The Partnership Small Grants Program is designed to jump start gifts of land, gifts of conservation restrictions and other significant land protection projects. The grants provide funding for land protection transaction fees, including title reviews, appraisals, legal fees and other closing costs, registry fees, surveys, baseline reports, land protection estate planning, municipal circuit grant writers, and other related fees.
Who is eligible?
Public or private organizations, such as town boards and land conservation non-profits, can apply. Projects must be located within the twenty-six towns of the greater North Quabbin region: Athol, Ashburnham, Barre, Bernardston, Erving, Gardner, Gill, Greenfield, Hardwick, Hubbardston, Leverett, Leyden, Montaque, New Salem, Northfield, Orange, Pelham, Petersham, Phillipston, Royalston, Shutesbury, Templeton, Warwick, Wendell, Westminster, and Winchendon.
(click here to see map of region).
What types of projects will be funded?
Projects must involve at least three North Quabbin Landscape Partner organizations. All organizations, municipalities and agencies are welcome to join the Partnership.
In addition, the Partnership Executive Committee uses the following criteria to assess projects
for grant funding:
— Demonstrated community support for land conservation.
— Connectivity to or between existing protected lands.
— Ecological significance: important habitats, ecosystems, water
resources, uncommon natural communities, critical soils, unique
geology and landforms.
— Cultural significance: historic value, scenic value, working land
value, and recreational use or potential.
— Feasibility of implementation: available resources, and consistency with objectives of other Partnership groups.
What size grants will be made?
Projects approved for funding can receive up to $4,000 per grant cycle.
What is the application process?
Applicants should download and use the Small Grants Request for Proposal (or click here to download a text document), and the
Project Application Form (or click here to download a text document).
Applicants may attend an information session Thursday, May 1, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. in Athol, Massachusetts. Please call 978-248-2118 or email info@nqpartnership.org if you plan to attend.
Application deadline is Friday, May 30, 2008. Applicants may either email or mail the application form. Applications must be received by 5:00 p.m.
Applicants will be notified by Friday, June 13, 2008.
Applicants may apply for reimbursement for land protection costs already spent.
The one-page project report and receipt(s) for the award are due by December 1, 2008.
The project summary should answer
the following questions
How did the grant benefit your land conservation effort?
Did the grant help you initiate a new project?
Were you involved in the North Quabbin Regional Landscape
Partnership prior to applying for a grant?
What is the status of the project?
If the project is not completed, what are the next steps?
What is the expected project end date?
