WASHINGTON, DC—The Forest Service is now a member of Grantmakers for Effective Organizations. All Forest Service employees are now able to request a staff account to access the benefits and resources of the GEO community. Institutional membership in the organization is intended to foster a culture of continuous learning, provide training and educational tools, and further the development of Forest Service staff.

Grantmakers for Effective Organizations is a nonprofit and community of more than 6,000 grantmakers, public and private, across the world. Collectively, the organization generates knowledge and produces resources on current trends and issues in the grantmaking field. They author publications, such as grantmaking playbooks and articles, they provide peer learning cohorts and a listserv, and they offer events and conferences online and nationwide.

Grants and agreements are key tools used to accomplish critical work nationwide and to sustain the health, diversity and productivity of the nation’s forests and grasslands. Tens of thousands of staff each year interact with grants and agreements, at every scale and across nearly every program area. In the wake of recent historic investments by Congress in our nation’s lands and waterways, the Forest Service is meeting this challenge by providing resources to staff from every field to tap into both professional and peer-based knowledge.

“As the Forest Service increases its grants and agreements portfolio, we are dedicated to ensuring that all employees can access high-quality resources to stay informed of emerging topics, engage with communities of practice, and advance their careers,” said Chernoh Barrie, director of the Washington Office, Office of Grants and Agreements.

While the benefits of this institutional membership are geared toward the greater grants and agreements community, we encourage the interest and participation of all staff with emphasis on the Forest Service partnership community and program areas.

To request a staff account, complete the form at this link. All employees, including Presidential Management Fellows and resource assistants, are eligible to request an account. There is no cost to the requesting unit, and no limit on the number of accounts that may be requested. Supervisory approval is not required. Access frequently asked questions at this link.

The Washington Office, Office of Grants & Agreements, would like to thank Maia Enzer, director of Region 6 Grants & Agreements, for her steadfast support and encouragement of this effort.