Introduction

The NEA’s guiding principle is embodied in one sentence: “Art works.”

“Art works” is a noun; the creation of works of art by artists. “Art works” is a verb; art works on and within people to change and inspire them. “Art works” is a statement; arts jobs are real jobs that are part of the real economy.

Art Works encourages and supports the following four outcomes:

• Creation: The creation of art that meets the highest standards of excellence,
• Engagement: Public engagement with diverse and excellent art,
• Learning: Lifelong learning in the arts, and
• Livability: The strengthening of communities through the arts.

You will be asked to select the outcome that is most relevant to your project, and you also will be able to select a secondary outcome (note that all Arts Education applicants must choose the Learning outcome as their primary outcome). When making selections, you should identify the outcome(s) that reflect the results expected to be achieved by your project. If you receive a grant, you also will be asked to provide evidence of those results.

1. Creation: The portfolio of American art is expanded.Support is available for projects to create art that meets the highest standards of excellence across a diverse spectrum of artistic disciplines and geographic locations. Through the creation of art, these projects are intended to replenish and rejuvenate America’s enduring cultural legacy. Creation activities may include:
   • Commissioning, development, and production of new work.
   • Design competitions and design or planning projects for new arts or cultural spaces or landscapes.
   • Workshops and residencies for artists where the primary purpose is to create new art.
   • Opportunities for writers and translators to create or refine their work.
   • Projects that employ innovative forms of art-making and design.

   You will be asked to address the anticipated results in your application. If you receive a grant, you will be asked to provide evidence of those results at the end of your project. You will need to provide evidence of the new art works created. If the project activities do not lead to the creation of completed works of art within the period of a grant, you may demonstrate progress toward the creation of art by describing the artists’ participation and work accomplished by the end of the grant. Before applying, please review the reporting requirements for Creation.

2. Engagement: Americans throughout the nation experience art.Support is available for projects that provide public engagement with artistic excellence across a diverse spectrum of artistic disciplines and geographic locations. These projects should engage the public directly with the arts, providing Americans with new opportunities to have profound and meaningful arts experiences. Engagement activities may include:
   • Exhibitions, performances, concerts, and readings.
   • Film screenings.
   • Touring and outreach activities.
   • Restaging of repertory and master works of historical significance.
   • Art fairs and festivals.
   • Documentation, preservation, and conservation of art work.
   • Public programs that raise awareness of cultural heritage.
   • Broadcasts on television or radio; video games; mobile apps; live streaming, audio- and video-on-demand, podcasts, MP3 files, or other digital applications.
   • Design charrettes.
   • Publication, production, and promotion of digital, audio, mobile, or online publications; books; magazines; catalogues; and searchable information databases.
   • Services to artists and arts organizations.
   • Projects that extend the arts to underserved populations — those whose opportunities to experience the arts are limited by geography, ethnicity, economics, or disability.
   • Projects that employ innovative forms of art and design delivery.

   You will be asked to address the anticipated results in your application. If you receive a grant, you will be asked to provide evidence of those results at the end of your project. You will need to describe the participants’ experiences as well as the composition of the participant group. If the nature of the project does not allow for the documentation of participants’ experiences explicitly, you may document the composition of the participant group and numbers of participants and activities, and describe the activities used to engage the public with art. Before applying, please review the reporting requirements for Engagement.

3. Learning: Americans of all ages acquire knowledge or skills in the arts.Support is available for projects that provide Americans of all ages with arts learning opportunities across a diverse spectrum of artistic disciplines and geographic locations. These projects should focus on the acquisition of knowledge or skills in the arts, thereby building public capacity for lifelong participation in the arts. Learning activities may include:
   • Lifelong learning activities for children, adults, and intergenerational groups.
   • Standards-based arts education activities for pre-K-12 students.
   • Informal education programs, workshops, and demonstrations.
   • Mentorships and apprenticeship programs.
   • Professional development for artists, teaching artists, teachers, and other education providers.
   • Assessments and evaluations of arts learning.
   • Online courses or training.
   • Lectures and symposia.
   • Production, publication, and distribution of teachers’/facilitators’ guides.
   • Innovative practices in arts learning for Americans of all ages.

   You will be asked to address the anticipated results in your application. If you receive a grant, you will be asked to provide evidence of those results at the end of your project. You will need to describe the participants’ learning, the composition of the participant group, and the numbers of participants and activities, as well as the activities used to facilitate the acquisition of knowledge or skills in the arts. If you receive support through the Arts Education discipline for a standards-based project, you will be required to report on additional measurable results, including identifying specific learning outcomes, describing the assessment method, and reporting on the number of participants who demonstrated learning. Before applying, please review the reporting requirements for Learning. In addition to a Final Descriptive Report and Federal Financial Report, Arts Education grantees will be required to submit assessment tools with their Final Report.

