Opportunity Information: Apply for NPSWASOP13AC32345
Apply for NPSWASOP13AC32345
- The National Park Service in the community development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Ground Work USA" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.931 Conservation Activities by Youth Service Organizations.
- This funding opportunity was created on Dec 6, 2012 and posted on Oct 22, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Dec 14, 2012. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $200,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $200,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 2 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
- 16 U.S.C. 1g authorizes the National Park Service (NPS), beginning in fiscal year 1997 and thereafter, to enter into cooperative agreements that involve the transfer of NPS appropriated funds to State, local and tribal governments, other public entities, educational institutions, and private nonprofit organizations for the public purpose of carrying out NPS programs pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 6305 to carry out public purposes of NPS programs. 16 U.S.C. 4601 et seq. Outdoor Recreation Act of 1963 promotes the coordination and development of effective programs relating to outdoor recreation and for other purposes.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
The Ground Work USA grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number NPSWASOP13AC32345) is a National Park Service (NPS) cooperative agreement designed to help communities explore and, if appropriate, launch a new local Groundwork Trust. The intent is to determine whether a community has the needs, opportunities, organizational capacity, and long-term commitment required to establish a Trust that can tackle environmental improvement while also supporting social and economic benefits. The funding falls under the community development activity category and is tied to CFDA 15.931, Conservation Activities by Youth Service Organizations, reflecting a strong emphasis on conservation-oriented work that can include youth engagement.
The process is structured as a multi-step pipeline rather than a single one-time application, and it is built around strong local participation. Communities are expected to organize a locally convened Groundwork Steering Committee that represents a broad cross-section of the community, including local government, civic leadership, business interests, neighborhood representatives, and other stakeholders who would be involved in or affected by the creation of a Groundwork Trust. This Steering Committee serves as the sponsor and central organizing body for the communitys participation in the Groundwork Program and is expected to demonstrate broad buy-in and readiness to collaborate.
The first step is submitting a Letter of Interest (due December 14, 2012, close of business). This letter must come from the local Groundwork Steering Committee and should explain how the Groundwork Program would address the communitys environmental, social, and economic needs. The announcement notes that guidelines for the required format and recommended content are provided elsewhere in the full opportunity materials. After review of the Letters of Interest, approximately ten communities are expected to be selected to move forward into a more detailed assessment phase.
The second step is an Assessment and Proposal phase running roughly from February 1, 2013 through May 31, 2013, with a final proposal due June 28, 2013. During this stage, representatives from NPS and Groundwork USA meet with the local Steering Committee and other community members to discuss the Groundwork Program in depth, visit potential project sites, and learn more about local interests and conditions. This step is essentially a due-diligence and planning period, intended to confirm whether establishing a Groundwork Trust is feasible and worthwhile in that location, and to shape a proposal that aligns community priorities with program expectations.
Only a small number of awards are anticipated, with the opportunity listing an expected total of two awards. The estimated total funding available is $200,000, and the award ceiling is also $200,000 (with an award floor of $0). A cost sharing or matching requirement applies, meaning applicants should be prepared to contribute non-federal resources or secured matching support as part of the overall project package.
Eligibility is limited to nonprofit organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education). The legal authority cited for NPS to enter these cooperative agreements includes 16 U.S.C. 1g and related provisions authorizing NPS to transfer appropriated funds to eligible entities for public purposes, along with the Outdoor Recreation Act of 1963 (16 U.S.C. 4601 et seq.) emphasizing coordinated, effective outdoor recreation and related programming. Communities also have an option to seek assistance in organizing and navigating the process through the NPS Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance (RTCA) program, with regional contact information available through the RTCA website at www.nps.gov/rtca.
Key dates in the posting show it was posted October 22, 2012, created December 6, 2012, and closed December 14, 2012, with an archive date of January 13, 2013, indicating this is a past opportunity but still useful as a model for how Groundwork Trust establishment is evaluated and supported. For access issues or additional help tied to the original announcement, the listed NPS contact was Jaime Mijares, Contract Specialist, at 303-969-2755 or jaimemijares@nps.gov.
FAQs - Ground Work USA (NPS) Cooperative Agreement (NPSWASOP13AC32345)
What is the Ground Work USA grant opportunity (NPSWASOP13AC32345)?
This opportunity is a National Park Service (NPS) cooperative agreement intended to help communities explore and, if appropriate, launch a new local Groundwork Trust. It is designed as a structured process to assess whether a community has the needs, opportunities, organizational capacity, and long-term commitment to establish a Trust that can deliver environmental improvements while also supporting social and economic benefits.
