The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, along with its partners, recognizes the important role refuge Friends organizations play in building critical community support for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Wildlife Refuge System. As such, we are requesting proposals for projects that assist organizations to be effective co-stewards of our Nation's important natural resources within the National Wildlife Refuge System. This program provides competitive seed grants ($1,500 - $5,000) to creative and innovative proposals that seek to increase the number and effectiveness of organizations interested in assisting the Refuge System nationwide.

The National Wildlife Refuge System hosted more than 41 million visitors last year. The Refuge System provides Americans with special places to connect with nature and offers unparalleled outdoor activities to experience and showcase wildlife. Where compatible, the Refuge System prioritizes wildlife-dependent recreation uses involving hunting, fishing, environmental education, interpretation, wildlife observation, and wildlife photography. By enjoying these wildlife-dependent activities, the American public further develops its appreciation for fish and wildlife. This year's grant program will prioritize those proposals that facilitate wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities on refuges and reach new audiences to increase their understanding of and support for the Refuge System's mission.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants are non-profit organizations or organizations that have applied for non-profit status, including refuge Friends organizations, Cooperative and Interpretive Associations, Audubon Chapters and other citizen support organizations interested in assisting a National Wildlife Refuge or group of refuges and the Refuge System as a whole. Applicants must either be tax exempt under section 501(c), OR be in the process of applying for 501(c)(3) status and submit with their grant application a copy of their 501(c)(3) application filing.

What kinds of proposals will be accepted?

Grants will be provided to support proposals that fall within the following areas of emphasis:

• Start-up Grants - Funds will be provided to assist starting refuge Friends organizations with formative and/or initial operational support. For example, funds may be requested for such things as membership drives, training (tuition), brochure and newsletter development, logo design, or consultant fees for planning a mission and strategic plan;
• Capacity Building Grants - Funds will be provided to strengthen the capacity of existing refuge Friends organizations to enable them to be more effective. For example, activities may include outreach efforts, strategic planning, membership development, board or leadership development, designing exhibits for community outreach, or training; and
• Project Specific Grants - Funds will be provided to non-profit organizations seeking support for a specific project. For example, funds may be requested for developing outreach and conservation education programs for local schools, communities, and private landowners, habitat restoration projects, building an observation tower, developing and providing interpretive materials and programs, or watchable wildlife programs.

While this grant program focuses on three areas of emphasis, overarching goals of the program are to help refuge Friends organizations gain experience in developing projects, expand and increase their capacity and skills, meet local refuge challenges, gain and build community recognition and support for the refuge and refuge Friends organizations, and build long-term relationships. Within each area of emphasis, priority will be given to applications that demonstrate their ability to meet these programmatic goals.

Deadline: September 4, 2009. For more information and details please visit their web site.

To view other available funding opportunities please click here.

Chocolate Fundraisers - Up to 60% Profit!!
Our products include an assortment of chocolate bars from World's Finest Chocolate, Hershey's, Lamontagne, One Dollar Bar and Chocolatiers. Choose from a variety of price points and flavors. And almost all $2 and $1 items come with a special offer! Request your FREE fundraising kit!!