Opportunity Information: Apply for P14AS00051
Apply for P14AS00051
- The National Park Service in the education environment natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "THE CHALLENGE COST SHARE PROGRAM" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.943 Challenge Cost Share.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 16, 2014 and posted on Mar 28, 2014.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 28, 2014. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $1,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 3 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 Challenge Cost Share Program (Funding Opportunity Number P14AS00051) is a National Park Service (NPS) cooperative agreement intended to select between one and three nonprofit national partner organizations to help run and expand the NPS Challenge Cost Share program. Rather than funding a single stand-alone project, the opportunity is structured around building a national-level partnership that can help generate, support, and co-deliver a portfolio of locally driven projects in collaboration with NPS parks and programs. The overall aim is public benefit: strengthening conservation and recreation outcomes, improving environmental stewardship, expanding education efforts, and increasing engagement of diverse youth audiences, with a continuing emphasis on connecting people to the outdoors, youth engagement, and urban outreach as priority themes.
Under this model, the selected national partner organization(s) act as collaborators that help bring projects to life at the local level. Projects may originate from NPS sites and program leads (and must be endorsed by them) and can also be proposed by the partner, but NPS retains final decision-making authority on which projects move forward, using the national partner as counsel in the selection process. Thematic categories can change over time, but the program is expected to maintain a consistent focus on outreach and engagement priorities that align with NPS strategic goals. The cooperative agreement structure signals that NPS expects ongoing collaboration during implementation rather than a simple pass-through grant relationship.
A central requirement of the program is cost sharing or matching. The partner organization(s) are required to leverage funds and contribute resources to support local Challenge Cost Share projects. Support can include direct financial contributions as well as other forms of assistance that help projects succeed, such as mobilizing community partners, coordinating participation, and providing organizational capacity to deliver work alongside NPS units. In practice, this is a partnership-building and resource-leveraging opportunity where an applicant must demonstrate an ability to attract and manage contributions that amplify federal dollars and produce measurable public-purpose results on the ground.
Funding for this opportunity is listed at an estimated total of $1,000,000, with an award ceiling of $1,000,000 and an award floor of $1. Up to three awards were anticipated. The assistance listing (CFDA) number is 15.943 (Challenge Cost Share). The opportunity is categorized as discretionary and uses a cooperative agreement funding instrument. The activity areas highlighted are education, environment, and natural resources, reflecting the program's mix of stewardship and public engagement goals.
Eligibility is limited to nonprofits with IRS 501(c)(3) status, excluding institutions of higher education. The selected partner(s) are expected to operate at a national level and be credible in one or more of the program's evolving themes, especially outdoor connection, youth participation, and urban outreach. Because the partner is meant to collaborate across multiple parks and programs, a strong applicant would typically be able to show national reach, proven partnership networks, experience administering multi-site initiatives, and the ability to manage a pipeline of local projects while meeting federal award requirements.
The opportunity also outlines the practical benefits each side receives. For the national partner, participation builds national visibility through association with NPS, expands relationships with locally based organizations and parks, and offers involvement in a broad set of public-benefit projects. The partner also gains exposure to NPS leadership at national and regional levels and may receive reimbursement for administrative costs through indirect billing. For NPS, the benefit is described as incidental but meaningful: expanded partnerships, increased capacity to advance the NPS mission, and the ability to leverage resources beyond appropriated funding to support innovative projects and broader initiatives that directly serve parks and programs.
Key administrative details include a posted date of March 28, 2014, a closing date of May 28, 2014 (original and current closing date listed the same), and an additional information link directing applicants to Grants.gov. The listed contact for access issues or questions is June Zastrow at 303-987-6718 or JuneZastrow@nps.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Challenge Cost Share Program opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number P14AS00051)?
This opportunity is a National Park Service (NPS) cooperative agreement to select one to three nonprofit national partner organizations to help run and expand the NPS Challenge Cost Share program. It is designed to support a portfolio of locally driven projects carried out in collaboration with NPS parks and programs, rather than funding one stand-alone project.
