Grant programs typically require the actual applicant to be a unit of government or a nonprofit, with projects of public benefit. Some grant programs allow a consultant-directed contract. This means you could work with a nonprofit partner to write a grant whose funds would hire and compensate you for the future work (ER Planning, implementation, maanagement) that the grant application describes. It can be an advantage to a grantor to be comfortable with the credentials of the consultant who will do the work.

Many grants require, or favor, a cost-share. This means they don’t want to be the only source of support. The share could be from another grant you’re applying for, but it could also often come in the form of “match”. Match could include volunteer hours at a prescribed ‘match rate’; staff hours from the nonprofit that will be paid as normal salary from the nonprofit but on grant-specific activities; pro-bono (not charged) professional services, maybe there is a consultant who can offer some services pro-bono.

Also note that grants require administration. There is work involved in tracking the project and reporting on results. Required reporting, both on the activities and also on the finances of the project, can be annual or quarterly or other terms.

These are SOME of the grants that support ER work in the midwest. If you’d like to see example applications for them, or discuss with us, please just get in touch.

Wisconsin Coastal Management Grant Program

This is a NOAA-funded federal program administered by the Wisconsin state government, specifically the Wisconsin Department of Administration. Applications are due each year typically in November (with grant program details for the period usually announced in late August).

“The Wisconsin Coastal Management Program (WCMP) is seeking proposals to enhance, preserve, protect and restore resources within the state’s coastal zone – all counties adjacent to Lakes Superior and Michigan, with their nearly 1000 miles of shoreline. We anticipate awarding up to $1.6 million in grant funding. WCMP Grants are available for coastal wetland protection and habitat restoration, nonpoint source pollution control, coastal resource and community planning, Great Lakes education, public access and historic preservation.

A special note that this grant funds planning work, including ER planning. That’s rare.

Fund for Lake Michigan (a funder of the Land Restoration School’s field training and on-the-ground work restoration work")

“We invest in water quality initiatives that promise tangible near-term and long-term benefits to the plants, animals, and people of Wisconsin. Our grants … restore and improve habitats to support fish and other species that are critical for healthy ecosystems and key to a strong economy. And they also promote human health and safety, an educated workforce, increased tourism, and a bright future for Wisconsin’s businesses and communities.”

“The Fund for Lake Michigan accepts pre-proposals on a rolling basis throughout the year.   You can submit a pre-proposal to the Fund on a time-frame that works best for you and your project. We make grant decisions four times a year at our quarterly board meetings (March, June, September and December). We estimate that a grant request will take three to six months to process from the time we receive a pre-proposal to when we issue a grant contract. We use a two-step grant making process (a pre-proposal followed by an invitation to submit a full proposal). We plan to award between $750,000 and $1,000,000 in grants each quarter.”

Great Lakes Restoration Initiative

This is federal funding, initiated by President Obama in his first year, and renewed thereafter due to its effectiveness. It is funding directed to “Accelerating efforts to protect and restore the largest system of fresh surface water in the world”. There are quite a number of grant programs under this umbrella, with different focuses. These programs typically support on-the-ground work.

Sustain Our Great Lakes

“Sustain Our Great Lakes is a public–private partnership designed to sustain, restore and protect fish, wildlife and habitat in the basin by leveraging funding, building conservation capacity, and focusing partners and resources toward key ecological issues. The program achieves this mission, in part, by awarding grants for on-the-ground habitat restoration and enhancement.” From the National Fish and Wildlife Federation, with funding partners.

Southeastern Wisconsin Invasive Species Consortium Assistance Program

“As annual funding allows, SEWISC provides small grants to members for invasive species control projects. Requests for applications are generally made in January, applications due in February and awards announced in March. Funding can only be used for on-the-ground invasive species control projects, benefitting native wildlife communities. This Program is a benefit of membership to SEWISC members. All applicants must be current members of SEWISC. Assistance awards are limited to a maximum of $2,000 of funding from SEWISC. The funded project must provide a match that equals at least 25% of the total project budget. In-kind (e.g. volunteer labor) match is acceptable.”