Long Island Sound Futures Fund 2024 Request for Proposals

Full Proposal Due Date: Monday, May 13, 2024 by 11:59 PM Eastern Time

OVERVIEW

The Long Island Sound Futures Fund (LISFF) is seeking proposals to restore the health and living resources of Long Island Sound (Sound) with approximately $12 million for grants in 2024. The program is managed by National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) in collaboration with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Long Island Sound Study (LISS). Major funding is from EPA through the LISS with additional funding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Zoetis Foundation.

GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS

All proposed projects must be within the Long Island Sound watershed boundary as shown in Figure 1. Project eligibility is also limited by geography depending on the project type described below.  

Please review the interactive Long Island Sound Watershed Map for boundaries by project type. 

• Habitat restoration and stewardship projects must fall within the Long Island Sound Coastal Watershed boundary in Connecticut (CT) and New York (NY).
• Resilience, water quality and fish passage projects may be in any portion of the Long Island Sound Study Area in CT and NY.  
• Education and outreach projects may be in any portion of the Long Island Sound Study Area in CT and NY. Projects may also occur in communities outside this boundary in those states as long as content concerns the health and living resources of the Sound.
• Nitrogen/nutrient prevention projects may occur anywhere in the Sound watershed of CT, NY, Massachusetts (MA), New Hampshire (NH), and Vermont (VT) as shown in the Long Island Sound Watershed map.

OTHER NFWF FUNDING PROGRAMS

Organizations are also encouraged to consider applying to the Northeast Forests and Rivers Fund, which offers funding to restore and sustain healthy rivers, and forests and grasslands that provide habitat for diverse fish and wildlife populations. National grant programs worth considering for funding are the America the Beautiful Challenge which provides funding for locally-led ecosystem restoration projects including watershed restoration, resilience, equitable access, workforce development, corridors and connectivity, and collaborative conservation. The National Coastal Resilience Fund, which provides funding to restore, increase and strengthen natural infrastructure to protect coastal communities while also enhancing habitat for fish and wildlife. The Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Grant Program which provides funding for community stewardship and restoration of coastal, wetland and riparian ecosystems across the country.

PROGRAM PRIORITIES

The LISFF supports efforts to test innovative approaches to conservation, deliver transformative projects and support people and communities who value the Sound and take a role in its future. A road map guiding investments under the LISFF is the Long Island Sound Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan 2020-2024 Update (CCMP). The Long Island Sound Futures Fund invests in projects under three CCMP themes shown below, in CCMP Implementation Actions (IAs) associated with each theme, and in three CCMP cross-cutting principles: resiliency to climate change, long-term sustainability, and environmental justice all defined in the CCMP. The most competitive proposals will be those that incorporate theme(s), IA(s) and one or more cross-cutting principle(s) of the CCMP.  

CCMP THEME: Clean Waters and Healthy Watersheds – Improve water quality by reducing nitrogen pollution, combined sewer overflows, impervious cover, stormwater runoff, and point and nonpoint source loading into Long Island Sound through:

• Implementation of “shovel-ready” projects that result in quantifiable pollutant prevention. The most competitive projects will be those that address water quality at a larger or more comprehensive scale such as a neighborhood, waterfront or downtown. Proposals will be asked to describe plans for long-term maintenance.  
• Planning activities that set-the-stage for implementation of water quality projects including: 1) community engagement, planning and prioritization; 2) feasibility, suitability or alternatives analyses; 3) site assessment and conceptual design; and 4) final design and permitting.  

Examples of project types and actions:

• Green infrastructure (GI)/Low Impact Development (LID) including:
  • Projects that filter and infiltrate stormwater pollution at a large scale such as in a neighborhood, on a waterfront or across a downtown and/or that are part of Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) management including disconnecting the amount of impervious surface and implementing stormwater management practices with the aim of improving water quality in local waterways that flow to the Sound. Proposals must: 1) document the benefit to Long Island Sound in terms of reducing stormwater pollution; and 2) describe resources for long-term maintenance of the site.
  • Projects that filter and infiltrate stormwater pollution at a small scale and close to the source of that pollution such as raingardens, bioswales, pervious surfaces etc. To be competitive these projects must: 1) document the benefit to Long Island Sound in terms of reducing stormwater pollution; 2) provide education about the water quality benefits of the project to the community; and 3) describe resources for long-term maintenance of the site.
  • Technical assistance to help communities build capacity to plan for or to implement green infrastructure/LID with a benefit to Long Island Sound in terms of reducing stormwater pollution.
• Installation of decentralized on-site wastewater treatment systems with a direct benefit to Long Island Sound in terms of reducing subsurface and surface nitrogen/nutrient loading. 
• Low-cost retrofits at wastewater treatment facilities such as optimization and process improvements with a direct benefit to Long Island Sound in terms of reducing nitrogen/nutrient loading.  
• Alternatives to chemical and nitrogen-intensive turf and landscaping fertilizer and pesticide use.
• Reducing marine debris (Long Island Sound Marine Debris Action Plan):
  • Removal of large marine debris such as abandoned and derelict vessels, abandoned or derelict fishing gear, and other debris that is generally unable to be collected by hand.
  • Reduction or prevention of single-use plastic and other water/land-based consumer debris. 
  • All proposals must provide projected pounds of marine debris prevented or removed by project in metrics.
• Watershed planning addressing water quality problems such as nitrogen, sediments and trash and their impact on the watershed and Long Island Sound. Plans should include EPA’s nine elements (EPA Handbook for Developing Watershed Plans). Watershed plans in New York should follow the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation guidance for nine-element plans. 
• Nutrient bioextraction. (Long Island Sound Nutrient Bioextraction Initiative).
• In-stream restoration to increase nutrient processing with a benefit to downstream Long Island Sound.
• Replacing or right-sizing culverts or otherwise improving road and stream crossings to reduce erosion of nitrogen/nutrients into waterways that flow downstream to Long Island Sound.
• Agricultural conservation practices to improve farm economics and reduce nitrogen/nutrient runoff downstream to Long Island Sound such as: 
  • Technical assistance or technical service to engage rural landowners and farmers in design and delivery of nitrogen/nutrient prevention projects.
  • Delivery of nitrogen/nutrient prevention projects on farms. 
  • Regenerative agriculture or soil health management systems and practices (e.g., improved tillage and/or pasture management, cover crops, crop and livestock rotations, and other practices) to improve farm economics and reduce runoff and increase nutrient uptake.
  • Precision nutrient management systems that fine-tune the rate, source, method, and timing of nutrient applications to maintain or increase crop yields, minimize nutrient input costs and nutrient losses to surface and groundwater.
  • Farm waste management planning or implementation of whole-farm non-structural or combined non-structural and structural management and practices that result in reduction of nitrogen/nutrient loading into waterways flowing downstream to Long Island Sound. More competitive proposed projects would also have funding from Farm Bill programs. 

