Pennsylvania Environmental Council

POWR Ohio Basin Access for Canoes and Kayaks Mini Grant Program
Instructions & Guidelines

General Information
The Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers (POWR), in partnership with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PAFBC), the Richard King Mellon Foundation (RCMF) and the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (PA DCNR), are excited to offer the Ohio Basin Access for Canoes and Kayaks Mini Grant Program (OBACK). This program will provide grants of up to $30,000 for design and engineering, construction, or upgrade and rehabilitation of non-motorized public access projects within the Ohio River Basin. Priority will be given to projects that improve recreational access on rivers and streams as well as those that support and advance POWR’s mission, specifically the facilitation, stewardship, and enjoyment of Pennsylvania’s waterways.

Eligibility

• Grants are available to public entities, including townships, boroughs, municipal and county governments as well as to nonprofit groups including land trusts, conservancies and watershed associations that have or will have the capability to provide boat access facilities that are open and available for public use.
• Eligible projects must occur on lands owned by the project applicant, or where the applicant has a long-term lease or agreement on the site.
• Projects must remain open to the public and free of charge for 25 years (successful grantees will be required to sign a 25-year maintenance agreement).

Funding and Match
The program is funded through the PAFBC, RCMF and PA DCNR. All projects, related costs and funding must conform to the guidelines of the PAFBC, PA DCNR and POWR. All grants require a one-to-one match (match can consist of cash, in-kind, or a combination of cash and in-kind). 

Additional Requirements

• Applicants must agree to provide for all costs for ordinary and routine maintenance of the facility for the term of the agreement.
• Applicants must provide a sign that acknowledges that the facility was constructed or improved with funds from this program.
• Applicants must obtain all the necessary permits and local land use approvals required for the construction and operation of the proposed facility

Questions

• For content questions about this application, contact Janet Sweeney, PEC, jsweeney@pecpa.org
• For technical questions regarding completion of this application, contact support@submittable.com Monday-Friday, 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. with limited availability on the weekends.
• For additional information on POWR, visit www.pawatersheds.org

Completing the Application
It is possible to complete the application during multiple sessions. Be sure to save as you go and before you end any session. Please answer all questions and upload all necessary and supporting documentation before your final submission.

Important Dates
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and awarded on a rolling basis. Please note: All applications must be submitted on or before April 28, 2023. 

Applications will be evaluated based on the following:

• Project integrates/reflects/ implements initiatives of existing community plans
• Project advances one or more of POWR’s priorities as listed on application
• Project is clearly described, complete, and well thought out
• Project can be completed in a year or less
• Budget is comprehensive and realistic to complete project
• Match is secured and documented with letters of commitment of match
• Support letters are included in application and indicate need and partnering efforts

*Note: It is possible to receive additional bonus points if you show that your project addresses a unique or extraordinary need within your community. 

Pennsylvania River Sojourn Mini-Grant Program

Pennsylvania River Sojourns are guided paddling trips, sponsored by POWR with funding support through the PA Department of Conservation of Natural Resources and the American Canoe Association. Grants are available on a competitive basis for single and multi-day paddling events on Pennsylvania’s rivers. Events must incorporate significant educational programming and be open to all participants (i.e., private trips are not eligible). Grants funds are distributed based on the number of on-water days, with up to $1,000 given per on-water day for multi-day sojourns and $500 for single-day sojourns.  * POWR will consider awarding additional funding to applicants that propose creative and unique ideas for inclusive community engagement. (i.e.: new, diverse and/or youth paddlers)

Mini Grants require a 1:1 match in the form of cash and/or eligible non-cash (in-kind) services, or a combination of both cash and in-kind. No portion of the cash match can originate from DCNR funding.

A nationally unique program, Pennsylvania Sojourns annually engage with over 4,000 people who participate either on the water or by attending celebration events and educational programs. Over the course of a typical sojourn season, paddlers cover over 500 rivers miles. Collectively, sojourn hosts offer more than 100 educational programs.

Please Note:

If you are successfully awarded a 2022 POWR Sojourn Mini-Grant, in addition to supplying the mandatory closeout materials, you will be required to submit the following:

• Post event Success Story (a list of questions will be supplied with your contract documents which will assist in creating this document)
• Your organization logo and several photos from your event(s)
• Summary analysis of participant survey responses (if you conduct a post event survey)

Questions:

• For content questions about this application, contact Angela Vitkoski (avitkoski@pecpa.org) or (570)718-6507.
  
• For technical questions regarding completion of this application, contact support@submittable.com Monday-Friday, 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. with limited availability on the weekends. 

Completing the Application: It is possible to complete the application during multiple sessions. Be sure to save as you go and before you end any session. Please answer all questions, complete the budget worksheet,  and upload necessary documents before your final submission.


