Foresters Fund

The SAF Foresters Fund grant program financially assists local SAF units in achieving the goals of the Society. The SAF bylaws state that the goals of the fund are to:

• promote education to enhance public understanding of the role of professional foresters in forest resource management,
• conduct forest policy activities, and
• to strengthen state societies, divisions, and chapters in achieving the mission of the Society.

SAF local units (state societies, divisions, and chapters) are encouraged to partner with student chapters, working groups, national committees, the national office, and the National Student Assembly on Foresters Fund projects.

Project Ideas

Project proposal must meet at least one of the goals of the Foresters Fund. Proposals could include but not limited to:

• Public outreach and education. Examples include forestry field days, museum displays, Walk in the Forest activities, education programs for teachers, communications programs, or media relations programs (field tours, editorial board visits, and letter writing campaigns.)
• Legislative events. Examples include legislative field tours, breakfasts, luncheons, or office visits by SAF members.
• Local unit support. Examples include special professional development opportunities (guest speakers, joint organizational meetings), website development, membership recruitment/retention, or leadership/media training.

Deadlines

State executive committees must review and approval Foresters Fund proposals prior to them being submitted to National, be sure to account for this additional time when submitting a proposal. The proposals for regular grants are due to National on February 15; June 15; and September 15, yearly.  Special grants ($1,501 to $5,000) and Leadership Development grants (up to $15,000) are due to Nationals by June 15, yearly. If the deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, proposals will be accepted the next business day.

The Oregon SAF Chapter requests all Oregon specific proposals be submitted to the Foresters’ Fund Chair as soon as possible, but no later than February 1^st, June 1^st, and September 1^st. This allows time for the Oregon SAF Executive Committee to approve or disapprove of the application. If approved, the Foresters Fund Chair will then submit the application to Nationals by the due date on the application on the 15th of that month.

For Special grants ($1,501 to $5,000) and Leadership Development grants (up to $15,000), the deadline is June 15, yearly. If the deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, proposals will be accepted the next business day.

Criteria, Proposal Format, and Procedures

For more information and to apply for a Foresters Fund grant, please visit SAF’s Foresters Fund page.