Projects in the Upper Basin states (MA, NH, VT) of the Long Island Sound Watershed must have a specific outcome related to nitrogen/nutrient prevention as a result of project activities through: 

• Implementation of “shovel-ready” projects that result in quantifiable nitrogen/nutrient pollutant prevention with a benefit to Long Island Sound. Proposals will be asked to describe plans for long-term maintenance of the site.  Projects must quantify nitrogen/nutrient reductions in metrics.
• Planning for activities that set-the-stage for implementation of quantifiable nitrogen/nutrient pollutant prevention with a benefit to Long Island Sound including: 1) community engagement, planning and prioritization; 2) feasibility, suitability or alternatives analyses; 3) site assessment and conceptual design; and 4) final design and permits.  
• Projects must document the benefit to downstream Long Island Sound such as by indicating how the project addresses a source of nitrogen/nutrient pollution, project location and how the design of the project and its implementation will effectively reduce downstream pollution loading.  

Examples of project types and actions:

• Green infrastructure (GI)/Low Impact Development (LID) including:
  • Projects that filter and infiltrate stormwater pollution at a large scale such as in a neighborhood, on a waterfront or across a downtown and/or that are part of Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) management including disconnecting the amount of impervious surface and implementing stormwater management practices with the aim of improving water quality in local waterways that flow downstream to the Sound. Proposals must: 1) document the benefit to Long Island Sound in terms of reducing downstream nitrogen/nutrient loading; and 2) describe resources for long-term maintenance of the site.
  • Projects that filter and infiltrate stormwater pollution at a small scale and close to the source of that pollution such as raingardens, bioswales, pervious surfaces etc. To be competitive these projects must: 1) document the benefit to Long Island Sound in terms of reducing downstream nitrogen/nutrient loading; 2) provide education about the water quality benefits of the project to local waterways and Long Island Sound; and 3) describe resources for long-term maintenance of the site.
  • Technical assistance to help communities build capacity to plan for or to implement green infrastructure/LID with a benefit to Long Island Sound in terms of reducing downstream nitrogen/nutrient loading.
• Riparian buffer and wetland restoration to reduce nitrogen/nutrient loading demonstrating the benefit to downstream Long Island Sound. Note: riparian restoration projects demonstrating nutrient/nitrogen reduction benefits to downstream Long Island Sound coupled with benefits to wood turtle and/or brook trout will also be competitive. See Conservation Plan for Wood Turtle in the Northeastern United States and the Eastern Brook Trout Conservation Portfolio. 
• Installation of decentralized on-site wastewater treatment systems with a benefit to Long Island Sound in terms of reducing subsurface and surface nitrogen/nutrient loading. 
• Low-cost retrofits at wastewater treatment facilities such as optimization and process improvements with a benefit to Long Island Sound in terms of reducing nitrogen/nutrient loading.  
• Alternatives to chemical and nitrogen-intensive turf and landscaping fertilizer and pesticide use with a benefit to Long Island Sound in terms of reducing nitrogen/nutrient loading.  
• Watershed planning addressing water quality problems including nitrogen/nutrient loading and its impact on the watershed and Long Island Sound. Plans should include EPA’s nine elements.  See the EPA Handbook for Developing Watershed Plans.   
• In-stream restoration to increase nutrient processing demonstrating the benefit to downstream Long Island Sound. In-stream restoration projects demonstrating nutrient/nitrogen reduction benefits to downstream Long Island Sound coupled with benefits to brook trout will also be competitive. See the Eastern Brook Trout Conservation Portfolio.
• Replacing or right-sizing culverts or otherwise improving road and stream crossings to reduce erosion of nitrogen/nutrients into waterways demonstrating nutrient/nitrogen reduction benefits to downstream Long Island Sound. Culvert retrofitting demonstrating nutrient/nitrogen reduction benefits to downstream Long Island Sound coupled with benefits to brook trout will also be competitive. See the Eastern Brook Trout Conservation Portfolio.
• Agricultural conservation practices to improve farm economics and reduce nitrogen/nutrient runoff downstream to Long Island Sound such as: 
  • Technical assistance or technical service to engage rural landowners and farmers in design and delivery of nitrogen/nutrient prevention projects.
  • Delivery of nitrogen/nutrient prevention projects on farms. 
  • Regenerative agriculture or soil health management systems and practices (e.g., improved tillage and/or pasture management, cover crops, crop and livestock rotations, and other practices) to improve farm economics and reduce runoff and increase nutrient uptake.
  • Precision nutrient management systems that fine-tune the rate, source, method, and timing of nutrient applications to maintain or increase crop yields, minimize nutrient input costs and nutrient losses to surface and groundwater.
  • Farm waste management planning or implementation of whole-farm non-structural or combined non-structural and structural management and practices that result in reduction of nitrogen/nutrient loading into waterways flowing downstream to Long Island Sound. More competitive proposed projects would also have funding from Farm Bill programs. 