What is the main purpose of this funding?
The purpose is to determine whether establishing a local Groundwork Trust is feasible and worthwhile in a given community. The process focuses on local participation and due diligence, helping communities evaluate readiness, align priorities with program expectations, and (for those that advance) develop a more complete proposal for consideration.
Is this a traditional one-time grant application?
No. The opportunity is described as a multi-step pipeline rather than a single one-time application. It begins with a Letter of Interest, then advances selected communities into an assessment and proposal phase with site visits and meetings, culminating in a final proposal.
What activity category does this opportunity fall under?
The funding is identified under the community development activity category.
What CFDA program is this tied to, and what does that imply?
This opportunity is tied to CFDA 15.931, Conservation Activities by Youth Service Organizations. Based on that linkage, the opportunity reflects a strong emphasis on conservation-oriented work and can include youth engagement as part of the overall approach.
Who is expected to lead the local effort in the community?
Communities are expected to organize a locally convened Groundwork Steering Committee. This Steering Committee serves as the sponsor and central organizing body for the community's participation in the Groundwork Program.
Who should be represented on the Groundwork Steering Committee?
The Steering Committee is expected to represent a broad cross-section of the community, including local government, civic leadership, business interests, neighborhood representatives, and other stakeholders who would be involved in or affected by the creation of a Groundwork Trust.
What does the Steering Committee need to demonstrate?
The Steering Committee is expected to demonstrate broad buy-in and readiness to collaborate, indicating that there is community support and the capacity to participate meaningfully in the Groundwork Program process.
What is the first step in the process?
The first step is submitting a Letter of Interest from the local Groundwork Steering Committee. The Letter of Interest is intended to explain how the Groundwork Program would address the community's environmental, social, and economic needs.
When was the Letter of Interest due?
The Letter of Interest was due December 14, 2012 (close of business).
Are there format or content rules for the Letter of Interest?
Yes. The announcement notes that guidelines for the required format and recommended content are provided elsewhere in the full opportunity materials.
How many communities were expected to move forward after the Letter of Interest stage?
After review of Letters of Interest, approximately ten communities were expected to be selected to move forward into the assessment phase.
What happens during the assessment and proposal phase?
During the assessment and proposal phase, representatives from NPS and Groundwork USA meet with the local Steering Committee and other community members to discuss the Groundwork Program, visit potential project sites, and learn about local interests and conditions. This period functions as due diligence and planning to confirm feasibility and shape a proposal aligned with community priorities and program expectations.
What were the dates for the assessment and proposal phase?
The assessment and proposal phase was described as running roughly from February 1, 2013 through May 31, 2013.
When was the final proposal due?
The final proposal was due June 28, 2013.
How many awards were expected to be made?
The opportunity listed an expected total of two awards.
How much funding was available in total?
The estimated total funding available was $200,000.
What was the maximum (ceiling) award amount?
The award ceiling was $200,000.
What was the minimum (floor) award amount?
The award floor was listed as $0.
Is there a cost share or matching requirement?
Yes. A cost sharing or matching requirement applies. Applicants were expected to be prepared to contribute non-federal resources or to have secured matching support as part of the overall project package.
Who was eligible to apply?
Eligibility was limited to nonprofit organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) status, excluding institutions of higher education.
Are colleges and universities eligible?
No. Institutions of higher education were specifically excluded from eligibility.
What type of agreement mechanism was used?
This opportunity was offered as an NPS cooperative agreement.
What legal authorities were cited for NPS to enter into these cooperative agreements?
The announcement cited legal authority including 16 U.S.C. 1g and related provisions authorizing NPS to transfer appropriated funds to eligible entities for public purposes, as well as the Outdoor Recreation Act of 1963 (16 U.S.C. 4601 et seq.) emphasizing coordinated, effective outdoor recreation and related programming.
Can a community get help organizing or navigating the process?
Yes. Communities had the option to seek assistance through the NPS Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance (RTCA) program. Regional contact information was available via the RTCA website at www.nps.gov/rtca.
Is this opportunity still open?
No. The key dates indicate it was posted October 22, 2012, created December 6, 2012, closed December 14, 2012, and archived January 13, 2013. It is a past opportunity, but it can still be useful as a model for how Groundwork Trust establishment is evaluated and supported.
Who was the NPS contact for access issues or additional help related to the original announcement?
