Advancing the Conserving the Future Vision | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the "Advancing the Conserving the Future Vision" opportunity?

It is a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) discretionary cooperative agreement intended to strengthen collaborative conservation on private, working lands that connect to and support National Wildlife Refuges. It is associated with Funding Opportunity Number (FON) F15AS00153.

What is the main goal of this funding?

The goal is to support Refuge Associations in their work with Partners for Conservation (PFC) to advance the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program and increase engagement with private landowners on habitat-related conservation actions.

What kinds of lands does this effort focus on?

The focus is on private, working lands, especially landscapes used for agriculture (such as ranches and farms) that connect to and support National Wildlife Refuges.

What is Partners for Conservation (PFC)?

PFC is described as a nationwide network of private landowners, largely led by ranchers and farmers, who promote practical public-private conservation that keeps landscapes productive for agriculture while also improving habitat for wildlife.

How does this opportunity relate to National Wildlife Refuges?

The funding supports conservation collaboration on nearby or connected private lands in ways that also support refuge-related ecosystems, reflecting a shared interest in habitat improvements and landscape connectivity.

What is the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program?

It is a long-running voluntary program that works directly with landowners to restore and enhance habitat on private lands. Under this opportunity, the project supports advancing that program and expanding landowner engagement.

Is this an open, competitive grant opportunity?

No. It is listed as a single-source continuation and modification of an existing agreement. That means the recipient had already been selected under a prior arrangement, and the funding is intended to extend or adjust ongoing work rather than solicit new applicants.

Does this listing mean new applicants can apply?

Based on the information provided, it is not structured to solicit new proposals because it is a continuation/modification action with an expected single award. The listing functions more as documentation of the federal funding action and a description of supported work.

What type of award is it?

It is a cooperative agreement, which generally indicates that USFWS expects to be actively involved in implementation, coordination, or technical direction of the project rather than simply providing funds with minimal involvement.

What is the funding activity category?

The funding activity category is listed as Education, indicating an emphasis on outreach, training, learning-focused efforts, technical assistance, and capacity-building in support of conservation collaboration.

What is the CFDA number and what does it indicate?

The CFDA number is 15.649, labeled as Service Training and Technical Assistance. This suggests the work is oriented toward training, outreach, technical support, and capacity-building rather than construction-heavy work or land acquisition.

How much funding is available under this action?

The estimated total funding amount is $75,000.

How many awards are expected?

The opportunity lists an expected number of awards as one.

Is there a cost share or matching requirement?

No. The announcement indicates there is no cost sharing or matching requirement, meaning non-federal match is not required as a condition of receiving the funds.

Why do the award ceiling and award floor show as $0?

The award ceiling and floor are shown as $0, which commonly appears in listings where the amount is predetermined through a continuation or modification rather than competed using a typical range.

Who is eligible for this opportunity?

Eligibility is limited to nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, other than institutions of higher education.

If eligibility is limited to certain nonprofits, does that mean any qualifying nonprofit can apply?

In practical terms, the listing is described as single-source and tied to a continuation of an existing agreement. So eligibility appears to function as a formal classification of the recipient type rather than an invitation for new applications.

When was this opportunity posted and when was it archived?

The posting and creation dates were March 26, 2015. The opportunity was archived on April 2, 2015.

What does it mean that the opportunity was archived shortly after posting?

The short timeframe is consistent with an administrative continuation/modification action rather than a standard multi-applicant grant cycle.

Where can someone find the official posting or administrative details?

An additional information link is provided through Grants.gov for the official posting and administrative details.

Who is the listed point of contact for this opportunity?

The listed contact is Matt Filsinger at the Fish and Wildlife Service. Phone: 703-358-2011. Email: matthewfilsinger@fws.gov.

What is the plain-language purpose of this funding?

In plain terms, the funding is meant to help private landowners and refuge partners work together on conservation actions that support local economies tied to working lands while improving habitat and supporting refuge-related ecosystems.