CAPACITY GRANTS PROGRAM
FY 2015
Funding Guidelines
March 2015
Please note that all proposals are required to follow the format within these guidelines to be
considered for funding. Deviation from the specified format may impact the overall score of the
grant and disqualify the proposal for funding.
Intermountain West Joint Venture
FY 2015 Capacity Grants Program Funding Guidelines
Table of Contents
GENERAL INFORMATION .............................................................................................3
Introduction ................................................................................................................3
Intent of the Program .................................................................................................3
Funding Availability ..................................................................................................3
Who Should Apply ....................................................................................................4
Grant Agreement ........................................................................................................4
Reporting Requirements ............................................................................................4
Timeline .....................................................................................................................4
REQUIRED PROPOSAL COMPONENTS .....................................................................5
Eligible Proposals ......................................................................................................5
Ineligible Proposals ....................................................................................................6
Partnerships ................................................................................................................6
Fund Leveraging ........................................................................................................6
Technical Scoring Criteria and Point Values .............................................................6
PROPOSAL FORMAT AND SUBMISSION ...................................................................8
Cover Page .................................................................................................................8
General Project Description .......................................................................................8
Specific Project Criteria .............................................................................................8
Budget Tables ............................................................................................................9
Project Map, Partner Contribution Statements, Letters of Support and Photos .....................9
Second- or Third-Year Funding Requests .................................................................10
Proposal Submission ..................................................................................................10
INTERMOUNTAIN WEST JOINT VENTURE GRANT CONTACTS .......................11
APPENDIX A-Wetland Focal Areas and Priority Bird Species .....................................13
APPENDIX B-Budget Table Examples .............................................................................15
APPENDIX C-Partner Contribution Statement Format .................................................16
APPENDIX D-Grant Agreement .......................................................................................17
Report Guidelines ......................................................................................................24
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Intermountain West Joint Venture
FY 2015 Capacity Grants Program Funding Guidelines
GENERAL INFORMATION
Introduction
The Intermountain West Joint Venture (IWJV) is a diverse public-private partnership that works across 11
states to deliver strategic habitat conservation for migratory birds and other priority bird species. We
bring people and organizations together to leverage technical and financial resources, building our
collective capacity to achieve conservation at meaningful scales.
The IWJV is committed to:
1) Biological planning and conservation design: determining what needs to be done and where to
maintain bird populations at desired levels;
2) Habitat delivery: assisting our partners with on-the-ground habitat conservation; and,
3) Monitoring, evaluation, and applied research: supporting key monitoring programs and
assumption-driven research.
Activities are carried out in accordance with the goals and objectives of the North American Waterfowl
Management Plan (NAWMP), the U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan (USSCP), the North American
Waterbird Conservation Plan (NAWCP), the Partners in Flight (PIF) Landbird Conservation Plan, the
IWJV 2013 Implementation Plan, 2005 IWJV Coordinated Implementation Plans for Bird Conservation
(by state), and State Wildlife Action Plans (SWAPs).
Intent of the Program
The intent of the Capacity Grants Program is to build capacity and catalyze partnerships that measurably
contribute to the protection, restoration, or enhancement of priority bird habitats to support sustainable
populations of birds in the Intermountain West. Successful capacity grants are meant to join conservation
partners together—around priority areas, habitats, or bird species—to improve conservation program
effectiveness.
Applicants will be expected to explain how their proposal will result in tangible outcomes (e.g., number
of: acres conserved, conservation easements acquired, conservation plans/contracts developed,
landowner visits, partner organizations involved, meetings/work groups facilitated, field tours hosted,
grant proposals written and funded, conservation program actions enhanced by specific science
information, or conservation outcomes increased by better science, etc.).
Capacity grants can be awarded to organizations within the Intermountain West (see Appendix A) seeking
