LATEST ROUND OF SNC RIVER GRANTS NOW UNDERWAY
May 16, 2014 – Not-for-profit community organizations and municipalities are invited to get theirapplications in to South Nation Conservation for a share of the 2014 River Grants budget, which fosters recreational use of rivers and streams within the Watershed.
“There’s a limit to our funding, so we encourage organizations and municipalities to apply now,” said Ronda Boutz, SNC Team Lead for Communication and Outreach. “Once we allocate all the money, the program ceases until the following year.”
Each year, the program supports about a dozen projects, some recurring, some for the first time. The maximum grant per project is $300.
“Riverside festivals are typical applicants,” says Boutz. “They’re good candidates because they draw public attention to the importance of maintaining and protecting watercourses and their shorelines.”
Successful applicants so far this year include the Spencerville Children’s Water Festival and Augusta Township’s Rejuvenated Rothesay Drive Site Grand Opening.
“These types of event brings people closer to our waterways, helping to make them more aware of conservation issues, from water quality the state of the fisheries and wildlife habitat.”
Applicants must submit a one-page letter to the SNC communications committee providing particulars of their event, including a description of the purpose and goal.
SNC awards grants on merit and on whether applications meet criteria; the committee with members from across the Watershed review the applications.
To qualify, events must place along the South Nation, St. Lawrence, or Ottawa Rivers and their tributaries within the SNC jurisdiction. Events must encourage involvement from the public as participants or spectators; recycle bins must be available, and sites cleaned up; events must be well promoted with the SNC logo on posters and other materials; and the SNC banner must be featured prominently.
SNC issues cheques after events have taken place and organizers have satisfied SNC in a letter within six weeks that all conditions were met. The follow-up summary should contain photos, important facts such as attendance, along with samples of promotional material and news coverage.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Ronda Boutz, SNC, 877-984-2948 x 251