Opportunity Information: Apply for P19AS00261
The Challenge Cost Share Program (Funding Opportunity Number P19AS00261) is a National Park Service cooperative agreement designed to recruit one to three nonprofit organizations to act as national partners for the agency's Challenge Cost Share program. In this role, the selected organization(s) would work closely with NPS as a collaborator in administering the program and, importantly, in bringing additional resources to the table. The basic structure is that NPS provides federal funds, while the national partner is expected to leverage additional cash and in-kind contributions that can be directed into locally generated projects that support parks, the National Trails System, and National Wild and Scenic Rivers.
A central feature of this opportunity is the cost-share and leverage requirement. The national partner is not simply a pass-through for federal dollars; it is expected to actively raise or secure non-federal support such as private funding, donated materials, volunteer labor, professional services, and other in-kind assistance. Those leveraged resources are then combined with NPS funds to strengthen and expand local projects that align with shared goals between NPS and participating partners. The intent is to multiply impact by using a national partner's fundraising capacity, convening power, and program management experience to increase what can be accomplished on the ground.
Projects supported under this program are locally generated but must be approved by NPS, and they are expected to serve a clear public purpose. The opportunity emphasizes outcomes tied to conservation and outdoor recreation, improving or rehabilitating facilities and assets, expanding and improving public access, stewardship of natural and cultural resources, education, and engaging diverse participants. The thematic priorities are described as evolving over time, but they consistently center on connecting people to the outdoors, conserving national and cultural resources, rehabilitating assets, improving access, advancing stewardship, supporting education, and increasing participation among diverse communities.
Operationally, the national partner would help administer and support a portfolio of local Challenge Cost Share projects, providing financial support and potentially other forms of assistance such as coordination, partner engagement, technical support, communications, and project development. While the recipient organization would have a meaningful advisory role, NPS retains final decision-making authority on project selection, with decisions informed by the counsel of the recipient. Applicants can position themselves based on demonstrated credentials and capacity to support one or more of the program's themes, which implies that NPS is looking for partners with strong track records in conservation, recreation access, community engagement, education, fundraising, and collaborative project delivery.
The opportunity is offered by the Department of the Interior, National Park Service, as a discretionary cooperative agreement, reflecting an expectation of substantial involvement by NPS during implementation rather than a hands-off grant. The funding activity categories include community development, education, and natural resources, and the CFDA number listed is 15.943. Eligible applicants are limited to nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education). The award ceiling is $1,000,000, with up to three awards anticipated. The notice was created June 19, 2019, with an original closing date of September 19, 2019.Apply for P19AS00261
- The Department of the Interior, National Park Service in the community development, education, natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "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.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jun 19, 2019.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 19, 2019. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- 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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Challenge Cost Share Program (P19AS00261) FAQs
1) What is the Challenge Cost Share Program opportunity (P19AS00261)?
This is a National Park Service (NPS) cooperative agreement to recruit one to three nonprofit organizations to serve as national partners for the agency's Challenge Cost Share program. The selected partner organization(s) would collaborate closely with NPS to help administer the program and bring additional non-federal resources that can be directed into locally generated projects that support parks, the National Trails System, and National Wild and Scenic Rivers.
2) Who is offering this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is offered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service (NPS).
3) What type of award is this?
This opportunity is structured as a discretionary cooperative agreement, which means NPS expects substantial involvement during implementation (rather than a hands-off grant relationship).
4) How many organizations does NPS plan to select?
NPS anticipates selecting one to three nonprofit organizations to act as national partners.
5) What is the maximum award amount?
The award ceiling is $1,000,000.
6) What are the eligible applicant requirements?
Eligible applicants are limited to nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, excluding institutions of higher education.
7) What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed for this opportunity is 15.943.
8) What are the funding activity categories?
The funding activity categories include community development, education, and natural resources.
9) What is the role of the national partner in this program?
The national partner is expected to work with NPS as a collaborator in administering the Challenge Cost Share program. This includes helping support a portfolio of local projects and bringing additional non-federal resources (cash and in-kind support) to strengthen those projects.
10) Is the national partner just a pass-through for federal funds?
No. A central feature of the opportunity is the cost-share and leverage requirement. The national partner is expected to actively raise or secure non-federal support and combine those leveraged resources with NPS funds to increase impact on the ground.
11) What does "cost-share and leverage" mean in this opportunity?
It means NPS provides federal funds, and the national partner is expected to leverage additional non-federal cash and in-kind contributions. Examples described include private funding, donated materials, volunteer labor, professional services, and other in-kind assistance.
12) What kinds of non-federal contributions can be leveraged?
The opportunity describes leveraged resources such as private funding, donated materials, volunteer labor, professional services, and other in-kind assistance that can be directed into locally generated projects.
13) What types of projects can be supported through this program?
Projects are locally generated, must be approved by NPS, and are expected to serve a clear public purpose. The opportunity emphasizes outcomes tied to conservation and outdoor recreation, improving or rehabilitating facilities and assets, expanding and improving public access, stewardship of natural and cultural resources, education, and engaging diverse participants.
14) Where do the supported projects take place or what do they support?
Supported projects can be directed toward efforts that support parks, the National Trails System, and National Wild and Scenic Rivers.
15) Who generates the projects: NPS or local partners?
The projects are described as locally generated, with NPS approval required.
16) Who has final authority over which projects are selected?
NPS retains final decision-making authority on project selection, and decisions are informed by the counsel of the recipient organization(s), which are expected to have a meaningful advisory role.
17) What thematic priorities does the program focus on?
The thematic priorities are described as evolving over time, but consistently focus on connecting people to the outdoors, conserving natural and cultural resources, rehabilitating assets, improving access, advancing stewardship, supporting education, and increasing participation among diverse communities.
18) What outcomes does NPS emphasize for supported projects?
The opportunity emphasizes outcomes related to conservation and outdoor recreation; improving or rehabilitating facilities and assets; expanding and improving public access; stewardship of natural and cultural resources; education; and engaging diverse participants.
19) What kinds of support might the national partner provide beyond funding?
In addition to financial support, the national partner may provide coordination, partner engagement, technical support, communications, and project development support as part of administering and supporting the portfolio of local Challenge Cost Share projects.
20) What qualities or credentials might make an applicant competitive for the national partner role?
Applicants can position themselves based on demonstrated credentials and capacity to support one or more program themes. The opportunity implies NPS is looking for strong track records in areas like conservation, recreation access, community engagement, education, fundraising, and collaborative project delivery.
21) Why does NPS want national partners for this program?
The intent is to multiply impact by using a national partner's fundraising capacity, convening power, and program management experience to increase what can be accomplished on locally generated projects when combined with NPS funds.
22) What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this notice?
The Funding Opportunity Number provided is P19AS00261.
23) When was the notice created and when did it close?
The notice was created on June 19, 2019, and the original closing date was September 19, 2019.
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