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Home > Resources > Twig
The Watershed Institute invites applications for the 2008 funding cycle of its grant program.
Now in its 6th year, this grant program aims to help small, citizen-based watershed organizations establish
themselves as independent and self-sustaining organizations. Awards target projects that will strengthen
organizational capacity and protect the environment. This grant program is made possible by funding from
the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation and
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
Choose from the drop down menu above for details on previously funded projects.
2008 Funding Cycle
Dates To Remember
- June 20, 2008: Letter of Inquiry Due
- September 5, 2008: Full Proposal Due
- October 2008: Announcement of Grantees
- April 2009: Six-Month Progress Meeting
- Summer 2009: Final Report Due
Objectives
The Institute is looking for proposals that:
- Build the capacity of the applicant organization;
- Increase the applicant's presence in the community;
- Provide the potential for the applicant to become financially stable;
- Develop programs designed to improve the health of the environment;
- Provide opportunities for partnerships with various stakeholders; and/or
- Conduct research and further understanding of local issues.
Grant Size
Grant awards range from $1,000 to $20,000, with the majority between $3,000 - $15,000.
Who Can Apply
Eligible entities include non-profit environmental groups that meet at least quarterly, have 501(c)(3)
status, and conduct work in the State of New Jersey. Priority will be given to watershed groups and
New Jersey based groups. Applicants who are not watershed groups or do not reside in New Jersey must
detail how the proposed project will further this grant program's goal of protecting watersheds
throughout New Jersey.
Eligible Projects
Funded projects must be completed by September 30, 2009.
They must enhance the viability of the organization and be relevant to its mission.
Projects should fall under one or more of the following three categories:
Organizational Development
Examples include, but are not limited to:
- Publications and mailings;
- Marketing; and
- Capacity building (e.g. strategic planning, strengthening existing relationships,
creating bylaws, leadership development).
Monitoring
Examples include, but are not limited to:
- Water monitoring;
- Laboratory anaylsis;
- Equipment expenditures (e.g. test kits, probes, reagents, nets, field manuals).
Note: Monitoring funds are available for established monitoring programs at the
NJDEP Volunteer
Monitoring Program's Tier B, C, and D levels. A copy of the monitoring program's study design and/or
quality assurance project plan must be submitted with the Letter of Inquiry. Monitoring grantees must submit
data collected to the NJDEP data management system.
Watershed Management
Examples include, but are not limited to:
- Research (e.g. assessments and modeling, GIS applications, natural resource inventories);
- Outreach and education; and
- Restoration projects.
Ineligible Activities
Funds may not be used for capital projects (rent, site improvement, utilities, etc.); endowments;
land acquisition; building campaigns; staff benefits; entertainment and food/beverages;
lobbying and political activities; and litigation.
How To Apply
1. Letter of Inquiry: Letters of Inquiry (LOI) must be submitted to the Institute postmarked by
June 20, 2008. LOI forms and guidelines are available below, or by contacting the Institute directly.
Download a copy of the:
2008 Letter of Inquiry Guidelines
2008 Letter of Inquiry Form
Download instructions: To view some of the above documents you will need Acrobat Reader®.
To download a free copy, click on the Adobe icon.
To download the documents listed above, right click on the hyperlink and choose "Save Target As".
Save the document to your local drive.
2. Full Proposal: Institute staff will provide feedback on the LOI and, if your project is eligible,
you will be asked to submit a full proposal. Applicants will be notified by July 11, 2008 if they are invited
to submit a full proposal. Full proposals will be due postmarked by September 5, 2008.
3. Proposal Evaluation: A review committee will evaluate all applications.
Proposals will be evaluated on the following criteria:
- Size of the organization: groups with smaller operating budgets will be given favorable consideration;
- Extent to which the application incorporates one or more of the objectives of this grant program;
- Feasibility of the project;
- Clear identification of project deliverables and outcomes;
- Presence of a comprehensive implementation plan or methodology adhering to a timeline;
- Level of innovation, creativity and originality;
- Previous accomplishments and qualifications of the organization to carry out the project's activities;
- Potential of the project to serve as a model; and
- Past performance on grants from the Institute.
4. Award Notification and Reporting: Applicants will be notified of funding decisions in
mid-October 2008. Watershed Institute staff will contact award recipients approximately halfway through
the project's implementation to provide feedback and determine project status. Award recipients will be
required to submit a 2-3 page final report, including an evaluation of the project and its effectiveness
in meeting the objectives.
For More Information
For more information on this grant program, or to discuss project ideas, please contact Alyse Greenberg
at 609-737-3735 x 27 or agreenberg@thewatershed.org.
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