Cynthia Krieg Watershed Stewardship Fund Innovation Grant Proposal Form FULL PROPOSALS MUST BE SUBMITTED by FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2013 at 4:30 PM All documents required for submission can be downloaded at www.minnehahacreek.org Submit ONE (1) copy of your completed proposal in PDF form to lyetka@minnehahacreek.org. Please use “Cynthia Krieg” in the e-mail subject line. Depending on the type of project, a MCWD permit and maintenance agreement for recordation in the appropriate County may be required. If needed, MCWD will assist you with this. Contact: Leslie Yetka Education Manager Minnehaha Creek Watershed District 15320 Minnetonka Blvd Minnetonka, MN 55345 lyetka@minnehahacreek.org The Cynthia Krieg Watershed Stewardship Fund was established by the MCWD in 2000 in memory of Cynthia Krieg, whose life exemplified dedication to community service and natural resource protection. This fund encourages and supports community service initiatives to protect water quality and promote public awareness of nonpoint source pollution abatement through projects that demonstrate either a strong educational or innovative component. The MCWD wishes to partner with local community groups and government agencies to engage citizens in water quality protection. Innovation Grants must use new and innovative techniques for stormwater management, water quality improvement, or habitat enhancement. You may only submit a full proposal if your pre-proposal was reviewed and approved by MCWD staff. Selection Criteria The selection criteria listed below will be used by the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District Citizen Advisory Committee to evaluate your full proposal. Each criterion is weighted as indicated. Water Quality Impact (30%). Project demonstrates direct or indirect impact on water quality protection within the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District. Project purpose, goals and impacts are clearly stated and compelling. Innovation (30%) Project methods are specific, components are innovative and rationale behind each method is clear and concise. Community Involvement (15%). Project encourages community involvement by engaging local citizens through community service or in the planning and/or implementation process. Evaluation (5%). Project has a strong evaluation component with goals that are specific and measurable. Evaluation will provide meaningful information that can be used in future projects and throughout the project. Has dissemination plan for sharing results with the broader public. Cooperation (5%). Personnel and community partnerships demonstrate a high level of support for project. Budget (10%). Funding request is appropriate for the proposed project. Timeline (5%). Timeline is clear and realistic given the scope of the project. Application & Eligibility Requirements 1. Any organization is eligible to apply, including schools, non-profits and governmental agencies. We do not fund individuals. 2. Your organization’s pre-proposal was: □ Reviewed □ Approved □ A full proposal was requested by MCWD. 3. All ten (10) items listed in the proposal narrative section should be addressed and clearly presented in the same order as they appear below (1-10). 4. Proposal narrative should not exceed eight (8) pages of single-spaced text using this format, a minimum 12-point font using one-inch margins (NOTE: this does not include ‘Supporting Documents’ listed below). If possible, please submit full proposal on your organization’s letterhead 5. Application must be submitted electronically or by mail, postmarked by the deadline date (October 9, 2013). 6. Application should include the following ‘Supporting Documents’ (unless noted otherwise): Detailed project budget & timeline Map clearly indicating location of project Letter(s) of support, if applicable List of other project funders and pending requests, if applicable Publicity & Acknowledgement Requirements 1. 2. 3. 4. The MCWD will help you advertise your project or program. Information must be sent six (6) weeks before your event so we can post it on our website and send it via our list serve. All projects, publications and publicity generated or developed as part of this project must include public acknowledgement of the MCWD as a partner and funder. Acknowledgement language shall read: ”Funding provided by the Cynthia Krieg Watershed Stewardship Fund of the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District” should be used where space allows; “Funding provided by the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District” where space is limited. The MCWD logo is available for use on funded projects. Contact Leslie Yetka, MCWD Education Manager. All signage paid for with grant funding must be approved by the MCWD Education Manager. Organization Information Name of organization: Address: Phone: Fax: Website: Contact Name: Title: Phone: E-mail: Project Summary Project Name: Summary of request (2-3 sentences): Project Date(s): Provide each organization name, contact and expected contributions of project partners: Has your organization received a Cynthia Krieg grant in the past? If yes, please note the grant amount, status of the project(s) (i.e. not yet started, in progress, complete) and final report submission date(s) for each past project. *All previously funded projects are listed on our website: http://www.minnehahacreek.org/grants/cynthia-krieg-watershedstewardship-fund/past-projects. Location