Federal Funding Opportunities Available for Community Forests

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) became law on August 16, 2022. This is bringing largest public investment in climate resilience and forest health in history. Significant resources have been designated for private landowners, rural communities, and forest resilience. In the past year of rulemaking, a majority of these funds have been designated to programs and are now available to fund projects on the ground. Below is a list of current programs which have received significant funding designated through the IRA and which align with Community Forest principles.

Programs Funded through the Inflation Reduction Act:

Forest Landowners Support: $450 million has been allocated for Forest Landowner Support Opportunities through the IRA. The goal of these applications is to provide support to underserved and small-acreage forest landowners, and help support these landowners in the transition to climate mitigation and forest resilience markets. These opportunities can do the following:

  • Provide cost share payments to underserved forest landowners for implementing climate mitigation or forest resilience practices on their land.

  • Support underserved landowners in emerging private markets for climate mitigation or forest resilience.

  • Support the participation of forest landowners of properties <2,500-acres in emerging private markets for climate mitigation or forest resilience.

  • Provide payments to private forest landowners in priority landscapes for implementing key forestry practices which increase carbon sequestration and storage.

Current funding of $150 million total. for the Supporting Underserved and Small-Acreage Forest Landowner Participation in Emerging Private Markets is available for landowners of properties less that 2,500 acres.

  • Funding is available of between $2 million and $25 million for this opportunity.

  • The next round of funding will be accepting applications between March 1 and May 31, 2024 to the US Forest Service.

  • Read the current Notice of Funding here.

Urban and Community Forest Program: The Urban and Community Forestry Program has received $250 million in IRA funding to support greenspaces in communities. This project is aligned with the Justice40 Initiative, which maintains the goal of connecting disadvantaged communities with 40% of available support.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - Coastal Resilience: NOAA has received significant funding to support coastal communities facing the impacts of a climate change. Much of the available funding has come online to strengthen rivers, ecosystems, shorelines, and coastal areas.

  • No Current Funding Opportunities are available - Check Back for Opportunities in the coming year.

There are ongoing numerous Federal Funding Opportunities for Community Forests, Small Forest Landowners, and Private Forest Properties. The list below highlights both longstanding programs and new resources.

Longstanding Funding Programs:

National Park Service - Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance: NPS-RTCA staff pair their professional planning, design and technical expertise with your team and knowledge experts from the community. Together, our partnership works to achieve your conservation and outdoor recreation vision. Based on the complexity of the project, we tailor our assistance to meet your needs and help you navigate a path to success. Although NPS-RTCA is not a grant-funding program, we can help your organization identify potential funding sources for your project.

  • A number of Community Forest projects across the region have, and continue to utilize the planning expertise of the NPS-RTCA Team to receive support in all areas of the planning and engagement process for the project.

NPS-RTCA welcomes applications from community groups, nonprofit organizations, tribal governments, national parks, and local, state and federal agencies. NPS-RTCA does not provide financial assistance or monetary grants. The program provides professional services to help you achieve your conservation and outdoor recreation project vision. The program is accepting applications through March 1, 2024.

The Community Forest and Open Space Program: This program has been online since 2015 with the largest commitment to community forests this past fiscal year, providing over $5.5 million in funding to 12 projects.

Applications were due for the Community Forest Program’s 2024 Funding Cycling in January. Stay tuned for the 2025 Funding Cycle.

Forest Legacy Program (FLP): FLP has existed since 1990, and seen significant capacity increases following continued federal support over the past decade. The FLP focuses on protecting private forestlands from conversion to other uses. FLP Funding can support the acquisition of significant parcels to be held in local, public ownership, owned by State, Local, and Tribal Governments. Nonprofits, such as Land Trusts, are unable to hold lands purchased with FLP funds directly, however these groups remain instrumental in the implementation of FLP funding. This program is administered by State agencies, such as Oregon Department of Forestry and Washington DNR.

Currently, FLP has two ongoing Funding Sources:

Landscape Scale Restoration Program: The Landscape Scale Restoration Program is available for State and Private Forest Landowners to accomplish land management objectives. Current funding from this program is available through the Inflation Reduction Act, details are listed above.

The US Forest Service has started the Community Navigators Program (CNP) The program will support communities in the development of enabling conditions, local leadership, and institutional capacity to effectively partner with the agencies and will create connectivity between place-based leaders and decision-makers, resulting in better fire outcomes and increased community wildfire and climate resilience,

Learn more and request support from CNP Partners here.

Are we missing any opportunities?

Share any additional federal funding opportunities as you see fit at the form below.