1.1 The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is an independent nonprofit conservation organization in accordance with section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The NFWF was established by Congress in 1984 to foster cooperative partnerships on behalf of the Nation's fish, wildlife, and plant resources. The NFWF stimulates private funding of conservation needs by leveraging Federal matching funds.
1.2 The NFWF Board of Directors is appointed by the Secretary of the Interior. The Board is comprised of nine members, six of whom are knowledgeable or experienced in fish and wildlife conservation and three of whom are educated and experienced in the principles of fish and wildlife management. The Director of the Service is an ex-officio member of the Board.
1.3 Mission and Goals. The mission of the NFWF is to support the conservation of fish, wildlife and plant resources for present and future generations. Conservation goals include: habitat protection and restoration; fish, wildlife and plant resource policy development; environmental education and leadership training for wildlife professionals; education programs for the general public; and natural resource management.
1.4 Conservation Programs. The NFWF meets its goals through major initiatives:
A. The Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Initiative brings public and private partners together to protect and prevent the decline of neotropical migratory songbirds through management, education and research projects in both North and South America and the Caribbean.
B. The Fisheries Initiative addresses marine, estuarine, and inland fish resource and habitat depletions issues by funding projects that improve agency management and leadership, restore and protect habitats, and expand education and involvement in fisheries conservation.
C. Wetlands Conservation is achieved through the North American Waterfowl Management Plan and the North American Wetlands Partnership, a cooperative undertaking between the United States, Canada, and Mexico to restore wetland habitat both in public and private ownership. Working with private lands is a priority.
D. Conservation Education programs are funded for the public support of leadership training for natural resource professionals, corporate leaders, key policy and political decision makers in fish and wildlife stewardship and management policies.
E. Fisheries and Wildlife Assessment is the policy analysis document of the NFWF. The assessment is published annually for Congressional representatives and staff, the Executive Branch and conservation organizations, and provides the only non-governmental, comprehensive, line-by-line budget analysis of the Federal agencies that have significant natural resource management and stewardship responsibilities.
F. In addition, Wildlife and Habitat grants encompass important conservation efforts not covered under the major programs cited above.
1.5 Coordination of Activities. The NFWF has a special relationship with the Service vis-a-vis its legislation and specific mandate to assist the Service in the receipt of gifts, property, etc. This relationship, however, does not allow suspension of routine compliance with existing laws and regulations relating to the receipt of grants, the issuing of Service contracts, or the establishing of cooperative agreements. Proposals from or on behalf of the NFWF are considered by the Service in the same manner as proposals from other organizations.