CCMP THEME: Thriving Habitats and Abundant Wildlife – 1) enhance or restore coastal habitats to maintain resilience and function and to support populations of fish, birds and wildlife; and 2) sustain the ecological balance of the Sound in a healthy, productive and resilient state for the benefit of people, wildlife and the natural environment. 

• Implementing “shovel-ready” projects habitat restoration and/or nature based or green-gray hybrid resilience projects. Proposals will be asked to describe plans for long-term maintenance.  
• Planning that sets-the-stage for implementation of projects including: 1) community engagement, planning and prioritization; 2) feasibility, suitability or alternatives analyses; 3) site assessment and conceptual design; and 4) final design and permits.  
• Fostering diverse, balanced and abundant populations of fish, birds and wildlife.
• Consider the LISS Habitat Restoration Guidelines to inform development of a proposal.

Examples of project types and actions: 

• Habitat enhancement or restoration of Important Coastal Habitat Types targeted by the LISS with a particular focus on beach and dune, tidal marsh, shellfish reef, and coastal forest.
• Habitat enhancement or restoration of Important Coastal Habitat Types targeted by the LISS of benefit to Species of Greatest Conservation Need associated with that habitat and Long Island Sound particularly forage species, shorebirds, seabirds and river herring.
• Eelgrass restoration, protection, and management to maintain and increase current extent in Long Island Sound. Activities may include: 1) piloting or further advancing new and innovative restoration techniques to combat localized threats (e.g., water temperature, pollution, recreation and commercial activities, etc.); 2) educating and engaging the public via community based social marketing, community science (e.g., Seagrass Spotter), or other outreach materials; 3) develop plans on a local level (e.g., subwatershed, municipality, embayment) to protect eelgrass; 4) explore approaches and best management practices to address conflict-use issues including aquaculture and other recreation activities; and 5) implement embayment-specific water quality improvement projects to reduce nonpoint source nutrient loads and improve conditions for eelgrass meadows. Contact Cayla Sullivan for more information about these activities and reference you are considering submitting a LISFF proposal.
• Nature-based or hybrid “green-gray” resilience and restoration projects such as living shorelines, thin-layer deposition, oyster castles/reef balls etc. focused on restoring Important Coastal Habitat Types such as beach and dune, tidal marsh, shellfish reefs, and coastal forest.
• Shellfish and reef restoration to establish self-sustaining populations and/or to create or enhance benthic and reef structure for marine species. Shellfish and reef restoration planning and implementation projects for the purpose of supporting commercial or recreational harvest of shellfish is not eligible to be funded by LISFF. This also includes activities to support restoration of commercial or recreational harvest areas (e.g., shell recycling etc.).
• Invasive terrestrial species control. Proposals may request funds for: 1) first-time intensive efforts to treat invasive plants with subsequent re-treatment of secondary invasion and encroachment by invasive plants. This treatment regime must be coupled with development of or an existing formal invasive control and management plan; 2) treatment of invasive plants that follows-on prior primary and secondary intensive treatment. Projects will only be considered for funding in this category with an existing formal invasive control and management plan; and 3) spot-treatment of invasive plants in areas that have an existing formal invasive control and management plan. Proposals for stand-alone control of large meadows of monoculture common reed (Phragmites australis) are not eligible for funding. Smaller, isolated stands of phragmites could be included as a component of a larger habitat restoration/invasives control project proposal with a broader scope yielding additional ecological benefits. Please consult with Harry Yamalis about projects proposing control of common reed. 
• Reducing barriers (e.g., under-sized or perched culverts and small derelict or under-utilized dams) to fish passage for Long Island Sound diadromous fish such as river herring and American eel. The most competitive projects will be those with the greatest direct benefit to the Sound, open the greatest miles to fish passage, provide key spawning, rearing, and refuge habitats and promote species dispersal. If the barrier is one of multiple barriers that block downstream movement of fish to the Sound, the project must provide information about planning and timing to remove the other barriers.
• Strategies to engage human communities to share the shore and reduce disturbance along shorelines also used by seabirds and beach nesting species (e.g., American oystercatcher, piping plover). See the Shorebird Disturbance Reduction Toolkit.
• Restoring or enhancing habitat to improve community resilience including proposals that provide natural and nature-based solutions¹ to protect coastal and inland communities from the impact of storms, floods, and other natural hazards and to enable them to recover more quickly. For coastal communities, some examples of projects may include restoration of coastal marshes and wetlands, coastal forests, living shorelines, and oyster reefs. For inland communities, examples of projects may include hazard-focused stormwater management approaches that reduce localized flooding from high precipitation events and floodplain restoration and reconnection with measurable downstream flood reduction benefits. 
• Green infrastructure/Low Impact Development proposals that combine gray infrastructure with nature-based solutions to create hybrid systems that improve habitat and community resilience to climate impacts by increasing stormwater storage, reducing flooding and enhancing community green space.
• New or updated municipal, watershed or regional resilience/sustainability/natural hazard mitigation plans that evaluate the vulnerability of critical community infrastructure and natural areas and develop strategies for making this infrastructure and these areas resilient to hazardous events (sea level rise, flood and/or weather events). 

