Vancouver Foundation – Environment Fund
Environment Fund Priority Areas for 2011 to 2014:
From 2011 to 2014, there will be a particular focus on freshwater and habitat protection. In 2011, the Environment Committee grants budget is approximately $500,000. Approximately one-third of the budget will be targeted towards each of the two priority areas. The remaining third is available for requests that meet our general environmental goals.
Multi-year requests related to the priority areas are encouraged and evaluation will be supported. We will likely only support two to three multi-year projects in each area.
In the area of freshwater, we are interested in strategies that strive for the long-term sustainability, protection and resilience of water quality and flows. In the area of habitat protection & conservation, we are interested in strategies that offer opportunities for broad community participation and engagement in development of solutions, whether in marine or land-based ecosystems.
Criteria for evaluating funding requests to each of our priority areas include projects which have the potential to result in measurable change over the next two to three years; address root causes of threats to the environment; create opportunity for grassroots community engagement; and demonstrate strong project collaboration.
Possible relevance to Guardian Watchmen programs: Environmental education and community outreach, stewardship activities, implementing and monitoring EBM plans, training programs.
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info@vancouverfoundation.ca
Purpose
- To support the health and resilience of British Columbia’s environment in a changing world.
Goals
- To support and advance innovative policy and practice which address root causes of environmental issues.
- To increase public awareness, understanding and engagement in key environmental issues.
- To ensure that people and communities closest to environmental challenges are included in the development of solutions.
Guiding Principles when considering requests for funding:
- Vancouver Foundation supports growth and innovation where there is demonstrated commitment from grant applicants and partners, the likelihood of effectiveness, and strong potential to serve as a model to others
- Initiatives should be clearly linked to the mandate and strategic plans of the organization
- Proposals should build on the strengths of the community to respond to identified issues and priorities
- There should be evidence of collaboration with the community and/or other agencies in the field, as appropriate
- Significant and appropriate support from the local community, including other funding sources, should be evident
- Projects should use, enhance, mobilize or expand the skills, capacities and assets of local people and their community
- The applicant organization must demonstrate fiscal responsibility and effective management
- The applicant organization should demonstrate inclusiveness and respect for cultural diversity
- Where appropriate, those affected by the proposed initiative should be involved in the development, implementation and evaluation of the proposal
- The organization should demonstrate a commitment to the project through a meaningful contribution of its own human and/or financial resources
- Projects that will be ongoing after the end of the grant should provide realistic plans for longer-term funding
- Organizations should demonstrate that at least 50% of their funding for the requested project (cash and in-kind) comes from other sources
Possible relevance to Guardian Watchmen programs: Environmental education and community outreach, stewardship activities, implementing and monitoring EBM plans, training programs.
Average grant is approximately $25K and multi-year grants will be accepted.
Two proposal intakes in 2012:
Letter of Intent Deadline: January 27, 2012. Grant Application Deadline: March 16, 2012Letter of Intent Deadline: July 27, 2012. Grant Application Deadline: September 14, 2012
Check out the website for detailed funding guidelines and criteria.
