Opportunity Information: Apply for F14AS00333
Apply for F14AS00333
- The Fish and Wildlife Service in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Engaging Communities in Stewardship" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.676 Youth Engagement, Education, and Employment Programs.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jul 23, 2014 and posted on Jul 23, 2014.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 30, 2014 This is a Notice to award single source. No Competition is Explected, please do not apply.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $122,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $122,000.00 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 Public and State controlled institutions of higher education.
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Opportunity Summary:
The grant opportunity titled Engaging Communities in Stewardship (Funding Opportunity Number F14AS00333) was a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service education-focused award designed to connect urban communities in south and east San Diego County with nearby conserved lands, especially the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge (San Diego NWR). The central idea was to increase public understanding of why habitat conservation matters and to help people who live near these protected areas feel a stronger sense of connection, appreciation, and responsibility for the natural spaces in their region. Rather than focusing on research or infrastructure, the project emphasized direct community engagement: hands-on volunteer stewardship paired with interpretive events that explain the purpose and value of refuge lands and other open spaces.
The project description centers on Earth Discovery Institute leading activities that help residents "find, appreciate, and care for nearby nature." In practice, that means providing multiple entry points for participation so that people with different backgrounds, comfort levels outdoors, and skill sets can take part. Interpretive events are meant to translate conservation goals into understandable, locally relevant messages, showing how protecting habitat benefits the community and supports the broader mission of the Fish and Wildlife Service and its Urban Wildlife Refuges approach. The stewardship component is positioned as both practical and educational: volunteers can contribute real labor toward habitat improvement and maintenance while also learning ecological concepts and building an ongoing relationship with refuge staff and conserved-land managers.
A notable element of the opportunity is the emphasis on leveraging community volunteers as a force multiplier. By organizing volunteer stewardship days and related activities, the project aims to extend the capacity of refuge staff and partners to care for habitat over time. The announcement also highlights the pathway from volunteer to citizen scientist, suggesting that participants could progress from basic stewardship tasks into more structured observation, monitoring, or data-collection roles that support conservation management. This approach reinforces long-term engagement by giving volunteers a sense of purpose and a way to build skills while contributing meaningfully to on-the-ground conservation outcomes.
From an administrative standpoint, this posting was a discretionary grant under the education activity category and tied to CFDA 15.676 (Youth Engagement, Education, and Employment Programs). The funding amount was fixed: an estimated total of $122,000, with an award ceiling and floor both set at $122,000, indicating a single, predetermined award size rather than a range. The opportunity anticipated one award and did not require cost sharing or matching funds.
Eligibility in the posting listed two applicant types: nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education) and public or state-controlled institutions of higher education. However, the most important practical detail is that the announcement explicitly stated it was a notice of intent to make a single-source award, with no competition expected. The posting repeated the instruction "please do not apply," meaning the award was effectively already directed to a specific recipient (Earth Discovery Institute) and the public notice served transparency and documentation purposes rather than inviting proposals.
Timing details reflect that intent as well. The opportunity was posted and created on July 23, 2014, with an original and current closing date of July 30, 2014, and an archive date of August 5, 2014. A brief window like this is typical for non-competitive notices, where the agency posts the announcement to meet public reporting requirements while proceeding with a planned award.
For anyone seeking more information at the time, the contact listed was Deetta Gibbons, Administrative Officer at the Fish and Wildlife Service, with a phone number (619-476-9150) and email (deettagibbons@fws.gov). The listing also referenced an additional information link directing readers to the government posting site for the full announcement materials.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the "Engaging Communities in Stewardship" grant opportunity?
"Engaging Communities in Stewardship" (Funding Opportunity Number F14AS00333) was a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) education-focused discretionary grant intended to connect urban communities in south and east San Diego County with nearby conserved lands, especially the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge (San Diego NWR).
What was the main purpose of this grant?
