[Coral-List] Funding available for projects in U.S. coral reef watersheds

Roger B Griffis Roger.B.Griffis at noaa.gov
Sat Apr 17 13:33:32 EDT 2004


FOR DISTRIBUTION
Funding Announcement/Call for Proposals

National Fish and Wildlife Foundation in Partnership with the Natural
Resources Conservation Service Announces an Opportunity for Matching
Grants for Conservation on Private Lands for 2004

Note the new focus on projects in coral reef watersheds:

"A new focus of this year's program is on agricultural land upstream
from or adjacent to coral reefs and on implementing land-based
conservation projects that would enhance these
ecosystems."

_______________________________
Announcement
For more information see http://www.nfwf.org/programs/nrcsnacd.htm

National Fish and Wildlife Foundation in Partnership with the Natural
Resources Conservation Service Announces an Opportunity for Matching
Grants for Conservation on Private Lands for 2004

Background The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (Foundation) is
working to expand and strengthen our partnership with the Natural
Resources Conservation Service
(NRCS) to support innovative and effective conservation and stewardship
of our country’s private lands. The goal of the partnership is to
support high quality projects that
engage private landowners, primarily farmers and ranchers, in the
conservation and enhancement of fish and wildlife and natural resources
on their lands. A new focus of
this year's program is on agricultural land upstream from or adjacent to
coral reefs and on implementing land-based conservation projects that
would enhance these
ecosystems.

The Foundation has received $3 million from the NRCS in support of this
partnership. The Foundation will devote 100 percent of these dollars to
a matching grant program
to support conservation projects. Matching grants will be awarded
through a competitive process to eligible grant recipients including
state and local governments,
education institutions, and nonprofit organizations. Grants to, or in
partnership with, the NRCS, Resource Conservation and Development Areas,
and local conservation
districts will be given special consideration. Grants typically range
from $10,000-$150,000, based upon need.

What Are Matching Grants? The Foundation awards matching grants - each
dollar awarded by the Foundation must be matched with one non-federal
dollar or goods and
services of equal value. However, the Foundation strives to increase
resources directed to conservation and encourages applicants to achieve
at least a 2:1 ratio - two
dollars raised in non-federal funds, goods, or services for every one
dollar awarded by the Foundation.

The Foundation refers to funds raised by the grantee as matching funds.
Matching funds must be:

     Non-federal in origin - federally appropriated or managed funds
cannot be used to match a Foundation grant;
     Voluntary in nature – permit or court-ordered settlements are
generally ineligible;
     Raised and dedicated specifically for the project in question; and
     Applied only to the Foundation grant and not to any other federal
matching programs.

The funds awarded by the Foundation are the awarded funds. In the case
of this program, the Foundation’s awarded funds are federal funds
provided to the Foundation
through an agreement with the NRCS.

Grant Criteria All proposals will be evaluated on the following
criteria. Qualified projects that meet the criteria described below will
be considered and funded based upon
grant money available and the level of competition.

     Conservation on Working Landscapes: The Foundation seeks innovative
fish, wildlife, and coral reef ecosystem projects that integrate
conservation practices in
     ongoing agriculture, ranching, and forestry operations. Where
possible, projects should demonstrate a link to other NRCS programs and
activities.
     Demonstrated Value for Fish and Wildlife: Project proponents must
clearly define the conservation problem they are seeking to address and
explain how their
     project will provide measurable benefits for fish, wildlife, and/or
coral reefs. Projects that enhance or protect habitat of candidate,
threatened, or endangered species
     are encouraged.
     Northern Bobwhite Quail and Other Grassland Nesting Birds: Projects
that restore, conserve, and manage habitat for northern bobwhite quail
and other grassland
     nesting birds and associated wildlife species on private lands are
eligible, including restoration of native prairie, riparian, and stream
habitats.
     Conservation Practices Benefiting Water Quality: Projects that
improve water quality, particularly in watersheds upstream from or
adjacent to coral reef habitats, are
     requested.
     Partnerships: Successful projects will demonstrate diverse
partnerships among a variety of stakeholders. Special consideration will
be given to projects which unite
     conservation and agricultural interests and develop true "win-win"
solutions.
     Leverage: Projects must provide match to the Foundation’s federal
grant award of at least 1:1, with 2:1 or greater strongly encouraged.
Projects which bring
     matching contributions from third parties will be favorably
considered.
     On-The-Ground: In general, only those proposals with a strong
on-the-ground component will be considered, although capacity building,
community development,
     education, and other goals may be included in the projects.
     Landscape Scale: Preference will be given to those proposals that
address agricultural conservation at the watershed- or landscape-scale.
     Immediacy of Need: Proposals must demonstrate a clear need for
funding and should define a time-line for project implementation. We
expect our grants to be
     completed roughly one year after they are approved.

Geographic and Programmatic Focus Areas This program aims to support a
diverse array of projects from across the entire country, including the
Pacific Area Basin
and the Caribbean. The Foundation has not established geographic and
programmatic priorities; however, we are especially interested in
innovative demonstration projects,
projects which seek to engage limited resource farmers in efforts to
promote conservation practices that benefit fish, wildlife and coral
reef ecosystems, and projects that
address conservation needs while improving the economic sustainability
of working farms and ranches.

Restrictions NRCS funds cannot be used for land acquisition,
fundraising, political advocacy, or litigation purposes.

How to Apply for a Matching Grant Submit a pre-proposal via the
Foundation’s website. Upon receipt and evaluation of the pre-proposal,
the Foundation will invite
successful applicants to submit a full proposal. Access to the
Foundation’s general matching grant application form will be provided to
successful applicants at that time. A
good proposal addresses:

     Conservation need and benefit of proposed action(s);
     Opportunities for substantive multi-sector involvement and
coordination;
     Staff qualifications and organization’s track record;
     Integration of program monitoring and evaluation; and
     Ability to use Foundation grant to leverage additional non-federal
resources.

When Are Proposals Due? The upcoming deadlines for this grant program
are listed below. Please note that pre-proposals must be received
electronically. Full proposals
will only be accepted by invitation, based upon initial review of the
applicant’s pre-proposal.

             Pre-Proposal Due
                                             Foundation Board of
Director’s Decision
             April 23, 2004
                                             October 15, 2004
             September 17, 2004
                                             March 18, 2005


Additional Questions Applicants will need to work with the appropriate
Foundation regional office to solicit a project review from a local NRCS
employee or State
Conservationist to be submitted along with the full proposal.

What If I Have Additional Questions? If, after careful review of these
guidelines, you have additional questions, please contact the
appropriate Foundation regional office.
A list of regional offices can be found on the Foundation’s website.



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