Funding can be an important aspect of cooperative conservation projects. Successful projects often require assistance from multiple funding sources, both public and private. Also the cooperative nature of these projects and their federal funding sources may require matching funds from non-federal partners. Projects with multiple funding sources demonstrate a broad base of support and tend to be more successful and lasting.

PRIVATE SOURCES

The Case Foundation has just launched an exciting new grant program called Make It Your Own. It is designed to help grassroots leaders involve their fellow citizens in dialogue, deliberation, and action on community problems. This is one of those rare instances where a national foundation will make grants directly to local and neighborhood-level projects; it is even more unusual in that the decision-making process on who gets the grants will be made, in part, by citizens themselves (see "Foundation Lets Public Help Award Money" in the New York Times at http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/26/us/26charity.html). This is a citizen-centered funding effort that will produce citizen-centered projects. Find out the details at http://www.casefoundation.org/make-it-your-own.

Although this site does not provide comprehensive information about private funding, one source is the Philanthropy News Digest's RFP Bulletin. The RFP (Request for Proposals) Bulletin, published every Friday afternoon, provides a brief overview of current funding opportunities offered by foundations or other grant-making organizations. This listing is organized into broad categories, one of which is 'Environment.' Interested
applicants should read the full RFP at the grant maker's website or contact the grant maker directly for complete program guidelines and eligibility requirements before submitting a proposal to that grant maker.

Currently through its Initiative to Promote Collaborative Process in Environmental Decision Making, the Laura Jane Musser Fund will support projects by public or not-for-profit entities that undertake consensus-based activities in environmental stewardship or dispute resolution in rural areas.

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation conserves healthy populations of fish, wildlife and plants, on land and in the sea, through creative and respectful partnerships, sustainable solutions, and better education. The Foundation meets these goals by awarding matching and special grants to projects benefiting conservation education, habitat protection and restoration, and natural resource management.

The National Forest Foundation brings people together to protect our National Forests and Grasslands. As the nonprofit partner of the U.S. Forest Service, the foundation engages America in community-based and national programs that promote the health and public enjoyment of the National Forest System. The foundation also administers award programs for the benefit of the National Forests. In helping the U.S. Forest Service fulfill its mission to "care for the land and serve people," the National Forest Foundation works in close collaboration with local people and communities.

FEDERAL SOURCES

Federal programs may provide either technical (non-financial) assistance or financial assistance. The list starts with general sources and follows with specific agency programs. You will want to review the specific requirements for each program to determine whether your project can fall within the guidelines.

Grants.gov

This site provides assistance in finding and applying for federal grants. More specific and detailed searches of federal grant programs may be conducted through their advanced search option: http://www.grants.gov/search/advanced.do. When conducting your search, you will more readily identify the most appropriate program for a particular project if you can specify a number of characteristics such as keywords, funding activity or instrument, applicant eligibility, or funding agency.

Depending on the particular project, possible keywords for cooperative conservation grant searches may include topics such as: private land, public land, farmland, coastal zone, wetlands, rivers or streams, lakes, forest, fish restoration, endangered species, wildlife or wildlife refuges, migratory birds, parks, historic or cultural sites, recreation, or land acquisition.

The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance also provides an overview of all federal grant programs.

Federal grants and funding programs that support private and public efforts in cooperative conservation are administered by several departments and agencies. The guidance below is not exhaustive, but may provide additional information in your search for funding.

Department of Agriculture

The Natural Resources Conservation Service and Farm Service Agency support private landowners who wish to engage in a variety of conservation practices and habitat improvements. Their programs are summarized at: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs.

The Forest Service (FS) Cooperative Forestry Program provides technical and financial assistance to private landowners, rural communities, States, tribes, non-profit organizations, and universities. Its programs and partnerships help private landowners and rural communities care for their forests, strengthen local economies, and maintain a high quality of life. Through the National Fire Plan and Healthy Forests Initiative, the FS also assists communities at risk to wildland fires. The Partnership Resource Center, jointly managed by the FS and the National Forest Foundation, is an excellent resource for links to governmental and non-governmental funding sources for partnerships.

Department of Commerce

Funding available from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration primarily focuses on coastal, river or lake systems and generally supports research and conservation activities by state and local governments, non-profits, and academic institutions. Grant opportunities and funding information is available at http://www.ago.noaa.gov/grants/funding.shtml and http://www.grants.gov/.

Department of Defense

Partnership projects undertaken by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers involve maintenance or improvement of previously-constructed federal projects or facilities and require authorization and funding through the U.S. Congress. They require cost-sharing from a non-federal sponsor (e.g., state, county, city, private organization) and focus on aquatic habitats such as coastal, river, and lake systems. Information regarding their programs can be viewed at http://www.usace.army.mil/missions/environment.html and at http://www.iwr.usace.army.mil/iwr/plannersweb/.

Department of the Interior

Funding for Cooperative Conservation projects may be sought from Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and National Park Service (NPS). Projects may support a range of purposes such as improving and conserving aquatic and upland habitats for and monitoring and research of populations of fish and wildlife, including endangered species. Potential partners who typically contribute to matching or cost-sharing requirements for these projects include private individuals, local and state governments, tribes, private organizations, businesses, utilities, and academic institutions.

FWS and BLM provide assistance with projects both within and in the vicinity of lands they manage. Projects supported by NPS also focus within or in the vicinity of their management units (e.g., National Parks, Monuments, or Recreation Areas) but may also include cultural or historic sites or collections. NPS also provides grants to tribes and museums related to implementation of the National Graves Protection and Repatriation Act and National Historic Preservation Act.

A comparison of various DOI grant programs related to Cooperative Conservation and their funding history through fiscal year 2005 are summarized at: http://www.nbc.gov/cci/matrix.cfm. Summaries of previous FWS, BLM, and NPS projects in their Challenge Cost Share grant programs are provided for fiscal year 2003 (http://www.doi.gov/cci/index_03.html) and 2004 (/ http://www.doi.gov/cci/).

A number of other FWS grant programs are described at:
http://www.fws.gov/grants/,
http://www.doi.gov/news/landincent.pdf,
http://ecos.fws.gov/partners/index.do?viewPage=home, and
http://www.fws.gov/endangered/grants/private_stewardship/index.html.

Environmental Protection Agency

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Grants Portal offers links to all of the EPA’s grants information including grants for brownfields, environmental justice, wastewater management, pollution prevention, and sustainable development. The EPA’s programs generally have wide geographic application. EPA provides grants to many types of organizations, other federal agencies, state and local governments, tribes, private organizations, businesses, and academic institutions for many environmental conservation activities.

EPA also has a number of Voluntary Partnership Programs with businesses, communities, State and local governments, and private organizations, providing technical assistance, education and outreach, and financial assistance to address a number of areas of environmental interest, including: agriculture, air and water quality, energy efficiency, pollution, and waste management.