Small Grants Program

Canaan Valley Institute Grant Guidelines
Thank you for your interest in Canaan Valley Institute's Small Grants Program.  Please read the following guidelines carefully.   If you have questions regarding the guidelines or application, please contact the CVI Outreach Team member assigned to your group or call 1-800-922-3601.

Who is eligible?

• CVI will only consider applications from groups that have been working directly with CVI.  The funding that CVI provides is a tool to help groups reach their watershed goals.
• 501 (c) 3 non-advocacy organizations or other approved entities that are permitted to receive funds as determined by the Internal Revenue Service acting as a pass-through agent for the applicant.
• Organizations in CVI's service area that assist their watershed community to define their environmental assets and issues and aid in the development of solutions for solving environmental problems.
• Organizations that do not have an open grant or have had numerous grants with CVI.
• Priority will be given to organizations with less than $25,000 unrestricted funding.

Project Criteria
Canaan Valley Institute seeks to support local stakeholder organizations committed to restoring and protecting the natural resources of their watersheds.  Therefore applications must address water quality or quantity issues or aquatic habitat.  CVI encourages groups to submit projects that can show quantifiable/measurable outcomes.  Priority will be given to projects that address rural wastewater treatment and stream restoration. 

Funding Guidelines
All grants are considered on an individual basis, however, listed below are general guidelines:

Groups seeking organizational development funding such as membership brochures, newsletters, displays, strategic planning, watershed awareness etc can apply for up to $2,000.  Funds must be expended in one year.

Groups with specific projects such as watershed assessments, restoration planning, projects designs or implementation and can apply for up to $5,000. Projects must be completed within two years.

Educational initiatives such as workshops that target adult learning will be considered but other events such as watershed fairs, geocaching events will not.

Equipment such as computers, GPS units, monitoring kits, cameras, and PowerPoint projectors will be handled as an equipment loan from CVI who will retain ownership.  The intent of CVI's equipment loan is to support groups for short periods of time for a particular project.  Groups are responsible for the maintenance of the equipment while in their possession. 

CVI will not fund the following activities or items:

Application Process

• Meet with your assigned CVI staff person to discuss your project.
• Complete a group profile form and submit it with your application.
• Complete the full application and have it reviewed by your assigned staff person.
• Submit required financial documentation (Income and Expense Statement for the previous year and a balance sheet for the previous year).  Please see examples of both of these on our website at www.canaanvi.org or complete the template attached.  A professional audit is acceptable.
• Submit your IRS determination letter. 
•  Applications are reviewed by a CVI internal team for completeness, quality assurance and technical merit.  Applicants may be required to submit additional information based on this internal review. 
• Canaan Valley Institute's Board of Directors reviews and approves grants during the March, June and September quarterly meetings.
• Applications are due to your assigned staff person on the dates listed. Late or incomplete grants will be tabled until the next grant round.
  • 1st Quarter    January 18, 2008
  • 2nd Quarter   March 21, 2008
  • 3rd Quarter    May 23, 2008
• Electronic submissions are encouraged but are not necessary.  Submit electronic or hard copies of the completed application to your assigned staff person.
• Applicants are notified within a week of the Board's decision.

          Download Grant Application

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