The listed NPS contact was Jaime Mijares, Contract Specialist, at 303-969-2755 or jaimemijares@nps.gov.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Community Development
Next opportunity: Challenge Grants for Two year Colleges
Previous opportunity: SBIR/STTR FY 2013 Phase II Release 1
USGrants.org Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for NPSWASOP13AC32345
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (NPSWASOP13AC32345) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Community Engagement through Social Mobilization and Hygiene Promotion for Jacobabad City Apply for PAK 13 00001MSP Funding Number: PAK 13 00001MSP Agency: Pakistan USAID Islamabad Category: Community Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Enterprise Growth in Ukraine Project Apply for RFA 121 13 000002 Funding Number: RFA 121 13 000002 Agency: Ukraine USAID Kiev Category: Community Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Fiscal Year 2013 CDFI Program Apply for CDFI 2013 FATA Funding Number: CDFI 2013 FATA Agency: Community Development Financial Institutions Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| Fiscal Year 2013 NACA Program Apply for CDFI 2013 NACA Funding Number: CDFI 2013 NACA Agency: Community Development Financial Institutions Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| USAID/Jordan Community Engagement Program Apply for SOL 278 13 000007 Funding Number: SOL 278 13 000007 Agency: Jordan USAID Amman Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $30,000,000 |
| Community Engagement Project Apply for RFA 278 13 000002 Funding Number: RFA 278 13 000002 Agency: Jordan USAID Amman Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $21,000,000 |
| Interpretation and Education Internship Award Notification Apply for NPS WASO P13AC00043 Funding Number: NPS WASO P13AC00043 Agency: National Park Service Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $21,000 |
| Notice of Intent to Award Lowell NHP Lowell Emerging Leaders, Lowell Trolley Expansion Project, and the Healthy Parks Healthy People public outreach initiative Apply for NPS 13 NERO 0005 Funding Number: NPS 13 NERO 0005 Agency: National Park Service Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $107,000 |
| MEDIA AND ELECTIONS PROGRAM IN RWANDA Apply for RFA 696 13 00001 Funding Number: RFA 696 13 00001 Agency: Rwanda USAID Kigali Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Community Development Program for Caracol EKAM Housing Project Apply for SOL 521 13 000017 Funding Number: SOL 521 13 000017 Agency: Haiti USAID Port Au Prince Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| PILOTING OPTIONS FOR THE SUSTAINABLE INTEGRATIONS OF TARGET EARTHQUAKE AFFECTED COMMUNITIES IN HAITI (POSITEC) PROGRAM Apply for SOL OAA 13 000083 Funding Number: SOL OAA 13 000083 Agency: Agency for International Development Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act Medicare Savings Program, Low Income Subsidy Prescription Drug Enrollment Assistance through the Aging Network, State Health Insurance Assistance Program and Aging Disability Resource Centers. Apply for HHS 2013 ACL AOA MI 0051 Funding Number: HHS 2013 ACL AOA MI 0051 Agency: Administration for Community Living Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $3,148,818 |
| FY 2013 Bank Enterprise Award Program Apply for CDFI 2013 BEA Funding Number: CDFI 2013 BEA Agency: Community Development Financial Institutions Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| Communitity Connect Apply for RDRUS CC 2013 Funding Number: RDRUS CC 2013 Agency: Utilities Programs Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| Rural Housing Preservation Grants Apply for USDA RD HCFP HPG 2013 Funding Number: USDA RD HCFP HPG 2013 Agency: Utilities Programs Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Enhancing Resilience to Climate Change Impacts through Community Managed Disaster Risk Reduction (CM DRR). Apply for APS 663 13 000004 Funding Number: APS 663 13 000004 Agency: Ethiopia USAID Addis Ababa Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $12,000,000 |
| Capacity Building for Community Development and Affordable Housing Grants (Section 4) Apply for FR 5700 N 21 Funding Number: FR 5700 N 21 Agency: Department of Housing and Urban Development Category: Community Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Border Community Capital Initiative (BCCI) Apply for FR 5600 N 38 Funding Number: FR 5600 N 38 Agency: Department of Housing and Urban Development Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| OneCPD Plus Technical Assistance and Capacity Building under the Transformation Initiative Apply for FR 5700 N 19 Funding Number: FR 5700 N 19 Agency: Department of Housing and Urban Development Category: Community Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Richmond Folk Festival Apply for WASO NPS P13AC00728 Funding Number: WASO NPS P13AC00728 Agency: National Park Service Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $29,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Subscribe to Leads
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "NPSWASOP13AC32345", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.