to increase capacity for habitat work and other aspects of bird conservation in particular landscapes. Grant
applicants are encouraged to work with the appropriate IWJV State Conservation Partnership (SCP) to
develop a competitive grant proposal (see page 12).
Funding Availability
The IWJV has allocated up to $255,000 in FY 2015 for the Capacity Grants Program. The funds are
mostly federal, provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), but also include non-federal
funding from ConocoPhillips Company (COP), a long-time IWJV Management Board member and
partner. COP funding is only available for projects in Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, and
Wyoming. At the time the grant is awarded, the IWJV will notify the successful applicant of the
composition of the award in terms of federal and non-federal funds.
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Intermountain West Joint Venture
FY 2015 Capacity Grants Program Funding Guidelines
The maximum grant award per proposal is $15,000. The IWJV recognizes that the establishment of
capacity to effectively deliver habitat conservation requires a certain level of continuity. Proposal funding
may be requested for one year only, with additional funding possible through subsequent grant requests,
for up to three years. Please note that second- and third-year funding proposals are subject to the standard
review and approval process; tangible progress must be demonstrated and these proposals will
compete with all other proposals submitted in the same cycle.
The IWJV intends to award at least one (1) capacity grant of up to $15,000 annually to each state,
pending acceptable applications that meet program criteria. Additional Capacity Grant Program funds will
be made available on a JV-wide competitive basis with a $15,000 cap per grant.
Who Should Apply
Applications will be considered from 501(c)3 non-profit organizations and government agencies. If your
group is unincorporated, please contact the IWJV for guidance on acquiring a fiscal sponsor or agent.
Grant Agreement
Successful grantees will be required to execute a grant agreement. Agreements vary but are typically
managed by Ducks Unlimited, Inc., under a Cooperative Agreement with FWS.
Funding will be granted to your organization based on the terms and conditions defined in the grant
agreement (see Appendix D). The grant agreement will reference the capacity grant proposal as the scope
of work for the project. In the event the grantee identifies a need to make substantial changes with respect
to the timeline, scope, or purpose of the project, after notification of the grant award and before execution
of the grant agreement, the grantee may be asked to withdraw their proposal and re-apply for funding in
the next cycle.
Capacity grant funds provided through this process must be expended within the period of performance
identified in the grant agreement. The period of performance is typically one year. Grantees awarded
second- or third-year funding for a project will be asked to close out their current agreement and meet
reporting requirements prior to initiation of a new grant agreement.
Reporting Requirements
The grant agreement requires submission of a Progress Report and a Final Report. Report deadlines are
stipulated in the grant agreement. Failure to submit reports as stipulated in the grant agreement may result
in delayed payments or loss of funding.
Timeline
The following provides an overview of the timing of the 2015 Capacity Grants Cycle:
o
Proposals must be submitted by May 1, 2015, to be considered in the current cycle.
o
Each SCP will review and rank capacity grant proposals from within their state and submit their
recommendations to the IWJV Assistant Coordinator by June 15, 2015.
o
The IWJV staff and Capacity Grants Committee will review and rank proposals, in concert with
SCP recommendations, and present funding recommendations to the IWJV Management Board
by August 1, 2015.
o
The IWJV Management Board will make funding decisions at their Fall Board Meeting no later
than September 15, 2015.
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Intermountain West Joint Venture
FY 2015 Capacity Grants Program Funding Guidelines
o
The IWJV will notify applicants and SCP Chairs of funding decisions by October 15, 2015.
o
Grant agreements will be developed no later than March 1, 2016.
REQUIRED PROPOSAL COMPONENTS
Eligible Proposals
The critical question to be addressed by Capacity Grants Program applicants is as follows: How will the
proposal build capacity and catalyze partnerships to increase bird habitat conservation in the
Intermountain West?
We define capacity as actions that improve program effectiveness by strengthening human and financial
resources, technology, and/or scientific information. The project will be evaluated using Technical
Scoring Criteria (see pages 6-7).
The following project types are eligible for funding:
o
Partner positions and/or staff support to build partnerships, develop action/conservation plans,
generate funding, provide technical expertise, and/or implement on-the-ground habitat
conservation.
o
Communications and outreach (e.g., websites, brochures, landowner visits, tours, etc.) directly
linked to on-the-ground habitat conservation.
o
Training, workshops or demonstration area projects that target private landowners and directly
impact the partnership’s ability to transfer and deliver on-the-ground habitat conservation.
o
Science-based projects to increase strategic conservation of wetlands, sagebrush steppe, or
grasslands. A science-based project must address information gaps in a priority area, priority bird
habitat, or focus on a priority bird species AND demonstrate that the information is crucial to
advancing on-the-ground habitat conservation. Please see Chapters 4-8 of the IWJV 2013
Implementation Plan to learn more about the regional bird habitat conservation science and
information gaps identified to date. Consideration for science funding will be given to proposals
in the following thematic areas this cycle:

