All USA Canada:Alberta; British Columbia; Manitoba; New Brunswick; Newfoundland and Labrador; Northwest Territories; Nova Scotia; Nunavut; Ontario; Prince Edward Island; Quebec; Saskatchewan; Yukon;
Important Dates
Deadline: 03/17/23 11:59 PM Eastern Time - Receipt
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Grant Description
Grants of up to $20,000 to USA and Canada nonprofit organizations, IHEs, Indigenous organizations, and affiliates of the funding source for activities that promote sustainability in forestry. Funding is intended to support collaborative, innovative projects that advance sustainably-managed forests.
The Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI) Community Grants support collaborative projects between local communities and the SFI network to increase understanding of the values and benefits provided by sustainably managed forests.
Proposed projects must specify how they will address and lead to positive outcomes in at least one of the following SFI priorities:
SFI Implementation Committee (SIC) coordination on SFI 2022 standard requirements related to Climate Smart Forestry, Fire Resilience and Awareness, Conservation of Biological Diversity, and Recognize and Respect Indigenous Rights, with focus on training and best practices that can be replicated.
Community uptake of the new SFI Urban and Community Forest Sustainability Standard, to further equitable access to human health and climate benefits, through support to municipalities, universities, and other entities that are preparing for certification audits or seeking progress on select objectives in the standard, such as Climate Smart Management or Human Health and Wellbeing.
Indigenous community uptake of the SFI Small-Scale Forest Management Module for Indigenous Peoples and Families through tool kits, administration support, training, and other methods.
SIC coordination with PLT partners on implementation and distribution of PLT resources and tools (e.g., the Forest Literacy Framework, Journeys of Black Professionals in Green Careers, and PLT Activity Collections, such as Nature of Fire) and SFI standards.
Outreach to the architecture, engineering, and construction community about the environmental and social benefits associated with building with SFI-certified forest products.
The project proposal must contain a communications component that clearly outlines opportunities for communicating key milestones, project results, and overall impact. Proposed projects should be collaborative in nature and involve at least one Project Partner, in addition to the Lead Organization. Additional non-profit conservation or community partners may strengthen the Proposal.
All projects must be submitted by an SFI Implementation Committee (SIC) or non-profit organization. If the proposal is submitted by a non-profit organization, the project must include an SFI Implementation Committee or SFI Certified Organization as an active project partner.
The Lead Organization in the Project must be one of the following:
• SFI Implementation Committee (SIC)
• Registered, tax-exempt non-profit, and/or charitable organization (for example, a 501(c) (3) in the US or registered with the Charities Directorate of the Canada Revenue Agency in Canada). Applicants must submit a tax identification number as proof of tax-exempt status within the Online Application Form.
• Indigenous Organization/Community
• College/University
If an SIC is not the lead organization, projects must include an SIC or SFI-certified organization as a Project Partner.
Projects must be located within Canada or the United States.
Ineligible
SFI Community Grant funds may not be used for land acquisition, conservation easements, or capital equipment purchases.
Pre-Application Information
Timeline:
- Request for Proposals opens: January 9, 2023
- Proposals due to SFI, Inc.: March 17, 2023 by 11:59 pm Eastern Time (no exceptions)
- Lead Organizations advised of results: By April 21, 2023
- Project Start Date – May 1, 2023 (or later, per project timeline)
- If an SIC is not the lead organization, projects must include an SIC or SFI-certified organization as a Project Partner
- Letters of support from an SIC or SFI-certified organization should be included with the application.
- You are encouraged to reach out to the SIC or SFI-certified organization with whom you intend to partner AT LEAST two weeks prior to the proposal deadline to ensure sufficient time to collaborate on the proposal.
While not mandatory, SFI Inc. will give preference to Proposals in which the Project Lead Organization has secured matching or in-kind funds for the Project from Partners and/or other outside funding sources. Applications without matching or in-kind funds may still be considered, however those demonstrating matching or in-kind funds of 1:1 or greater will be given stronger consideration.
Organizations are strongly encouraged to speak about the Project in public venues, including potentially SFI events and/or webinars, or other venues identified by SFI Inc. and the project partners. SFI Inc. is eager to support the Lead Organization and Project Partners on any publicity associated with the project.
Estimated Size of Grant
Community Grants are awarded in the range of $5,000 to $20,000 per project.
Term of Contract
Projects must be completed within 2 years of project agreement signing.
Inquiries related to the Request for Proposals can be directed to:
Gordy Mouw
Director, SFI Network Relations
Phone: 715-220-4132
Email: gordy.mouw@forests.org
SFI CANADA
1306 Wellington Street West, Suite 400
Ottawa, ON KIY 3B2
613-747-2454
SFI USA
2121 K Street NW, Suite 750
Washington, DC 20037
202-596-3450
