This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) invites applications for the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) Program, administered by the National Park Service (NPS). The ORLP Program is a competitive grant initiative under the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Act, aimed at enhancing parks, recreational opportunities, and conservation areas in urban, underserved communities. It complements the LWCF Stateside and Local Assistance Program formula grants to address the needs of these areas.The LWCF State and Local Assistance Program works with designated state, commonwealth, and territory agencies to provide grants to subrecipients: community organizations, local governments, federally recognized Tribes, Alaska Native Corporations (ANC), Alaska Native Organizations (ANO), and the Native Hawaiian Communities. These grants fund the acquisition and development of parks and outdoor recreation areas, as well as the renovation of existing facilities. Since ORLP projects are funded by LWCF they follow the same requirements to receive an award.To qualify for LWCF funds, each state must maintain an approved Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP), which evaluates the supply and demand for outdoor recreation resources and sets funding priorities. Since ORLP projects are funded by LWCF, they must also align with their state’s SCORP. Funding for the ORLP Program does not impact a state or territory’s LWCF State and Local Assistance Program formula grant apportionment.As per the LWCF Act, a 1:1 or 50% minimum non-Federal share is required for ORLP award eligibility. Funds or in-kind contributions, such as land or services acquired with most other Federal funds, are not eligible for matching. Exceptions exist, however, for funds authorized by their enabling legislation to be treated as non-federal match. Common options include HUD’s Community Development Block Grants and Federal Highway Administration’s Recreation Trails Program.
DOI-NPS
Administering federal agency