4. Livability: American communities are strengthened through the arts. Support is available for projects that incorporate the arts and design into strategies to improve the livability of communities. Livability consists of a variety of factors that contribute to the quality of life in a community such as ample opportunities for social, civic, and cultural participation; education, employment, and safety; sustainability; affordable housing, ease of transportation, and access to public buildings and facilities; and an aesthetically pleasing environment. The arts can enhance livability by providing new avenues for expression and creativity. Arts- and design-related Livability activities may include:
   • The development of plans for cultural and/or creative sector growth.
   • The enhancement of public spaces through design or new art works.
   • Arts or design activities that are intended to foster community interaction in public spaces.
   • Cultural sustainability activities that contribute to community identity and sense of place.
   • The inclusion of artists, designers, and/or arts organizations in civic engagement activities and plans and processes to improve community livability and enhance the unique characteristics of a community.
   • Innovative community-based partnerships that integrate the arts with livability efforts.

   Please note that certain types of Livability activities will require applicants to provide information in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and/or the National Historic Preservation Act. See here for more information.

   The anticipated long-term results for Livability projects are measurable community benefits, such as growth in overall levels of social and civic engagement; arts- or design-focused changes in policies, laws, and/or regulations; job and/or revenue growth for the community; and changes in in-and-out migration patterns. You will be asked to address the anticipated results in your application. If you receive a grant, you will be asked to provide evidence of those results at the end of your project. Given the nature of Livability projects, benefits are likely to emerge over time and may not be fully measureable during the period of a grant. You will need to provide evidence of progress toward achieving improved livability as appropriate to the project. Reporting requirements for Livability are different from — and more extensive than — the reporting requirements for the other outcomes. Before applying, please review the reporting requirements for Livability.

Innovation

The NEA recognizes that arts and design organizations are often in the forefront of innovation in their work and strongly encourages innovation within the outcomes listed above. Innovative projects are characterized as those that:

• Are likely to prove transformative with the potential for meaningful change, whether in the development or enhancement of new or existing art forms, new approaches to the creation or presentation of art, or new ways of engaging the public with art;
• Are distinctive, offering fresh insights and new value for their fields and/or the public through unconventional solutions; and
• Have the potential to be shared and/or emulated, or are likely to lead to other innovations.

*                      *                        *                      *                      *

Partnerships can be valuable to the success of these projects. While not required, applicants are encouraged to consider partnerships among organizations, both in and outside of the arts, as appropriate to their project.

The Arts Endowment also is interested in projects that extend the arts to underserved populations — those whose opportunities to experience the arts are limited by geography, ethnicity, economics, or disability. This is achieved in part through the use of Challenge America funds.

Please note: The Art Works category does not fund direct grants to individuals. Direct grants to individuals are offered only in the category of Literature Fellowships.

Project Reporting and Evaluation

We ask all applicants to define what they would like to achieve, how they will assess the degree to which it is achieved, and, upon completion of the project, what they have learned from their experiences. Such feedback need not entail large-scale or expensive evaluation efforts. You should do what is feasible and appropriate for your organization and project. When a grant is completed, you must submit a final report and answer questions on your achievements and how these were determined. Arts Education grantees must submit assessment tools with their Final Report. (Please note that assessment tools may be shared publicly. If your tools are proprietary and have copyrights or trademarks attached, you will be asked to note that in your Final Report.) Before applying, please review the reporting requirements for the outcome that will be selected for the proposed project: Creation, Engagement, Learning, or Livability.

Beyond the reporting requirements for all grantees, selected Art Works grantees will be asked to assist in the collection of additional information that can help the NEA determine the degree to which agency objectives were achieved. You may be contacted to provide evidence of project accomplishments including, but not limited to, work samples, community action plans, cultural asset studies, programs, reviews, relevant news clippings, and playbills. Please remember that you are required to maintain project documentation for three years following submission of your final reports.

For a random sample of grants involving the presentation of art, selected grantees will be required to conduct surveys of audience members to gauge the nature and extent of audience response to these art experiences. Grantees selected to conduct surveys will receive materials, technical assistance, and up to $1,000 in nonmatching supplemental funding from the NEA. If you are selected, you will be notified of your participation at the time of grant award.

Deadline

The application deadline for all artist community projects is March 8, 2012. (There is no August deadline.) The earliest beginning date for the Arts Endowment’s period of support is January 1, 2013.

The Art Works category provides support for projects that address the following outcomes (in bold below). You will be asked to indicate the outcome that is most relevant to your project in your application and on the application form (you also will be able to select a secondary outcome).

Creation

• Stipends and living accommodations for professional artists where the primary purpose is to create new art.
• The expansion of the pool of artists that encourages the participation of artists from a wide variety of aesthetic viewpoints, ethnic backgrounds, or geographic areas where the primary purpose is to create new art.
• Access to facilities or technology to meet the needs of interdisciplinary or new genre artists where the primary purpose is to create new art.
• Innovative approaches to serving as an incubator for the creation of art.
• Innovative collaborations between artists and those from sectors outside of the arts (e.g., science) to create new art.

