx DOCX document
scoring-guidance-FY26.docx DOCX document
Non-Federal Lands_CFP Community Forest Program-final OMB approved.docx DOCX document
Non-Federal Lands_CFP Community Forest Program-final 8.14.26.docx DOCX document

On GovTribe

Work this opportunity

  • Track it in your pipeline
  • Find teaming partners
  • Similar grant opportunities
  • Ask GovTribe AI about this opportunity
Try for free Login