copyright 2011. all rights reserved by national ffa organization. lts: environmental grants...

Copyright 2011. All rights reserved by National FFA Organization.

LTS: Environmental GrantsInformational Webinar


PowerPoint Topics

• Overview of grant• Review of service-learning• Project examples• Overview of application• Grant writing & Budget

guidance• Additional grant resources


• The LTS: Environmental Grant Program is in its 3rd year of funding

• Provided through funding from CSX

• Middle School, High School & Collegiate FFA chapters are eligible to apply• Alumni chapters can serve as the fiscal agent and

help a chapter write a grant. However, they cannot be the official applicant.

Overview


• Due May 30

• May apply for up to $2,000

• Supports year-long service-learning projects related to environmental issues

• Can be used to support a current project, as long as it meets the guidelines

Overview


• Members utilize knowledge and skills learned in the classroom to meet a community need – hands on learning

• Occur over the course of a year

• Engages youth in all stages of the project

• Creates reciprocal partnerships

What is Service-Learning?


• Wildlife conservation– Develop habitats to increase animal populations

• Land preservation– Watershed rehabilitation

• Environmental education and stewardship– Water monitoring and improvement

• Recycling and composting – Create a school, district, or community-wide

recycling and/or composting program

Project Examples


• Garden or other food production grants– Projects focused on environmental issues

related to gardens, such as rain collection and composting, will be accepted

• General landscaping or beautification grants will not be accepted

Non-allowable Projects


• Outlines a feasible project to run from August 2014 through June 2015

• Provides service to the community, not just for the FFA members

• Includes educational outreach to the community to aid in sustainability

• Demonstrates impact• Involves FFA members at all stages

Successful Application & Project


Applications Process

www.FFA.org/envirogrants

http://www.ffa.org/envirogrants


Applications Process


Page 1 – Grant InfoPage 2 - Chapter InformationPage 3 - Project Narrativeso Recommend completing the narratives

in a Word document and then copy and pasting into the corresponding answer field.

Page 4 – Timeline & Budget

Application Overview


Project Description–an overview of the project

• Overview of how your chapter plans to meet an environmental need in your community. Should clearly summarize information from each of the application sections

• Minimum 200 words• Suggest writing last because it is an overview of

entire project

Grant Writing Guidance


Environmental Need• Provide a short description of the environmental need in

your community that you will address• Include statistics to support need - Wikipedia, Natural

Resources Defense Council, local or state Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or Dept. Of Environmental Management, local papers, etc.

• Minimum 50 words

Community Partners• Describe potential community partners and their roles

in the project



Educational Outreach• Describe the educational outreach that your chapter will

include as part of this project. Educational outreach ensures that chapters are not just “giving a man a fish,” but also “teaching a man to fish.” Include the type of outreach, topics that will be covered, the frequency of outreach and potential audience.

• Minimum 50 words

Example: Our chapter will host four workshops on recycling over the grant period. Three workshops will be hosted for elementary students and one workshop will be held for middle school students. We will teach the students what recycling is and how they can participate. All workshops will be held at the participating schools.



Measurable Outcomes• Required to have

o 1 Educational Outreach Outcomeo 1 Project Outcome

• Chapters may also include up to 2 additional outcomes for a total of 4

• Need to measure impact on community• Outcomes need to MATCH information from

Narratives!



Educational Outreach Outcome Step 1 - Choose the educational outcome that best fits your projects outreach efforts.• # of workshops/events/forums conducted and # of

workshop attendees• # of informational materials distributed to

community (i.e. flyers, brochures etc.)• # of participants who utilize new skills at home (i.e.

composting)



Ed. Outreach Outcome Additional Information Step 2 - Provide information on the chosen outcome

• Target audience (choose ALL that apply)• Educational outreach topic(s) • Anticipated numerical goal(s) • Evaluation Tool

Example - # of workshops/events/forums/conducted and # of workshop attendees• Elementary students • Composting 101• 4 workshops, 70 total participants• Agendas and sign-in sheets will be created for each workshop



Project Outcome This outcome must measure the project's impact on the greater community. Ensure that the outcome is SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time bound). In addition, detail how the outcome will be measured.

Example: Project Measurable Outcome: Build 6 new osprey nests to be placed throughout the coast by the end of the 2014-15 school year. Project Outcome Evaluation Tool(s): Photograph building process and create map with GPS locations of new maps.



Additional Outcomes (optional) Chapter's may choose to write up to 2 additional outcomes. These outcomes must also measure the project's impact on the greater community. Ensure that the outcomes are SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time bound). In addition, detail how the outcomes will be measured.

