2011 Grants

Photo by cathy haverdink lake michigan icebergs

RequiRements foR ApplicAnts:

Be or become a

Grant ProGrams 2011

The following is a brief overview of Freshwater Futures Grant Programs. For more specific and detailed information about each of the programs and eligibility, visit our website at www.freshwaterfuture.org
Purpose of the Grant Programs: The
goal of the Freshwater Future Grant Programs is to provide financial support to activities that actively promote aquatic habitat protection and restoration by influencing community and/or individual behavior or opinion, corporate conduct, and/or public policy and that strengthen the role of individuals and community groups working locally to protect and restore shorelines, inland lakes, rivers, and wetlands in the Great Lakes Basin.

F r e s h wat e r F u t u r e

Freshwater Future Organizational Member upcoming Climate Symposium

Plan to attend an Be willing to

GrAnt ProGrAmS:
Project Grant: The Project Grant Program
provides grant awards ranging from $500 to $5,000 (USD) to be used for specific project expenses. Grassroots organizations engaging in advocacy activities and projects to protect local lakes, rivers, wetlands, and other aquatic habitats will be considered. APPlicAtion DeADlineS: Spring cycle Fall cycle March 31, 2011 September 30, 2011

participate in Walk, Paddle, and Roll

Assistance for Potential Applicants:

Freshwater Future staff members are here to help you. Potential applicants seeking advice on how to complete the grant application form or wishing to discuss potential projects are encouraged to contact Kara Scheerhorn at kara@freshwater future.org or 231.348.8200. For a detailed description of all of Freshwater Futures potential funding sources, visit www.freshwaterfuture.org.

climate Grant: In the Climate Funding Program, awards ranging from $500 to $5000 (USD) are provided to encourage local communities to actively engage in projects and promote decisionmaking that takes climate change related impacts into account. Projects should 1) identify how they will make your community better prepared to handle the impacts of climate change and 2) either communicate that information to the community, or work to incorporate climate change into local decision-making (permits, regulations, land use decisions, etc.). Additionally, Webinars and Climate Symposia will be offered to help train past, present and potential grant recipients in the subject of climate change and how they can effectively incorporate climate into their water related projects. Please email Kara Scheerhorn at kara@ freshwaterfuture.org to be put on a priority notification list for these opportunities. APPlicAtion DeADlineS: Spring cycle Fall cycle March 31, 2011 September 30, 2011
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Freshwater Future P.O. Box 2479 Petoskey, MI 49770 Phone: (231) 348-8200 www.freshwaterfuture.org

What is Grassroots: Applicants must be

grassroots groups with limited funds that rely on volunteers for all or a majority of their work and that can demonstrate the capacity to accomplish the project. While Freshwater Future has no specific budgetary limitation for eligibility, it is highly unlikely a group with an annual budget over approximately $200,000 will be considered eligible as a grassroots initiative under our definition.

insight Services Grant: The Insight Services

Grant Program provides grant awards ranging from $500 to $2500 (USD) to be used for assistance from Freshwater Future to build capacity of grassroots organizations, which could include: customized trainings on board development, membership expansion, communications, fundraising, and strategic planning. Grant funds will be used for Freshwater Future staff time to provide professional assistance to your project or organization. No monetary award will be made to your organization and a 25% match by your organization is required for this program. For example: if Freshwater Future provides an Insight Services Grant award of $675.00, the 25% match from your organization would be $225.00. This would provide 12 hours of consulting services at $75.00 per hour for organizational members.
no application deadline, qualifying applications are funded until funds are depleted for the year.

faces at freshwater future

kara scheerhorn Grants and outreach specialist kara@freshwaterfuture.org Jill ryan executive Director jill@freshwaterfuture.org cheryl MenDoza associate Director cheryl@freshwaterfuture.org cathy braDy office Manager cathy@freshwaterfuture.org ann bauGhMan associate Director ann@freshwaterfuture.org Petoskey office: (231) 348-8200 sPrinG lake office: (231) 571-5001

Special opportunity Grant: The Special

Opportunity Grant Program (Emergency Grants) is for the river, lake, wetland, and groundwater protection efforts that may not coincide with the application timeline or grant period of our other grant programs. Freshwater Future realizes that many grassroots projects can be completed for under $500 (USD), therefore we maintain a reserve to support urgent projects or those that present special, time-limited opportunity.
no application deadline, qualifying applications are funded until funds are depleted for the year.

