Community-Based Deer Management Grant Program

The Community-Based Deer Management Grant Program aims to support local communities and non-profits in New Jersey in managing overabundant deer populations. Funding will be allocated for various initiatives, including deer population surveys and the Venison Donation Program, which requires processed deer to be donated to food banks. Eligible applicants include government entities and tax-exempt organizations with established deer management programs, ensuring effective community engagement and resource tracking.

Purpose of Funding
To assist local communities and non-profits in efforts to address overabundant deer populations in New Jersey’s urban landscape through community-based deer management programs. Funding will be distributed to support these programs’ data and deer processing needs through three separate initiatives: the Deer Population Density Estimate/Survey, the Forest Health Survey, and the Venison Donation Program.
Additional initiative-specific qualifications are outlined below:
Venison Donation ProgramAll deer must be processed at New Jersey Department of Health inspected butchers.All venison must be donated to food banks operating in the State of New Jersey.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Grant Program, each applicant must either:Be a county or local government entity or unit within the State of New Jersey, including municipal park systems; orBe tax-exempt by determination of the Internal Revenue Service in accordance with Section 501(c)(3) and be authorized to operate in the State of New Jersey.Be an organization in “good standing” with the State of New Jersey;Have or facilitate the efforts of an established community-based deer management program;Have the ability to accurately track expenses incurred towards the Grant Program;Have the ability to submit required reporting and invoicing; andHave a registered vendor identification number with the State’s Treasury system, if selected for an award.