The Paul Wiseman Conservation Education Grant

Apply here: http://mountaineersfoundation.org/grants/application/

The Mountaineers Foundation has shifted the focus area of our Community Grants program to align with our new mission focus.

The Mountaineers Foundation promotes actions and fosters understanding to inspire conservation within the Salish Sea region. We are interested in projects and active programs that preserve and protect environments and living organisms that influence and support the Salish Sea region.

The Salish Sea is the intricate network of coastal waterways that includes the southwestern portion of the Canadian province of British Columbia and the northwestern portion of the U.S. state of Washington. Its major bodies of water are the Strait of Georgia, the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and Puget Sound.

Map of the Salish Sea by Stefan Freelan

Map of the Salish Sea & Surrounding Basin, Stefan Freelan, WWU, 2009

 

Our funding criteria for these conservation education grants are based on our by-laws, articles of incorporation, status as an IRS-designated 501(c)(3) organization, and the wishes of Paul Wiseman, founding member of the Mountaineers Foundation.

Level 2: The Paul Wiseman Conservation Education Grant will be approved at a $15,000 limit. We will welcome substantial projects that envision significant environmental education benefits with carefully articulated goals and outcomes. These grants should have a high impact or visibility and could span multiple years. The Level 2 grant will be offered once during the 2017 calendar year: the deadline for this grant application is October 1st.

We Support

  • selected projects of 501(c)(3) or of other non-profit organizations and of certain agencies such as libraries and schools;
  • selected projects that involve a variety of community organizations

Projects may include:

  • direct educational programs and materials related to environmental conservation
  • lectures, conferences, seminars
  • written or audiovisual awareness materials
  • curriculum or other instructional materials

We Are Unable to Support

  • for-profit organizations
  • regular operating expenses (e.g. overhead, ongoing or administrative salaries)
  • projects that include legislative lobbying or support candidates for office
  • commercial ventures or feasibility studies that might lead to commercial products or programs
  • fund drives
  • projects that could harm the environment
  • memberships in organizations
  • projects that have no start/end dates
  • projects that repeat established and/or verified studies

Grant Guidelines

When judging proposals, the Mountaineers Foundation looks for evidence of the following:

  • innovation and originality
  • audience/message/probable impact of educational projects
  • the applicant’s ability to conduct and complete the work
  • feasibility of the project
  • a realistic and reasonable budget
  • commitment from the other agencies you will partner with
  • significance to the environment or the community
  • completion of the Mountaineers Foundation Applicant Data Sheet

How to Apply for a Mountaineers Foundation Grant

A few important details:

  • We do not pre-screen applications or accept letters of inquiry.
  • We will not review incomplete applications.

Items 1-5 below must be included in your application.

  1. A completed Grant Application Form
  2. A short (4-page maximum) narrative telling us about:
    • your organization’s mission
    • exactly what you propose to do; why it is important; how it addresses the Foundation’s priorities for conservation education; what outcomes you expect to achieve
    • who will do the work; include either resumes or short narrative descriptions of qualifications
    • a project schedule, including regular progress reports to The Mountaineers Foundation
  3. Your organization’s most recent financial statement (please do not include audit reports or IRS filings); and a specific detailed budget for this project, including cash flow, which shows how The Mountaineers Foundation funds, and the funds you have requested from others, will be spent
  4. Your organization’s tax-exemption statement from the IRS
  5. Evidence (e.g., a letter) of commitment from any organization you have included in your project’s work scope. For instance, if you intend to conduct your project in a school, we need to know that school officials have approved the project.

If you think your project falls within our guidelines, please complete the Grant Application Form.

When to Submit Your Application

2017 application deadlines are:

These are dates for receipt of proposals. Unless we have further questions about your project, we will notify you about our funding decision approximately 8 to 10 weeks after the application deadlines.

If We Fund Your Project, We Expect:

  • Regular progress reports, as specified in your proposal
  • Final project report: this is a requirement for all funded proposals
  • A copy of any materials you produce with our funding
  • Appropriate credit to The Mountaineers Foundation (NOT The Mountaineers Club. We are a totally separate organization.)
  • A link to http://mountaineersfoundation.org on your web site if applicable.
  • All funds granted to be used for the purposes described in the grant application

Please note: If your project is canceled for any reason, including lack of funds, our grant may not be used for general operating expenses and must be returned to the Foundation.