National Fish & Wildlife Foundation Now Accepting Chesapeake WILD Grant Proposals; 3 NFWF Grant Opportunities Now Open

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service  and the federal-state Chesapeake Bay Program partnership, is now soliciting proposals through the Chesapeake Watershed Investments for Landscape Defense (WILD) Grants Program.

The deadline for applications is May 13.

 Eligible projects restore, conserve, and connect fish and wildlife habitat of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributary rivers and streams. 

Three distinct grant opportunities are available--

-- WILD Implementation grants of $75,000 to $500,000 will be awarded for proposals that result in direct and measurable on-the-ground conservation, stewardship of fish and wildlife habitats and related conservation values.

-- WILD Collaborative Conservation grants of up to $200,000 will be awarded to support existing multi-party partnerships and/or networks of partners collaborating and coordinating to implement conservation actions that measurably contribute to WILD Program priorities. We encourage proposals that advance cross-jurisdictional conservation efforts aimed at scaling placed-based actions toward greater landscape-scale habitat conservation and restoration outcomes. 

-- WILD Planning and Technical Assistance grants up to $75,000 will be awarded for projects that help advance future on-the-ground actions to conserve, steward, and enhance fish and wildlife habitats and related conservation benefits in the Bay watershed through community-based assessment, planning, design, and other technical assistance-oriented activities. 

Final award decisions are anticipated in August 2025.

Recorded Webinar

A recorded webinar detailing the RFP will be available on the WILD Grants program page by Thursday, April 3, 2025.

Consultation

While NFWF does not require consultation prior to application, we strongly encourage interested applicants to schedule a virtual proposal lab with NFWF staff here or contact its contracted field liaisons to discuss their proposed project to gather constructive feedback in developing a competitive proposal and to obtain guidance on the most appropriate program and funding opportunity for project consideration. 

Applicants are also encouraged to review the CBSF Quick Reference Guide and Applicant Toolbox for further guidance on proposal development.

For immediate questions, please contact Jake Reilly at jake.reilly@nfwf.org or Tori Sullens at tori.sullens@nfwf.org. 

Visit the NFWF Chesapeake Watershed Investments for Landscape Defense (WILD) Grants Program webpage for all the details.

NFWF Grant Opportunities

May 13-- NFWF Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund

May 13-- NFWF Chesapeake Bay Small Watershed Grants

May 13-- NFWF Chesapeake Watershed Investments For Landscape Defense (WILD)

[Posted: March 27, 2025]  PA Environment Digest