Focus Areas
Projects funded by the Resilient Communities Program must fit within one of two focus areas: 1) addressing pre-identified regional priorities, or 2) building community capacity. First, approximately $1.5 million is available this year to fund projects addressing three regionally-specific hazards: floods and droughts in the Mid-West, sea level rise on the East Coast, and forest fires on the West Coast.
Secondly, the remaining $500,000 is available this year for projects in the latter focus area: building community capacity to understand, plan for, and take action to mitigate hazard risks through enhanced ecosystem functions. These projects can be implemented anywhere in the United States, and those that engage and build capacity of low- and moderate-income communities to plan for resilience will be given special consideration. The program intends to fund organizations and activities using green infrastructure for innovative, scalable resilience solutions. For example, projects that build community partnerships through community ambassadors or restore jobs and economic activities in communities impacted by environmental stressors could be successful.
Apply by March 30
Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations, local governments, and Indian tribes; state and federal agencies and universities are not eligible. See NFWF’s instructions for how to apply here, and the deadline to submit a proposal is March 30. Awards will be announced in September 2017.
