2018 FWS NWR System Friends Program | F18AS00285

Opportunity Information: Apply for F18AS00285

The 2018 FWS NWR System Friends Program (Funding Opportunity Number F18AS00285) is a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service cooperative agreement designed to strengthen and support the National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS) by investing in the network of community-based "Refuge Friends" organizations. The overall goal is to provide both technical and financial assistance that helps identify, conserve, manage, and enhance refuge lands and waters, while also improving public access and the quality of outdoor recreation. A major emphasis is on building a strong volunteer base and encouraging the next generation of hunters, anglers, and wildlife enthusiasts through projects that take place on and off refuge-managed areas.

This opportunity is structured as a single-source award to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF). In practice, that means the federal government is not running an open competition for this specific award; instead, it issues one cooperative agreement (with an expected single award) to NFWF, and NFWF then manages a competitive sub-grant program for Refuge Friends groups. Refuge Friends organizations are described as essential partners in refuge operations because they expand what refuges can accomplish through community outreach, environmental education, habitat restoration, event support, and hands-on volunteer engagement.

The Service funding provided under this agreement totals $150,000, with an award ceiling of $150,000 and one expected award. The period of performance runs from August 6, 2018 through December 31, 2021. The funding is tied to CFDA 15.654 (National Wildlife Refuge System Enhancements) and is supported by multiple statutory authorities, including the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, Fish and Wildlife Act, Refuge Recreation Act, National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act, Public Lands Corps authorities (including Youth Conservation Corps), the Archaeological Resources Protection Act, and certain highway-related authorities.

NFWF uses these funds to run a competitive grant process for Refuge Friends organizations, supporting both direct, on-the-ground work and the longer-term capacity of the organizations themselves. The program outlines four main grant categories. First, nonprofit capacity building grants help both new and established Friends groups become more effective and sustainable. For newer or restarting groups, this can cover basic start-up needs like membership drives, training costs, branding and logo design, or professional help building a website. For established groups, capacity building can include expanding or launching events, conducting strategic planning, improving volunteer or membership development, purchasing software to improve operations, or forming new community partnerships.

Second, on-the-ground project grants fund projects that are initiated and managed by the Friends organizations, with a clear requirement that Friends demonstrate meaningful involvement across all project elements. These projects must also show how they will increase engagement with the public, volunteers, members, or the broader community. Examples include designing and delivering environmental education programs for local schools, leading habitat restoration projects from start to finish, constructing and activating an observation tower as a community engagement tool, or creating interpretive materials and programming that Friends will deliver or use.

Third, peer-to-peer coaching (P2P) grants support Friends groups that can train and mentor other Friends organizations by coordinating and delivering a workshop for at least three other groups. This category is aimed at spreading practical know-how across the national Friends network, so successful practices in fundraising, volunteer management, programming, and partnership-building can be replicated.

Fourth, public access enhancements and hunting/fishing experience grants focus on improving or expanding public access and recreation infrastructure, as well as supporting hunting and fishing recruitment, retention, and reactivation. Projects may include repairing, improving, or building access points and facilities; creating new recreational infrastructure; and offering outreach, education, or hands-on experiences. These efforts are expected to be coordinated with state, local, and Tribal governments and may be paired with habitat restoration work that helps sustain or improve long-term hunting and fishing programs.

Finally, while the eligible applicant categories listed include nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) nonprofits, excluding institutions of higher education), the notice makes clear this particular announcement is a notification of intent to award a single-source cooperative agreement and that the recipient has already been selected: the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. In other words, the main path for Refuge Friends organizations to benefit from this funding is through the NFWF-managed competitive grant process rather than applying directly to the Service under this specific notice.

• The Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "2018 FWS NWR System Friends Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.654.
• This funding opportunity was created on Aug 01, 2018.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 05, 2018 This is a Notification of Intent to award a single source cooperative agreement in the amount of 150,000.00 to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. The recipient has already been selected.. (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 $150,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.

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