Purpose of the Grants Program: The goal of Freshwater Future grants program is to provide financial support to advocacy activities that strengthen the role of individuals and community groups working locally to protect and restore shorelines, inland lakes, rivers, wetlands, and other aquatic habitats in the Great Lakes Basin. Advocacy work, as defined here, involves local community members actively promoting aquatic habitat protection by influencing community and/or individual behavior or opinion, corporate conduct, and/or public policy.

Eligibility:

• Any grassroots initiative working to protect aquatic habitats in the Great Lakes
• United States applicants that do not have 501(c)(3) tax status or Ontario applicants that are not registered charities governed by the Income Tax Act must have a sponsoring 501(c)(3) organization or registered charity (see Sponsors section below)
• Applicants must be a 2009 member of Freshwater Future (you may join at time of application). If the membership fee is a hardship for your organization, please contact Freshwater Future for assistance.
• Each applicant may submit only one application for funding in either the Spring or Fall cycle. Groups or individuals who have received funding through Freshwater Future grants program may reapply, as long as previous projects have been successfully completed or are in good standing (please call to determine grant status).
• Each organization or individual is eligible for one Project Grant/Technical Assistance Grant and one Special Opportunity Grant each calendar year.
• A high priority is placed on supporting citizen initiatives within the watershed boundaries of the Great Lakes Basin. Applicants outside the Basin will be considered for funding if their project will demonstrably benefit aquatic habitats inside the Basin.
• If awarded a grant, a member of the organization will have the opportunity to have an experienced grassroots advocate as a mentor. For additional information visit the new Advocate Mentor Program.

Priority Funding Areas: The following program areas direct Freshwater Future's grant making for the Spring and Fall 2009 funding cycles. Projects to protect aquatic habitats in the following strategic program areas will be considered:

• Special consideration will be given to projects to protect and restore wetlands;
• On-the-ground restoration activities that include an advocacy component (a small amount of funding for this area);
• Advocating for low-impact solutions to community stormwater issues;
• Land use planning and zoning;
• Watershed planning;
• Watch-dogging and participating in the development, implementation, and enforcement of local, state, provincial, and federal aquatic habitat protection regulations;
• Non-partisan voter education, voter registration, and candidate forums;
• Advocating for naturally functioning river and coastal ecosystems;
• Reducing polluted runoff;
• Launching special initiatives or creating unique opportunities to strengthen citizen involvement in aquatic habitat protection;
• Communicating how local wetlands, lakes and rivers are interconnected in the Great Lakes Basin.

FUNDING PROGRAMS

There are three funding programs in the Freshwater Future Grant Program. The first two, Project Grants and Technical Grants provide grant awards ranging from $500 to $3,500 U.S. dollars (USD). The third, Special Opportunity Grants (Emergency Grants) are up to $500.

• Project Grants - awards can be used for specific project expenses such as mailings, printing, and meeting supplies for river, lake, and wetland protection
• Technical Grants - awards can be used to hire an outside qualified consultant to provide strategy assistance such as organizational development or campaign development.
• The Project Grants Program and the Technical Assistance Grants Program are joint programs under which funding can be requested in one application, seeking funding from both programs. The maximum total grant request is $5,500 USD, of which, no more than $3,500 USD can be requested for either the Project Grants Program or the Technical Assistance Grants Program.
• Special Opportunity Grants Program (Emergency Grants) - support urgent projects or those that present a special, time-limited opportunity.
• Although the eligibility, overarching goal, priority program areas, and evaluation criteria are the same as the regular grants programs, Special Opportunity Grant requests are processed differently to ensure quick turnaround.

For past funded projects visit www.freshwaterfuture.org.

Submitting Your Application: The application format for all three program areas are found on-line at www.freshwaterfuture.org.

Deadlines:

Spring 2009 Funding Cycle
March 31, 2009

Fall 2009 Funding Cycle
September 30, 2008

Applications must be received electronically by midnight.