ach applicant may submit only one applicaE tion for funding in each grant cycle, however, applications for multiple grants under different Freshwater Future grant programs is encouraged. For example, groups may apply for a project grant and a climate grant at the same time. hose who have received funding through T Freshwater Future grants program may reapply, as long as previous projects have been successfully completed or are in good standing (please call to determine grant status). ach organization or individual is eligible E to receive one Project Grant, Insight Grant, Climate Grant and one Special Opportunity Grant each calendar year. high priority is placed on projects within A the watershed boundaries of the Great Lakes Basin. Applicants outside the Basin will be considered for funding if their project will demonstrably benefit aquatic habitats inside the Basin. f awarded a grant, a member of the organiI zation will have the opportunity to have an experienced grassroots advocate as a mentor. For additional information about the Advocate Mentor Program visit our website.

Special Grantee opportunity and new Grant requirements

2011 grantees are asked to participate in our Walk, Paddle and Roll fundraiser. By participating in the Walk, Paddle and Roll you will: reate an instant match for your Freshwater C Future funded project eceive training to use a new online fundR raising tool and engage organization leaders in fundraising. elp to Pay it Forward so Freshwater Future H can continue to provide critical resources to citizen and community groups. You are invited to participate and raise funds even if you are not selected to receive a grant in this round. The grantees for 2011 are asked to attend an upcoming Climate Symposium. The Symposia will help grantees learn more about climate change and how climate change may impact their community, water resources, and their current projects. Also the Symposia will educate participants on how they can reduce these

Board of directors
Gary belan american rivers WenDy cooPer Georgian bay land trust bonnie Danni Great lakes united Vicki Deisner national Wildlife federation kristy Meyer the ohio environmental council aMy Jo sMith erie county conservation District annoesJka steinMan blandford nature center terry sWier Michigan citizens for Water conservation sarah Winterton enviornmental Defence

eligibility: Please visit our website to assess

your organizations eligibility. ny grassroots initiative working to protect and A restore rivers, lakes, wetlands, and groundwater in the Great Lakes. nited States applicants that do not have U 501(c)(3) tax status or Ontario applicants that are not registered charities must have a sponsoring 501(c)(3) organization or registered charity. The sponsor assumes responsibility for administration of the grant. If necessary, the sponsor may charge up to 5% of the total grant to cover administrative costs. pplicants must be a member of Freshwater A Future (you may join at time of application). Membership lasts for a period of one year and then must be renewed. If the membership fee is a hardship for your organization, please contact Freshwater Future for assistance.

f r e s h wat e r f u t u r e

Photos: various grant reciPient grouPs in action

impacts and further develop ways to engage their communities. The symposia will allow groups to develop the tools they need to make their project more successful and provide them with a platform to discuss their projects and get feedback, ideas, and encouragement from others in their field of work. There is no cost to attend, accommodation will be provided to those who need it, and participants will also be given the opportunity to apply for travel scholarships.

It is important for applicants to know that Freshwater Future will receive many more applications than it can possibly fund. New applicants and those that have not received funding in the past year will receive priority. Grassroots groups that do not receive a grant can reapply for future funding. Members are eligible for one grant per year from each of our grant making areas.

What Youll Need to applY:

Below are the main elements contained in the Application.

types of Activities We Do not Fund:

ducation projects that do not include an adE vocacy component to create permanent change; n-the-ground restoration projects without O an advocacy component; overnmental functions (including governmenG tal entities such as units of government, governmental agencies and conservation districts); obbying activities (activities that attempt to L influence specific pieces of legislation); rojects that have already been completed; P onsulting activities for organizational capacC ity building or strategy development services those activities are available through our Insight Grant Services Program.

Additional Support: An important strength of Freshwater Future is the linkage between the funding assistance and other capacity needs. For more information about our capacity building, communications or networking services, please visit www.freshwaterfuture.org or call Freshwater Future staff at (231) 348-8200. mission: Freshwater Future builds effective community-based citizen action to protect and restore the water quality of the Great Lakes Basin. We work toward this goal by providing financial assistance, communications and networking assistance, and technical assistance to citizens and grassroots watershed groups throughout the Great Lakes Basin. Through these efforts we work with about 2,000 grassroots watershed groups and citizens to protect and restore the rivers, lakes and wetlands in their communities. An important link in protecting our water resources is the active involvement of individuals and community groups working at the local level to protect rivers, lakes and wetlands.
The passion shown by Great Lakes Basin residents for their local resources is inspiring, and represents an important part of the environmental movement in the Great Lakes Basin. Citizens participate in local decisions affecting aquatic habitats, watch-dog the enforcement of environmental laws, and create change through civic engagement. Through these important local activities, the grassroots provide an important voice for aquatic habitat protection where the majority of land use decisions are madeat the local level.

