Spring 2013 Application Kit
A Webinar will be hosted for applicants and project leaders on Friday, February 22nd at 2 PM EST. The presentation will include an overview of the Spring 2013 RFP, how to complete and submit your application, and a question and answer period.
Sign up here : https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/889282609
Request for Proposals
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 and their work and projects to support the System.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants are Friends organizations whose primary mission is to support a refuge or a complex of refuges. 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 the letter from the IRS confirming your application has been filed.
What kinds of proposals will be accepted?
Grants will be provided to support proposals that fall within the following areas:
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, tuition for training, 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 increase membership or financial resources, develop a strategic plan, enhance the effectiveness of the board and leadership, marketing strategies, or tuition for training;
Project Specific Grants - Funds will be provided to organizations seeking support for projects they initiate and manage. 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, overarching goals of the program are to help refuge Friends organizations build their expertise 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 application?
1) The National Wildlife Refuge Friends Easygrants Application, www.nfwf.org/easygrants
2) The Full-proposal Project Narrative – Friends of National Wildlife Refuges Form
3) The Applicant and Refuge Manager Signature Page
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; or
Multi-year grants (applicants may reapply)
When are proposals due and when will applicants be notified of award status?
April 1, 2013 - with final funding decisions and applicant notification by June 7, 2013.
Program Contacts
The following partner contacts are available to applicants to discuss proposal ideas and answer questions about this program.
Teal Edelen, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, 202-857-0166, teal.edelen@nfwf.org
Joanna Webb, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 703-358-2392, Joanna_Webb@fws.gov
Joan Patterson, National Wildlife Refuge Association, 202-292-2422, jpatterson@refugeassociation.org
Connie Mahan, National Audubon Society, 202-861-2242 ext 3036, cmahan@audubon.org
The National Wildlife Refuge Friends Grant Program is a collaborative effort between the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Wildlife Refuge Association, and National Audubon Society. For further information, please contact Teal Edelen at NFWF, 1133 15th Street NW, Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20005, or call (202) 857-0166.