Conservation planning for waterfowl (e.g., wetland habitat extent, availability, and
productivity, food availability assessments, stepping down population objectives to
spring migration areas, and/or using existing data to carry out bioenergetics modeling) in
any of the IWJV’s Wetland Focal Areas described in Appendix A, except Southern
Oregon and Northeastern California and Columbia Basin, wherein the IWJV has invested
significant resources in biological planning and conservation design for waterfowl.

Conservation planning for shorebirds and/or waterbirds in any of the IWJV’s Wetland
Focal Areas described in Appendix A.

Conservation planning for priority grassland birds described in Appendix A (e.g.,
designing decision support tools to inform conservation program actions in focal areas).

Outcome-based evaluations of the effects of sagebrush habitat conservation practices
implemented through the Sage Grouse Initiative or other large-scale sagebrush habitat
conservation initiatives on migratory birds (i.e., Brewer’s Sparrow, Sage Sparrow, and
Sage Thrasher).
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Intermountain West Joint Venture
FY 2015 Capacity Grants Program Funding Guidelines
Ineligible Proposals
The following projects are ineligible for funding:
o
Direct on-the-ground habitat projects and associated activities including but not limited to site
specific National Environmental Policy Act or archaeological clearance support, permitting,
engineering or design, construction materials, labor, or equipment.
o
Direct education or public outreach projects.
Partnerships
Partners are defined as those who contribute toward a capacity grant project in direct cash or in-kind
services to establish the capacity, or habitat project funding. Partnerships should be broadly based, with a
diversity of partner categories. A mix of state and federal agencies, non-governmental conservation
organizations, and other conservation groups working toward focused habitat conservation delivery is
considered optimal.
Fund Leveraging
A goal of the Capacity Grants Program is to increase the habitat delivery capacity necessary for partners
to acquire and utilize project funding that might not otherwise be attainable or available without the
investment in capacity. The IWJV encourages fund leveraging; however, there is no “match requirement”
or cost-share obligation for an IWJV capacity grant. The IWJV defines fund leveraging as follows:
o
Capacity Fund Leveraging: The direct cash or in-kind services committed by other partners to
project capacity.
o
Habitat Project Fund Leveraging: The project funds devoted or likely to be devoted to on-theground bird habitat conservation projects as a result of the capacity. The habitat project fund
leveraging should be estimated in the context of being above “baseline” or standard allocations
for bird habitat conservation in the project area.
Technical Scoring Criteria and Point Values
A. Builds Capacity:
Maximum 6 points
o
How will the proposed increase in capacity impact your ability to deliver bird habitat
conservation in the Intermountain West?
o
How will the funding help achieve strategic bird conservation goals and objectives that would
not happen otherwise?
o
Define any unique or special aspects of the capacity-building effort in terms of scale.
B. Catalyzes Partnerships:
Maximum 4 points
o
Provide a list of project partners as well as their roles and commitments to this project.
o
Define any unique or special aspects of the partnership (e.g. diversity, scope, scale) that will
contribute to the long-term success of the project.
o
How will the increased capacity strengthen the IWJV’s broader partnership efforts to
implement bird habitat conservation? Consider any potential opportunities for information or
project transfer to a larger IWJV constituency.
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Intermountain West Joint Venture
FY 2015 Capacity Grants Program Funding Guidelines
o
How much direct funding (“capacity fund leveraging”) is committed by other partners to the
project?
o
How much on-the-ground bird habitat conservation funding (“habitat project fund
leveraging”) will be leveraged by partners?
For Section C: All traditional capacity grant projects (i.e., partner positions, communications,
or training/workshops) should address C.1; science projects should address C.2.
C.1 Delivers Bird Habitat Conservation:
Maximum 8 points
o
How will the increase in capacity support on-the-ground bird habitat conservation?
o
Describe the anticipated benefits to one or more IWJV priority habitats (wetlands/riparian
associated wetlands, sagebrush steppe, and grasslands). Please reference the Habitat
Conservation Strategy of the IWJV 2013 Implementation Plan (Chapter 8) and wetland focal
areas (Appendix A), if applicable. Additionally, describe anticipated benefits to habitat
priorities defined by the 2005 IWJV Coordinated Implementation Plans for Bird
Conservation (by state) or the SWAPs.
o
Describe the anticipated benefits to IWJV priority bird species (see Appendix A). Focus on a
specific species that the project will substantially benefit, in contrast to those species that are
casual or accidental in occurrence. How will the project address limiting factors for the
species and/or meet annual life cycle requirements?
o
Describe how the project will measure success in terms of conservation outcomes. Please
refer to the Summary Table (page 25 of Appendix D) for a list of conservation outcomes.
C.2 Science to Facilitate Habitat Conservation:
Maximum 8 points
o
Describe how this funding will address information gaps or key uncertainties (e.g.
quantifying species-habitat relationships) relative to management or conservation actions for
priority habitats and bird species. (Please make linkages to Chapters 4-8 of the IWJV 2013
Implementation Plan and opportunities to address information gaps.)
o
How will data/analyses/products promote or refine conservation actions for priority habitats
and bird species?
o
Describe linkages to existing conservation partnership networks and the anticipated
application of science product(s).
o
Describe how science product(s) will be disseminated to habitat delivery partners or
practitioners and applied to on-the-ground conservation actions.
D. Special Circumstances
o
Maximum 2 points
Describe any special project circumstances not articulated above (e.g. significance of
landscape, transferability, capitalizing on timing of funding or initiatives, innovative
conservation approaches, unique outcomes, enduring solutions, ability to produce measurable
outcomes, etc.).
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Intermountain West Joint Venture
FY 2015 Capacity Grants Program Funding Guidelines
PROPOSAL FORMAT AND SUBMISSION
Applicants are required to follow the format below. Maximum page limit is six pages, excluding the
project map, partner contribution statements, letters of support, and photos. Use 11 or 12 point font size
with standard font type (e.g., Times New Roman or Arial). Please note that deviation from this format
may impact the overall score of the grant and disqualify the proposal for funding.
Cover Page (1 page)
IWJV 2015 Capacity Grants Program
Date Submitted:
Amount Requested:
Project Title:
Project County(ies):
Project State:
Congressional District:
Bird Conservation Region:
Bird Habitat Conservation Area:
Organization:
Contact Address:
Contact Person:
Telephone:
Email:
Brief Description of Project Purpose and Goals (125 words maximum):
General Project Description (2 pages maximum)
1. Clearly state the context and need for capacity, as well as how the capacity will translate to onthe-ground habitat conservation achievements.
2. Identify the purpose, goals and objectives of the project. (Objectives expressed in quantitative
terms will result in a higher rating.)
3. Describe the project activities, the duration of the project and expected results.
4. Include a timetable for accomplishment of capacity grant activities and who will be completing
the work.
Specific Project Criteria (2 pages maximum)
Please address in narrative form the Technical Scoring Criteria and Point Values above (pages 6-7, AD).
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Intermountain West Joint Venture
FY 2015 Capacity Grants Program Funding Guidelines
Budget Tables (1 page)
Please provide detailed information on capacity grant funding leveraged by partners, in addition to the
proposed total for habitat project funding leveraged (see page 6 for definitions and Appendix B for
examples).
Overhead or administrative charges are allowed but limited to five percent of direct project costs, and
total funds requested cannot exceed $15,000.
Table A. Capacity Fund Leveraging
IWJV
Request
($)
Non-Federal
Partner
(Name)
Non-Federal
Partner
($)
Federal
Partner
(Name)
Federal
Partner
($)
TOTAL $
TOTAL CAPACITY
FUNDS LEVERAGED
Table B. Habitat Project Fund Leveraging
Project Detail:
Non-Federal
Partner
($)
Federal
Partner
($)
TOTAL $
TOTAL HABITAT PROJECT
FUNDS LEVERAGED
Project Map, Partner Contribution Statements, Letters of Support and Photos
A project map is required and should include the project title and location of the entire project area.
Partner contribution statements are required from all partners contributing project funding, excluding the
organization submitting the request (see Appendix C for preferred format). Letters of support can also be
submitted. There is not a required number of letters, but enough should be provided to demonstrate
partner and/or general support of the project. Photos are optional.
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FY 2015 Capacity Grants Program Funding Guidelines
Second- or Third-Year Funding Requests
Applicants funded previously through the Capacity Grants Program are required to submit a Progress
Report along with their proposal. The Progress Report should include:
o
A brief narrative (1-2 pages) summarizing project progress to date. Please address the following
in your report:

What progress have you made towards the stated project objectives?

