THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS-Develop programs to enhance public use and enjoyment of Cuyahoga Valley National Park CUVA-THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS | NPS NOIP17AC00113

Opportunity Information: Apply for NPS NOIP17AC00113

This funding notice from the Department of the Interior, National Park Service (NPS) describes a cooperative agreement intended to strengthen public use, enjoyment, and support of Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CUVA) through a broad set of programs and services. The core purpose is to expand and enrich visitor experiences while also educating the public and reaching a diverse community. Rather than focusing on a single project, the opportunity centers on continued delivery and enhancement of multiple established program areas that collectively deepen engagement with the park, build stewardship, and connect more people to CUVA through learning, volunteering, arts, and improved visitor-facing amenities.

A key point in the title and structure is that this is not a request for applications (often meaning the partner is effectively pre-identified or the agreement is being issued under a specific justification rather than open competition). The notice emphasizes the value of continuity with an existing nonprofit partner, referred to as the Conservancy, because of its long-term track record, institutional knowledge, and relationships that have been built over decades. The rationale is that these programs are successful largely due to the partner's community ties, fundraising capacity, and specialized expertise, and that changing partners could disrupt delivery and cause loss of technical and programmatic know-how that is difficult to replace quickly.

The Conservancy is described as holding long-standing leadership roles across several major park-support functions. Specifically, it has operated the Cuyahoga Valley Environmental Education Center since 1993, co-managed the park's Volunteers-In-Parks (VIP) program since 2009, operated Stanford House since 2010, led a capital projects program since 2014, and taken on leadership in arts and in-depth adult programming since 2015. These activities suggest a blend of youth and public education, volunteer coordination, visitor services and hospitality, facility or infrastructure improvements, and cultural programming. The notice also highlights that the partner's established relationships with community leaders and philanthropic sources enable cost-sharing for program operations, implying that federal dollars may be leveraged with private donations or other non-federal support to extend impact.

Because the funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, the NPS anticipates substantial federal involvement in planning and implementation rather than simply issuing a grant with minimal oversight. The NPS role includes working jointly with the recipient to define goals, develop the scope of work, and identify specific activities to be completed. NPS staff will assist with selecting projects, orienting partner staff and participants to park resources, and overseeing assignments. They will also teach relevant skills, provide access to NPS facilities and equipment as appropriate, and deliver technical assistance and safety training. In addition, NPS staff will provide cultural and environmental programming for team members, such as park tours, education programs, and talks on park history. The notice further states that NPS will coordinate with other NPS units in the region to offer joint educational programs and field trips to NPS and related sites, which suggests an emphasis on networked learning and broader regional context. To keep the collaboration organized across multiple program areas, NPS will provide program coordinators who serve as liaisons between the park and the partner organization.

From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary opportunity under CFDA 15.954, categorized under community development, education, environment, and natural resources. Eligible applicants are limited to nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education). The opportunity was created January 6, 2017, with an original closing date of January 16, 2017. The expected number of awards is one, and the listed award ceiling is $2,000,000, indicating a single, potentially sizable agreement designed to support multiple lines of effort rather than fragmented, smaller awards.

Overall, the notice lays out a partnership-driven approach in which an established nonprofit continues to run and improve a suite of high-visibility programs that help visitors learn about the park, participate through volunteering, enjoy enhanced cultural and educational offerings, and benefit from sustained operational and capital support. The NPS frames the arrangement as one where the partner's history, community credibility, and capacity for cost-sharing are central to achieving long-term public engagement goals at Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

• The Department of the Interior, National Park Service in the community development, education, environment, natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS-Develop programs to enhance public use and enjoyment of Cuyahoga Valley National Park CUVA-THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.954.
• This funding opportunity was created on Jan 06, 2017.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 16, 2017. (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 $2,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 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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