ConocoPhillips SPIRIT of Conservation Migratory Bird Program

Request for Proposals (updated on August 21, 2009)

Pre-Proposal Deadline Extended to October 1

Background

The SPIRIT of Conservation Migratory Bird Program is a partnership between ConocoPhillips (www.ConocoPhillips.com) and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (www.nfwf.org). The purpose of this partnership is to provide grants for bird conservation projects in areas where ConocoPhillips has an operating presence.

Funding Availability

$600,000 annually

Applicant Eligibility

Eligible applicants include non-profit 501(c) organizations, educational institutions, and local and State units of governments.

Project Eligibility and Funding Priorities

To be eligible for funding, a project must benefit migratory birds and their habitats. The SPIRIT of Conservation Migratory Bird Program supports projects that:

• Protect, restore or manage habitats for migratory birds;
• Benefit declining, threatened or endangered species;
• Generate measurable outcomes;
• Provide opportunities for employee participation and volunteerism.

Beginning with the September 1, 2009 application cycle, special priority will be given to projects that focus on American Oystercatcher, Red Knot, Gunnison Sage-grouse, and waterfowl and shorebirds in the following areas where ConocoPhillips has an operating presence.

• American Oystercatcher:coastal areas in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Texas, Louisiana and Alabama
• Red Knot:coastal areas in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware
• Gunnison Sage-grouse:central and western Colorado and northwestern New Mexico
• Waterfowl and shorebirds:San Francisco Bay area and the Los Angeles Harbor area in California and coastal areas along the Strait of Georgia in northwestern Washington state (Species emphasized here include those that breed in boreal forests and winter along the bays in the areas listed)

Please consult the American Oystercatcher Business Plan and other information on the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation website (www.nfwf.org) for specific guidance with regard to these priorities.

International projects will be considered for specific geographic areas; please contact the staff listed below for updated information on international priorities.  View the COP Asset Map (Adobe PDF File)

Criteria for Competitive Proposals

Proposals will be more competitive if they include:

• Measurable conservation outcomes linked to project activities (e.g., target bird population increases by X%)
• Activities that advance the goals of established regional, State and Federal conservation plans
• Activities that help conserve American Oystercatcher, Red Knot, Gunnison Sage-grouse, and waterfowl and shorebirds in the geographic areas listed above
• Restoration/protection of habitats/species in or adjacent to protected areas
• Provisions for long-term management, maintenance and protection, as appropriate
• Education, training and public outreach components linked to on-the-ground restoration/protection activities to enhance the community benefits of the project

Grant Size

Typical grant awards range from $25,000 to $200,000.   Awards from the ConocoPhillips SPIRIT of Conservation Migratory Bird Program will typically be a mixture of private funds from ConocoPhillips and Federal funds.

Matching Contributions

All grant awards require a minimum 1:1 match of cash or contributed goods and services, of which at least 50% should be from non-Federal sources.   The ratio of matching funds offered by the applicant is one criterion considered during the review process.

Matching funds may include cash, in-kind contributions of staff and volunteer time, work performed, materials and services donated, or other tangible contributions to the project objectives and outcomes.  The cost of recent land acquisition or easement may also qualify as match for a project involving work at the acquired site.  To be eligible, matching contributions must be:

• raised and dedicated specifically for the project;
• spent between the project start and end dates designated in the grant application
• voluntary in nature (mitigation, restitution, or other permit or court-ordered settlements are ineligible); and
• applied only to the ConocoPhillips SPIRIT of Conservation grant and not to any other matching programs.

Project Duration

Projects should be completed within 2 years following receipt of a grant agreement.  Project start and end dates should define the period during which all proposed work is accomplished, all requested funds are spent, and all matching funds are spent.  A grant may support one part of a larger, longer project with multiple stages; that part of the project supported by the grant must be completed within the specified time frame.

The project start date may be back-dated up to 1 year prior to the pre-proposal deadline to allow recent work directed to the project to be applied as match.

Restrictions

Grant funds cannot be used for political advocacy, lobbying, litigation, fundraising, legally mandated mitigation projects, general administrative overhead, or indirect expenses.

Deadlines and Application Procedures

Pre-proposals are due on October 1, 2009 prior to midnight.  Following a review of pre-proposals, selected applicants will be invited to submit full proposals.  Invited full proposals will be due on December 1, 2009 prior to midnight. 

All application materials must be submitted online through National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Easygrants system.  Hard-copy applications will not be considered for funding.

To start an application, please click on the following link: http://www.nfwf.org/easygrants.  New users to the system will be prompted to register before starting their application.  Once you have started an application, you may save it and return at a later time to complete and submit it, up until the application deadline.  Please be sure to disable the pop-up blocker on your Internet browser prior to beginning the application process.

Also, please use the following link to access other useful information for applicants, including videos that demonstrate the Easygrants online system: http://www.nfwf.org/applicantinfo.

Prospective applicants are strongly urged to contact Todd Hogrefe (Todd.Hogrefe@nfwf.org; 612-713-5185) or Peter Stangel (Peter.Stangel@nfwf.org; 404-679-7099) before submitting a pre-proposal.

Back to Program Home

View the COP Asset Map (Adobe PDF File)