Will your objectives be achieved in the stated timeline? Why or why not?

What direct and/or indirect on-the-ground conservation work has been catalyzed or is
underway? (Be specific wherever you can.)

Summary of expenditures to date.
Proposal Submission
Applicants must submit an electronic copy and a single hard copy by mail, postmarked by May 1,
2015:
1. The electronic version of the proposal must be saved into one Microsoft Word or PDF file.
Maximum electronic file size is 5MB. File name should read as follows: State
Abbreviation_Applicant_ProposalTitle_2015. Please email the proposal to both the IWJV, c/o
Brian McDonald (see page 11), and the appropriate SCP Chair (see page 12).
2. Please mail a single hard copy to the IWJV, c/o Brian McDonald (see page 11).
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Intermountain West Joint Venture
FY 2015 Capacity Grants Program Funding Guidelines
INTERMOUNTAIN WEST JOINT VENTURE GRANT CONTACTS
For questions on project development and eligibility, contact:
Ali Duvall
Assistant Coordinator
1001 South Higgins Avenue, Suite A1
Missoula, MT 59801
Office: 406.549.0346
Cell: 406.370.5047
ali.duvall@iwjv.org
For questions on the guidelines and proposal submittal, contact:
Brian McDonald
Agreements and Grants Specialist
1001 South Higgins Avenue, Suite A1
Missoula, MT 59801
Office: 406.546.7755
brian.mcdonald@iwjv.org
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Intermountain West Joint Venture
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State Conservation Partnership Chairs
ARIZONA
Dominic Barrett
Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
8602 North Alchesay Fish Hatchery Road
Whiteriver, AZ 85941
Office: 928.338.4288, ext. 25
dominic_barrett@fws.gov
CALIFORNIA
John Ranlett
Ducks Unlimited, Inc.
3074 Gold Canal Drive
Rancho Cordova, CA 95670
Office: 916.852.2000
jranlett@ducks.org
COLORADO
Brian Sullivan
Colorado Parks and Wildlife
317 West Prospect Road
Fort Collins, CO 80526
Office: 970.472.4306
brian.sullivan@state.co.us
IDAHO
Don Kemner
Idaho Department of Fish and Game
600 South Walnut Street
Boise, ID 83712
Office: 208.287.2748
don.kemner@idfg.idaho.gov
MONTANA
Catherine Wightman
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
1420 East 6th Avenue
Helena, MT 59620
Office: 406.444.3377
cwightman@mt.gov
NEW MEXICO
Kristin Madden
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
One Wildlife Way
Santa Fe, NM 87507
Office: 505.476.8161
kristin.madden@state.nm.us
OREGON
Bruce Taylor
Oregon Habitat Joint Venture
P.O. Box 86497
Portland, OR 97286
Office: 971.235.6673
btaylor.ohjv@gmail.com
UTAH
Jason Vernon
Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
Great Basin Research Center
494 West 100 South
Ephraim, UT 84627
Office: 435.283.4441
jasonvernon@utah.gov
WASHINGTON
Terry Mansfield
16710 West Sterling Road
Cheney, WA 99004
Office: 509.954.5161
tmmansfield@webband.com
WYOMING
Steve Tessmann
Wyoming Game and Fish Department
5400 Bishop Boulevard
Cheyenne, WY 82006
Office: 307.777.4584
steve.tessmann@wyo.gov
NEVADA
Susan Abele
Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
1340 Financial Boulevard, Suite 234
Reno, NV 89502
Office: 775.861.6346
susan_abele@fws.gov
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Intermountain West Joint Venture
FY 2015 Capacity Grants Program Funding Guidelines
APPENDIX A-Wetland Focal Areas and Priority Bird Species
NOTE: GIS Shapefile and Metadata can be accessed here.
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Intermountain West Joint Venture
FY 2015 Capacity Grants Program Funding Guidelines
Priority Bird Species List
Waterfowl
Shorebirds
Waterbirds
Landbirds
American Wigeon
American Avocet
American Bittern
Band-tailed Pigeon
Canvasback
Black-necked Stilt
Greater Sandhill Crane
Bendire's Thrasher
Cinnamon Teal
Dowitchers
Sora
Brewer's Sparrow
Mallard
Marbled Godwit
White-faced Ibis
Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse
Northern Pintail
Mountain Plover
Ferruginous Hawk
Lesser Scaup
Snowy Plover
Flammulated Owl
Redhead
Upland Sandpiper
Grace’s Warbler
Trumpeter Swan
Wilson’s Phalarope
Grasshopper Sparrow
Tundra Swan
Willet
Gray Flycatcher
Gray Vireo
Lewis’s Woodpecker
Long-billed Curlew
Olive-sided Flycatcher
Pinyon Jay
Red-naped Sapsucker
Rufous Hummingbird
Sage Sparrow
Sage Thrasher
Swainson’s Hawk
Virginia’s Warbler
White-headed Woodpecker
Willow Flycatcher
NOTE: The Greater Sage-grouse is a priority bird species of the IWJV. However, due to the breadth and
scale of funding available through other programs, Capacity Grant Program funding will be focused on
supporting conservation of the sagebrush-obligate species listed above.
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Intermountain West Joint Venture
FY 2015 Capacity Grants Program Funding Guidelines
APPENDIX B-Budget Table Examples
Table A. Capacity Fund Leveraging
IWJV
Request
($)
Partner Position
Salary/Benefits
Service Contracts
NonFederal
Partner
(Name)
Federal
Partner
(Name)
FWS
Partners for
Fish &
Wildlife
Program
Federal
Partner
($)
TOTAL $
$10,000
State Fish &
Wildlife
Agency
$30,000
$5,000
TNC
$2,000
$7,000
TNC
$500
$500
Meeting Costs
TOTAL CAPACITY
FUNDS
LEVERAGED
Non-Federal
Partner
($)
$15,000
$32,500
$40,000
$80,000
$40,000
$87,500
Table B. Habitat Project Fund Leveraging
Project Detail: Acquire conservation easements on 1,000 acres of priority wetlands and associated uplands in
Middle Rio Grande through NAWCA.
Non-Federal
Partner
($)
TOTAL HABITAT PROJECT
FUNDS LEVERAGED
$2,000,000
Federal Partner
($)
$1,000,000
TOTAL $
$3,000,000
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Intermountain West Joint Venture
FY 2015 Capacity Grants Program Funding Guidelines
APPENDIX C-Partner Contribution Statement Format
Contribution statements are required for all partner contributions to capacity grant funding (Table A).
Contribution statements are not required for habitat project fund leveraging. Please submit the following
information on the partner’s formal letterhead:
IWJV Capacity Grants Program – Partner Contribution Statement
Date:
Name (printed), Title, Organization:
Title of the proposal you are contributing to:
What is the amount of your contribution to the capacity grant?
When will you make the contribution?
Please briefly describe why you are contributing to the project:
Do you have any additional comments?
Signature:
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APPENDIX D-Grant Agreement
GRANT AGREEMENT
Project Name: IWJV Administration and Coordination:
Project Name
DU Project Number: US-IM-5-1
IWJV Reference Number: CG 2015 XX-X
This Agreement is effective the X day of XXX, 201X between Ducks Unlimited, Inc. (hereinafter "DU"),
acting as a representative of the Intermountain West Joint Venture (hereinafter “IWJV”), and Grantee
(hereinafter “Cooperator”).
WHEREAS, DU and Cooperator have entered into this Agreement to help facilitate the Cooperator's
Project Name as described in the Project Proposal (hereinafter "Project"), reviewed and approved by the
IWJV Management Board (hereinafter “MB”), and attached as Exhibit A of this Agreement. In the case
of multi-year proposals, Cooperator is required to re-apply to and be approved by the MB for funding of
subsequent years. This Project is funded pursuant to Cooperative Agreement F11AC00381 (hereinafter