^{1The term “nature-based solutions” is defined as natural, engineered and hybrid (“green-gray”) approaches that strategically protect, restore, sustainably manage or mimic ecosystems to conserve or restore ecosystem functions and natural processes with the goal of reducing community exposure to natural hazards and climate stressors and enhancing habitats for fish and wildlife.}

CCMP THEME: Sustainable and Resilient Communities – Support vibrant, informed, and engaged communities that use, appreciate, and help protect and sustain the Sound. Projects providing hands-on conservation experiences will be more competitive.

Examples of project types and actions:

• Public engagement in stewardship of local natural resources.
• Programs that foster, support, or develop community buy-in and meaningful inclusion in local environmental management projects.
• Environmental justice:
  • Programs to increase appreciation of the Sound including in underprivileged and underserved communities.      
  • Environmental Justice initiatives and collaborations that promote equitable access, appreciation and understanding of Long Island Sound.  
  • Another source of funding for underserved communities is the Long Island Sound Community Impact Fund.
• Educational programs or campaigns or cleanups to build public awareness and direct engagement to reduce the use and impact of plastic and other water/land-based consumer debris. See the Long Island Sound Marine Debris Action Plan. Proposals must provide projected pounds of marine debris prevented in metrics.
• Native plant landscaping guidance and training that encourages alternatives to chemical and nutrient intensive landscapes.
• Long Island Sound environmental and conservation-related classroom or informal instruction. Please note LISFF does not support development of new curriculum. See LISS Educational Resources for examples of available information and existing curriculum.
• Behavior-change campaigns, including Community-Based Social Marketing.

PROJECT METRICS AND CCMP IMPLEMENTATION ACTIONS

To better gauge progress on individual grants and to ensure greater consistency of project data provided by multiple grants, the LISFF has a list of metrics titled “Activities and Outcomes” in the Easygrants online application. Applicants must select at least one and no more than three of the most relevant metrics for their project (all possible project metrics for this program are shown on the table below). Additionally, in the project narrative section of the LISFF application you must identify the specific CCMP Implementation Action(s) associated with your project metrics. The IAs associated with each project metric is provided in the document LISFF Metrics and Implementation Action Tracking Guidance. If you think an applicable metric or IA has not been provided, please send an email to Victoria Moreno to discuss alternatives. 

