Visitor and Resource Outreach, Support of Equestrian Operations | P18AS00348

Opportunity Information: Apply for P18AS00348

The Visitor and Resource Outreach, Support of Equestrian Operations opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number P18AS00348) is a National Park Service (NPS) discretionary funding action under the U.S. Department of the Interior. It is structured as a cooperative agreement, meaning the work is expected to be carried out in partnership with the NPS rather than as a hands-off grant. The activity category is listed under community development, reflecting that the work is centered on public engagement and community-supported stewardship within the park setting. The opportunity was created on June 20, 2018, with an original closing date of July 5, 2018, but it is explicitly labeled as a Notice of Intent to Award and not a request for applications, so it was not open for competitive submissions.

At its core, the project supports the equestrian program tied to public outreach at Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (SAMO). The NPS describes this program as a foundational part of how the park connects with visitors and the surrounding community. Rather than relying primarily on rangers for mounted patrols, the park depends heavily on community neighbor volunteers who ride the park's horses while wearing NPS Volunteer uniforms. These volunteers patrol almost every day of the week, and in many cases more than once per day, providing a consistent visible presence on trails and in visitor areas that is not routinely matched by ranger horseback patrols.

The scope of volunteer responsibilities goes beyond riding and outreach. The park relies on this volunteer equestrian program for daily horse care and operational support, including exercising the horses every day, feeding them, administering medications, and handling the regular attention that keeps the animals healthy and ready for service. In other words, the volunteer component is not just an add-on; it is central to the day-to-day functioning of the equestrian operation and its ability to support visitor contact and resource protection.

A key rationale emphasized in the description is the strength of the local equestrian community in the Santa Monica Mountains and the unique role these mounted volunteers play as ambassadors. Because they are out on the trails frequently and visibly identified with the NPS, they become a consistent point of contact for visitors, helping represent the park, model appropriate trail behavior, and extend the park's outreach in a way that feels personal and neighbor-to-neighbor rather than purely enforcement-driven.

Financially, the listed award ceiling is $64,000, with one expected award. Eligibility is limited to nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education). The notice indicates the NPS planned to fund this work under an existing cooperative agreement with SMMF, which means the selection was already determined and the announcement served primarily as public documentation of the intended funding action. The CFDA (now commonly referred to under Assistance Listings) number associated with the opportunity is 15.954.

• The Department of the Interior, National Park Service in the community development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Visitor and Resource Outreach, Support of Equestrian Operations" 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 Jun 20, 2018.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 05, 2018 NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD. This is not a request for applications. This funding announcement is to provide public notice that the National Park Service will fund the following project under an existing Cooperative Agreement with SMMF.. (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 $64,000.00 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.

Apply for P18AS00348

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