| | About the LISS Futures Fund
News Release l 2006 Large Projects l 2006 Small Projects
2005 Project Summaries What is the Long Island Sound Futures Fund?
The purpose of the Sound Futures Fund is to support projects that restore and protect the health and living resources of Long Island Sound. This years Sound Futures Fund has been expanded to include the availability of small grants (link to small grants) of $5,000 and less to support projects that focus on public education and citizen engagement in Long Island Sound protection and restoration efforts.
The Fund seeks to:
Stimulate restoration of important habitats;
Encourage locally-based projects that improve water quality and protect water resources;
Support communities in developing and implementing watershed management plans;
Encourage environmentally sensitive development and land-use planning;
Develop the capacity of state and local governments, citizens groups, educational, and other organizations to promote community based stewardship;
Increase public access to water and open space;
Provide opportunities for direct educational experiences with the Sound; and
Promote a greater understanding of the estuary and the interrelationship between the health of the Sound and the condition of local watersheds.
Who Administers the Fund?
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) administers the program in cooperation with the LISS partner agencies, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, and the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection. The agencies identify funding priorities, review applications, and provide technical assistance as appropriate to applicants and grantees. Major funding support for this program is provided by EPA, FWS, and NOAA. Funds are also expected from other federal and nonfederal sources.
What are the General Funding Priorities?
There are two categories of grant awards available under the Sound Futures Fund:
Large Grants:
Awards of $10,000-$150,000 are available through the Sound Futures Fund. Funding priorities include: Restoration and enhancement of coastal habitats and riverine migratory corridors; species conservation; Control and management of invasive animal or plant species; nonpoint source pollution control projects; Watershed planning and management; projects to enhance the values of stewardship; projects that improve public access; and educational programs.
Small Grants:
Awards of $1,000-$6,000 are available through the Sound Futures Fund in the form of Small Grants. Funding priorities include: environmental festivals, mobile exhibits, boat tours, educational theater, estuary exploration, fishing clinics, beach clean ups, curb your dog campaign, discouraging waterfowl feedings, septic system maintenance, household waste collections, watershed initiatives, storm drain stenciling/marking, monitoring, a guide or curriculum for Long Island Sound exotic species, native plant sales, beach grass plantings, pet store and garden store pollution prevention programs, Long Island Sound curriculum inventory, signage, posters, workshops, videos, National Estuary Day events, school programs, seal census, and spill prevention programs.
What is the Geographic Focus of the Grant Program?
Projects must fall within the coastal area boundary established by the LISS (e.g., the Long Island Sound and its coastal watersheds). This includes the coastal portions of New York City and the counties of Westchester, Nassau, and Suffolk in New York that drain to Long Island Sound, and the coastal area of Connecticut. Proposals for watershed protection, stormwater management, and nonpoint source pollution control and anadromous fish passage projects may be in any portion of Westchester County that drains to Long Island Sound, and all of Connecticut, with a special focus on portions of the major drainages (i.e., Connecticut, Housatonic, Quinnipiac, Thames Rivers) emptying into the Sound.
Who are the Eligible Applicants?
Public or nonprofit private agencies, institutions, and organizations, state or local governments (i.e., counties, townships, cities, villages, boroughs, conservation districts, planning districts, utility districts, or other units of local government), and interstate entities, or regional water pollution control agencies are eligible for funding. State agencies are encouraged to involve local government or nonprofits in their projects.
Application
The Request For Proposals (RFP) contains the guidelines needed to submit a proposal.
Schedule
The call for proposals goes out in the fall. The deadline for submissions is in early January. Applicants are notified of selection the following spring.
Questions?
For more information please contact Barrett.Bohnengel at (202) 857-0166 or by E-mail at thesound@nfwf.org
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