Project Assistance Fund Program

The Gulf Partnership's Project Assistance Fund (PAF) program is a landscape-level approach to conservation that seeks to remove barriers to project development by aligning partner goals and resources to quicken the pace and permanence of land and water conservation while addressing upfront challenges and critical gaps in project execution.

The Gulf Partnership is now accepting PAF Proposals. Please review the RFP and application for additional guidelines, requirements, and goals for the programs. Applicants are encouraged to reach out to info@gulfpartnership.org before proposal development to ensure alignment of scope with available funding.

North Florida Capacity FUnd

The North Florida Capacity Fund was developed to assist organizations and align with various types of land conservation projects, including established state/federal opportunities, such as the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (NRCS), Florida Forever (FDEP), and Rural and Family Lands (FDACS). Funding is available to cover staffing costs and/or outside contracting for project management and development. If you are interested in receiving support, please return the completed questionnaire below or reach out with any questions to info@gulfpartnership.org

How it Works...

The Project Assistance Fund is a matching grant program available to land trusts across the Gulf States to pay for the scientific and legal review needed for the purchase of land and conservation easements. These ‘due-diligence’ services can range from appraisals, appraisal reviews, surveys, legal descriptions, title reviews, legal reviews, baseline documentation reports, recording fees, and environmental assessments, and ensure the Land Trust and the public are getting their money’s worth.

Leveraging Funds...

This small grant program provides the seed funding that attracts larger funding sources for land purchases and easements, with prior projects partnering with:

National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource Damages Assessment
North American Wetland Conservation Act
Natural Resources Conservation Service
United States Fish and Wildlife Service
United States Forest Service
Foundations, and State/Local Governments

Science into Action...

The Strategic Conservation Vision Tool was developed to help guide strategic land and water conservation. This model incorporates the conservation priorities of land trusts while aligning regional conservation indices, such as longleaf pine recovery, wetland protections, working lands, riparian habitat, and wildlife corridors to create a multitiered guide for conservation.

Big Results...

Leveraging the collective power of partnerships, and aligning resources across the region, the PAF program has created an innovative funding mechanism for conservation. The Gulf Partnership has invested $977,813 in its PAF program across 53,743 acres, catalyzing $137,055,540 in leveraged conservation dollars, and it’s still growing!!!