Deadline: 15-May-21
The New Jersey Conservation Foundation has announced the Franklin Parker Conservation Excellence Grants Program to provide essential resources to nonprofit organizations addressing environmental challenges and improving quality of life for communities of color throughout New Jersey.
The Franklin Parker Conservation Excellence Grants provide funding for non-profit conservation organizations working in New Jersey.
The grants are designed to enhance proficiency in land conservation, develop long-term viable programs, and design creative, innovative projects that can serve as models for other communities and projects.
Since its inception in 1989, the Franklin Parker Conservation Excellence Grants Program has awarded more than $1,769,891 for 468 conservation projects throughout the Garden State.
Objectives
Projects must be completed by June 1, 2022, and achieve at least one of the following objectives:
- Land Preservation: Permanent preservation of land through acquisition or other means to improve quality of life for New Jersey communities of color. Funding may be used toward land transaction expenses, such as appraisals and surveys, but not for the capital costs of acquisitions. Eligible acquisition projects must be under contract or option with the landowner.
- Land Stewardship: Implementation of stewardship projects, excluding routine maintenance, that will enhance natural resources conservation and/or public access. Eligible stewardship projects must take place on lands accessible by the general public, and improve quality of life for New Jersey communities of color.
- Public Education and Advocacy: Development of research, white papers, meetings, outdoor activities and other strategies to educate and promote understanding and appreciation of the benefits of clean, green, healthy environments in New Jersey communities of color.
- Organizational Health: Establishment of sound management practices and/or training that will expand and strengthen an organization’s capacity to improve quality of life for New Jersey communities of color.
Priorities
Projects that employ the following strategies will receive priority:
- Collaboration: The project promotes partnerships and engages groups working together towards mutual conservation goals;
- Innovation: Development of creative approaches to land preservation and stewardship, which can serve as models for other groups.
Funding Information
- Grants range in size, with a maximum of $5,000. Applicants are expected to match the requested funding (1:1) with inkind and/or cash contributions.
Grants may be used for
- In addition to grant expenditures noted above, grant funds may be used for capital expenditures for stewardship/farming and stipends for students/interns.
Grants may not be used for
- Capital expenditures for land and easement acquisition; political and lobbying activities; or general operating costs, including permanent staff costs.
For more information, visit https://www.njconservation.org/franklin-parker-grants/