The central purpose was to increase public understanding of why habitat conservation matters and to help nearby residents develop a stronger connection, appreciation, and sense of responsibility for local protected natural areas.
Which communities and geographic area did the project focus on?
The project targeted urban communities in south and east San Diego County, with a specific emphasis on engagement connected to conserved lands such as the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge.
Which conserved lands were emphasized in the opportunity?
The opportunity particularly highlighted the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge (San Diego NWR), while also referencing other refuge lands and open spaces in the region.
Was this grant focused on research or building infrastructure?
No. The opportunity emphasized direct community engagement rather than research or infrastructure. The activities were centered on hands-on stewardship and interpretive events to help residents understand and value habitat conservation.
What kinds of activities were supported under this grant?
Supported activities were described as hands-on volunteer stewardship paired with interpretive events. The intent was to provide multiple entry points so people with different outdoor comfort levels, backgrounds, and skill sets could participate.
What are "interpretive events" in the context of this opportunity?
Interpretive events were intended to explain the purpose and value of refuge lands and other open spaces in understandable, locally relevant ways, translating conservation goals into messages that connect habitat protection to community benefits and the mission of the Fish and Wildlife Service.
What is meant by "stewardship" in this project description?
Stewardship was positioned as both practical and educational. Volunteers would contribute real labor toward habitat improvement and maintenance while also learning ecological concepts and building a relationship with refuge staff and conserved-land managers.
Who was expected to lead the on-the-ground activities?
The description centers on Earth Discovery Institute leading activities designed to help residents "find, appreciate, and care for nearby nature."
How did the opportunity describe volunteer involvement?
The opportunity emphasized leveraging community volunteers as a "force multiplier" by organizing volunteer stewardship days and related activities to extend the capacity of refuge staff and partners to care for habitat over time.
Did the opportunity mention progression beyond basic volunteering?
Yes. The announcement highlighted a pathway from volunteer to citizen scientist, suggesting participants could move from basic stewardship tasks into more structured observation, monitoring, or data-collection roles that support conservation management.
What agency offered this grant?
The grant was offered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
What type of grant was this (administratively)?
This was described as a discretionary grant under the education activity category and tied to CFDA 15.676 (Youth Engagement, Education, and Employment Programs).
What was the total funding amount?
The estimated total funding amount was $122,000.
Was there a minimum and maximum award amount (floor/ceiling)?
Yes. The award ceiling and floor were both set at $122,000, indicating a single, predetermined award size rather than a range.
How many awards were anticipated?
The opportunity anticipated one award.
Was cost sharing or matching required?
No. The posting stated that cost sharing or matching funds were not required.
Who was eligible to apply, according to the posting?
Eligibility listed two applicant types: (1) nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education) and (2) public or state-controlled institutions of higher education.
Was this a competitive opportunity open to applications?
No. The announcement explicitly stated it was a notice of intent to make a single-source award, with no competition expected, and it repeated an instruction to "please do not apply."
If it said "please do not apply," why was it posted publicly?
Based on the description provided, the public posting functioned as a transparency and documentation notice while the agency proceeded with a planned single-source award.
Who was the intended recipient of the single-source award?
The posting indicated the award was effectively directed to a specific recipient: Earth Discovery Institute.
What were the key dates for the opportunity?
The opportunity was posted and created on July 23, 2014. The original and current closing date was July 30, 2014. The archive date was August 5, 2014.
Why was the open period so short?
The brief window aligns with the posting being a non-competitive notice of intent to make a single-source award, where announcements are often posted primarily to meet public reporting requirements rather than to solicit proposals.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number?
The Funding Opportunity Number was F14AS00333.
Who was the contact person listed for more information?
The contact listed was Deetta Gibbons, Administrative Officer at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
What contact information was provided?
Phone: 619-476-9150. Email: deettagibbons@fws.gov.
Was there a reference to where to find the full announcement materials?
Yes. The listing referenced an additional information link directing readers to the government posting site for full announcement materials.
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