Is this funding for a single project or multiple projects?
It is structured to build a national-level partnership that can generate, support, and co-deliver multiple local projects over time. The selected national partner(s) help bring a pipeline or portfolio of projects to life at the local level alongside NPS units.
What is the main goal of this program?
The overall aim is public benefit. The program seeks to strengthen conservation and recreation outcomes, improve environmental stewardship, expand education efforts, and increase engagement of diverse youth audiences. Priority themes include connecting people to the outdoors, youth engagement, and urban outreach.
What types of activity areas does the opportunity emphasize?
The highlighted activity areas are education, environment, and natural resources, reflecting a mix of stewardship and public engagement goals.
How does the cooperative agreement model affect the relationship with NPS?
A cooperative agreement indicates NPS expects ongoing collaboration during implementation. It is not intended to be a simple pass-through grant relationship; the selected partner(s) are meant to work with NPS as collaborators as projects are developed and delivered.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to nonprofit organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) status. Institutions of higher education are excluded.
How many awards are expected to be made?
Between one and three awards were anticipated.
What is the estimated total funding available?
The estimated total funding listed for the opportunity is $1,000,000.
What are the award ceiling and award floor?
The award ceiling is $1,000,000 and the award floor is $1.
What is the assistance listing (CFDA) number for this program?
The assistance listing (CFDA) number is 15.943 (Challenge Cost Share).
What kind of funding opportunity is this?
The opportunity is categorized as discretionary and uses a cooperative agreement funding instrument.
What is expected of the selected national partner organization(s)?
The selected partner(s) are expected to operate at a national level and help run and expand the Challenge Cost Share program by supporting a portfolio of locally driven projects with NPS parks and programs. They are also expected to leverage funds and contribute resources to support local Challenge Cost Share projects.
Do projects have to be endorsed by NPS?
Yes. Projects may originate from NPS sites and program leads (and must be endorsed by them). Projects can also be proposed by the partner, but NPS retains final decision-making authority on which projects move forward.
Who makes the final decision on which projects are selected?
NPS retains final decision-making authority on which projects proceed. The national partner serves as counsel in the selection process, but does not have final authority.
Can the thematic focus of supported projects change over time?
Yes. Thematic categories can change over time, but the program is expected to maintain a consistent focus on outreach and engagement priorities aligned with NPS strategic goals, including themes such as outdoor connection, youth participation, and urban outreach.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
Yes. A central requirement is cost sharing or matching. The partner organization(s) are required to leverage funds and contribute resources to support local Challenge Cost Share projects.
What counts as cost share or partner support under this opportunity?
Support can include direct financial contributions as well as other forms of assistance that help projects succeed, such as mobilizing community partners, coordinating participation, and providing organizational capacity to deliver work alongside NPS units.
What kind of organizational profile is this opportunity looking for?
The opportunity describes the selected partner(s) as national-level organizations that are credible in one or more evolving themes, especially connecting people to the outdoors, youth participation, and urban outreach. A strong applicant would typically demonstrate national reach, proven partnership networks, experience administering multi-site initiatives, and the ability to manage a pipeline of local projects while meeting federal award requirements.
What are the benefits for the national partner organization?
Benefits described include national visibility through association with NPS, expanded relationships with locally based organizations and parks, involvement in a broad set of public-benefit projects, and exposure to NPS leadership at national and regional levels. The partner may also receive reimbursement for administrative costs through indirect billing.
What are the benefits for NPS?
NPS benefits include expanded partnerships, increased capacity to advance the NPS mission, and the ability to leverage resources beyond appropriated funding to support innovative projects and broader initiatives that directly serve parks and programs.
When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?
The posted date is March 28, 2014. The closing date is May 28, 2014 (the original and current closing date are listed as the same).
Where should applicants look for additional application information?
The opportunity directs applicants to Grants.gov for additional information.
Who can be contacted with questions or access issues?
The listed contact is June Zastrow at 303-987-6718 or JuneZastrow@nps.gov.
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