Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA FS 2026 CFP
The Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program (CFP) is a competitive grant opportunity run by the USDA Forest Service (State, Private and Tribal Forestry) that helps communities permanently protect private forest lands by buying them outright (fee simple acquisition) and managing them as community forests. The core goal is to prevent important forestland from being converted into non-forest uses while ensuring the land delivers clear, ongoing public value. Funded projects are expected to provide tangible community benefits such as public recreation opportunities, environmental services (like habitat protection and water quality benefits), local economic value tied to forests, and forest-based education. A key non-negotiable requirement is public access: every funded project must provide public access as part of the community forest.
Eligible applicants fall into three main groups. First are local governments, including municipal and county governments or other local government entities that have authority over local land use decisions. Second are eligible Indian Tribes, defined here as federally recognized Tribes as well as Alaska Native Corporations. Third are qualified conservation nonprofit organizations, generally meaning 501(c)(3) nonprofits that meet the conservation organization standards described in Section 170(h)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and that operate in line with one or more recognized conservation purposes. The program is tied to federal statutory authority in Section 7A of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act (16 U.S.C. 2103d), so projects must align with those legal requirements.
The application process is handled outside of Grants.gov and is routed through state or tribal forestry leadership rather than a federal electronic portal. Local government and nonprofit applicants submit their full application packages to the State Forester in the state where the property is located. Tribal applicants submit to the appropriate equivalent Tribal government official. The deadline for applications to be received by the State Forester or Tribal government is 11:59 PM Eastern Time on Tuesday, October 13, 2026. In addition, every applicant must email SM.FS.CFP@usda.gov to confirm that an application has been submitted, which functions as an extra accountability step in the submission process. After that initial intake, State Foresters or Tribal government officials forward the applications to the relevant Forest Service Regional Office (or the International Institute of Tropical Forestry, where applicable) by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on Tuesday, October 27, 2026.
From the funding listing details, this opportunity is identified as USDA FS 2026 CFP and is categorized as a grant in the natural resources area (CFDA 10.689). The maximum award amount listed is $600,000. Applicants are directed to download the full Notice of Funding Opportunity and supporting materials (including scoring guidance and FAQs) from the "Related Documents" section of the posting, which is where the specific evaluation criteria, required attachments, and property/acquisition documentation expectations are typically laid out.Apply for USDA FS 2026 CFP
- The Forest Service in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.689.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-08-12.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-10-13. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $600,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: City or township governments, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
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Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program (CFP) - FAQs
What is the Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program (CFP)?
The Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program (CFP) is a competitive grant opportunity run by the USDA Forest Service (State, Private and Tribal Forestry). It helps communities permanently protect private forest lands by purchasing them outright (fee simple acquisition) and managing them as community forests.
What is the main goal of CFP funding?
The core goal is to prevent important forestland from being converted into non-forest uses, while ensuring the land delivers clear, ongoing public value.
What types of acquisitions does CFP support?
Funded projects are expected to protect private forest lands through fee simple acquisition, meaning the land is bought outright rather than protected through a partial interest.
Does the land have to remain protected permanently?
Yes. The program is designed to permanently protect private forest lands by acquiring them and managing them as community forests.
What kinds of community benefits are expected from funded projects?
Projects are expected to provide tangible community benefits, such as public recreation opportunities, environmental services (including habitat protection and water quality benefits), local economic value tied to forests, and forest-based education.
Is public access required?
Yes. Public access is a non-negotiable requirement. Every funded project must provide public access as part of the community forest.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants fall into three main groups: (1) local governments, (2) eligible Indian Tribes, and (3) qualified conservation nonprofit organizations.
What counts as an eligible local government applicant?
Eligible local governments include municipal and county governments or other local government entities that have authority over local land use decisions.
Which Tribes are eligible under this program?
Eligible Indian Tribes include federally recognized Tribes as well as Alaska Native Corporations.
What qualifies as an eligible conservation nonprofit organization?
Qualified conservation nonprofit organizations are generally 501(c)(3) nonprofits that meet the conservation organization standards described in Section 170(h)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and operate in line with one or more recognized conservation purposes.
What legal authority governs CFP?
The program is tied to Section 7A of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act (16 U.S.C. 2103d). Projects must align with the legal requirements in that authority.
Is this opportunity submitted through Grants.gov?
No. The application process is handled outside of Grants.gov and is routed through state or tribal forestry leadership rather than a federal electronic portal.
Where do local governments and nonprofits submit their applications?
Local government and nonprofit applicants submit their full application packages to the State Forester in the state where the property is located.
Where do Tribal applicants submit their applications?
Tribal applicants submit to the appropriate equivalent Tribal government official.
What is the deadline for applications to be received by the State Forester or Tribal government?
Applications must be received by the State Forester or Tribal government by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.
Is there a second deadline after the applicant submission deadline?
Yes. After initial intake, State Foresters or Tribal government officials forward applications to the relevant Forest Service Regional Office (or the International Institute of Tropical Forestry, where applicable) by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on Tuesday, October 27, 2026.
Is there an email notification requirement as part of submission?
Yes. Every applicant must email SM.FS.CFP@usda.gov to confirm that an application has been submitted. This serves as an extra accountability step in the submission process.
What is the official listing identifier for this opportunity?
This opportunity is identified as USDA FS 2026 CFP.
What is the CFDA number for this grant?
The CFDA number listed for this opportunity is 10.689.
What category/area does this grant fall under?
The opportunity is categorized as a grant in the natural resources area.
What is the maximum award amount?
The maximum award amount listed is $600,000.
Where can applicants find the Notice of Funding Opportunity and required materials?
Applicants are directed to download the full Notice of Funding Opportunity and supporting materials from the "Related Documents" section of the posting.
Where can applicants find evaluation criteria and scoring guidance?
Scoring guidance and FAQs are included in the supporting materials available in the "Related Documents" section. This is also where specific evaluation criteria are typically laid out.
Where can applicants find required attachments and property/acquisition documentation expectations?
The "Related Documents" section is where required attachments and property/acquisition documentation expectations are typically provided as part of the full Notice of Funding Opportunity and supporting materials.
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