Freshwater Future
Spring and Fall 2008 Funding Cycles
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 2008 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 2008 Funding Cycle March 28, 2008 |
Fall 2008 Funding Cycle September 29, 2008 |
Spring 2008:
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 2008 applicants by April 23, 2008. Contract letters to grant recipients will be mailed by May 23, 2008, with a grant start date of July 1, 2008.
Fall 2008:
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 2008 applicants by November 21, 2008. Contract letters to grant recipients will be mailed by December 19, 2008, with a grant start date of January 1, 2009.
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.*
2008 Request For Proposals
(PDF Format)
Freshwater Future builds effective community-based citizen action to protect and restore the water quality of the Great Lakes basin. We work toward this goal by providing financial assistance, communications and networking assistance and technical assistance to citizens and grassroots watershed groups throughout the Great Lakes basin. Through these efforts we work with over 1,800 grassroots watershed groups and citizens to protect and restore the rivers, lakes and wetlands in their communities. Freshwater Future, Inc. is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.
For more information, please contact:
info@freshwaterfuture.org
P.O. Box 2479, Petoskey, MI 49770
PH (231) 348-8200