Engagement

• Innovative uses of technology, media, or new models and activities with the surrounding community that provide the public with direct experiences with practicing artists and increase the visibility of the work of artists and the organization.
• Innovative approaches to collaboration with outside organizations and disciplines where the primary purpose is public engagement with art.

Learning

• Activities with the surrounding community that provide educational and related activities for children, adults, intergenerational groups, and schools. (If your project is for children and youth, see “Choosing the Right Discipline for Children and Youth Projects” to help you in your discipline selection.)
• Residency exchange programs with artists and artist communities in other countries where the primary purpose is the acquisition of knowledge or skills in the arts.

Livability

• The development of artist live/work spaces.
• The enhancement of public spaces through commissioning and/or installation of works created by members of artist communities.
• The engagement of artist communities in plans and processes to improve community livability.
• Community-based partnerships that integrate artist communities with livability efforts.

(Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact staff if they are considering Livability as a primary outcome.)

Application Review

This category uses the agency’s traditional method of application review. Applications are submitted to the Artist Communities staff and are reviewed by a diverse group of experts in the artist community field.

Applications are reviewed on the basis of artistic excellence and artistic merit. For more detailed information on how artistic excellence and artistic merit will be evaluated, see the “Review Criteria.” You can find additional information in the “Application Review” section of the “Frequently Asked Questions.” See the “Application Calendar” for information on when we expect to announce grant awards and rejections.

The Council’s major grants are available to non-profit organizations and are intended to connect people to Michigan’s rich cultural and historical resources. Eligible projects include humanities initiatives that encourage reasoning together and learning from each other through discussion and interpretation. A public programming element must be a major component of each humanities-based project that receives funding. Click here for major grants program overview and application instructions.

All grant forms have been updated for the March 2012 major grant cycle.

• Spring Deadline: Draft, February 27.  Final, March 15.  Notification Date: May 15.
• Fall Deadline: Draft, August 24.  Final, September 15.  Notification Date:  November 15.
• Questions?  Email rdipietro@mihumanities.org or call 517-372-7770.
• Forms:Application Cover Sheet. Application Form, Humanities Professional Form, Media & Exhibit Supplemental Guidelines. Score sheet used by Grant Committee. Budget Itemization & sample. Budget Overview & sample. Interim Financial Report & Final Finance Form.
• Evaluations: Audience. Outside Evaluator. Project Director.

Quick Grants (up to $500) and Planning Grants (up to $1,000)

The Michigan Humanities Council provides support for public humanities programs that fall outside the design and deadline schedules of the major grants. To help meet these requests and to match humanities resources and professionals with local needs, the Council offers Quick Grants and Planning Grants. Quick Grants provide up to $500 and Planning Grants provide up to $1,000 to Michigan-based, nonprofit organizations for public humanities programs or services.  Planning grants cover expenses involved in developing a public humanities program that will result in a non-profit applying for a Council major grant. Organizations may only receive one quick or planning grant per year and the project activities must be free or very low cost and open to the public.

• Deadline:  Four weeks prior to an event or planning session. Funds available year-round or until exhausted.
• Questions?  Contact Phyllis Rathbun at 517-372-7770.
• Forms: Quick/Planning Grant Online Application. Quick/Planning Grant Application. Quick/Planning Grant Final Report Form. Quick/Planning Grant Certification.

2012 Request for Proposals

Through this Request for Proposals, Sustain Our Great Lakes invites applications for competitive funding through its Stewardship Grants Program. To be considered for funding, pre-proposals must be submitted online (www.nfwf.org/easygrants) by February 15, 2012, prior to midnight.

Sustain Our Great Lakes awards funding annually through: 1) the Stewardship Grants Program and 2) the Community Grants Program. This Request for Proposals is for the Stewardship Grants Program only. The Community Grants Request for Proposals is currently available at: www.sustainourgreatlakes.org.

Sustain Our Great Lakes Overview

Sustain Our Great Lakes is a public-private partnership among ArcelorMittal, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S.D.A. Forest Service, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Its mission is to sustain, restore and protect fish, wildlife and habitat in the Great Lakes basin by leveraging funding, building conservation capacity, and focusing partners and resources toward key ecological issues. The program achieves this mission, in part, by awarding grants for on-the-ground habitat restoration and enhancement. From 2006 through 2011, the program awarded 133 grants worth $20.6 million in federal and corporate partner funding. Grantees matched this funding with an additional $21.8 million, for a total conservation investment of $42.4 million. Some of the important outcomes generated by this investment include:

• Restoration of aquatic connectivity to 774 stream miles
• Restoration of 17,000 acres of wetland, coastal and associated upland habitat
• Restoration of 86 miles of stream and riparian habitat

Stewardship Grants Program Overview

The purpose of the Stewardship Grants Program is to support large-scale, on-the-ground habitat restoration and enhancement projects that will have enduring and significant positive impacts on the ecological condition of the Great Lakes basin.