Applicant Contact Information Sponsor Contact

Information (if applicable) Project Title Total Amount of Request Total Project Cost Abstract Organization Information Description of Project Proposed Budget Supporting Materials

How We evaluate Applications: The following evaluation criteria strategically focus Freshwater Futures limited funds. Preference will be given to projects that do some or all of the following:
ddress one or more of the Priority Funding A Areas (see specific priorities for each funding program on our website); nclude a strong advocacy component; I mbody a watershed or ecosystem perspective; E ncorporate climate issues into the project. I (see more information on climate adaptation on our website) uild partnerships or promote creative collabB orations; ave the potential to leverage financial, volunH teer, or in-kind resources; rovide long-term benefits to aquatic habitats P and the local community; ave the potential to be replicated by grassH roots efforts in other communities; and/or elp build the groups capacity to better proH tect aquatic habitats in the future.

advocacY compoNeNt:
The part of your project that aims to encourage decision makers within the governmental, social, or economic institutions involved in your community, to make a positive and permanent change regarding your projects goals. This does not mean strictly educating decision makers on an issue, but rather giving them the tools and resources they need to take that step toward making a difference.

Project Goals and objectives:

Projects that will be considered for funding will have a goal that centers on protection of rivers, lakes, wetlands, and groundwater in the Great Lakes basin. The goal may be related to your organizations mission but must be clearly defined as the end result of the proposed project. The objectives needed to reach the intended goal must also be clearly defined in your proposal.

spr i n g / fal l 2 0 1 1

Funding For Freshwater Futures grant Programs is generously Provided by: C.S. Mott Foundation
Kresge Foundation New Prospect Foundation Freshwater Future Donors
Project examples include:
nfluence the development and/or enforcement of regulatory, permitting, I or assessment decisions; ollect and disseminate existing information or conduct applied research C to enable individuals or citizen initiatives to more effectively advocate for protection of aquatic habitats; onduct media campaigns, including message development and training, C to increase the effectiveness of grassroots protection efforts; uild coalitions among new and diverse partners; and B ire an outside expert to assist with a campaign or project under the Project H Grant Program, such as: o Legal Services o Wetland Delineation or Assessment o Hydrology Studies mprove organizations capacity to protect the water resources of the I Great Lakes basin using Freshwater Future staff consultations. ake your community prepared for a variable climate by undertaking M on-the-ground projects to prevent flooding or protect water quality. ake your community more prepared for a variable climate by ensuring M local decisions consider the impacts of future climate variability.

Freshwater Future: helping people protect the great lakes

The Great Lakes are an international treasure like no other in the worldand they are at risk. Freshwater Future works to ensure the health of the Great Lakes for our children, grandchildren and future generations. We are dedicated to the belief that individuals can and do make a difference. Freshwater Future builds effective community-based initiatives to protect and restore the water quality of the Great Lakes basin. Freshwater Future is a powerful resource investing in the people and communities caring for our Great Lakes waters. Over the past 15 years, we have: Helped thousands of community-based groups and individuals Provided over $1.5 million in grants Connected citizens to resources and each other, building a Great Lakes community Provided one-on-one assistance to build leadership skills for citizens and community-based groups Distributed thousands of locally targeted resource toolkits and other materials Freshwater Future sparks action for a growing network of community-based groups and concerned individuals whose objectives are to support the enactment and enforcement of laws that protect the waters in the Great Lakes region by leveraging their strengths. By providing these groups with a variety of resources, Freshwater Future helps people make a difference in their community. Freshwater Future encourages citizen engagement and participation in community decision-making to protect and restore local rivers, lakes and wetlands.

Freshwater Future believes that:

Effective citizen engagement improves the health of our communities Citizens closest to the issues have the knowledge and ability to make a difference Positive change at the local level is important for protecting our resources

The 2011 Grant Programs Application Form can be found at www.freshwaterfuture.org Submitting Your Application: Proposals
must be prepared based on the questions and format contained in the 2011 Grant Programs Application Form. Please send your application and supporting documents via e-mail in a Word attachment to grants@freshwaterfuture.org. Supporting documents may be sent via first class mail if unable to send via e-mail. Please do not fax your application. A confirmation e-mail will be sent within 24 hours, if you dont receive that message please contact us.

Freshwater Future online

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