Requests For Proposal

The Next 100 Coalition, in partnership with the Forest Service, calls upon eligible organizations to submit proposals for the National Forest Community Recreation Fund. This initiative aims to cultivate relationships and community involvement among the public, the Forest Service, and the managed lands by enhancing access to outdoor recreation and appreciation of national forests. Prioritizing 60% of funds for initiatives in Justice40 communities, the Forest Service is actively advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in agency-managed lands, particularly in conservation and outdoor recreation program delivery. The National Forest Community Recreation Fund serves as a pilot effort, and continued funding beyond the grant period is not assured.

Application Materials & Requirements

To submit a complete application, organizations must answer all questions within these categories.

Letter of Intent 

• • Do you have an existing relationship with the Forest Service office in your area? 

    1. If yes, please explain and provide contact information of the agency representative. 

    2. If no, are you interested in building a relationship with your local Forest Service  office?

  •  What national forest is closest to the community you serve? How far (in miles) is it from that forest? 

If you serve multiple communities, please list the names of the national forests and their distances from each community.

• Optional: If available, please upload any letter(s) of support from your local Forest Service office and/or district.

Disclaimer: The project scope and budget should incorporate relationship building efforts with the USDA-FS. Examples include events jointly hosted with the agency, staff capacity to engage and meet with agency representatives, etc. 

Justice40 Communities 

The scope involves work in Justice40 communities. Use online tools like CEJST, EJScreen, EnviroAtlas, Opportunity Zones, or similar data/tools to identify them. Track all work at the Justice40 community level.

• Is your community one that either historically lacks access to outdoor education, recreation, and stewardship opportunities and/or is identified by the Administration's Justice 40 initiative as a Disadvantaged Community?

  1. If yes, please provide information about the communities your organization serves, to the best of your ability.   

• What is your organization's geographic scope? 

• What zip code(s) do you serve? 

• Would you like to provide any additional information about the communities you engage, represent, or will be working in?

Organizational Background & Entity Verification 

• • Organization Name 

  • Point of Contact Name 

  • Email Address 

  • Phone Number 

  • Nonprofit: IRS Determination Letter & EIN 

  • Business: Articles of Incorporation & EIN 

  • If you are applying on behalf of a Tribe, please provide the name of the Tribe and location (State)

Project Overview: 

• • Background and mission of your organization 

  • Purpose and objectives of your project(s) 

Statement of Need: 

• • Detailed explanation of the issue or opportunity that the project aims to address 

  • Contextual information to help the review committee to understand the significance of the project 

Project Scope: 

• Clear definition of the project's objectives 

• Detail the anticipated timeline for the project(s)

  1. Funds cannot be expensed beyond September 2025 

• Detail the anticipated deliverables or outcomes

• Explain anticipated challenges or risks to fully implement project scope 

• How do you envision a potential collaborative partnership with your local USDA-FS unit over the course of this project? 

  1. Examples: host joint outing, coordinating collaborative event on annual free days. etc

Disclaimer: The project scope and budget should incorporate relationship building efforts with the USDA-FS. Examples include events jointly hosted with the agency, staff capacity to engage and meet with agency representatives, etc. 

Budget: 

• What is the amount of funding you are requesting?

• Your organization's annual budget

• Completed Budget Template 

Additional Information

• Additional information you would like us to know about your organization or the proposed project 

• (Optional) Please attach any other related materials you think may be relevant to understanding your organization or the proposed project. Examples include brochures, presentations, photos, etc. These materials will not be shared publicly.

Eligible Expenses

The eligible expenses to be covered under this funding program include but are not limited to proposals seeking support for: 

• New or replacement of gear/equipment for the use of the community

• Enhancement to an existing gear library program 

• Building upgrades to the existing gear library 

• Library Gear cache (i.e., storage) monthly storage costs 

• Full-time or part-time employees, or contractors 

• Curriculum development, permits, partnerships with outfitters and guides 

• Provide transportation to/from sites and transportation services to/from the home site 

• Special training events 

• Conduct career fairs, resume/interviewing workshops, as well as mentor and tuition support 

• Awards and certificates of completion (i.e., completing a Wilderness First Aid course)

• Other initiatives that facilitate equitable access to and enjoyment of lands managed by the Forest Service.

• A 5% match will be required for this project.

Eligibility and Selection Criteria

Any 501(c)(3) organization, Tribe or Tribal organization, or business working to advance outdoor recreation and/or increase access to lands managed by the Forest Service and surrounding areas across the United States and Territories of the United States are eligible to apply. Applicants do not need to currently operate an existing gear library. Applying organizations must be intentional about developing or strengthening a partnership with their local Forest Service region or representative. If a relationship exists with a local Forest Service region or representatives, a letter of support from the applicable Forest Service responsible representative(s) to outline goals of partnership between the entity and the agency will be accepted.

Funds must be expensed within one year of distribution of funds.  

Depending on the project and scope, the Next 100 Coalition and the Forest Service may inquire about a potential site visit.

Award Amount & Duration

Funding will range from $0 - $50,000 per award for work occurring between September 1, 2024 and September 1, 2025. Applicants are limited to one application.  

A 5% match is required for these awards. Please see the attached budget template for examples of qualifying match expenses.