News Flash - Community Sustainability and Environmental Stewardship Grants

Wells Fargo and National Fish & Wildlife Foundation Launch Grant Program to Support Community Sustainability and Environmental Stewardship Projects; Due July 2, 2012

Wells Fargo and the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation have announced Environmental Solutions for Communities, a new grant program to help communities in the United States create a more sustainable future through responsible environmental stewardship.

The program seeks to support projects that link economic development and community well-being to the stewardship and health of the environment. Collectively, investments under this initiative will promote a sustainable future for communities by supporting sustainable agricultural practices and private lands stewardship; conserving critical land and water resources and improving local water quality; restoring and managing natural habitat, species, and ecosystems that are important to community livelihoods; facilitating investments in green infrastructure, renewable energy and energy efficiency; and encouraging broad-based citizen participation in project implementation.

Priority projects include innovative cost-effective programs that enhance stewardship on private agricultural lands to improve water quality and quantity and/or enhance wildlife habitat for species of concern, while maintaining or increasing agricultural productivity; community-based conservation projects that protect and restore local habitats and natural areas, enhance water quality, promote urban forestry, educate and train community leaders on sustainable practices, promote related job creation and training, and engage diverse partners and volunteers; demonstration projects that showcase innovative, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly approaches to the improvement of environmental conditions within urban communities by greening traditional infrastructure and public projects such as storm water management and flood control, public park enhancements, and renovations to public facilities; and projects that increase the resiliency of the nation's coastal communities and ecosystems (including the Great Lakes) by restoring coastal habitats, living resources, and water quality in ways that enhance livelihoods and the quality of life in these communities.

Eligible applicants include nonprofit 501(c) organizations; state, tribal, provincial, and local governments; and educational institutions working in states and communities where Wells Fargo operates. Individuals, federal agencies, and private for-profit firms are not eligible. Projects that seek funding for political advocacy, lobbying, litigation, fundraising, or legally mandated mitigation projects are not eligible.

Grant awards typically range from $25,000 to $250,000. The ratio of matching funds offered is one criterion considered during the review process, and projects that meet or exceed a 1:1 match ratio will tend to be more competitive.

The initiative will award grants twice a year. In addition to this Request for Proposals, funding available under the partnership also will be used to leverage resources associated with other NFWF funding opportunities.

Visit the NFWF Web site for the complete RFP and application instructions.

Contact:
Link to Complete RFP

Primary Subject: Environment 
Geographic Funding Area: National

Posted May 17, 2012 via Fondation Center - PND

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