CLEAN WATERS & HEALTHY WATERSHEDS
Project Activity	Recommended Metric	Metric Guidance
BMP implementation for nitrogen/nutrient reduction	Lbs. N avoided (annually)	Enter lbs. of nitrogen prevented from entering  system annually. Use one of the Calculator Resources  to estimate pollution reduction/prevention.
BMP implementation for phosphorus reduction	Lbs. P avoided (annually)	Enter lbs. of phosphorus prevented from entering system  annually. Use one of the Calculator Resources to estimate pollution reduction/prevention.
BMP implementation for nutrient or sediment reduction	Lbs. sediment avoided (annually)	Enter lbs. of sediment prevented from entering system  annually. Use one of the Calculator Resources to estimate pollution prevention/prevention.
BMP implementation for stormwater runoff prevention	Volume stormwater prevented	Enter volume (in gallons) of stormwater prevented from  entering the water body annually. Use one of the Calculator Resources to estimate pollution prevention/reduction.
BMP implementation for nitrogen/nutrient or sediment prevention	# Septic system upgrades	Enter # septic system upgrades.
BMP implementation for nutrient or sediment reduction	Acres with BMPs	Enter the # of acres with BMPs. In the NOTES section,  indicate the type of BMP(s) (e.g. manure storage). Use  one of the Calculator Resources to estimate pollution  prevention/reduction.
Erosion control for nitrogen/nutrient or sediment prevention	Miles restored	Enter # of miles restored.
BMP or strategy for marine debris reduction or prevention	# Lbs. of marine debris removed	Enter the number of pounds of marine debris removed from the environment and properly disposed of.
Riparian Restoration	Miles restored	Enter the number of miles restored
Green Infrastructure/Low Impact Development/Riparian/Floodplain restoration	# Trees planted	Enter the number of trees planted. In the NOTES, specify landcover type prior to planting (barren, cropland, grass, shrub), # of acres, forest type planted (broadleaf, conifer, redwood, swamp--either broadleaf or conifer, shrub), density per acre, and mortality rate.
Green Infrastructure/Low Impact Development/Riparian/Floodplain restoration	Sq. ft. impervious surface removed	Enter square foot of impervious surface removed or retrofitted.
Green Infrastructure/Low Impact Development/Riparian/Floodplain restoration	Sq. ft. of green infrastructure	Enter the square footage of green infrastructure installed. In NOTES section: describe the type of green infrastructure.
THRIVING HABITATS AND ABUNDANT WILDLIFE
Habitat Restoration (Resilience)	Acres of living shoreline restored	Enter the acres of living shoreline to be restored.  In NOTES section: describe the method used e.g., oyster reefs/castles, reef balls etc.
Habitat Restoration – Removal of invasives (Invasives)	Acres restored (use this metric for first time invasives control)	Enter # acres of invasives removed. In the NOTES, specify vegetation removed (e.g., Japanese knotweed, porcelain-berry, mugwort etc.).  Desired dominant vegetation (e.g., Coastal Forest, Coastal Grassland, Salt/Tidal or Freshwater Marsh, Beach/Dune etc.), average frequency (in years) of future treatment, and whether removed vegetation will be left on site to decompose (Yes/No).
Habitat Restoration – Removal of Invasives (Invasives)	Acres retreated (use this metric for re-treatment or spot treatments)	Enter the number of acres of invasive species re-treated (having received previous treatment). In the NOTES, specify: vegetation removed (e.g., Japanese knotweed, porcelain-berry, mugwort etc.), desired dominant vegetation (e.g., Coastal Forest, Coastal Grassland, Salt/Tidal or Freshwater Marsh, Beach/Dune etc.), average frequency (in years) of future treatment, and whether removed vegetation will be left on site to decompose (Yes/No).
Floodplain restoration	Acres restored	Enter the number of acres restored.
Marine habitat restoration	# Acres restored	Enter the number of acres restored. In the NOTES: describe the specific type of habitat restored e.g., shellfish reef, eelgrass.
Land restoration – coastal forest	# Acres restored	Enter the number of acres restored. In the NOTES: describe the specific type of habitat restored e.g., coastal forest.   Specify landcover prior to restoration (barren, cropland, grass, shrub) and post restoration (broadleaf, conifer, redwood, shrubland).
Beach and dune habitat improvements	# Acres restored	Enter the number of acres of beach and dune restored.
Riparian restoration	Square miles restored	Enter number of sq. miles restored.
Wetland restoration	# Acres restored	Enter the number of acres of wetland (not riparian or instream) habitat restored.  In the NOTES: Specify landcover prior to restoration (Marsh, Tidal Marsh); and indicate % of vegetation on pre-project site (0-20%, 41-60%, 61-80%, 82-100%).
Fish passage improvements	Miles of stream opened	Enter # of miles opened. Enter total # of miles opened to improve aquatic organism passage. Only include the miles of main stem & smaller tributaries connected until the next barrier upstream (or headwaters), but NOT lakes, ponds, or distance downstream from the barrier removed.
Fish passage improvements	# passage barriers rectified	Enter the # of in-stream barriers removed or rectified as part of this grant to improve aquatic organism passage and/or flooding.  If multiple barriers exist at one specific location, please list "1" and list each individual barrier in the notes.
Fish Passage Improvements	# of barriers assessed	Enter the # of in-stream barriers with assessments or engineering/design plans completed in this grant.
Acres of lake/pond habitat opened	# Acres of lake/pond habitat opened	Enter the number of acres of lake/pond habitat opened.
Improved management	# Acres under improved management	Enter the number of acres under improved management. Use this metric generally and for management to reduce human disturbance to bird species.
BMP implementation to mitigate recreational disturbance	Acres with BMPs to mitigate recreational disturbance	Enter the number of acres under improved management as a result of mitigating recreational disturbance to shorebirds and seabirds. In the NOTES section: list the species benefitted
PLANNING ALL TYPES
Management or Governance Planning	# Plans developed	Enter the number of plans developed that had input from multiple stakeholders. In NOTES section: describe the type of plan, campaign or strategy e.g., watershed, feasibility/suitability/alternatives analyses, conceptual or engineered plan.
Planning	# Acres assessed for improved management	Enter the number of acres assessed for improved management.
Planning	# Engineering and design plans developed	Enter the number of Engineering and Design plans developed. Generally, there will be 1 plan per project to be constructed.
SUSTAINABLE & RESILIENT COMMUNITIES
Access Improvements	# Access pts. developed/improved	Enter the number of public access points developed/improved.
Access Improvements	# Acres with public access	Enter the number of acres now open to public access.
Outreach/Education/Technical Assistance	# of orgs contributing to goals	Enter the number of organizations and other relevant stakeholders contributing to the initiative's conservation goals.
Outreach/Education/Technical Assistance	# People reached by outreach, training, or technical assistance activities	Enter the number of people reached by outreach, training, or technical assistance activities, In NOTES section: describe participant e.g., local community members, leaders and other relevant stakeholders, general public, farmer, students/teachers.
Volunteer Participation	# Volunteers participating	Enter the number of volunteers participating in projects.
Outreach/Education/Technical Assistance	# of Workshops, webinars, meetings	Enter the number of workshops, webinars or meetings. In the NOTES section: describe the type of event.
Outreach/Education/Technical Assistance	# Public education events	Enter the number of public education events completed,

 

Eligible and Ineligible Entities

• Eligible applicants include non-profit 501(c) organizations, state government agencies, local government, municipal government, Tribal Governments and Organizations, and educational institutions. 
• Ineligible applicants include U.S. Federal government agencies, businesses, and unincorporated individuals.   

