Opportunity Information: Apply for P15AS00207
Apply for P15AS00207
- The National Park Service in the community development education environment natural resources regional development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Groundwork Indianapolis (GW INDY) Launch and Capacity Building" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.921 Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jul 13, 2015 and posted on Jul 13, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 27, 2015. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $87,998.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $87,998.00 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.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Groundwork Indianapolis (GW INDY) Launch and Capacity Building opportunity is a National Park Service (NPS) notice of intent to award funding through a cooperative agreement, and it is explicitly not an open call for applications. The announcement serves as public notice that NPS intends to continue funding work already underway under an existing cooperative agreement with Groundwork USA (GW USA). The project sits within the Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance program (CFDA 15.921) and is authorized under 54 U.S.C. 101702(a), which covers NPS cooperative agreements and transfer of appropriated funds. The award is structured as a continuation, meaning NPS chose not to run a competitive process because doing so would disrupt or jeopardize the continuity and completion of ongoing activities.
At a high level, the purpose is to help launch and strengthen Groundwork Indianapolis during its early stage by building organizational capacity while advancing community-based environmental improvement planning. The work centers on planning and development activities related to cleaning up and reusing brownfields and other derelict lands for public benefit, including new or improved greenspace, trails, and park enhancements. It also emphasizes community health and access goals, such as strengthening community gardens and improving access to healthy foods, along with reconnecting neighborhoods to local waterways and water bodies. A second major pillar is youth development through a Green Team environmental service learning program that connects local community projects with educational experiences, including service opportunities tied to National Parks. A third pillar is organizational performance and sustainability: the agreement requires an end-of-year operations review and the creation of a two-year strategic plan to guide staffing, governance, fundraising, programs, and long-term viability.
The intended recipient is Groundwork USA, a national nonprofit that supports a network of local Groundwork Trusts. The project’s premise is that GW USA brings established best practices, templates, and network support that help new local trusts like GW INDY become stable and effective more quickly. The anticipated federal award amount is $87,998, with a stated cost share figure of $47,902.80 in the notice materials. The period of performance runs from the award date through December 30, 2016. Although the notice lists “CostSharingOrMatchingRequirement: No” in the opportunity metadata, the narrative portion still references cost share being contributed, which in practice typically indicates leveraged or documented non-federal support even if not required as a formal matching condition.
The scope of work is detailed and planning-heavy rather than construction-focused. The agreement specifically prohibits using these funds for construction documents or for constructing specific projects. Instead, the tasks are geared toward partnership-building, community engagement, program design, outreach, documentation, and strategic planning. For the Green Team program, GW USA is expected to help GW INDY design the program structure, timeline, and curriculum, drawing from existing Groundwork Trust models. Curriculum topics include water quality monitoring, river conservation, pollution, brownfields, and urban wildlife and bird conservation, among other urban environmental themes. The work also includes identifying suitable service learning projects (examples named include reuse of the Carrier Bryant site, development of the CSX Rail Trail, community gardens, canal corridor cleanups and trail work, and projects connected to National Parks), building partnerships including workforce development organizations, producing youth recruitment materials (applications, permission slips, waivers), coordinating at least one service learning project with a local National Park through the NPS-GW USA Green Team partnership approach, and reporting on outcomes with recommendations for improvement.
Brownfield reuse planning and community programming is another major component. GW INDY, working with the City of Indianapolis Department of Metropolitan Development and the City’s Brownfield Redevelopment Program, is expected to identify the most appropriate site for engagement based on EPA-supported area-wide planning outcomes, review site conditions, and define safe and suitable areas for programming. Potential programming concepts include environmental science activities, community cleanups, urban agriculture, multi-generational programming, and food and nutrition hands-on education. The agreement also calls for recruiting community partners and volunteers, producing outreach materials to inform and invite residents, and documenting activities with photos and videos to show progress and participation.
Food access and community gardens work is tied to the Northwest Area (NWA) Quality of Life Food Access goals. Tasks include identifying partners, coordinating with groups like the NWA Garden Committee, and selecting priorities that create meaningful roles for youth and seniors. Examples include supporting neighborhood food forests, maintaining established community gardens, and assisting senior residents with home or personal gardens. The work also includes recruiting and training volunteers, creating outreach materials, and documenting activities through visuals and records of accomplishments.
Trail and active transportation planning appears through the CSX Rail Trail focus. GW INDY is expected to build a working partnership with the City of Indianapolis Parks Department, map the key stakeholders already involved, define where GW INDY can add value to planning and advancement, develop a realistic action timeline, and help the City and partners engage the public through meetings and workshops to gather feedback and build support.
Waterway access and corridor improvements are addressed through work along the water supply canal right-of-way. The agreement anticipates collaboration with relevant coalitions and agencies, such as the Reconnecting Our Waterways partnership. Proposed activities include identifying improvements and projects GW INDY could lead, such as path clearing, invasive species removal, arts and cultural activities that draw residents into the space, and better pedestrian connections from neighborhoods into the corridor. The plan also emphasizes youth and community volunteer opportunities (including via the Green Team), along with outreach and documentation.