Projects that receive funding typically:

• Restore or enhance habitats at scales on the order of hundreds of acres or tens of stream miles or larger.
• Apply the bulk (>90%) of grant funding to on-the-ground habitat improvement work and minimize expenses for planning, design and engineering.
• Have completed planning, design and engineering stages to the extent that on-the-ground implementation can begin shortly after the grant is awarded.
• Include pre- and post-implementation monitoring to document habitat improvements and other project outcomes.
• Provide long-lasting ecological benefits, as demonstrated by provisions for long-term maintenance and management as appropriate.

Projects with smaller scales may be better-suited for the Sustain Our Great Lakes Community Grants Program.

Grant Eligibility

Eligible applicants include: non-profit 501(c) organizations; state, tribal and local governments; and educational institutions. Individuals, federal agencies, and private for-profit firms are not eligible for grants through the Sustain Our Great Lakes Stewardship Grants Program.

To be eligible for consideration, projects must 1) occur within the Great Lakes basin and 2) direct the bulk of grant funding toward on-the-ground habitat restoration. A small percentage (<10%) of a grant award may be applied toward completion of final planning, design and engineering stages.

The Stewardship Grants Program does not provide grants for education or community outreach. For the 2012 funding cycle, grant funding will not be provided for land protection (e.g., acquisition and easement), rain barrels, rain gardens, green roofs, or research. Projects that seek funding for political advocacy, lobbying, litigation, fundraising, or legally mandated mitigation projects are not eligible.

Grant Size and Available Funding

Grant awards will range from $150,001 to $1,500,000.

At the time of this announcement, it is anticipated that approximately $3-7 million will be available for grant awards under the Stewardship Grants Program.

The bulk of that funding will be directed toward implementing on-the-ground habitat restoration. However, some funding will be used to support technical assistance to private landowners for improving wildlife conservation on private lands. Additional details are provided in the Special Considerations section below.

Funding Priorities

Funding priority is assigned to improving the quality and connectivity of tributary, wetland and coastal habitats through the following four action categories.

• Restoration of Aquatic Connectivity
  Important activities within this category include but are not limited to: removal of dams, replacement of bridges and culverts that are barriers to aquatic organisms, and installation of fish passage structures.
• Riparian and In-stream Habitat Restoration
  Important activities within this category include but are not limited to: streambank stabilization, control of invasive species, restoration of native vegetation, restoration of canopy cover, placement of in-stream habitat structures, and hydrological restoration.
• Wetland Restoration
  Important activities within this category include but are not limited to: control of invasive species, restoration of native vegetation, and hydrological restoration.
• Near-shore/Shoreline Habitat Restoration
  Important activities within this category include but are not limited to: restoration/enhancement of spawning reefs, removal of artificial structures causing shoreline fragmentation, restoration of natural beach topography, and control of invasive species.

Special Considerations

Within the four priority action categories identified under the previous heading, preference will be given to projects that:

• Benefit Species of Conservation Concern
  To receive priority consideration in this category, applicants must identify pertinent species of conservation concern and demonstrate how the proposed work will benefit them. Species of conservation concern include, but are not limited to, animals and plants identified as threatened, endangered, or special concern at the state, provincial or federal level. Preference will be given to proposals that quantify: 1) the expected increase in high-quality habitat available to the identified species; and 2) the expected population benefits to those species.
• Accelerate Beneficial Use Impairments Delisting within Great Lakes Areas of Concern
  To receive priority consideration in this category, applicants must identify pertinent Beneficial Use Impairments within one or more U.S. Areas of Concern (AOCs) and clearly demonstrate how the proposed work will accelerate their delisting. Preference will be given to projects identified as priorities in Stage 2 Remedial Action Plans. At the full proposal stage, applicants seeking consideration in this category will be required to submit a letter of support from the local Remedial Action Plan (RAP) implementation group, defined as the state agency responsible for implementing the AOC program or the local public stakeholder group working with the state agency on implementing the RAP. The letter of support should state whether the proposed project is needed to achieve AOC delisting. More information on AOCs and Beneficial Use Impairments can be found at: http://epa.gov/glnpo/aoc/ and www.ijc.org/rel/boards/annex2/buis.htm.
• Implement Control of Aquatic Invasive Species
  To receive priority consideration in this category, applicants must demonstrate how the proposed work will reduce ecological threats from aquatic invasive species. Preference will be given to on-the-ground control of high-risk aquatic invasive species such as Phragmites and purple loosestrife or as identified in state- and tribal-approved aquatic invasive species management plans. In addition, priority will be given to proposals that demonstrate how 1) the proposed work relates to a comprehensive invasive species control strategy and 2) the outcomes of the work will be sustained through time.
• Reduce Phosphorous Inputs to Streams and Lakes
  To receive priority consideration in this category, applicants must demonstrate how the proposed work will reduce phosphorous inputs to specific waterways. Preference will be given to proposals that quantify the expected reduction in terms of absolute inputs (i.e., weight) as well as percentage (e.g., X% reduction in P entering water body Y).
• Provide Technical Assistance to Private Landowners
  Some funding has been allocated specifically to support technical assistance to farmers, foresters and other private landowners to help optimize wildlife conservation on private lands. This technical assistance funding is intended to increase the effectiveness of Farm Bill programs such as the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program, Environmental Quality Incentives Program, and Conservation Reserve Program, among others. Grant funding may be used to hire field biologists and other habitat professionals (botanists, ecologists, foresters, etc.) who will work with NRCS field offices for up to two years of full-time employment. A matching contribution of at least 1:1 non-federal cash or in-kind services is required. At the full proposal stage, applicants seeking consideration in this category will be required to submit a letter of support from the NRCS State Conservationist(s) in the state(s) where work is proposed. Additional information on the requirements of this funding can be found at www.nfwf.org/conservationpartners.