Important Dates:

Application Available: January 30, 2023

Submissions Due: March 31, 2023 by 5pm

Awards Announced: By end in April of 2023

The Northeast Environmental Partners (Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Pennsylvania Environmental Council’s Northeast Office, PPL Corporation, Procter & Gamble Paper Products Company, and Wilkes University) are seeking Nominations for the Northeastern Pennsylvania Environmental Partnership Awards, the Thomas P. Shelburne Award and the Emerging Environmental Leader Award. 

In order to be considered for the 2023 awards, nominations must be submitted no later than June 30, 2023. 

The Northeastern Pennsylvania Environmental Partnership Awards are presented annually to recognize the achievements of individuals or organizations that, through partnerships, have achieved excellence in environmental protection or conservation. The Evening also showcases the recipient of the Thomas P. Shelburne Environmental Leadership Award, which was established to recognize an individual who stands out for his or her lifetime achievement and long-term commitment to environmental quality through inspirational leadership, dedication, and commitment to partnering. The 2023 Emerging Environmental Leader Award will also be awarded to an individual 30 years of age and under who demonstrates environmental leadership, creativity, and dedication to inspire others to adopt similar actions to protect the environment. 

This year’s awards will be presented on October 19, 2023 at the Woodlands Inn & Resort. 

To date over 240 individuals and groups involved in agriculture, forestry, business, industry, education, science, environmental awareness, community service, and government have been honored. 

Who is eligible?

The Partnership Awards are open to any organization, individual, company, or project that has had a positive impact on the environment in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Nominees for the awards must be located within the following counties: Bradford, Carbon, Columbia, Lackawanna, Lehigh, Luzerne, Monroe, Montour, Northampton, Northumberland, Pike, Schuylkill, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Wayne, and Wyoming.

Who may nominate?

Individuals, groups, businesses or organizations may nominate themselves or a third party can make nominations.

How are honorees selected?

Honorees are selected by a distinguished panel of judges. The panel includes representatives from the Partners, as well as other individuals with regional environmental interests, including past honorees.

In evaluating nominations, the judges consider the following:

• Number, quality, and effectiveness of partnerships formed to achieve goals.
• Impact on the environment and quality of life.
• Extent to which activity serves as a model of partnering for others.
• Overall quality of the application.

*For the Shelburne Award, in addition to the eligibility guidelines listed above, the judges are seeking to honor an individual who has demonstrated inspiring leadership and partnering for greater than 20 years.

*For the Emerging Environmental Leader Award, in addition to the eligibility guidelines listed above, eligible candidates are 30 years old and under and have demonstrated environmental leadership, creativity, and dedication to protecting and enhancing the environment.

Important Dates:

Nominations Due: June 30, 2023 (no later than 5pm)
Awardees Announced: July 2023
Awards Dinner: October 19, 2023

 
2023-2024 Pocono Forests and Waters Conservation Landscape Mini Grant Program

Instructions & Guidelines

General Information

The Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC) was awarded a total of $40,000 from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) through their Community Conservation Partnership Program (C2P2) to administer the 2023-2024 Pocono Forests and Waters Conservation Landscape (PFWCL) Mini Grant Program. The DCNR funding is provided through the Environmental Stewardship Fund administered by the Bureau of Recreation and Conservation. The PFWCL mini grant is administered by PEC as a reimbursement funding program.

Mini grants of $2,000 to $10,000 that support and advance the priorities of the PFWCL will be considered. All projects, related costs and funding must conform to the guidelines of the DCNR C2P2 Program: Partnership Grants

Mini Grants require a 1:1 match in the form of cash and/or eligible non-cash (in-kind) services, or a combination of both cash and in-kind.

• Cash Match - No portion of the cash match can originate from DCNR funding.
• In-kind Match - the value of municipal labor and/or professional services is equal to the hourly billable rate multiplied by the number of hours performing that service or job. The value of volunteer in-kind will be valued at the current Independent Sector Volunteer Rate for Pennsylvania at the time the work was performed please visit http://www.independentsector.org/volunteer_time for current volunteer value. No portion of the in-kind match can originate from a DCNR funded project.
• For more information on eligible and ineligible match and costs visit: https://elibrary.dcnr.pa.gov/GetDocument?docId=1753162&DocName=dcnr_017036.pdf

*To score better during the review process, applicants should provide proof of match commitment.

As mentioned above, the 2023-2024 PFW Mini Grant Program is a reimbursement funding program. Costs should be described in the budget and will be paid only to the extent that they are incurred by the Grantee in performance of the Project Scope of Work. Grantees can receive reimbursement distributions as they are incurred but reimbursement requests must include documentation and proof of expenditures. Grantees are also required to submit a mid-grant progress report and a final Success Story (template provided). All project deliverables (if applicable) must also be submitted at the close-out of the grant.

