Groundwork USA | Apply Online

Opportunity Summary:

The Groundwork USA opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number P14AS00025) is a National Park Service notice of intent to award a continuation cooperative agreement to Groundwork USA, rather than an open call for new applications. In other words, this posting is meant to publicly document NPS plans to fund a specific set of ongoing activities without full and open competition, because the work is considered a continuation of an existing effort and competing it would disrupt progress. The award is tied to CFDA 15.921, Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance, and is authorized under 16 U.S.C. 1g and 16 USC 460.1-1(d) (Outdoor Recreation Act). The anticipated federal amount is $139,960.64 with no cost share required, and the period of performance runs from the date of award through March 31, 2015. The instrument is a cooperative agreement, which signals that NPS expects to stay substantively involved in carrying out the work, not simply provide a check.

At a high level, the project is titled "Capacity Building - Brownfield Initiatives" and focuses on strengthening Groundwork USA's ability to support and grow its national network of local Groundwork Trusts. The underlying program purpose is to help communities reuse brownfields and other derelict sites for conservation, recreation, economic development, and broader community benefit. In this context, brownfields are described as abandoned or underused sites that are contaminated or perceived to be contaminated due to past uses. Groundwork USA, as the national office, plays the coordinating role in the Groundwork model by helping launch and stabilize local Trusts, connecting them to national partners and resources, promoting consistent best practices, and documenting network outcomes.

The task agreement lays out several specific deliverables that together amount to organizational capacity building, network oversight, technical support, and performance documentation. A major component is developing practical guidelines for diagnosing and responding to significant organizational issues that can threaten a local Groundwork Trust's long-term viability. This includes looking back at problems that have affected Trusts in the past, evaluating how issues were handled, identifying which warning signs should trigger national-level intervention, and producing a usable set of guidelines that draw on expertise from Groundwork USA staff, the board, seasoned Trust leaders, and organizational development specialists. Groundwork USA is also expected to assess the overall organizational health of existing Trusts and summarize findings in a format that can be shared with the network so local organizations can see strengths and areas of concern.

Another core element is performance assessment and structured reviews of Trust operations at different stages of maturity. The work includes organizing a "Trust Operations Launching Review" for Groundwork Cincinnati (established in 2013) and conducting "Trust Operations Transition Reviews" for several Trusts experiencing transition or change (Groundwork New Orleans, Groundwork Wyoming County/Upper Guyandotte River, Groundwork Dallas, and Groundwork Dona Ana). The agreement calls for documenting findings and recommendations, sharing reports with the Trusts and NPS, and then following up within six months to gauge progress. For an established Trust, Groundwork USA will also carry out one Peer Planning and Review (PAR), including selecting the Trust, convening a peer team, conducting a site visit, issuing a PAR report, and following up on implementation.

The agreement also supports direct assistance to new and emerging Groundwork Trusts, with a focus on helping them meet network benchmarks and build sound governance and leadership. This includes involvement in board development and executive director hiring, providing standardized templates and tools (incorporation and bylaws materials, 501(c)(3) documentation support, websites, outreach materials), and delivering orientation and training resources. The training is expected to reinforce national programs used across the network, such as the Green Team Youth Environmental Service Learning Program, reflecting a focus on youth engagement and community-based environmental work.

A distinct funding and technical assistance component within the award is the Groundwork USA Brownfield Initiative. Under this initiative, Groundwork USA must create an overview that explains how the initiative will operate, including budget, timeline, possible participating Trusts, and eligible activities. Groundwork USA then runs a selection process and designates at least four Trusts to participate, with emphasis on Trusts ready to take on their first brownfield project so they can reduce the learning curve by leaning on network expertise. From the total award, $40,000 is intended to be distributed to participating Trusts through sub-agreements, alongside coordinated technical assistance, peer support, and shared expertise. Groundwork USA must coordinate implementation with NPS and the Trusts and produce a final report for NPS that summarizes activities and results, includes photos, captures participant feedback, and offers recommendations for improving the initiative.

Reporting and documentation are treated as major outputs rather than administrative afterthoughts. Groundwork USA is responsible for compiling the network's 2013 performance measures and producing tailored accomplishment reports for key themes: brownfield reuse, conservation and restoration of urban waters, and youth engagement in conservation and restoration of parks and natural resources (including work connected to local National Parks). The agreement also requires Groundwork USA to identify and document the stories of four community members involved with local Groundwork Trusts, using a narrative format similar to the organization's youth profile materials. In addition, Groundwork USA must track leveraged resources used to carry out the work, including funding, in-kind services, volunteer hours, and donated materials, and submit quarterly narrative and required financial reports to NPS.

Finally, the project requires Groundwork USA to develop a two-year strategic plan, approved by its board, aimed at strengthening Groundwork USA's capacity to support the network over time. That planning process includes reviewing the status of existing programs and operations, assessing upcoming needs and opportunities, evaluating whether current national programs reflect the full scope of network work (and whether new national programs are needed), consulting with partners such as NPS and EPA, and producing a forward-looking plan that addresses operations, staffing, projects, governance, board recruitment, and long-term sustainability.

Important limits are also spelled out: the federal funds under this task agreement cannot be used to produce construction documents or to construct specific projects. The focus is capacity, planning, evaluation, coordination, and technical support that enables local Trusts to do effective community redevelopment and conservation work, rather than paying for on-the-ground capital construction.

On the NPS side, the cooperative agreement structure reflects "substantial involvement" by the agency. NPS commits to participating in the development of guidelines, the assessments and reviews, the Brownfield Initiative, and the strategic planning, and to providing staff support and technical assistance through the Rivers and Trails program. The posted agency point of contact is June Zastrow (303-987-6718, junezastrow@nps.gov). Because this is a continuation award notice rather than a competitive solicitation, the eligible applicant listing (501(c)(3) nonprofits) is largely informational in this case, and the single intended recipient is Groundwork USA, with the single-source rationale based on continuity of an existing, actively funded cooperative effort.

Browse more opportunities from the same agency: National Park Service

Browse more opportunities from the same category: Community Development Education Environment Health Natural Resources Regional Development

Next opportunity: NPS SCA Academy Spring Break Orientation Program

Previous opportunity: WESTAR/WRAP Coordinate and Develop Products and Strategies of Mutual Interest on Western US Air Quality Issues

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 P14AS00025

 

[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?

Applicants also applied for:

Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (P14AS00025) also looked into and applied for these:

 

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 "P14AS00025", 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.