A single proposal may address more than one of these special consideration categories. However, proposals do not need to address multiple categories to be competitive. For example, an applicant proposing installation of a fish ladder should not feel compelled to incorporate an unrelated phosphorous-reduction component to the project.

Matching Contributions

To qualify for funding through the Stewardship Grants Program, applicants must offer a minimum of $150,001 in matching contributions for most projects (note: a minimum 1:1 non-federal match is required for private landowner technical assistance projects; see description in previous section). 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.

Matching funds may include cash, in-kind contributions of staff and volunteer time, work performed, materials and services donated, or other tangible contributions to the project objectives and outcomes. The cost of recent land acquisition or easement may also qualify as match for a project involving work at the acquired site. In addition, if they would not be paid with requested grant funding, indirect costs up to 15% of the project’s direct costs may be applied as match by an applicant with a federally approved indirect rate (more information about using indirect costs as match can be found at: www.nfwf.org/indirect).

To be eligible, matching contributions must be:

• non-Federal (U.S.) in origin (federally appropriated or managed funds are ineligible);
• raised and dedicated specifically for the project;
• voluntary in nature (mitigation, restitution, or other permit or court-ordered settlements are ineligible);
• applied only to the Sustain Our Great Lakes Stewardship grant and not to any other matching program(s); and
• spent/applied between the project start and end dates designated in the grant application (the start date may be back-dated up to 1 year prior to the pre-proposal deadline to allow recent work directed to the project to be applied as match).

Project Duration

Anticipated completion time for funded projects will typically be 2 years following finalization of a grant agreement. Projects may be a discrete part of a longer-term project, provided there are definable outcomes for the proposed phase of the overall effort. The project narrative should include a clear timetable or schedule for project completion.

Project start and end dates should define the period during which all proposed work is accomplished, all requested funds are spent, and all matching funds are spent or applied. The start date may be back-dated up to 1 year prior to the pre-proposal deadline to allow work directed to the project to be applied as match (back-dating does not reduce the prospective 2-year duration of a grant going forward).

Evaluation Criteria

The most-competitive proposals will demonstrate:

• Close alignment with funding priorities
• Clear definition of activities and anticipated ecological results
• Strong technical merit
• Competitive project costs
• Experienced project teams and partner engagement
• Plans for pre- and post-implementation monitoring to document habitat improvements and other project outcomes

A panel of state, tribal and provincial reviewers and the Sustain Our Great Lakes advisory team will use those criteria as a strong basis for project selections; however, project selections will also be based on other considerations, such as availability of funding, geographic balance, and balance among project types. In addition, selections may be based on how activities advance goals of established watershed, regional, tribal, state, federal and provincial conservation plans. A few examples among the many relevant existing plans include Area of Concern Remedial Action Plans, Lakewide Management Plans, endangered species recovery plans, and aquatic invasive species management plans. Applicants are encouraged to identify how the project will increase habitat resilience within the context of increased stress from a changing climate.

How To Apply

All application materials must be submitted online through National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Easygrants system. Hard-copy applications will not be considered for funding. An application can be started by clicking on the following link: www.nfwf.org/easygrants (Note: the internet browser pop-up blocker must be disabled prior to beginning the application process). New users to the system will be prompted to register before starting their application. Once an application has been initiated, it may be saved and then modified and submitted at a later time, up to the application deadline. Other useful information for applicants, including videos that demonstrate the Easygrants online system can be found at: www.nfwf.org/applicantinfo.

At the pre-proposal stage, the only file that an applicant must upload into Easygrants is a three-page Pre-proposal Narrative. An applicant invited to submit a full proposal will be required to upload several additional files. Required and optional files to be uploaded for the full proposal are described in Table 1 on the following page.

Grant Application Webinar

Sustain Our Great Lakes partners will host a webinar on January 11, 2012, at 11 AM Eastern Time/10 AM Central Time. The webinar will provide additional information on Sustain Our Great Lakes grants programs, provide additional guidance on the application process, and provide answers to participant questions. Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to participate. Webinar participants can register at: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/544871304.

