Chi Cal Rivers Fund 2015 Funding Opportunity Guidance for Applicants
Webinar Agenda Chi Cal Rivers Fund overview 2015 funding opportunity Application guidance Questions & answers Webinar recording/slides at: www.nfwf.org/chi-cal
Public Private Partnership ArcelorMittal The Chicago Community Trust Crown Family Philanthropies Gaylord & Dorothy Donnelley Foundation Illinois Department of Natural Resources The Joyce Foundation National Fish & Wildlife Foundation Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service U.S. Forest Service The Wrigley Company Foundation
Purpose Restore the health, vitality and accessibility of the waterways in the Chicago and Calumet region by supporting: Green stormwater infrastructure Habitat enhancement Public-use improvement
Outcomes: 2013 2014 9 grants: $2.1 million Grantee match: $3.8 million Total investment: $5.9 million Locations of projects funded 2013 2014 358,000 ft 2 of green infrastructure 3.9 million gallons stormwater storage 692 acres of habitat restoration 6,600 feet of fish habitat improvement 23 acres of green space improvement
Space to Grow: Greening Chicago Schoolyards $271,313 grant to Chicago Public Schools Install 114,000 square feet of green infrastructure and renovate outdoor space at four public schools Add 900,000 gallons of stormwater storage capacity and improve 9 acres of park space Virgil Grissom Elementary Before After
CAWS In-stream Fish Habitat Structures $300,000 grant to Friends of the Chicago River Install 400 in-stream structures at 6 locations in the CAWS Provide spawning habitat and cover for channel catfish, largemouth bass and other fish along 4,000 feet of river
Riverfront Park Development $259,000 grant to Chicago Park District Develop a 4-acre park on the South Branch Chicago River to improve river access and recreation Incorporate 25,000 square feet of green stormwater infrastructure
Grand Calumet Area of Concern Restoration $157,375 grant to The Nature Conservancy Monitor habitat, control invasive species, and manage restoration on 388 acres at 3 sites in NW Indiana Contribute to the delisting of habitat-related Beneficial Use Impairments within the Grand Calumet River Area of Concern
2015 Funding Opportunity Request For Proposals at: www.nfwf.org/chi-cal Available funding: $1.4 million Grant size: $50,000 $300,000 Grant duration: typically 24 months Application due date: July 27
Applicant Eligibility Eligible applicants Non-profit organizations State, tribal and local governments Educational institutions Ineligible applicants Individuals Federal agencies Private for-profit firms - A single organization may submit multiple applications - Unlikely for an organization to receive more than one award per cycle
Geographic Eligibility Priority to projects that benefit: Chicago River and IL tributaries North Shore Channel Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal Bubbly Creek Calumet Sag Channel Calumet River Grand Calumet River Little Calumet River Burns Ditch
Funding Categories Green Stormwater Infrastructure Habitat Enhancement Public-Use Improvement
Green Stormwater Infrastructure Goal: Increase on-site stormwater capture/storage to reduce runoff Funding for: Rain gardens Green roofs Pervious surfaces Bioswales Rain barrels/cisterns Other green infrastructure solutions Benefits: Reduce discharge of contaminants to local waterways Reduce damage/risks associated with flooding Reduce municipal water treatment/mgmt costs
Habitat Enhancement Goal: Improve habitat to support healthier fish and wildlife populations Funding for: Benefits: Riverbank naturalization Bank stabilization Riparian buffer planting In-stream habitat enhancement Riparian wetland, prairie, forest restoration Improve connectivity Improve water quality Increase habitat complexity
Public-Use Improvement Goal: Improve public-use opportunities Funding for: Terrestrial trails (greenways) Aquatic trails (blueways) Access points Neighborhood green space Benefits: Improve opportunities for fishing, boating, hiking Generate economic benefits Improve natural aesthetics
Funding for Specific Needs Grant funding provided by multiple sources Each source has its own set of requirements/intended uses Some of the available grant funding must be spent specifically for: Public-use enhancement in or near downtown Chicago north of Bubbly Creek Green stormwater infrastructure in Cook County, Illinois Projects in Northwest Indiana
Ineligible Grant Expenses Research Political advocacy, lobbying, litigation Fundraising Legally mandated mitigation projects Photo credit: Debbie Maurer
Competitive Projects Occur near or otherwise benefit the major system waterways Advance an existing local, regional, tribal, state or federal plan Shovel-ready (project can begin shortly after grant is awarded) Apply most ( 70%) grant funding to on-the ground improvements Long-lasting benefits, as demonstrated by provisions for longterm maintenance and management Include a communication strategy for notifying communities
Questions?
