Freshwater Future
Spring and Fall 2009 Funding Cycles

Eligibility:

• 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.
• 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 in the Request for Proposals)
• 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).

The Project Grants Program provides grant awards ranging from $500 to $3,500 U.S. dollars (USD) to be used for specific project expenses such as mailings, printing, and meeting supplies for river, lake, and wetland protection. Organizations may apply for both this program and the Technical Assistance Grants Program in one application.

Project examples include:

• Influence the development and/or enforcement of regulatory, permitting, or assessment decisions;
• Collect and disseminate existing information or conduct applied research to enable individuals or citizen initiatives to more effectively advocate for protection of aquatic habitats;
• Conduct media campaigns, including message development and training, to increase the effectiveness of grassroots protection efforts;
• Build coalitions among new and diverse partners; and
• Build capacity of grassroots organizations, which could include training, board development, membership expansion, fundraising, strategic planning, electronic communication, and equipment purchases.

The Technical Assistance Grants Program provides grant awards ranging from $500 to $3,500 USD to be used to hire an outside qualified consultant to provide strategy assistance such as organizational development or campaign development. Organizations may apply for both this program and the Project Grants Program in one application.

Project examples include:

• Strategy assistance to hire an outside expert to develop a campaign or project under the Project Grants Program, such as:
• Legal Services
• Wetland Delineation or Assessment
• Hydrology Studies
• Issue Campaign Development
• Organizational development to hire an outside expert to assist with building the organization under the Project Grants Program, such as:
• Board Training
• Strategic Planning
• Communications assistance

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.

Submitting Your Application: Proposals must be prepared based on the questions and format contained in the 2009 Grants Program Application Format. Please send your application via e-mail in a Word attachment to grants@freshwaterfuture.org. Supporting documents may be sent via first class mail. Please do not fax your application.

Deadlines:
Applications must be received electronically by midnight:

Spring 2009:
Freshwater Future staff and Grant Readers from the basin of each Great Lake will review and prioritize applications. Freshwater Future staff will make final decisions and send letters to all Spring 2009 applicants by May 27, 2009. Contract letters to grant recipients will be mailed by June 24, 2009, with a grant start date of July 1, 2009.

Fall 2009:
Freshwater Future staff and Grant Readers from the basin of each Great Lake will review and prioritize applications. Freshwater Future staff will make final decisions and send letters to all Fall 2009 applicants by November 23, 2009. Contract letters to grant recipients will be mailed by December 18, 2009, with a grant start date of January 1, 2010.

Grant Period:
The period for awards granted through the Project Grants Program and the Technical Assistance Grants Program is typically one year from the respective start date. If the proposed project requires a longer duration in order to ensure successful completion, Freshwater Future will consider an 18- or 24-month grant period. Clearly note the requested grant period in your application. The grant may fund a component of a larger project of longer duration. Funded applicants may apply for follow-up funding to support new initiatives or to build on successes of previously funded efforts, as long as previous projects have been successfully completed or are in good standing.

*Please make sure to read the entire RFP before applying for a grant.*

2009 Request For Proposals
(PDF Format)

2009 Application Form