Grants are awarded to projects that will be undertaken after the award of the grant, not to retroactively reimburse the cost of projects that have already begun or been completed prior to the grant award. No match can be expended prior to award of the grant, you cannot retroactively use match.

Important Dates:

• Grant Round Opens: March 2, 2023

• Pre-Application Meeting: March 28, 2023 (Not required - but highly recommended)

• Application Deadline: April 24,2023 (5:00 pm)

• Grant Awards Announced: End of May 2023

• Mini-Grant Kick-off meeting: June 1, 2023

• Projects Begin: June 1, 2023

• Project Completion: May 31, 2023

Questions

For project and content related questions contact:

• Janet Sweeney
• Phone: 570.718.1635
• Email: jsweeney@pecpa.org

For technical questions regarding completion of this application contact:

• support@submittable.com
• Monday-Friday, 11:00am - 7:00pm, with limited availability on weekends. 

Completing the application: It is possible to complete the application during multiple sessions. Be sure to save as you go and before you end your session.  It is now possible to "Collaborate" on your application with project partners. Please answer all questions, complete the budget worksheet, and upload necessary documents before your final submission. 

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

Non-profit organizations with tax-exempt status 501(c)(3), municipalities, counties and educational institutions.

Non-profit organizations must submit proof of non-profit status and be registered with the PA Department of State Bureau of Charitable Organizations.

What kind of project is eligible?

Projects must be located within the PFWCL region which includes the counties of Carbon, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike and Wayne.

Projects should advance the priorities of the PFWCL (see below).

PFWCL Vision - Amplify regional efforts to conserve the Landscape’s natural resources through partnership and networking with core values of Conservation, Community, and Connections.

PFWCL Priorities:

Conservation – Conserve important natural landscape areas through methods such as acquisition, easements, and other land protection measures while championing stewardship of the region’s array of natural resources.

Example of Projects:

• Identify priority parcels for acquisition

• Conduct landowner outreach

• Promote land stewardship

• Develop educational programs regarding land and water conservation

• Protect waterways by addressing AMD and non-point source pollution

Community - Engage communities to promote, enhance, and sustain local natural, cultural, and outdoor recreational resources.

Example of Projects:

• Promote recreational opportunities and use of land and water trails and conserved lands

• Implement projects identified in Open Space and Greenway Plans

• Create educational programs that engage participants using the natural, cultural, and outdoor recreational resources

• Develop tools to highlight the natural, cultural, and outdoor recreational assets and their benefits

Connections - Identify and create greenway and trail connections to public lands and communities throughout the landscape.

Example of Projects:

• Conduct trail corridor studies/feasibility studies

• Enhance and provide trailheads and trail amenities

• Develop wayfinding and educational signage

• Construct public access amenities

Application Submission

Applicant Responsibility:

• For non-profit applicants: provide current proof of IRS 501(c)3 non-profit status and registration with the PA Bureau of Charitable Organizations. If you are not able to provide this documentation, a qualifying entity must serve as your fiscal agent.
• Identify projects within the conservation landscape region that advance the priorities of the PFWCL.
• Provide a budget that reflects realistic expenditures and complies with DCNR guidelines. (Eligible and Ineligible costs and match)
• Secure local match at a minimum ratio of 1:1 (can be cash, in-kind services, or a combination of both). No portion of the match can originate from DCNR funding or a DCNR funded project. Provide letters of commitment from partners providing local match; letters should describe the type of program assistance, match amount and how that partner is contributing to the success of the project.
• Provide letters of Support from partners for your proposed project.

Application Review

Applications will be ranked by a review committee.

Applications will be ranked on the following:

Project Details - Project Description - Scope of Work, Partners and Plan Integration = 15 points

• Scope of work well thought out and explained = 5 pts.       
• Promotes partner collaboration = 5 pts.
• Consistency with existing plans = 5 pts.

Goals, Outcomes & Activities = 20 points

• Aligns and advances the priorities of the PFWCL and is clearly defined = 10 pts.
• Project goals, outcomes and activities are defined, implementable, and measurable = 10 pts.

Budget = 15 points

• Budget is complete and local match is documented and secured = 10 pts.
• Budget costs reflect realistic expenditures and complies with DCNR guidelines = 5pts.

WOW = Up to 5 bonus points

• You could earn up to an additional 5 points if you show that your project involves new, innovative, unique, and exciting ways to advance the PFWCL priorities = 0 - 5 pts.

The review committee reserves the right to request additional proposal information if they feel such information is crucial to the ranking process.