Ineligible Uses of Grant Funds 

• Research projects. Consider the LISS Research Grant Program. 
• Development of new educational curriculum. 
• Fellowships and/or tuition support or reimbursement.
• Marketing efforts serving to generally promote the applicant organization and its initiatives. 
• Full fee or conservation easement land acquisition.
• Efforts to treat or control terrestrial invasive plants without an existing or planned for long-term invasive control operations and maintenance plan.
• Aquatic invasive species control.
• Proposals for stand-alone control of large meadows of monoculture common reed (Phragmites australis) are not eligible for funding.
• General water quality monitoring to assess conditions or to identify pollution sources.
• Shellfish and reef restoration planning and implementation projects for the purpose of supporting commercial or recreational harvest. This also includes activities to support restoration of commercial or recreational harvest areas (e.g., shell recycling etc.).
• Funding for food, t-shirts and promotional items (e.g., key chains, coffee mugs, pens etc.). 
• Contingency costs. Do not include such costs in budgets. These costs are often understood as or associated with unanticipated major scope changes, unforeseen risks or an extraordinary event. When estimating the costs in contractual services where such contingency costs are applicable, use broadly accepted cost estimating methodologies and include those costs in the total value of the proposed costs. 
• Equipment. Applicants are encouraged to rent equipment where possible and cost-effective or use matching funds to make those purchases.  NFWF acknowledges, however, that some projects may only be completed using NFWF funds to procure equipment. 
• Federal funds and matching contributions may not be used to procure or obtain equipment, services, or systems (including entering into or renewing a contract) that uses telecommunications equipment or services produced by Huawei Technologies Company or ZTE Corporation (or any subsidiary or affiliate of such entities) as a substantial or essential component, or as critical technology of any system. Refer to Public Law 115-232, section 889 for additional information. 
• NFWF/LISFF funds and matching contributions may not be used to support political advocacy, fundraising, lobbying, litigation, terrorist activities or Foreign Corrupt Practices Act violations.

FUNDING AVAILABILITY AND MATCH

With funding of approximately $12 million for projects in 2024, there are multiple funding categories under the LISFF each with a different range of grant funding.

• Implementation Projects: $50,000 to $1.5 million for projects with particularly high environmental community benefit relative to cost, including: 
  • Water quality, habitat restoration, and resilience projects.
  • Projects with the greatest promise to demonstrate, influence, pilot, innovate, and/or provide a proof of concept with the aim of accelerating local and regional water quality improvements, natural resource restoration, coastal resilience, Environmental Justice and/or community and public outreach and engagement. 
• Design/Planning Projects: $50,000 to $500,000 for:
  • Water quality or habitat restoration projects. 
  • Watershed plans.  
  • Community resilience/sustainability/natural hazard mitigation plans. See Figure 2.

Figure 2. Each box shown below is understood to represent a distinct phase of project development or delivery. Applicants for planning grants should only apply for planning activities that are technically feasible to complete in the allowable time period of a LISFF grant. For example, in many cases it is not technically feasible to complete both a design and build; or to complete multiple planning steps such as a site assessment, alternatives analysis, concept plan and final permitting in 24 to 36 months.

 

• Education and Public Participation Grants: $50,000 to $250,000.

Project Period: Projects must start within six months and be completed within 24 months after notification of grant award. School-based education projects must start within six months after notification of grant award. Project completion dates for such projects may be adjusted to reflect the school year. However, these projects must be completed within thirty-six months after notification of grant award. Larger-scale complex implementation must start within six months and be completed within thirty-six months after notification of the grant award. Notification of award is projected to be November 2024. Project start date cannot be before October 1, 2024.  

Match Requirements: Grants require a minimum nonfederal matching contribution valued at 50% of the “Requested Amount” from the LISFF. For example, if you request $100,000 from LISFF, then the required match is $50,000. Nonfederal matching contributions may include cash, in-kind contributions of staff and volunteer time, work performed, materials and services donated, or other tangible contributions to the project objectives and outcomes. The amount of matching funds offered is one criterion considered during the review process, and projects that meet or exceed the required match will be more competitive. 

EVALUATION CRITERIA

All proposals will be screened for relevance, accuracy, completeness, and compliance with NFWF and funding source policies. Proposals will then be evaluated equally based on the extent to which they meet the following criteria.