Communications and organizational infrastructure are also part of the capacity-building emphasis. GW INDY is expected to develop a public-facing website using the national Groundwork design template, in coordination with GW USA, and to produce other outreach materials that explain projects and volunteer opportunities. The agreement also requires rigorous tracking and documentation: GW INDY must document leveraged funding and in-kind support (services, volunteer hours, materials, equipment), maintain a photographic record and accomplishments list aligned with GW USA standards, and submit quarterly narrative progress reports and required quarterly financial reports to NPS.
Because this is a cooperative agreement, NPS anticipates “substantial involvement” rather than a hands-off grant relationship. NPS’s role includes supporting GW USA and GW INDY in accomplishing the work, helping connect GW INDY with other Groundwork Trusts that can offer peer learning and practical assistance, and participating directly in key elements such as CSX Rail Trail development, Green Team activities (including National Park service projects), canal corridor access improvements, and the assessment and planning process that leads to the two-year strategic plan.
Finally, the notice clarifies why the award is single-source: it is justified under the Department of the Interior’s single-source policy as a continuation of an existing activity already being funded, where competition would create a significant adverse effect on continuity or completion. The announcement lists one expected award, identifies eligibility in the public listing as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit category, and provides an NPS point of contact (June Zastrow) for access issues or questions, reinforcing that this posting is informational and administrative rather than a solicitation for new applicants.
FAQs: Groundwork Indianapolis (GW INDY) Launch and Capacity Building (NPS Notice of Intent)
Is this an open grant opportunity that my organization can apply for?
No. This is a National Park Service (NPS) notice of intent to award funding through a cooperative agreement, and it is explicitly not an open call for applications. The posting is public notice that NPS intends to continue funding work already underway under an existing cooperative agreement with Groundwork USA (GW USA).
Who is the intended recipient of the award?
The intended recipient is Groundwork USA (GW USA), a national nonprofit that supports a network of local Groundwork Trusts, including the early-stage work associated with launching and strengthening Groundwork Indianapolis (GW INDY).
Why is NPS making a single-source (non-competitive) award?
The notice states the award is structured as a continuation of an existing activity already being funded. NPS chose not to run a competitive process because competing the work would disrupt or jeopardize the continuity and completion of ongoing activities. The single-source approach is justified under the Department of the Interior single-source policy on continuation awards.
What type of funding instrument is being used?
The funding is planned as a cooperative agreement, not a traditional grant. The notice emphasizes that, under this arrangement, NPS anticipates "substantial involvement" in the work rather than a hands-off relationship.
What program is this award associated with?
The project sits within the Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance program (CFDA 15.921).
What is the legal authority cited for this award?
The notice cites authorization under 54 U.S.C. 101702(a), which covers NPS cooperative agreements and transfer of appropriated funds.
What is the overall purpose of the project?
The purpose is to help launch and strengthen Groundwork Indianapolis during its early stage by building organizational capacity while advancing community-based environmental improvement planning. The work focuses on planning and development related to brownfield reuse and other community environmental priorities, youth development through a Green Team program, and organizational sustainability through performance review and strategic planning.
How much federal funding is anticipated?
The anticipated federal award amount is $87,998.
Is there a cost share or match requirement?
The opportunity metadata lists "CostSharingOrMatchingRequirement: No," but the narrative portion references a cost share figure of $47,902.80. Based on the notice text, this suggests cost share may be contributed or documented as leveraged or non-federal support even if not required as a formal matching condition.
What is the period of performance?
The period of performance runs from the award date through December 30, 2016.
What are the major components (pillars) of work described?
The notice describes three major pillars: (1) community-based environmental improvement planning, including planning around brownfield reuse and other derelict lands for public benefit; (2) youth development through a Green Team environmental service learning program connected to community projects and educational experiences, including service opportunities tied to National Parks; and (3) organizational performance and sustainability, including an end-of-year operations review and a two-year strategic plan.
Is this funding meant for construction?
No. The scope of work is planning-heavy rather than construction-focused. The agreement specifically prohibits using these funds for construction documents or for constructing specific projects.
What kinds of activities are allowed and emphasized instead of construction?
The tasks are geared toward partnership-building, community engagement, program design, outreach, documentation, and strategic planning. The notice repeatedly emphasizes planning, convening partners, recruiting volunteers, producing outreach materials, and documenting activities and outcomes.
What is the Green Team program in this project?
The Green Team is an environmental service learning program intended to connect local community projects with educational experiences for youth, including service opportunities tied to National Parks. GW USA is expected to help GW INDY design the program structure, timeline, and curriculum using existing Groundwork Trust models.
What curriculum topics are mentioned for the Green Team?
