Deadline: 15-Jan-21
The Long Island Community Foundation’s (LICF) Long Island Sound Stewardship Fund (LISSF) is a competitive grant program seeking proposals to restore and protect the health and living resources of Long Island Sound.
LICF is interested in empowering communities of all kinds (including communities typically underrepresented in environmental advocacy) to access, improve and benefit from Long Island Sound, its waterways, and surrounding lands.
The most competitive proposals will incorporate multiple values including sustainability, resilience and diversity, equity, and inclusion. The availability of funds is contingent upon the quality of proposals received, and their alignment with the priorities in this RFP.
Funding Information
- Projects under $100,000 must start within three months and be completed within 15 months after notification of grant award projected to be March 2021.
- Projects requesting the maximum award amount must start within three months and be completed within 24 months.
Aims
The LISSF aims to:
- Support nongovernmental organizations working on issues and projects related to the Long Island Sound Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan;
- Help build stronger nongovernmental organizations working in the Long Island Sound watershed in Connecticut and New York;
- Foster collaboration and innovation around conservation and environmental quality;
- Accelerate the “next best step” for proven tools and strategies to reduce pollution, restore habitat, conserve species, enhance community resilience, support inclusive management, and engage people around the Sound; and
- Support communities and organizations in advancing environmental justice and diversity, equity and inclusion.
Eligibility Criteria
- Eligible applicants include non-profit 501(c)3 organizations and educational institutions.
- Applicant organizations may submit up to two proposals per organization.
- Proposals must be submitted electronically through the given website.
- Funds may not be used for:
- Activities prohibited to 501(c)3 organizations.
- Scientific research. Those interested in funding for research should consider the Long Island Sound Study Research Grant Program.
- Marketing efforts that serve to generally promote solely the applicant organization and its initiatives.
- The building or capital or acquisition campaigns, endowments, sponsorships, or to address budget deficits.
Application Process
A complete application consists of the following:
Complete online cover sheet (Proposal cover sheet); and then upload the required application materials in the order outlined below and condensed into a single PDF file no more than 25 mb in size.
- Board of Directors List (Indicate Executive Committee Members with “E” if applicable);
- LISSF Proposal Narrative (form provided);
- Letters of Support are not required but recommended from significant partners involved in the delivery of the project describing their role(s) and committing to project. Letters of support should be scanned into a single file and send the file with the online application. You may upload a maximum of 4 letters. Generic letters of support are not recommended.
- LISSF Expense Budget Form (form provided).
- Current Year, Board-Approved Operating Budget (note: if you are a university, submit operating budget for your specific department only.)
Financial:
- Current (2018 or later) GAAP Audited Financial Statements or if a GAAP is not available, a current Balance Sheet/Income Statement;
- IRS Form 990 (if not available on GuideStar) or electronic notice;
- For entities that do not file a 990, provide EIN or FEIN;
- IRS Tax Exempt letter;
- Dun and Bradstreet (DUNS) number.
If you are applying with a funds administrator, please include the following:
- A letter signed by the funds administrator with the organization’s Executive Director stating agreement to serve as an administrator for the applicant that includes an explanation of the relationship to the applicant, and disclosure of any fees charged (if applicable).
- Current board list of funds administrator’s organization.
- Current (2018 or later) GAAP Audited Financial Statements for a fiscal sponsor, or if a GAAP is not available, a current Balance Sheet/Income Statement.
- Funds administrator’s IRS Form 990 (if not available on GuideStar) or electronic notice.
- For entities that do not file a 990, provide EIN or FEIN.
- Funds administrator’s IRS Tax Exempt letter.
- Funds administrator’s DUNS number.
For more information, visit https://licf.org/information-for/for-nonprofits/request-for-proposals/