Freshwater Future
Spring and Fall 2010 Funding Cycles

The Special Opportunity Grants Program (Emergency Grants) is for the aquatic habitat protection efforts that may not coincide with the application timeline or grant period for the Projects Grants Program. Freshwater Future realizes that many grassroots projects can be completed for under $500 USD, therefore we maintain a reserve to 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 (SOG) requests are processed differently to ensure quick turnaround. United States applicants that do not have 501(c)(3) tax status or Ontario applicants that are not registered charities governed by the Charities Accounting Act must have a sponsoring 501(c)(3) organization or registered charity.

Application Process and Timeline for Special Opportunity Grants Program
Grants will be disbursed on a first-come, first-served basis. Please send your application in the form of a brief letter via e-mail in a Word attachment to grants@freshwaterfuture.org. Although preference is given to Special Opportunity Grants Program requests made prior to the expenditure of project funds, "after the fact" funding requests will be considered as long as the request is made within one month of the expenditure. The request letter should be no longer than one page (front and back) and must include the following information:

• Organization name, address and Lake Basin of applicant, phone, fax, and e-mail address;
• Organizational annual budget;
• Project coordinator or contact person;
• Documentation of status as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit group or a registered charity;
• Amount of funding requested;
• Why the applicant qualifies as a grassroots initiative;
• Statement of need for the project;
• The goal of the project;
• Why the project is not compatible with the standard grant application process (Spring and Fall grant cycles);
• Specific activities or costs to be covered;
• Timeline for activities and expenditures; and
• How the activities are consistent with the Freshwater Future purpose, methods, program areas, and criteria.

For applicants that require a sponsor, please provide the following additional information:

• Name, address, phone number, and e-mail address of sponsor, including contact person, in the body of request letter;
• Documentation that sponsor is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit entity or a registered charity; and
• Letter from sponsor on sponsor's letterhead expressing support for applicant's proposed project and willingness to act as fiscal agent.

The Freshwater Future staff will review applications, seek input if necessary, and render a decision within two weeks of receipt of complete request. Payment will be made within four weeks of approval. Within one month of completion of the funded activity, the grant recipient must submit a one-page written report that briefly documents the actual expenses incurred, activities performed, and the outcomes.