“Cooperative Agreement”) and subsequent modifications between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
Region 6 (hereinafter “Service”) and DU. The purpose of this Cooperative Agreement is to provide
financial support to the IWJV for migratory bird habitat conservation. This project contributes to
achievement of the objectives of the Cooperative Agreement through the IWJV Capacity Grants Program.
The Cooperative Agreement, including all terms and conditions, is incorporated into this Agreement by
this reference.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the above premises and other terms and conditions listed herein,
DU and Cooperator agree to undertake the development of the Project as follows:
A. DU agrees:
1. To reimburse Cooperator in an amount not to exceed $00,000.00 of cash for Cooperator’s
actual costs incurred in the completion of the Project that are allowable expenses under the
Cooperative Agreement, if the Project has been completed in accordance with Exhibit A and
this Agreement. Payment of allowable Project expenses shall be processed on a no-moreoften-than-monthly basis upon receipt and approval of invoices submitted by Cooperator.
Payment shall occur within thirty (30) days after processing of payment invoice.
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B. Cooperator agrees:
1. That other than funding provided in Section A.1 of this Agreement, all other Project costs
shall be the responsibility of the Cooperator.
2. To provide all reasonable and necessary services to ensure the timely completion of the
Project during the Period of Performance.
3. To provide DU with all information requested by DU that is necessary to meet DU’s
obligations under the Cooperative Agreement within the time period specified by DU in the
request for information.
4. To follow the Report Guidelines, attached as Exhibit B, providing DU and the IWJV with a
Progress Report six (6) months after the beginning date of the Period of Performance of this
Agreement, due XXXXX and a Final Report twelve (12) months after the beginning date of
the Period of Performance of this Agreement, due XXXXX.
5. To send DU three (3) copies of any publication produced under this Agreement, including
reports and related technical data, for submission by DU to either the U.S. Department of the
Interior or the National Technical Information Service, as applicable.
6. That the publication of any studies or investigations resulting from this Agreement by
Cooperator is subject to DU review and comment. Approved publicity must give credit to DU,
the Service, the IWJV and Cooperator’s funding partners, subject to disclaimer. Authorship
does not imply any privileges of copyright or permit other restrictions or distributions.
7. That any research data collected under this Agreement shall be jointly owned by DU and
Cooperator’s funding partners, with complete and unlimited access to all such data. DU
grants Cooperator a license to use and create derivative works from the data, as long as
Cooperator does not otherwise limit third party use or access to the data.
8. That no member of, or delegate to, Congress or resident commissioner shall be admitted to
any share or part of this Agreement or to any benefit that may rise there from. This provision
shall not be construed to extend to this Agreement if made with a corporation for its general
benefits.
9. To abide by the following Minority Business Enterprise/Woman owned Business Enterprise
(MBE/WBE) reporting requirements:
In accordance with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) circulars, recipients are
required to take specific affirmative actions to ensure that minority and woman-owned
business enterprises receive a fair share of subcontracts, which result from Federal funds. The
recipient of this Agreement must report all subgrant and procurement awards in excess of
$10,000 for supplies, equipment, construction, or services executed under this Agreement.
____________________________________________________________________________________________
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MBE-WBE utilization is based on Executive Orders 11625, 12138, and 12432, and the
Service will comply with these orders by requiring for recipients to submit this information to
DU for submission to the Service, when applicable. A minority business enterprise is a
business concern: (a) that is at least 51 percent-owned by one or more minority individuals,
or in the case of a publicly-owned business, at least 51 percent of the stock is owned by one
or more minority individuals; and, (b) whose daily business operations are managed and
directed by one or more of the minority owners. There is no standard definition of minority
individuals used by all Federal financial assistance agencies. However, recipients shall
presume that minority individuals include: Black Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native
Americans, Asian Pacific Americans, or other groups whose members are found to be
disadvantaged by the Small Business Act or by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce under
section 5 of Executive Order 11625. A woman-owned business enterprise is a business
concern: (a) that is at least 51 percent-owned by one or more women, or in the case of a
publicly-owned business, at least 51 percent of the stock is owned by one or more women;
and, (b) whose daily business operations are managed and directed by one or more of the
women owners.
10. That the general provisions applicable to this Agreement are included in 43 CFR 12, entitled,
Administrative and Audit Requirements and Cost Principles for Assistance Programs (plus
relevant circulars of the OMB, as referenced in these regulations), which are incorporated by
reference into this Agreement by this reference, and Cooperator shall comply with such
provisions. These regulations are available at http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/.
11. That pursuant to Section 307 of the U.S. Department of the Interior and Related Agencies
Appropriations Act of 1996 (or any subsequent versions) and 43 CFR subpart E, please be
advised of the following:
In the case of any equipment or product that may be authorized to be purchased with financial
assistance provided using funds made available in this Act, it is the sense of the Congress that
entities receiving the assistance should, in expending the assistance, purchase only Americanmade equipment and products.
As directed by 43 CFR 12.730 and 43 CFR 12.830, Cooperator shall insert the prescribed
clauses for purchases of supplies and construction materials in all relevant solicitations for the
same under this awards. Additional instructions for implementing these clauses are found in
43 CFR subpart E.
12. To enter into and be bound by those Certifications and Assurances applicable to Federal
grants and cooperative agreements required for funding this Agreement, attached as Exhibit
C.
13. Agreement is cost reimbursable, and as such, Cooperator is submitting invoices to DU for
expenses already incurred for work performed. To receive reimbursement, Cooperator shall
submit to DU and the IWJV a request for payment by means of an itemized (including backup documentation), signed and dated electronic invoice. The invoice will include: the date,
