The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) has announced the 2025 Request for Proposals for the Northeast Forests and Rivers Fund (NFRF). NFWF is dedicated to the conservation of fish, wildlife, plants, and habitats through collaborative partnerships. The Foundation ensures compliance with all applicable laws and federal directives and stresses that awards are contingent upon the receipt of funds from federal agencies and private funding partners. Funding sources for this grant cycle include the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Zoetis Foundation, and Sylvamo.

The purpose of the Northeast Forests and Rivers Fund is to restore and sustain healthy rivers, forests, and grasslands that support diverse fish and wildlife populations. Specific objectives include restoring stream and riparian habitat connectivity, enhancing forest management to improve conditions for species such as the golden-winged warbler and New England cottontail, and promoting hayfield management practices for grassland birds like the bobolink. Eligible activities also include restoring aquatic connectivity, reducing agricultural runoff, and developing monitoring protocols for species response to restoration efforts.

Grant requests must range between $75,000 and $300,000, and projects must be completed within three years of the award start date. A 50 percent non-federal match is preferred but not required. Award decisions are expected to be announced in late November 2025, with full proposals due by June 26, 2025, at 11:59 PM EDT. Projects should commence no later than six months after the award announcement.

Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, state and local governments, municipal governments, tribal governments and organizations, and educational institutions. Federal agencies, businesses, unincorporated individuals, and international organizations are not eligible to apply. Applicants must submit proposals through NFWF's Easygrants system. Specific application assistance is available via a downloadable Tip Sheet and through direct contact with the Easygrants Helpdesk.

Applications will be evaluated based on four primary criteria: conservation outcomes, technical merit, partnership and community impact, and budget/cost-effectiveness. Applicants must provide spatial data, measurable metrics, and demonstrate technical feasibility, collaboration with communities, and reasonable budgeting practices. Monitoring and sustainability plans are strongly encouraged to ensure long-term project impact. Additional considerations include compliance with federal environmental laws and documentation of all necessary permits before commencing project activities.

Contact for program-specific questions is John Wright, Program Manager, Northeast Watersheds, at John.Wright@NFWF.ORG. For technical issues related to the Easygrants platform, applicants should contact the Easygrants Helpdesk at Easygrants@nfwf.org or call 202-595-2497 during business hours. All project-related updates and resources are available on the NFWF website.