National Wildlife Refuge Friends Group Grant Program
Request for Proposal
2009 Application Kit
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, along with its partners,
recognizes the important role refuge Friends organizations play in
building critical community support for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service's National Wildlife Refuge System. As such, we are requesting
proposals for projects that assist organizations to be effective
co-stewards of our Nation's important natural resources within the
National Wildlife Refuge System. This program provides competitive seed
grants ($1,500 - $5,000) to creative and innovative proposals that seek
to increase the number and effectiveness of organizations interested in
assisting the Refuge System nationwide.
The National Wildlife Refuge System hosted more than 41 million
visitors last year. The Refuge System provides Americans with special
places to connect with nature and offers unparalleled outdoor activities
to experience and showcase wildlife. Where compatible, the Refuge System
prioritizes wildlife-dependent recreation uses involving hunting,
fishing, environmental education, interpretation, wildlife observation,
and wildlife photography. By enjoying these wildlife-dependent
activities, the American public further develops its appreciation for
fish and wildlife. This year's grant program will prioritize those
proposals that facilitate wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities
on refuges and reach new audiences to increase their understanding of
and support for the Refuge System’s mission.
For a list of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Wildlife
Refuge System please visit www.fws.gov/refuges.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants are non-profit organizations or organizations
that have applied for non-profit status, including refuge Friends
organizations, Cooperative and Interpretive Associations, Audubon
Chapters and other citizen support organizations interested in assisting
a National Wildlife Refuge or group of refuges and the Refuge System as
a whole. Applicants must either be tax exempt under section 501(c), OR
be in the process of applying for 501(c)(3) status and submit with their
grant application a copy of their 501(c)(3) application filing.
What kinds of proposals will be accepted?
Grants will be provided to support proposals that fall within the
following areas of emphasis:
- Start-up Grants - Funds will be provided to assist
starting refuge Friends organizations with formative and/or initial
operational support. For example, funds may be requested for such things
as membership drives, training (tuition), brochure and newsletter
development, logo design, or consultant fees for planning a mission and
strategic plan;
- Capacity Building Grants - Funds will be provided
to strengthen the capacity of existing refuge Friends organizations to
enable them to be more effective. For example, activities may include
outreach efforts, strategic planning, membership development, board or
leadership development, designing exhibits for community outreach, or
training; and
- Project Specific Grants - Funds will be provided to
non-profit organizations seeking support for a specific project. For
example, funds may be requested for developing outreach and conservation
education programs for local schools, communities, and private
landowners, habitat restoration projects, building an observation tower,
developing and providing interpretive materials and programs, or
watchable wildlife programs.
While this grant program focuses on three areas of emphasis,
overarching goals of the program are to help refuge Friends
organizations gain experience in developing projects, expand and
increase their capacity and skills, meet local refuge challenges, gain
and build community recognition and support for the refuge and refuge
Friends organizations, and build long-term relationships. Within each
area of emphasis, priority will be given to applications that
demonstrate their ability to meet these programmatic goals.
What information should be included in my proposal?
-
National Wildlife Refuge Friends Easygrants Application,
www.nfwf.org/grantapplication.
Once
you complete the Easygrants registration, you will use your e-mail
address as your Login ID. All e-mails sent by the system will be
sent to this e-mail address.
-
Full proposal Project Narrative - Friends of National Wildlife
Refuges Form
-
Refuge Manager Signature Page and a letter of support from the
Refuge Manager is strongly recommended
-
Organizational and Financial Documents
See the attached "Guidelines
for Writing and Submitting a Competitive Proposal."
What are the funding limitations for this grants program?
The Refuge Friends Grant Program will NOT fund requests for:
- Printing for Professional Publishing Purposes
- Political advocacy or litigation activities;
- Travel;
- Salaries;
- Non-profit filings;
- Food or beverages;
- Shortfalls in government agency budgets; and
- Multi-year grants (applicant may reapply)
When are proposals due and when will applicants be notified of award
status?
Contact Information:
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
1133 15th Street, NW, Suite 1100
Washington, DC 20005
Program Contact: Teal Edelen
(202) 595-2436; fax (202) 857-0162; email: teal.edelen@nfwf.org
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