FOR was awarded an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Environmental Education grant to provide greater access to environmental education and student stewardship opportunities in the Rappahannock River Watershed.
FOR is offering $25,000 in mini-grants to schools, 501c3 non-profits, and other eligible entities to support student-centered projects and activities related to environmental education. Through this program, FOR will award up to 30 mini-grants to be awarded throughout 2019 until 2022.
Eligiblity
Grant awards are limited to eligible entities including 501c3 non-profit organizations, soil and water conservation districts, K-12 schools, community colleges, and other institutions of higher learning in the geographic region of the Rappahannock River Watershed. Organization must work in the following Virginia Counties: Essex, Richmond, Middlesex, Westmoreland, Lancaster, and King George.
All entities must be able and eligible to receive funds (no fiscal sponsorship of other entities).
Deadline to Apply: Rolling
Award Notification: Rolling
Award Amount:
Minimum: $500
Maximum: $2,500
Submit grant application here
Project Guidelines and Requirements
Organizations should be located in and provide environmental education activities, programs, or services within the Rappahannock River watershed; or directly benefit communities or populations of students in the Rappahannock River watershed. Projects that do not involve either students from or activities in the Rappahannock River watershed will not be considered. If you are applying funds for an on the ground project, please provide a letter of support from the appropriate head of department (principal or maintenance manager).
Priorities
This mini-grant program seeks to engage participants in quality environmental education activities with a focus on water quality, stream ecology, STEM activities, research, and field based stewardship projects. Preference will be given to projects that meet one or both of these priorities.
Examples
Project Examples include but are not limited to:
- Purchase of water quality monitoring equipment for student field activities
- Purchase of supplies or materials for outdoor classrooms, oyster reef creation, litter cleanups, in-school campaigns, installation of livign shorelines, floating treatment wetlands, rain gardens, pollinator gardens, tree plantings
- Transportation costs and substitute teacher costs for school field trips involving environmental education activities
Reporting Requirements
A final report will be due one month after the completion of the project as outlined in the grant application. This report will include a brief narrative of the project or program, a summary of how the funds were spent and copies of any photos or materials generated with use of grant funds. Any unused funds at the completion of the grant must be returned to Friends of the Rappahannock.
Restrictions
- Funding cannot be used for construction, contracting, or administration costs.
- Staff time is allowed as a percentage of awards, but preference will be given to awards that diretly benefit the target population.
- This funding is not meant to over the costs of training or professional development
- Lobbying, political campaigns, religious activities, and associated activities, are not permitted under this grant program.
- Applicant organizations are limited to one proposal.
- Funds cannot be used for mandatory mitigation or routine maintenance.
For additional information about this program or how to apply please send an email to [email protected]