invoice number, a description of deliverables and/or accomplishments completed during the
invoice period, as well as any expenses which are to be reimbursed as an authorized expense
under this Agreement.
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Expenses must be summarized using Exhibit D – Expense Report (attached for reference;
electronic version will be provided, as formulas are in place) and supported by itemized
receipts, in order for payment to be processed. Please ensure that the request for
reimbursement supports the scope of work and budget outlined in Exhibit A. DU will
reimburse Cooperator for expenses within thirty (30) days of receipt of approved invoice and
description of deliverables and/or accomplishments for the invoice period. Invoices that do
not meet the above requirements will be returned for revision. Electronic invoices, expense
reports and supporting receipts, and description of deliverables and/or accomplishments are
to be sent to the attention of: Dotti Dean-McMaster (ddean-mcmaster@ducks.org) at DU and
Tina Dennison (tina.dennison@iwjv.org) at the IWJV.
C. DU and Cooperator agree:
1. DU appoints Jeff McCreary (916-852-2000, jmccreary@ducks.org), as its Project Officer.
Cooperator appoints NAME (PHONE, EMAIL), as its Project Officer.
2. That the parties may change their respective Project Officer at any time by providing the
other party with the name of their new Project Officer.
3. Technical questions by the Cooperator regarding implementation of the project and required
reporting are to be directed to IWJV staff. The IWJV appoints Ali Duvall, Assistant
Coordinator, (406-370-5047, ali.duvall@iwjv.org), as its primary contact for the Cooperator.
4. To recognize the cooperative nature of this Project. Such recognition may include, but not
necessarily be limited to, the acknowledgement of each parties contribution in any oral or
written communications related to the Project, and in accordance with Section B.6. above.
5. That at DU's request, Cooperator agrees to cooperate with DU and the IWJV in an inspection
of the Project deliverables, prior to receiving funding, to determine whether the development
of the Project, as it is identified and described in Exhibit A, has been completed satisfactorily.
In the event the parties hereto are unable to mutually agree that these Project obligations have
been fulfilled, they shall select a mutually acceptable third party whose decision shall be
binding.
6. To cooperate in recognizing outside contributors who might provide significant funding to
help underwrite costs of the Project or who otherwise are mutually deemed to deserve special
recognition. The principal costs of such recognition shall be borne by the party initiating the
recognition.
7. To perform periodic Project inspections to ensure that the Project is managed for the purposes
for which it was intended throughout the term of this Agreement. To freely exchange Project
information and to periodically review, study, and consider modifications to the Project's
management and maintenance pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.
8. Period of Performance under this Agreement shall end twelve (12) months after the effective
date. If a multi-year proposal, Cooperator is required to re-apply to and be approved by the
MB for funding of subsequent years.
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9. Cooperator may receive an initial extension of the expiration date of the Agreement of up to
twelve (12) months, unless the extension involves any change in the purpose or scope of the
proposed activities. Extensions may not be exercised merely for the purpose of using
unobligated balances that are not necessary for the completion of the project. In order to
obtain an extension, the Cooperator must notify the IWJV in writing with the supporting
reasons and revised expiration date at least thirty (30) days before the expiration date
specified in the grant agreement.
10. The Cooperator must obtain the prior written approval of the IWJV to modify the proposal in
any way, such as but not limited to the following situations:
(1) Changes in the purpose and scope of the Project;
(2) Changes in how funds will be expended to meet Project goals and objectives; and,
(3) Any decrease in the total amount of direct funding contributions committed to the Project.
11. That either party may terminate this Agreement by providing thirty (30) days written notice
thereof to the other party if Cooperator or Cooperator's state abandons the Project or fails to
develop, manage and maintain it according to the terms of this Agreement. The parties hereto
also agree that if such termination should occur, the Cooperator shall immediately
compensate DU, in cash, for all funds contributed to this Project by DU, and which DU must
reimburse to the Service, should Cooperator fail to meet its obligations under this Agreement,
plus interest. During the development of this Project, if termination should occur for reasons
other than Cooperator’s failure to develop, manage or maintain the Project according to the
terms and conditions of this Agreement, then DU shall cancel as many outstanding
obligations as possible.
12. That the Cooperator is not in any way acting as an agent of DU, and any claims from outside
parties resulting from activities or actions performed by the Cooperator are the sole
responsibility of the Cooperator. If the Cooperator enters into a contractual agreement with a
third party, the contract shall provide that: the contractor acknowledges that DU is not a
party and will assert no claims against DU or the Service in any disputes with subcontractors
or material persons.
SIGNATURE PAGE TO FOLLOW
____________________________________________________________________________________________
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COOPERATOR
By:
Date:
Name
Title
Address
City, State Zip
DUCKS UNLIMITED, INC.
By:
Date:
Mark E. Biddlecomb, Director
Western Regional Office
3074 Gold Canal Drive
Rancho Cordova, CA 95670
____________________________________________________________________________________________
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EXHIBIT A – PROJECT PROPOSAL
Funding Allocations
Source
Amount
$00,000.00
TOTAL $00,000.00
____________________________________________________________________________________________
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EXHIBIT B – REPORT GUIDELINES
CAPACITY GRANTS PROGRAM
Report Guidelines
Your Capacity Grants Program award from the Intermountain West Joint Venture (IWJV) requires
submission of a Progress Report and a Final Report. Reports should contain the following components:
Cover Page (on both reports)
Please include the following information on the cover page:
 Date
 Reporting Period
 Project Title
 IWJV Project Number
 Project Location (By County)
 Project State
 Congressional District
 Bird Conservation Region (BCR)
 Bird Habitat Conservation Area (BHCA)
 Organization Name, Address, Contact Person, Telephone, Email
Progress Reports
Please write a brief narrative (1-2 pages) summarizing project progress for the first six (6) months of the
grant award period. The summary may touch upon key points listed in the final report outline, if they are
applicable at the time of the progress report. Please address the following:

What progress have you made towards the project objectives stated in your grant proposal?

Will your objectives be achieved in the timeline outlined in your grant proposal? Why or why not?

What direct and/or indirect on-the-ground conservation work has been catalyzed or is underway?
(Be specific wherever you can.)

Summary of expenditures to date.
Final Reports
Please write a concise narrative (4-6 pages) summarizing the work accomplished over the course of the
entire grant award period. Please adhere to the following outline:
Project Objectives & Need:
 What did you set out to accomplish with the use of IWJV Capacity Grant funds at the time of the
application? Explain the project objectives and the need(s) addressed.
Project Activities & Accomplishment:
 What activities or methods were used to meet your objectives? Were you successful in meeting
these objectives?
 How did these objectives translate into on-the-ground habitat conservation achievements? Be
specific, using the following format and categories to the greatest extent possible, and create your
own categories if necessary. The information will be submitted to the IWJV Accomplishment
Tracking System. In the future, grantees may utilize the system directly to track their own project
progress.
____________________________________________________________________________________________
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Definitions:
Protected=Acres acquired by fee title or conservation easement;
Restored=The manipulation of physical, chemical and/or biological characteristics of a site
with the goal of returning natural/historic functions to a habitat that has been degraded;
Enhanced=The manipulation of physical, chemical and/or biological characteristics of a site to
improve specific functions.
SUMMARY (add fields if necessary)
Number Description/Unit
Comments
Partner Biologist Position Established
Total Acres Protected
Total Acres Restored
Total Acres Enhanced
Conservation Easements Acquired
Conservation Plans/Contracts Developed
Landowner Visits
Partnering Organizations Involved
Meetings/Work Groups Facilitated
Field Tours Hosted
Grant Proposals Written & Funded
Other
BY PROJECT* (add fields if necessary)
Property/Project Name:
Location (GPS Waypoint or Nearest Town):
Number Description/Unit
Comments
Property/Project Name:
Location (GPS Waypoint or Nearest Town):
Acres Protected
 Wetland Acres
 Riparian Acres
(Specify Habitat Type)
 Upland Acres
Acres Restored
 Wetland Acres
 Riparian Acres
(Specify Habitat Type)
 Upland Acres
Acres Enhanced
 Wetland Acres
 Riparian Acres
(Specify Habitat Type)
 Upland Acres
*Achievement on individual habitat projects is ultimately a key performance metric for the
IWJV Capacity Grants Program.
____________________________________________________________________________________________
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Intermountain West Joint Venture
FY 2015 Capacity Grants Program Funding Guidelines