• Program Goals and Priorities – Project contributes to the Implementation Actions of the CCMP and has specific, quantifiable performance metrics to evaluate project success. Project addresses one or more the three CCMP cross-cutting principles (resilience to climate change, long-term sustainability and/or environmental justice). 
• Technical Merit - Project is technically sound and feasible, and the proposal sets forth a clear, logical, and achievable work plan and timeline. Project engages appropriate experts and partners in project planning, design or implementation to ensure activities are technically sound and feasible. Proposal highlights how the project results are sustainable over time, including any maintenance. 
• Community Impact – Partners and engages collaboratively with diverse local community members, leaders and community-based organizations and other relevant stakeholders to implement and ensure the long-term sustainability and success of the proposed project. Proposal describes 1) integration into local programs and policies, and community acceptance of proposed actions; 2) partners and roles; 3) community characteristics of the project area and communities impacted; 4) community outreach and engagement activities; and 5) means to monitor and measure. Proposal provides demographic data and letters from community partners demonstrating commitment to and engagement in project activities as proposed.   
• Budget – Costs are allowable, reasonable and budgeted in accordance with NFWF’s Budget Instructions cost categories. Federally-funded projects must be in compliance with OMB Uniform Guidance as applicable.
• Match – Grants require a minimum nonfederal matching contribution valued at 50% of the “Requested Amount” from the LISFF. For example, if you request $100,000 from LISFF, then the required match is $50,000. Matching contributions may include cash, in-kind contributions of staff and volunteer time, work performed, materials and services donated, or other tangible contributions to the project objectives and outcomes. Larger match ratios are encouraged and make proposals more competitive.  

OTHER  

Applicant Demographic Information – In an effort to better understand diversity in our grantmaking, NFWF is collecting basic information on applicants and their communities via a voluntary survey form (available in Easygrants). This information will not be shared externally or with reviewers and will not be considered when making grant decisions. For more details, please see the tip sheet and Uploads section of Easygrants.

Budget – Costs are allowable, reasonable and budgeted in accordance with NFWF’s Budget Instructions cost categories. Federally-funded projects must be in compliance with Office of Management and Budget Uniform Guidance as applicable.

Environmental Services – NFWF funds projects in pursuit of its mission to sustain, restore and enhance the nation’s fish, wildlife, plants and habitats for current and future generations.  NFWF recognizes that some benefits from projects may be of value with regards to credits on a environmental services market (such as a carbon credit market). NFWF does not participate in, facilitate, or manage an environmental services market nor does NFWF assert any claim on such credits.

Intellectual Property – Intellectual property created using NFWF awards may be copyrighted or otherwise legally protected by award recipients.  NFWF may reserve the right to use, publish, and copy materials created under awards, including posting such material on NFWF’s website and featuring it in publications.  NFWF may use project metrics and spatial data from awards to estimate societal benefits that result and to report those results to funding partners. These may include but are not limited to: habitat and species response, species connectivity, water quality, water quantity, risk of detrimental events (e.g. sequestration, avoided emissions), environmental justice, and diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Matching Contributions – Matching Contributions consist of non-federal cash, contributed goods and services, volunteer hours, and/or property raised and spent for the Project during the Period of Performance (project start date cannot be before October 1, 2024). Larger match ratios and matching fund contributions from a diversity of partners are encouraged. 

Procurement – If the applicant chooses to specifically identify proposed Contractor(s) for Services, an award by NFWF to the applicant does not constitute NFWF’s express written authorization for the applicant to procure such specific services noncompetitively.  When procuring goods and services, NFWF recipients must follow documented procurement procedures which reflect applicable laws and regulations.  

Publicity and Acknowledgement of Support – Award recipients will be required to grant NFWF and the Long Island Sound Study the right and authority to publicize the project and NFWF’s and the LISS financial support for the grant in press releases, publications, and other public communications.  Recipients may also be asked by the LISS and NFWF to provide high-resolution (minimum 300 dpi) photographs depicting the project.

Receiving Award Funds – Award payments are primarily reimbursable.  Projects may request funds for reimbursement at any time after completing a signed agreement with NFWF.  A request of an advance of funds must be due to an imminent need of expenditure and must detail how the funds will be used and provide justification and a timeline for expected disbursement of these funds.

Compliance Requirements – Projects selected may be subject to requirements under the National Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Act (state and federal), and National Historic Preservation Act. Documentation of compliance with these regulations must be approved prior to initiating activities that disturb or alter habitat or other features of the project site(s). Applicants should budget time and resources to obtain the needed approvals.  As may be applicable, successful applicants may be required to comply with additional Federal, state or local requirements and obtain all necessary permits and clearances.

Projects funded under this RFP will be subject to the Buy America Sourcing requirements under the Build America, Buy America Act requirements of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) (P.L. 117-58, §§70911-70917). Certain limited exclusions may apply if the proposal meets either of the following conditions:

1. The restoration projects will not require any iron and steel, manufactured products, and nonferrous construction materials covered by the Act to be permanently affixed to, consumed in, or incorporated into the project, and
2. The total project proposal costs less than $250,000 of federal grant funding. The Buy America preference will apply to the entire project, including portions funded using non-Federal funds (match). For legal definitions and sourcing requirements, consult EPA’s Build America, Buy America website and the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) federal register notice and guidance (see below).  EPA’s Office of Water Implementation Procedures provides program-specific guidance relevant to water infrastructure projects.