Application and Review Timeline

To be considered for funding, pre-proposals must be submitted online by February 15, 2012, prior to midnight. Invited full proposals will be due on April 25, 2012.

• Feb 15, 2012: Pre-proposals due
• Feb 16 – Mar 29, 2012: Pre-proposals reviewed
• Mar 30, 2012: Applicants notified of pre-proposal decisions; full proposals invited
• Apr 30, 2012: Full proposals due May 1, 2012 – Jun 14, 2012: Full proposals reviewed
• Jun 15 – Jul 15, 2012: Congressional notification of intent to award grants
• Jul 16 – Jul 31, 2012: Anticipated announcement of awards
• Aug – Oct 2012: Grant agreements developed with successful applicants

    Establish and provide profile of the Local College Access Network
    Provide the financial overview for launching the LCAN
    Executive the implementation plan for the LCAN

Application Deadlines:

Intent to Apply Form – February 3, 2012 (by 5:00 PM EST)
Proposal Submission – March 2, 2012 (by 5:00 PM EST)
Award Notification – by March 30, 2012
Application Process – Round V (Spring 2012)

    Step 1: Complete the Intent to Apply Form and submit to Brandy Johnson at brandy@micollegeaccess.org on or before February 2, 2012.
    Step 2: To apply for a Startup Grant, download the appropriate application and budget form  and fill each out completely.
    Step 3: Submit your proposal (including application, timeline, and budget form) to Katie Klante at info@micollegeaccess.org  on or before March 2, 2012. In addition, please mail one paper copy to:           
    Katie Klante
    Michigan College Access Network
    222 N. Chestnut , Suite 200
    Lansing, MI 48933

Startup Grant Application Questions?

Lisa King and Katie Klante are available to help communities through the application and startup process. Please email us or call 517-316-1713. You may also consider participating in one Startup Grant Technical Assistance Conference Call.  There are two opportunities to participate:

Technical Assistance Call 1 – January 23 at 1:00 pm
or
Technical Assistance Call 2 – February 15 at 1:00 pm

Dial-in: (605) 477-3000
Participant Access Code: 243441#

Email us for more information!

How are People Fund grants invested?

In order to have the greatest impact on people within the Great Lakes Energy service area, the People Fund will generally invest funds in project or activities that:

• Are one-time in nature rather than ongoing or continuous
• Benefit a large number of people
• Leverage funds from other sources
• Distribute funds to individuals or families in crisis
• Help programs increase their capacity to deliver services
• What communities does the People Fund serve?

The GLE People Fund will make every effort to award grants in a manner that is representative of and sensitive to the diversity of needs in 26 counties served in western and northern Michigan, from Kalamazoo to the Mackinac Straits. Funds will be invested in the areas from which they were collected.

View our recent Annual Report for more details.

Who is eligible?

Funds are generally awarded to non-profit organizations or groups for specific humanitarian, educational and community development purposes. A portion of the funds may be awarded to organizations that have the capacity to use the funds for individuals or families in crisis. Grants are not given to individuals.

To use its funds most effectively, the People Fund will generally not award grants for: normal operating expenses of established programs; annual fundraising campaigns; political campaigns; loans; religious activities; endowment funds; or deficit spending.

The Great Lakes Energy People Fund, regardless of the region, will not fund continuing school projects.

Faith-based organizations may receive funding for projects only if the organization provides services to all community members, regardless of the community member’s religious affiliation or participation.

When are grants awarded?

There are three grant cycles each year. Grants are typically awarded six weeks after the grant cycle deadline. The grant application deadlines are:

• February 1
• June 1
• October 1

How do I apply for a grant?

Download a grant application.

Be sure to review the Annual Report to ensure your organization serves one of our grant regions.  The annual report is also helpful in determining the average grant amounts that are given to organizations. Also review the grant guidelines to ensure you are applying for a grant that qualifies. All grant applications must be returned by mail, read the instructions on the application for more information.

The recommendations in this report are premised on the need for a policy approach that emphasizes strategic investment of dollars in vital infrastructure to protect water quality as well as the creation of more long-term, self-sustained funding. There are two parts to this policy strategy.

Part 1: Creation of a state grant program and expanded use of a state loan program to stimulate investments that protect infrastructure assets and reduce long-term costs to the public.

Part 2: Institution of reforms to the existing SRF program to stimulate investments in large scale sewer system improvement projects that address chronic water quality problems.

Part 1 – Reducing the cost of infrastructure and increasing investment in critical water quality protection through creation of a state grant program and expanded use of a state loan program

Michigan needs to invest much more heavily in the management of its sewer infrastructure assets. This keeps systems in good condition rather than allowing them to deteriorate to the point where they become extremely costly to repair or replace.  The State also needs to facilitate the establishment of dedicated revenue streams that are based on the actual cost of services provided. Given the fiscal condition of local governments, incentivizing these actions through grant funding is critical.

