NATURAL
RESOURCES PROTECTIVE ASSOCIATION
P.O. BOX 050328
STATEN ISLAND, NEW YORK 10305
(718) 987-6037
Protecting The Marine Environment Since 1977
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This Information is taken from the website of: WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLANNING OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE WEBSITE It is a good example GUIDELINES FOR GRANT WRITING OR HOW TO GET MONEY TO SOLVE ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS One of the main questions for many lake associations is how to get funding in order to correct a lake-related problem. The good news is the existence of a diversity of state, federal and private agencies willing to fund environmentally related projects. The problems arise in knowing where and how to obtain funding and having the determination and patience to access it. This guide provides a brief, step-by-step approach to finding funds and some useful tips for getting started on the process. It has been compiled from the experience of numerous people involved in different forms of grantsmanship. Problem identification may arise during the development of a watershed management plan for your lake. Alternatively, it may result from an immediate crisis facing the lake. It is important to place the issue in a fundable context. Focus on individual projects rather than just stating, “we need money to save the lake”. Small projects are more easily funded. Alternatively, consider coordinating with other members of the watershed (e.g. DEC, Soil & Water, etc.) to see if your project can fit into a larger area activity. Use creative thinking about potential solutions. How can solving your problem be useful or “valuable” to other parties or areas. Brainstorm ideas. For example, erosion and sedimentation may be causing water quality problems in a headwater lake, but you should also consider the outflow of the lake and its destination. Lake association members could try to partner with downstream towns concerned about quality of their drinking water or flood control problems. The combined group may be able to access state water quality funds or federal flood control funds. Another example is farm runoff into the lake. Farmers may also be concerned about waste storage problems. Combining forces may provide easier access to state or federal pollution control funding. Grantors often want their funds to be shared with additional entities for more benefits. If you feel your lake may be perceived as too small consider joining with one or two other lakes within your township. Consider partnering with a school or college for equipment use on your lake and for student volunteers or interns. This may open the door to some educational grants, as the school or college may need a site for research purposes. Several FOLA member lakes are already partnering with colleges for data collection or analysis. Consider contacting nearby youth correctional facilities. They can often provide people for branch cutting/clean-up, gabion construction or other heavy labor work. It is critical that you partner with, and gain support from your local municipal government agencies. Most state and federal agencies will require that funds be directed through such local governments. More importantly, these local contacts are already tapped into the network of fund sources and are aware of resources. Attend local town meetings in a cooperative spirit! Make your elected officials aware of your presence and dedication to lake preservation for the benefit of the area as a whole. If they recognize a commitment on the part of your organization and its members, you may more easily establish a dialogue and an ongoing working relationship. CASE STUDY: One New York lake group combined three lake watersheds into one grant because 2/3 of the town roads was in those watersheds. Working with the highway superintendent, they were able to fund a road sweeper for the town to pick up sediments and salts from the roads - which incidentally reduced runoff pollution into the watershed. The grant also funded the construction of catch basins in one watershed where none had previously existed. The grant had an educational requirement. This was met by having the volunteer lake advisory committee from one lake produce a nonpoint source stormwater education brochure and a lake website featuring nonpoint source information links. Both the scope and budget will be critical components of any grant application and will also help you to obtain support from local officials. It is important to consider the motive of the grantor you are seeking funds from. Are they after philanthropic work, media attention, good will, government action, public interest, public health and safety? Knowing this will help you to key your request appropriately. Know that most grants require matching funds. Some grants will allow the matching portion of the grant to be partially or fully fulfilled with in-kind services from volunteers or local municipalities. The value of the time expended by volunteers should not be underestimated, but a careful budget and realistic price for their time and equipment must be established. Success in obtaining small grants is important for momentum and for establishing a good track record in order to get later, larger grants considered. A grant written for less than $5000 has a good chance of getting funded. One or two knowledgeable volunteers can often write such small grants. Grants asking for larger sums, or for periods longer than one-year time frames, take more effort and usually require involvement of professionals in the development and writing of the grant. Try several of suggested strategies, but expect bottlenecks and many rejections. Realize that there are very different issues and they may require very different resources. There is no simple answer and certainly no pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. - Grant News. This is a newsletter from NYS Assemblyman Sheldon Silver. It is available in print or online (www.assembly.state.ny.us) under Announcements. It lists sources of grants and deadlines. About one year is archived online. It also lists courses in grant writing. - Foundation Directory. Grant subjects are listed, followed by foundations that give funds for that purpose. Each foundation listed has a number. Locate that number to find full foundation information. - Foundation Grants Index. This lists grants previously given; by subject, then by state and foundation, listing grant amounts awarded and description of the purpose of the grant. - Online (www.fdncenter.org) from the Foundation Center is an extensive site for grants. It lists public, corporate and charitable organizations that provide grant monies. It also lists courses in grant writing. In select libraries, often the central reference section of a public library system, Foundation Center is available on CD-ROM. This version allows you to limit your search geographically and by purpose of the grant, which helps to fine-tune your search to meet your needs. Online has to be used at their discretion. These funds can be given for large and small community projects in their districts. Consider photo opportunities in the context of your proposal. Consider a catchy title for your project so it will look good in the press. The official is usually interested in media coverage so constituents become aware of his/her good deed. - Fill out several application forms to various sources. Key words (“buzz words”) are important. One lake representative said that their town did not like the words “Lake Manager”, i.e. the municipality manages, not a citizen. The lake association changed the wording in the proposal to emphasize watershed conservation. Simple wording changes - that emphasized the most current data. Print publishing takes time.
Use the media to your advantage! Write brief but informative press releases to local newspapers, radio and television stations. Don't forget the local “weeklies”. They are often hungry for local public interest stories. Invite media personalities for a tour of the watershed and/or a visit to our lake. Who can resist a boat ride on a sunny day! An informative visit could produce a full-page article in the local section of the area newspaper. SUMMARY: 1. Clearly identify the problem or issue that needs funding. Sample- STATE OF THE LAKE REPORT TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of Contents Preface Executive Summary Watershed Characteristics |
Coastal
Issues
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