Examples of curriculum topics listed include water quality monitoring, river conservation, pollution, brownfields, and urban wildlife and bird conservation, along with other urban environmental themes.
What types of service learning projects are referenced as examples?
The notice names examples such as reuse of the Carrier Bryant site, development of the CSX Rail Trail, community gardens, canal corridor cleanups and trail work, and projects connected to National Parks.
Does the project include work directly connected to National Parks?
Yes. The Green Team component includes coordinating at least one service learning project with a local National Park through the NPS-GW USA Green Team partnership approach.
What partnerships are expected as part of the Green Team work?
The notice calls for building partnerships, including partnerships with workforce development organizations, and producing youth recruitment materials such as applications, permission slips, and waivers.
What reporting or evaluation is expected for Green Team activities?
The notice calls for reporting on outcomes and providing recommendations for improvement.
How does brownfield reuse planning show up in the scope?
Brownfield reuse planning and community programming is a major component. GW INDY is expected to work with the City of Indianapolis Department of Metropolitan Development and the City’s Brownfield Redevelopment Program to identify the most appropriate site for engagement, review site conditions, and define safe and suitable areas for programming, informed by EPA-supported area-wide planning outcomes.
What kinds of brownfield-related community programming ideas are included?
Potential programming concepts listed include environmental science activities, community cleanups, urban agriculture, multi-generational programming, and hands-on food and nutrition education.
What outreach and documentation is expected for community programming?
The agreement calls for recruiting community partners and volunteers, producing outreach materials to inform and invite residents, and documenting activities with photos and videos to show progress and participation.
How does food access work fit into this project?
Food access and community gardens work is tied to the Northwest Area (NWA) Quality of Life Food Access goals. The work includes identifying partners, coordinating with groups such as the NWA Garden Committee, selecting priorities that create meaningful roles for youth and seniors, and supporting efforts like neighborhood food forests and community gardens.
What specific food access and garden activities are mentioned?
Examples include supporting neighborhood food forests, maintaining established community gardens, and assisting senior residents with home or personal gardens, along with recruiting and training volunteers and documenting accomplishments.
Does the scope include trails or active transportation planning?
Yes. Trail and active transportation planning appears through a focus on the CSX Rail Trail. GW INDY is expected to build a working partnership with the City of Indianapolis Parks Department, map stakeholders, identify where GW INDY can add value, develop an action timeline, and support public engagement through meetings and workshops.
Does the scope include waterway access or corridor improvement work?
Yes. The agreement describes work along the water supply canal right-of-way, including collaboration with coalitions and agencies such as the Reconnecting Our Waterways partnership.
What kinds of canal corridor activities are proposed?
Proposed activities include identifying improvements and projects GW INDY could lead, such as path clearing, invasive species removal, arts and cultural activities to draw residents into the space, and improved pedestrian connections from neighborhoods into the corridor. Youth and community volunteer opportunities (including via the Green Team) are emphasized, along with outreach and documentation.
What communications or outreach infrastructure is required?
GW INDY is expected to develop a public-facing website using the national Groundwork design template in coordination with GW USA, and to produce outreach materials explaining projects and volunteer opportunities.
What tracking and documentation requirements are included?
The agreement requires documenting leveraged funding and in-kind support (such as services, volunteer hours, materials, and equipment), maintaining a photographic record and accomplishments list aligned with GW USA standards, and submitting quarterly narrative progress reports and required quarterly financial reports to NPS.
What organizational sustainability deliverables are required?
The notice requires an end-of-year operations review and the creation of a two-year strategic plan to guide staffing, governance, fundraising, programs, and long-term viability.
What does "substantial involvement" by NPS mean in this context?
The notice explains that NPS will support GW USA and GW INDY in accomplishing the work, help connect GW INDY with other Groundwork Trusts for peer learning and practical assistance, and participate directly in key elements such as CSX Rail Trail development, Green Team activities (including National Park service projects), canal corridor access improvements, and the assessment and planning process leading to the two-year strategic plan.
How many awards are expected under this notice?
The announcement lists one expected award.
What eligibility category is shown in the public listing?
The posting identifies eligibility in the public listing as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit category, while also making clear that this particular action is a continuation intended for GW USA rather than an open competition.
Who is the point of contact listed for questions or access issues?
The notice provides an NPS point of contact: June Zastrow.
What is the main reason the posting exists if applications are not being accepted?
The notice functions as an informational and administrative public posting: it provides transparency that NPS intends to continue funding an existing cooperative agreement activity and explains the rationale for not conducting a competitive solicitation.
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Previous opportunity: Engaging Young Adults with Community Based Conservation and Recreation Enhancement Projects.
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| Develop and Build Capacity Groundwork Network Apply for P15AS00208 Funding Number: P15AS00208 Agency: National Park Service Category: Community Development Education Environment Natural Resources Regional Development Funding Amount: $99,992 |
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