Quality Assurance – If a project involves monitoring, data collection or data use, grantees will be asked to prepare and submit a Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) for review by NFWF and review and approval by EPA before any data collection activities may commence. Examples of the types of data collection or use which requires a QAPP includes (but are not limited to): new primary data; secondary data use (new use for data collected for a different purpose, whether by the same or different groups); environmental media monitoring; modeling; GIS/spatial analysis; data associated with assessment, development or design of watershed or project plans (e.g., fish passage, nitrogen prevention/reduction, green infrastructure, habitat restoration, resilience), Development or Design of Watershed or Community Plans (e.g., watershed, hazard mitigation/resilience), and surveys/workshops. All QAPPs produced are public information. 

Applicants must budget time and resources in their LISFF proposal to complete this task. Plan to submit a QAPP at least four months in advance of data collection. The timing of review, comment and by NFWF and for EPA review and approval is dependent upon the quality of the draft QAPP submission and may involve several iterations. General assistance will be available to projects to help with scoping and review of draft QAPPs. For more information, follow the link to the LISFF Quality Assurance Project Plan Guidance and EPA QA. Contact Victoria Moreno if you have any questions about QAPP requirements.

For watershed planning in New York… please review the following links for New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) quality assurance requirements; 1) NYS DEC nine-element reviewer guidance, and 2) the NYS DEC Quality Assurance page.

Permits – Successful applicants will be required to provide sufficient documentation that the project expects to receive or has received all necessary permits and clearances to comply with any Federal, state or local requirements.  Where projects involve work in the waters of the United States, NFWF strongly encourages applicants to conduct a permit pre-application meeting with the Army Corps of Engineers prior to submitting their proposal.  In some cases, if a permit pre-application meeting has not been completed, NFWF may require successful applicants to complete such a meeting prior to grant award.

Federal Funding – The availability of federal funds estimated in this solicitation is contingent upon the federal appropriations process. Funding decisions will be made based on the level of funding and timing of when it is received by NFWF.

TIMELINE

Dates of activities are subject to change.  Please check the program page of the NFWF website for the most current dates and information under “Application Information” tab at Long Island Sound Futures Fund webpage.

Proposal Due Date	May 13, 2024, 11:59PM, EDT
Review Period	Summer/Fall 2024
Awards Announced	November 2024

APPLICATION ASSISTANCE 

A Tip Sheet is available for quick reference while you are working on your application. This document can be downloaded here. Information about prior grants can be found here. 

Proposal Labs… One-to-one sessions to receive feedback and guidance about individual proposal ideas. February 2024 through April 2024 (Register)

Applicant Webinars… Group sessions and opportunities for shared learning about preparing a competitive LISFF proposal:

• For CT & NY applicants (View Recording) Monday, March 11, 2024 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM EDT
• For MA, NH & VT applicants (View Recording) Thursday, March 14, 2024 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM EDT

One-to-one assistance to foster development of water quality improvement proposals in non-coastal CT, and the MA, NH and VT part of the Long Island Sound watershed…. Contact Throwe Environmental to learn more about applicant assistance in the Northeast.

One-to-one assistance to applicants to develop project proposals in coastal CT and NY…Contact a Sustainable and Resilient Communities Extension Professional (SRC contact map).

Do you need help writing a grant application in CT and NY? Apply to the Long Island Sound Resilience Grant Writing Assistance Program! This funding opportunity is open on a rolling basis to municipalities and community organizations to facilitate the hiring of a grant writing contractor to assist with the development of a grant proposal for sustainability and resilience focused projects that will impact a community(ies) within or partially within the Long Island Sound Coastal boundary (within Westchester, Bronx, Queens, Nassau, Suffolk counties in New York and communities in western and eastern Connecticut). Funding is to be awarded up to $9,950 per application directly to the applicant's selected contractor on a cost reimbursable basis and match is not required. Find all the program details under Track Two: Long Island Sound Resilience Grant Writing Assistance Program on the LISS website. Applicants who are looking for assistance with the LIS Futures Fund grant are encouraged to apply to the LIS Resilience Grant Writing Assistance Program by April 1st, 2024. For more information, contact: LISresilience@gmail.com. For answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) see the FAQ Document.

For general inquiries, please contact:
Victoria Moreno, Program Coordinator
Email: Victoria.Moreno@nfwf.org

For issues or assistance with our online Easygrants system, please contact:
Easygrants Helpdesk
Email: Easygrants@nfwf.org
Voicemail:  202-595-2497
Hours:  9:00 am to 5:00 pm ET, Monday-Friday. 
Include:  your name, proposal ID #, e-mail address, phone number, program you are applying to, and a description of the issue.

HOW TO APPLY

All application materials must be submitted online through National Fish and Wildlife
Foundation’s Easygrants system.

1. Go to easygrants.nfwf.org to register in our Easygrants online system. New users to the system will be prompted to register before starting the application (if you already are a registered user, use your existing login).  Enter your applicant information. Please disable the pop-up blocker on your internet browser prior to beginning the application process. 
2. Once on your homepage, click the “Apply for Funding” button and select this RFP’s “Funding Opportunity” from the list of options.
3. Follow the instructions in Easygrants to complete your application. Once an application has been started, it may be saved and returned to at a later time for completion and submission.