Part 1 Recommendations

• Remaining funds from Proposal 2 of 2002 (approximately $654 million) should be allocated over a five year period. This should be phased so that more of the funding is available in the later years.
• In each funding cycle, 50% of the funds available should be targeted toward implementing projects in a grant program consistent with Part 1 of this report and 50% for a loan program. Both should be implemented under the Strategic Water Quality Initiatives Fund (SWQIF), with provision to adjust this allocation in any given year based on demand.
• The loan program created under the SWQIF should be as simple as possible. The DEQ and the legislature should take steps to ensure that the state’s loan program does not suffer the same ills as the federal program.
• The State must ensure that federal capitalization grants to the SRF are fully captured so no available dollars are left on the table.  State match for these grants should be provided through the general fund. However, in the event that this funding source is unavailable in any given year, a portion of the Proposal 2 funds should be designated as match for the federal capitalization grant.
• Bonds from Proposal 2 of 2002 should be used to provide grants to local governments for:
• Design, development and implementation of asset management plans or capital improvement programs for sanitary sewer and storm sewer infrastructure,
• Development of stormwater management plans or programs,
• Development and implementation of stormwater utilities, or
•  Planning and design of sewer projects (similar to the grant program previously authorized by the legislature using Proposal 2 bond funds).
• The grant application process should be kept as simple as possible.  Projects that meet eligibility criteria should be funded on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Legislation describing the acceptable manner for creation of a stormwater utility consistent with the Michigan Supreme Court’s Bolt vs. City of Lansing decision needs to be adopted.

Part 2 – Increasing use of the State Revolving Fund program by streamlining requirements in the existing SRF program

The goal of the recommendations in this category is to reduce the administrative burden on applicants and the DEQ so the process is easier and less costly to administer. This in turn will result in a greater number of projects being funded.

Part 2 Recommendations

Primary recommendation: DEQ should work with a committee of stakeholders to revise the SRF program, using a process improvement approach, to ensure that a thorough list of recommendations is developed and appropriately vetted.

Part 2 Recommendations for DEQ and its stakeholder group to consider:

• Revise the pre-application meeting process to allow potential applicants to evaluate the likelihood of funding prior to incurring significant costs.
• Evaluate and revise the criteria for selecting priority projects.
• Develop a checklist to determine which elements need to be addressed in the Project Plan for a specific application.
• Review the public participation requirements and consider options other than the mandatory requirement for a formal public hearing, with a transcript, prior to submitting the Project Plan.
• To the maximum extent possible, eliminate requirements to provide information on other state and federal laws and regulations for conformity.
•  Create special financial incentives for “economic hardship” applicants, similar to those currently provided in the Drinking Water Revolving Fund program.
•  If funds available exceed demand in any given year, the Committee urges the DEQ Director to lower interest rates in the subsequent funding cycle.

These are highlights from the Executive Summary. You can view the entire document here:

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/deq/deq-ess-mfs-CWSRF-advisorycomm-FinalReport_364766_7.pdf

Eligible Applicants

•     State governments
•     County governments
•     City or township governments
•     Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
•     Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
•     Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
•     Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
•     Private institutions of higher education
•     Others (see text field entitled “Additional Information on Eligibility” for clarification

In general, EDA will accept and review applications submitted under its Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance programs in funding cycles. To be considered during a particular funding cycle, complete applications must be validated and time-stamped by www.grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the applicable funding cycle deadline. Alternatively, paper applications may be delivered with delivery confirmation to the applicable regional office listed in section X. of the FY 2012 FFO. Paper applications must be received at or before 5:00 p.m. local time in the applicable regional office on the funding cycle deadline. If your application is received after the deadline, it will be considered late and will not be reviewed by EDA for that funding cycle. EDA will not accept facsimile or email transmissions of applications.

The next four funding cycle deadlines are:

(i) December 15 for funding cycle 2 of FY 2012;

(ii) March 9 for funding cycle 3 of FY 2012;

(iii) June 8 for funding cycle 4 of FY 2012; and

(iv) September 14 for funding cycle 1 of FY 2013.

Applications for financial assistance submitted under EDA’s Planning, Partnership Planning, Local Technical Assistance, University Center, and Research and National Technical Assistance Programs are not subject to the procedures and deadlines described in the FFO. The program information and application requirements for these programs will be published in separate FFO announcements.  Contact us for more information!

The Straits, Photo by Heather Brady

The Michigan Lighthouse Assistance Program was established by the Michigan legislature in 1999 to assist local groups in preserving and protecting lighthouses. The program arose from the efforts of the Michigan Lighthouse Project and concern about the disposal of some 70 lighthouses by the U.S. Coast Guard.

Who Can Apply?

Nonprofits and state or local governments that own (or are in the process of acquiring) or have long-term leases on a lighthouse are eligible to apply for these funds. Private individuals are not eligible for these grants. Application deadline for FY2012 grants: postmarked no later than November 15, 2011.

