Coming Soon: National Fish & Wildlife Foundation Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund Request For Proposals

On March 20, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, in partnership with the U.S Fish & Wildlife Service, will soon be soliciting proposals through the Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund to conserve, restore, and connect people with fish and wildlife habitat in the Delaware River watershed. 

Applications will tentatively be due in early May.  

NFWF expects to post the RFP to the website in the coming weeks and will send a notification email when the application period is open.

  The DWCF will award grants of $75,000 to $2,000,000 each to conserve, restore, and protect habitats on public and private land, across rural, urban, and Tribal areas, that contribute to the overall health of the Delaware River watershed—as well as benefit the quality of life and economic vitality of the communities in the Delaware River watershed.

NFWF will award DWCF grants in four grant categories including: Implementation Grants; Capacity Building Grants; Planning Grants; and Research, Monitoring & Evaluation Grants.

In 2025, the DWCF can award up to a maximum of $2,000,000 each. 

The DWCF will award funds to implement voluntary, on-the-ground restoration, conservation, and community engagement projects that achieve the goals of the Delaware River Basin Restoration Program Framework and the Delaware River Watershed Business Plan.

Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations; federal, state, interstate and local governments; Tribal governments and organizations; and educational institutions.

  Applicant Webinar

An informational applicant webinar recording will be available on the DWCF RFP website and will provide general program information, application tips, and guidance on frequently asked questions. 

If you have any questions about the 2025 RFP, please submit them here and we will do our best to answer them in the webinar.

Proposal Labs

Proposal labs provide a focused 30-minute one-on-one coaching session with NFWF and U.S. FWS Delaware River Watershed program staff. 

In these virtual sessions, partners can actively pitch their proposal ideas, receive coaching and constructive feedback, and work to enhance the competitiveness of their project proposals. 

Proposal labs will be held on select Tuesday and Thursday afternoons through early May. 

Click Here to sign up. 

In 2025, applicants requesting $1,000,000 or more are required to meet with the DWCF team before submitting an application via a virtual proposal lab. 

  NFWF strongly encourages prospective applicants to contact NFWF program staff and use the resources above to obtain guidance on program fit and competitiveness.

Watch the NFWF Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund webpage for all the details.

Resource Link:

-- National Fish & Wildlife Foundation Now Accepting Proposals For Chesapeake Bay Small Watershed Grants; March 31 Webinar  [PaEN]

[Posted: March 20, 2025]  PA Environment Digest