Example: Clear evasive species plant from 2 acres of land by June 2015. Tool: Students will map pre and post coverage of evasive plant.



Timeline • Detailed monthly timeline of activities• August 2014 through June 2015 • Include information on activities related to:

o major learning or service dayso marketing o educational outreacho meeting measurable outcomes

• Include information on major purchases in budget



August• Receive grant funds and begin project • Students will create educational signage for around school and

communitySeptember• Recycling containers will be purchased• Students will contact local media with project information• Waste Management County agents will make visits to classes and discuss

how to properly handle recyclable materials October• Distribute recycling containers around schools• Co-share an educational booth on paper bins and general recycle

information during the county fair• Students will post project updates to Blog and Facebook • FFA members will collect and weigh materials put in the recycling bins• Meet with city to plan first electronic waste recycling event

Timeline Example


• Download budget worksheet from application website (Excel Doc)

• Complete the budget worksheet and "save as" to your desktop. Ask one of your members for help if needed

• Name the document StateInitials_ChapterName_Budget Example: IN_SmithvilleFFA_Budget

• Upload the budget worksheet to the upload field.

Budget Form Instructions


Nonexpendable Equipment Costs - Items having a useful life of more than one year. Examples include small tools, camera, tiller, etc.*Item Name, Description of Use, Quantity, Unit Cost, Total Materials and Supplies - Expendable items having a useful life up to one year. Examples include educational outreach materials, water testing kits, etc.*Item Name, Description of Use, Quantity, Unit Cost, Total Marketing and Communication - Any materials used for advertising or publicizing the project. Examples include brochures, flyers, etc.*Item Name, Description of Use, Quantity, Unit Cost, Total Travel - Costs to travel to sites related to project outcomes. Examples include travel to service sites, presentations, etc.*Destination, Reason for Trip, # of Miles, Cost Per Mile, Total Miscellaneous - Any other anticipated costs that are not included above. Examples include, equipment rental, substitute teacher pay, etc.*Item Name, Description of Use, Quantity, Unit Cost, Total

Budget Guidance


• Maximum amount that can be requested is $2,000

• Fill in information at top of worksheet (State, Chapter Name, Advisor Name)

• Be specific and quantifiable for line items

• Ensure that items listed in your budget are discussed in your grant narratives

• No one item with a unit price over $1,000 is allowed o Non-Allowable Example: 1 Compost Tumbler @

$1,100 o Allowable Example: 24 recycle bins @ $50 = $1,200

(total is over $1,000, but unit cost is under)

Budget Guidance


• Round Unit Costs/Quantity to reach whole numberso In the case of mileage - find a close # of

miles that gives you a whole numbero If there will be tax to purchase items,

include it in the unit cost. However, still be sure to make the unit cost a whole number.

• Ensure the TOTAL amount equals a whole dollar amount

Correct: $1,800 Incorrect: $1,800.67

Budget Guidance


Non-allowable expenses:• No ONE item over $1,000• Stipends or scholarships to students or the chapter• Indirect costs (i.e. cost to administer funds)• Acquisition or construction of permanent buildings• Travel to/from National Convention or other

state/national trainings• T-shirts, food, and giveaways

Grant Writing Guidance cont.


Allowable expenses:• Substitute teacher pay• Transportation to and from service sites• Copying/ Marketing costs• Educational outreach materials• Vegetation – Ex: trees, bushes, etc.• Other expendable materials – Ex: animals, etc.• Small Equipment Purchase - Ex: Camera, GPS, tools, etc • Portable storage

Budget Guidance


• If awarded, may a sponsor contact you to serve as a community partner as part of your LTS: Environmental Grant?

• Provide a short (2-4 sentences) overview of your project that can be shared on our Community Walks interactive map if awarded.o Limit 50 words

Example: Sample FFA is creating a school-wide recycling program to reduce the amount of trash entering the local landfill. In addition, the chapter will hold workshops for each grade level on what to recycle and the importance of recycling.

Final 2 Questions of Application


• Program Timeline• Application Guidance • 2013-14 Program Impacts Report

• Scoring Rubric

www.ffa.org/envirogrants

Other Resources on the website


Reminder

Applications Due

May 30


Contact us with questions!

www.ffa.org/envirogrants

Kayla Lumpford-Mitchell: 317-802-4267Stefonie Sebastian: 317-802-4462

[email protected]

http://www.ffa.org/envirogrants

mailto:[email protected]

copyright 2011. all rights reserved by national ffa organization. lts: environmental grants...

Documents

national ffa organization

ffa members

project overview

guidelines overview

project descriptionan

applications process

current project

feasible project