New for FY2012:

Grantees are limited to having two MLAP grants open at one time. One grant must be for planning and one grant must be for rehabilitation. A grantee may not have two grants of the same type open at the same time. A grant must be closed before the grantee can submit a new application for a grant of the same type.
To allow for larger projects, we are raising the cap on the maximum award amount from $40,000 to $60,000. The match requirement remains at 50% of the grant amount.

We are placing more emphasis on 1) receiving complete grant application materials at time of application; and 2) projects that are ready to begin work at application time, and not dependent on future actions, approval or cooperation from other organizations before the project can begin. Please refer to Page 6, Lighthouse Assistance Program Scoring Criteria, to see how your grant application will be evaluated.
MLAP grants funding rehabilitation or stabilization work require a historic preservation easement in perpetuity

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

 Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program

NIFA  requests applications for the Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program (CFPCGP) for fiscal year (FY) 2012 to support:  (1) the development of Community Food Projects with a one-time infusion of federal dollars to make such projects self-sustaining;  (2) Planning Projects to assess the food security needs and plan long-term solutions to help ensure food security in communities; and (3) a project that provides Training and Capacity Building on a nationwide basis to entities interested in developing new Community Food Projects or assisting current grantees and others to effectively operate their food security projects.  It is anticipated that the amount available for support of this program in FY 2012 will be approximately $5,000,000.  Prior to submitting their applications, prospective applicants are encouraged to participant in a Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program pre-application submission webinar.  The purpose of the webinar will be to discuss the matching requirement and what costs are allowable on the project.  It is strongly encouraged that all applicants participate in the webinar on October 27, 2011 between 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm Eastern Time. The webinar will be recorded and posted on the NIFA internet site for future reference.

1.  Community Food Projects (CFP)

Applicants should request a budget commensurate with the proposed project.  No single CFP award shall exceed $125,000 in any single year or more than $300,000 over three years.  Applications that exceed the budgetary guidelines will not be reviewed. Applicants may request one, two or three years of funding, but in all cases, the grant term may not exceed three years for any proposal.  A CFP project may be supported by only one grant under this program.  All CFP awards will be made based on the merit of the proposed project with budgets considered only after the merits of the project have been determined. USDA reserves the right to negotiate final budgets with successful applicants.

 2. Planning Projects (PP)

Applicants should request a budget commensurate with the proposed project.  No single PP award shall exceed $25,000 for the total budget period.  The maximum PP award period shall not exceed three years.  Applications that exceed the budgetary guidelines will not be reviewed. All PP awards will be made based on the merit of the proposed project with budgets considered only after the merits of the project have been determined. USDA reserves the right to negotiate final budgets with successful applicants.

3. Training and Capacity Building (TCB) Projects

 Applicants should request a budget commensurate with the proposed project.  It is anticipated that awards will be made for $500,000 total over a two to three year period. The grant term may not exceed three years.  Applications that exceed the budgetary guidelines will not be reviewed. Awards will be made based on the merit of the proposed project with budgets considered only after the merits of the project have been determined. USDA reserves the right to negotiate final budgets with successful applicants.

Eligible Applicants

1.  CFP, PP and TCB Eligibility

Only private, nonprofit entities meeting the following three requirements are eligible to receive a CFP or PP grant: (a) have experience in the area of (i) community food work, particularly concerning small and medium-size farms, including the provision of food to people in low-income communities and the development of new markets in low-income communities for agricultural producers; or (ii) job training and business development activities for food-related activities in low-income communities; (b) demonstrate competency to implement a project, provide fiscal accountability, collect data, and prepare reports and other necessary documentation; and (c) demonstrate a willingness to share information with researchers, evaluators, practitioners,and other interested parties, including a plan for dissemination of results.

CFP and PP applicants MUST provide matching on a dollar-for-dollar basis for all federal funds awarded.  Match must be documented for all project years at the time the application is submitted. CFP and PP grantees may provide matching funds through cash and/or in-kind contributions, including third-party in-kind contributions fairly evaluated, including facilities.  The non-federal share of the funding may come from state government, local government, other non-profit entities, or private sources.  Examples of qualifying matching contributions may include direct costs such as:  rent for office space used exclusively for the funded project; duplication or postage costs; and staff time from an entity other than the applicant for job training or nutrition education.

 Matching funds are not required for the TCB award. 

Applicants and other interested parties are encouraged to contact Elizabeth Tuckermanty; National Program Leader, Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program; National Institute of Food and Agriculture, USDA; 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Mail Stop 2225 Washington, DC 20250-2225; telephone: 202-205-024;1 fax: 202-401-0776; e-mail: etuckermanty@nifa.usda.gov; or Katrena R. Hanks; Program Specialist, Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program; National Institute of Food and Agriculture, USDA; 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Mail Stop 2225; Washington, DC 20250-2241; telephone 202-401-5286; fax 202-401-4888; e-mail khanks@nifa.usda.gov.