Application Process All applications must be submitted online through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation s Easygrants system: www.nfwf.org/easygrants Hard copy applications will not be considered for funding Tip sheet available at www.nfwf.org/chi-cal
Project Narrative ( 6 pages) Funding Category Context Outcomes Activities Tracking Metrics Long-term Operation and Maintenance Project Team and Partnerships Other (optional) -Narrative template available at www.nfwf.org/chi-cal
Funding Category Indicate the one primary category that best describes the project May indicate any relevant secondary categories Primary category = Habitat Enhancement Secondary category = Public-Use Improvement
Tracking Metrics (Monitoring) Describe activities/outcomes in terms of quantitative metrics Recommended metrics listed in RFP Specify other metrics as needed Narrative should describe a solid monitoring plan Quantify baseline conditions to allow assessment Demonstrate plans/resources for post-implementation monitoring Grant funding can support monitoring activities 5 10 % of budget suggested Some projects may warrant a higher percentage
Long-term Operation and Maintenance 5 year plan required Plan elements: Actions needed Cost estimates Likely sources of funding Responsible parties Portion of grant funding may be used for plan development Plan must be completed prior to grant end date
Full Proposal Uploads Board of Trustees (if nonprofit) A-133 Audit (if you expended >$500k in Federal $ in the past year; if not, upload Word doc stating A-133 not required) GAAP audited financial statements (or profit/loss and balance sheet) IRS 990 (if nonprofit; if not, upload Word doc stating 990 not required) Statement of Litigation (template provided) Map of project location Letters of support (landowner, other partners)
Budget Detailed budget instructions www.nfwf.org/whatwedo/grants/applicants/documents/detailed-budget-instructions.pdf Salaries and benefits Equipment Contractual services Supplies and materials Printing Travel Indirect Costs Other Budget must comply with OMB Cost Allowability Circulars Link provided in the RFP
Indirect Costs See NFWF Indirect Cost Policy for more details www.nfwf.org/whatwedo/grants/applicants/pages/indirect-policy.aspx Grantees with NICRA can charge indirect costs based on the negotiated indirect cost rate and modified total direct cost base Grantees without NICRA can charge indirect costs based on a de minimis indirect cost rate of 10% of MTDC NICRAs must be in place at the point of NFWF fiscal review or the de minimis 10% rate will apply
Matching Contributions Projects with minimum 1:1 match ratio more competitive Match eligibility Non-federal or federal Verifiable from the grantee s records Not included as contributions for any other award Necessary and reasonable for accomplishment of project objectives Allowable costs based on program guidelines Spent during the project period of performance
Accepted Match Sources Cash In-kind contributions of staff Materials and services donated Volunteer time Cost of land acquisition/easement Allowable indirect costs not covered by grant funding Other tangible contributions to project goals
Period of Performance Start date should be no earlier than November 16, 2015 Duration typically 2 years (or two full field seasons) Match must be spent between project start and end dates Previously allowed back-dating start date 1 year prior to the proposal deadline to allow recent work to count as match Backdating not an option for 2015 Photo: Alice Brandon
Timeline Full proposals due: Jul 27 Applications reviewed/grants approved: Jul 28 Nov 15 Grant awards announced: Nov 16 Nov 30 Grant agreements developed: Nov Jan
Contact Information Todd Hogrefe Great Lakes Program Director National Fish and Wildlife Foundation 612-564-7286 todd.hogrefe@nfwf.org Caroline Oswald Great Lakes Program Manager National Fish and Wildlife Foundation 612-564-7253 caroline.oswald@nfwf.org www.nfwf.org/chi-cal @ChiCalRivers
Chi Cal Rivers Fund www.nfwf.org/chi-cal