Summer Youth Initiative NOI Not a Request for Proposals | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Summer Youth Initiative NOI (Funding Opportunity Number P14AC00190)

1) What is the Summer Youth Initiative NOI?

The Summer Youth Initiative is a National Park Service (NPS) cooperative agreement notice of intent (NOI) designed to expand youth engagement with national parks and other public lands in eastern Kansas and western Missouri.

2) Is this a Request for Proposals (RFP) or a competitive grant?

No. The notice explicitly states it is a NOI and not a Request for Proposals. It is also described as noncompetitive, with NPS indicating it did not pursue full and open competition for this award.

3) What is the purpose of this opportunity?

The overall purpose is to encourage private sector participation in carrying out the NPS mission by reaching underserved audiences, increasing visitor diversity, and building long-term stewardship of national parks and other public lands.

4) What geographic area does the project focus on?

The initiative targets eastern Kansas and western Missouri.

5) What are the main strategies emphasized by the project?

The project emphasizes three practical strategies:

• Expanding summer youth programming
• Providing busing so young people can access public lands
• Increasing the use of interns at park sites to support programming and create workforce pathways

6) What are the joint project goals?

The joint goals focus on increasing public participation and use of national parks and public lands across the target region, while strengthening partnerships among parks, national heritage areas, and other public and private sites connected to Civil Rights history.

7) Is the initiative only about recreation and visitation?

No. The notice explains the initiative is also about connecting youth and communities to culturally significant places and narratives, particularly those tied to Civil Rights history, through coordinated programming across multiple sites.

8) What type of award is this?

This opportunity is structured as a cooperative agreement, meaning responsibilities are shared between the recipient and the National Park Service (NPS) as an active partnership.

9) What responsibilities are expected of the recipient under the cooperative agreement?

Based on the notice, the recipient is expected to take a hands-on role in:

• Planning and coordinating summer outreach events
• Managing and administering all bussing operations for both the summer initiative and a related school-year program
• Sharing staffing responsibilities by helping recruit and coordinate volunteers and interns supporting summer activities

10) What responsibilities does the NPS take on in this partnership?

The NPS commits to:

• Collaborating on planning and coordination of the youth initiative
• Recruiting school programs to participate in both the summer and school-year components
• Providing NPS staff support to work directly with youth-related programs

11) Why was this opportunity issued as a noncompetitive award?

NPS states it did not pursue full and open competition because the intended partner (TKHA) serves as an umbrella organization connecting dozens of historical and natural sites across western Missouri and eastern Kansas. The notice also cites there is no other entity in the region with the same capacity and network, and it references a successful two-year history of collaboration and a proven track record as justification.

12) Who is the intended partner identified in the notice?

The notice identifies TKHA, described as a private nonprofit that operates the Freedom's Frontier National Heritage Area.

13) How much funding is available?

The estimated total funding is $65,000. The award ceiling is $65,000 and the award floor is $32,500.

14) How many awards are anticipated?

The opportunity anticipates a single award.

15) Is there a cost sharing or matching requirement?

No. The notice states there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.

16) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants are nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status, excluding institutions of higher education.

17) What is the assistance listing (CFDA) number for this opportunity?

The assistance listing is CFDA 15.954, titled National Park Service Conservation, Protection, Outreach, and Education.

18) What activity areas does this opportunity align with?

The activity areas are aligned with education, environment, and humanities/cultural affairs.

19) When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?

The opportunity was posted on March 12, 2014, and had a closing date of March 19, 2014.

20) Is this opportunity still active?

No. The listing indicates it was archived on April 18, 2014.

21) What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is P14AC00190.

22) Who is the grants management contact for this opportunity?

The listed grants management contact is Katie Schroeder, Grants Management Officer, reachable by phone at 402-661-1640.

23) What role does transportation (busing) play in the project?

Busing is a core strategy described in the notice, intended to help young people physically access national parks and other public lands. The recipient is expected to manage and administer bussing operations for both the summer initiative and a related school-year program.

24) How does the project support workforce development for youth?

The notice highlights increasing the use of interns at park sites to support programming and to build workforce pathways.

25) What kinds of partnerships are central to this initiative?

The project emphasizes strengthening partnerships among parks, national heritage areas, and other public and private sites, with a focus on places connected to Civil Rights history across the target region.