Through the United Outdoors Conservation Fund, the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA) provides grants (up to $10,000 per project) on a competitive basis to union-based organizations, conservation-based non-profit organizations and agency partners that wish to execute impactful conservation and public access projects or conservation outreach, education and mentoring programs to benefit their local communities, but require financial assistance to do so.
Eligible Projects
To be considered for United Outdoors Conservation Fund support, projects must address a conservation need and benefit the community, as well as provide opportunities for multi-partner involvement and coordination using union volunteers and their families to execute the project. Infrastructure, community outreach and wildlife habitat projects on public or private property are admissible, but the property must be accessible to the public.
The following are examples of eligible projects:
- Infrastructure
● Improving public access to the outdoors - ● Restoring America’s parks, trails and recreational waters
- ● Increasing access for people with disabilities and veterans
- ● Supporting local, state and national agencies’ infrastructure needs
- Community Outreach
● Educating and engaging youth/families in the outdoors - ● Introducing young adults to the union trades through conservation projects
- ● Increasing access to outdoor recreation, hunting and fishing within a local community
- Habitat
- ● Conserving critical wildlife habitats and natural resources
- ● Supporting existing or implementing habitat conservation and stewardship projects
Who Can Apply
Any union organization that has completed a USA conservation dinner or fundraising shoot in the past 18 months or a local union that is a member of USA’s new Partner Local program with at least half of its membership being active USA members may apply. Grant funds are also available to conservation-based non-profit organizations and local, state and federal agencies that work with unions.
How To Apply
Proposals for USA grants will be submitted in a two-stage process. The first stage includes an initial application (Letter of Intent). Selected applicants advance to the second stage of the grant process and are invited to submit full proposals.
All applications will be reviewed and ranked through a standardized process evaluating the: feasibility, quality, impact and financial needs of each project. The most successful applicants will bring new and existing partners to their projects. The USA requires that each grant be matched with monies or equivalent goods and services in the form of cash, volunteer hours, donated materials and services and other tangible contributions.
Click the button below to start your application.