How did the project benefit priority bird species and priority habitats? (Reference the 2005 IWJV
Coordinated Implementation Plans for Bird Conservation (by state) and quantify benefits where
possible).

How did the project meet anticipated goals applying to regional and/or continental bird plans
(NAWCP, NAWMP, PIF, SWAPs, USSCP)?

Did the project result in other results that were not anticipated (positive or negative)?

Have your capacity needs changed since the proposal was developed? If so, how?

What is the single most important step that you were able to take as a result of the project? What
will your next steps be?

What is the duration of the project benefits? How will you monitor success of the project from
this point on?
Project Transferability:
 What are the lessons learned that you would share with other conservation partners about the
project? (Please feel free to add quotes from partners or landowners.)
Attachments:
 Financial Report: A signed, completed copy of the enclosed Financial Report Form should be
included with the Final Report, to show an accounting of how IWJV funds were used. Please
remember that any major changes to what was proposed must be requested in writing and
approved by the IWJV in advance.
NOTE: Please recall that 100% of the IWJV award funds must be requested and expended
prior to the end of your award period. If you have not requested all your funds by the time
you submit your Final Report, ensure you have a plan for doing so before the close of your
award period.

GIS Shapefile(s): Please include a GIS shapefile of your project boundary. To the extent possible,
please share shapefiles of individual habitat projects that were implemented as a result of this
funding. For private land confidentiality purposes, you may use the nearest town as a point of
reference.

Photos: Please provide a minimum of two (2) photos (with photo credits) of your project in JPEG
format, so that it may be shared on the IWJV website or newsletter.

Press: Please include any news clippings and/or articles that relate to your IWJV award.
Please provide both narrative reports in Microsoft Word format and send electronically, along with
attachments, to the three email addresses listed below; additionally, a hard copy of the Final Report
should be mailed to the IWJV office at 1001 South Higgins Avenue, Suite A1, Missoula, MT 59801):
IWJV Assistant Coordinator, Ali Duvall, ali.duvall@iwjv.org
IWJV Agreements & Grants Specialist, Brian McDonald, brian.mcdonald@iwjv.org
DU Project Coordinator, Dotti Dean-McMaster, ddean-mcmaster@ducks.org
____________________________________________________________________________________________
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CAPACITY GRANTS PROGRAM
Financial Report (Direct Funding Only)
Organization:
Project #:
Please remember that any major changes to what was proposed must be requested in writing and
approved by the IWJV in advance.
Capacity Grant Activities
IWJV
Funds
Non-Federal
Funds
Federal
Funds
TOTAL
$
Match Ratio (Federal & Non-Federal):
Explanation of Partnership Funding (list entities providing cost-share):
Signature:
Title:
Date:
____________________________________________________________________________________________
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EXHIBIT C – CERTIFICATIONS AND ASSURANCES
CERTIFICATIONS AND ASSURANCES
Cooperator agrees to enter into and be bound by the following Certifications and Assurances:
A. Nondiscrimination.
The Cooperator agrees to comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, 42
U.S.C. 2000d et seq.; Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2000e et
seq.; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended, 29 U.S.C. 794; and the Age
Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 6101 et seq.
B. Debarment and Suspension.
The Cooperator certifies to the best of its knowledge and belief that it is not presently debarred,
suspended, or proposed for debarment or declared ineligible for the award of subawards, by any
federal agency, in accordance with the OMB guidelines.
C. Certification of Non-Delinquency on Federal Debt.
The Cooperator certifies that it is in compliance with the Non-Delinquency on Federal Debt
criteria, in accordance with OMB-129.
D. Certification of Drug-Free Workplace.
The Cooperator certifies that it has implemented appropriate policy in accordance with Drug-Free
Workplace Act of 1988, 45 C.F.R. Park 76, subpart F.
E. Certification Regarding Lobbying.
The Cooperator certifies to the best of its knowledge and belief that no federally appropriated
funds have been paid or will be paid, by or on behalf of the Cooperator, to any person for
influencing or attempting to influence a federal officer or federal employee of any agency in
connection with the awarding of any federal award (Section 1352, Title 31, 45 U.S.C.).
COOPERATOR
By:
Signature
Title:
Organization:
Date:
____________________________________________________________________________________________
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EXHIBIT D – EXPENSE REPORT
Name:
Miles x Rate
Address:
Invoice Date:
# of Miles:
City, State Zip
=
01/01/15
Invoice #:
XXXX
$0
Mileage rate is $0.575 per mile
Date
Establishment / Description
SUBTOTALS
Airfare
Lodging
Meals
Transport
Mileage
Misc.
Supplies
TOTALS
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
Please provide ITEMIZED receipt for each and every expense, including food receipts. Receipts should
equal amount being requested.
TOTAL EXPENSES DUE:
____________________________________________________________________________________________
29
$