In the United States (US), the US Endowment for Forestry and Communities, a not-for-profit public charity collaborating with partners in the public and private sectors to advance systemic, transformative, and sustainable change for the health and vitality of the nation’s working forests and forest-reliant communities, has announced a US$5 million funding opportunity to connect underutilized wood fiber with new buyers, strengthen regional supply chains, and keep working forests economically viable.
According to a statement, this effort will invest up to US$1 million per year over five years in organizations that can develop durable market solutions, helping keep working forests productive and rural economies strong, especially in regions facing reduced processing capacity and shifting market conditions.
An additional US$500,000 is available for projects in Maine, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont through a partnership with the Northern Border Regional Commission’s (NBRC) Forest Economy Initiative.
Supporting a vibrant forest economy in Northern New England and New York is a central focus of the Commission. This innovative collaboration with the Endowment will leverage our collective knowledge and resources to benefit rural communities and their residents, said Chris Saunders, Federal Co-Chair of NBRC.
When local wood markets weaken, the impact ripples across entire communities, affecting landowners, loggers, hauling businesses, and manufacturers. Without reliable markets, it becomes harder to keep forests actively managed and economically viable.
Strong wood markets are essential to the long-term health of working forests and the communities that rely on them. This funding is designed to help communities rebuild capacity, strengthen supply chains, and bring new buyers to the table, said Matt Krumenauer, VP Markets of the US Endowment for Forestry and Communities.
The Endowment expects to select three to five organizations by June 2026 for five-year agreements focused on practical market-building work, including:
- Identifying and securing new buyers for wood fiber that currently has limited market options;
- Strengthening regional supply chains so wood can move efficiently from forest to end use;
- Supporting near-term, on-the-ground development that can scale and attract additional investment;
- Priority will be given to proposals that demonstrate readiness to launch, clear potential for growth, strong alignment with regional needs, and the ability to leverage additional resources over time.
Eligible applicants include US-based private, nonprofit organizations or institutes of higher education with demonstrated experience and a strong track record in wood products manufacturing, biomass utilization, business development, economic development, or related fields.
Proposals are due by May 22, 2026, while selected applicants will be notified by June 12, 2026.
