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REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS TO
FUND
PILOT EDUCATION INITIATIVES
YEAR 2003
Guidelines
Grant Application
INTRODUCTION
Housatonic River Restoration (HRR) is delighted to announce the following guidelines to fund education programs on behalf of the Housatonic River. This is an opportunity for
educators, environmentalists, planners, municipal officials and
others to embrace the Housatonic River as a community resource. Raising awareness about the natural wonder of the river and its watershed will promote the responsible use of the Housatonic for generations to come.
HRR is a collaborative organization that seeks to restore the Housatonic River through a multifaceted effort that is derived from
meetings and interviews involving more than 1,200 Berkshire County citizens. The Massachusetts Environmental Trust has awarded a grant to HRR to begin funding pilot educational initiatives.
We urge prospective applicants to review the HRR action plan and assessment review of environmental education initiatives in considering potential projects for this grant program. Providers of school-based and community programs are encouraged to apply.
In
addition to school-based programs, we strongly encourage community-based
providers to apply for projects such as:
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outreach programs which facilitate the long term
protection of open space which is critical to the river and watershed
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agricultural demonstration programs which improve the
river and surrounding lands
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point and non-point source pollution programs for
municipal officials and others
For
more information, contact Rachel Fletcher at 413-528-3391 or river@restorehousatonic.com
GUIDELINES FOR PROPOSALS
Eligibility:
1. Proposals will be considered for new or ongoing projects of non-profit organizations, schools and colleges, municipal entities, or individuals with fiscal agents. (The Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation may serve as a fiscal agent.)
2. Projects must be consistent with the HRR Education Action plan. A summary of the HRR Plan is attached and is also available at public libraries, at the www.restorehousatonic.com website or by request to HRR, P.O. Box 472, Great Barrington, MA 01230. Projects must take place within the Massachusetts portion of the Housatonic River watershed.
3. Strong preference will be given to proposals that implement actions in the HRR Education Action Plan, enhance community participation, and/or serve as a catalyst for action. Complete projects or individual phases of long-term projects will be considered. Applicants are strongly encouraged, but not required, to collaborate with other organizations.
4. Applications for grants will require 1:1 matching cash donations or donations of materials or professional services.
Awards:
Grants will range from $1,000 to $4,000. Funds will be available for reimbursement within
one month of submission of expense documentation. Projects must be completed and grant funds expended by
June 1, 2003. A Final Report outlining the work completed, including an assessment of the project's outcomes, will be required once the funded program is completed and must be submitted no later than
June 10, 2003.
Deadline:
Applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, November 1, 2002 at the addresses shown below.
Notification:
Applicants will be informed of HRR's decision after November 25th, 2002. Up to
$12,000 is expected to be available during this funding round. Additional funds may be available for future funding rounds.
Review Process:
Applications will be reviewed and grants determined by the Governing Council of Housatonic River Restoration,
Inc.
Review Criteria:
1. Quality:
• How worthy is the education project?
• Is it the right time for this project?
• Does it involve qualified individuals and organizations?
• Is it well conceived?
• Does it fit well with other related activities and regional priorities?
• Is it compatible with the HRR plan?
2. Impact:
• What is the impact of the education project on the restoration of the Housatonic River as a natural resource?
3. Ability:
• Can the applicant complete the project?
• Does the organization exhibit a demonstrated capacity to initiate and successfully execute similar projects?
• Are the appropriate staff members or volunteers involved?
• Is the staff/group capable and stable enough to perform the tasks necessary to complete the proposed project?
4. Stewardship:
• Will the education project foster the restoration of the Housatonic River?
• Will the education project enable the involvement of residents of the watershed in the river's ongoing stewardship, care and protection?
• Will there be an end product made available to the public or an outcome that is beneficial to the community as a whole?
To Apply:
Submit three hard copies and one copy on disk compatible with MS Word Version 6 to either:
By Mail:
Housatonic River Restoration
P.O. Box 472
Great Barrington, MA 01230
By Hand:
Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation
271 Main Street
Great Barrington, MA 01230
You may also e-mail your electronic copy in an MS-Word compatible file to
river@restorehousatonic.com but you must mail or hand deliver three hard copies.
Questions: Please contact Rachel Fletcher at (413) 528 3391.
GRANT APPLICATION
Date:
1. Legal name of Organization or Individual and address:
2. IRS 501(c)(3) nonprofit: yes no
2a) If no, identify your fiscal agent and provide a copy of a written agreement from fiscal agent to sponsor the project.
2b) If you are a school, provide evidence of your status.
2c) If you are an individual, provide a resume, and evidence that you
have a fiscal agent.
3. Contact person and title:
4. Executive Director (if different from contact person):
5. Phone and fax numbers (with area codes):
6. Email address for contact person:
7. Amount requested:
$__________________
Value of matching cash: $__________________
Value of matching materials: $__________________
Value of matching professional services: $__________________
Total project budget: $__________________
8. Organization's mission:
9. Brief summary of the proposal, identifying tasks and itemizing deliverables:
PROPOSAL NARRATIVE (up to three pages)
Additional information to be included:
1. Brief profile of your organization:
Brief summary of the project's history, goals and key achievements.
2. Profile of your request:
Description of the specific request, addressing the review criteria listed in the guidelines and including the following information:
a) Project goals and objectives, tasks involved and deliverable items.
b) Implementation plan and scope of work, including periodic milestones or benchmarks, with a time line and completion dates for component parts of the project.
c) Budget estimates/explanation and justification.
d) Description of the area served by the project, including a map of its physical location, where applicable.
e) Significance of the project, including environmental impacts, capacity building among participants and others, community and organizational involvement.
f) Summary of evaluation methods, measures of success and performance standards.
g) Long term effects, impacts and sustainability.
h) Follow-on opportunities and/or requirements after completion, together with an indication of how these follow-ons might be achieved.
PROJECT BUDGET (one to three additional pages)
1. Itemization of estimated expenditures
2. Itemization of matching funds, materials, or professional services. Include letters from supporting organizations pledging support.
ATTACHMENTS
The following attachments must accompany the proposal:
1. Documentation of matching funds
• Evidence of commitment of cash donations
• Evidence of commitment of materials and monetary value of materials
• Evidence of commitment of professional services and monetary value of services
2. A map of the physical location of the project, if applicable.
3. Individuals must provide:
• Resume
• Names and telephone numbers of three people we may contact for a reference
• Evidence of fiscal agent
4. If awarded, organizations will be required to submit:
• Current board list with names and addresses
• IRS letter confirming tax-exempt status 501(c)(3) or 509(a)
• Most recent independent audit or Form 990
• Current organizational operating budget
• Resumes of subcontractors, if applicable
• Documentation of school status, if applicable
If this project is part of a larger initiative, submit supporting documentation up to five pages.
Please send your comments and questions to:
Housatonic River Restoration, Inc.
PO Box 472
Great Barrington, MA 01230
Telephone: (413) 528-3391
Fax Number: (413) 528-5224
Email: river@restorehousatonic.com
This project is funded by the Massachusetts Environmental Trust.
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