Include the PIN or PID numbers for project location(s): NOTE: The project must take place within the MCWD or serve citizens of MCWD. You must include a map in your supporting documents. The PIN or PID can be found through the Hennepin County or Carver County property information pages; links to both can be found here: http://www.minnehahacreek.org/search_district.php Budget Amount requested from MCWD (up to $25,000): Total Project Budget: $ $ Permitting Requirements If you answer YES to one or more of the following questions, a permit may be required for your project. Please use the space provided to describe your permit requirements (i.e. “this project may require a permit for grading of 5,000 square feet or more.”) If you answer NO to all of the following questions please note “no permit needed for the proposed project.” Would the proposed project include… grading of 5,000 square feet or more? stockpiling or excavating more than 50 cubic yards of material? draining, filling, excavating or altering a wetland? dredging in the beds, banks, or shores of any protected water or wetland? improving a shoreline or streambank? installing a sandblanket? placing roads, highways, or utilities in the bed of a protected water or wetland? constructing a bridge or related crossing of a water, waterway or wetland? placing a culvert or similar structure in the bed or channel of a protected water or wetland? placing fill of any type in a 100 year floodplain associated with a lake, river, stream, wetland, or other water basin? increasing the area of impervious surface or changing land contours to alter the drainage ways, increase peak runoff rates, or affect the quality of stormwater flows? Does your project require a permit? Your answer here Proposal Narrative 1. Briefly describe your organization’s history, mission and goals. Explain what is unique about your organization and how you are well-situated to address the issue or need your project will address (<200 words). Your answer here 2. Describe the opportunity, challenge, issue or need that your proposal addresses within the Minnehaha Creek Watershed. Outline the connection between this issue and other relevant environmental issues. Your answer here 4|Page 3. Illustrate the importance of your project. What is the purpose? What do you plan to do and accomplish? Briefly outline your goals, activities, objectives and intended outcomes. Goals – Goals should be directed toward a vision and be consistent with the mission. Something the organization wants and expects to accomplish in the future. Goals are broad and visionary (List up to 5 goals). Example: Objectives – Specific measurable results expected within a particular time period, consistent with a goal and strategy, a clear “milestone” towards your stated goals. Example: Objective A- The spring workshop will have 15 people in attendance. Objective B – The newsletter will be distributed to 300 neighbors next fall. Activities – What you plan to do to reach your project goals. Example: Goal 1 – Increase awareness of environmentally-friendly yard care in the Lynnhurst neighborhood, Mpls. Activity a- Host a workshop on environmentally-friendly yard care. Activity b- Put an article in our neighborhood newsletter. Outcomes – Outcome are long-term and should answer the following questions: What impact will this grant have? What changes (in knowledge, behavior, or condition) will occur as a result? Example: Outcome i – Increased awareness of environmentally-friendly yard care improves water quality. Your answer here 4. Describe the innovation component(s) of your project. Are there new and different techniques being incorporated into the project? What makes this project/method innovative? Your answer here 5. Specifically, list the names of community groups and/or local citizens you will reach with your project: How will they be recruited to get involved? Will they be involved in planning and implementing the project? Why will they want to be part of or participate in this project? Your answer here 6. How will you disseminate the results of your project, during and after completion? Your answer here 7. Explain how the effectiveness and success of the project will be measured and evaluated. If appropriate, describe how/why this information can be meaningful to future projects. *NOTE: The required final report is not the same as your project evaluation; however, you will be asked to include your project evaluation in the final report. Your answer here 5|Page 8. Tell us about the personnel involved in this project. What are their names, titles and qualifications? Will you collaborate with other groups or individuals? Specify who will carry out the activities outlined in Part I above. Your answer here For items 9-10 below, please use the Excel spreadsheet format found on the “Applications & Review Process” section of our website: http://www.minnehahacreek.org/grants/cynthiakrieg. This will be submitted as one of your ‘Supporting Documents.’ 9. Please provide a brief project timeline listing major project activities and when they will occur. 10. Provide a detailed, reasonable budget that lists each item for which you will request funding. If you have other sources of funding, please attach a list of current funders and pending requests and the associated amount for each. Signature: Date: We recommend and encourage you to seek assistance from the MCWD Education Manager while preparing your application. 6|Page