Burlington Conservation Legacy Grant: 2024 Notice of Funding Opportunity

Burlington Conservation Legacy Grant: 2024 Notice of Funding Opportunity

Burlington Conservation Legacy Grant: Notice of Funding Opportunity (2024)

 

Overview 

The Conservation Legacy Grant is managed jointly by the Departments of Parks, Recreation, & Waterfront and Permitting & Inspections. Grant applications will be reviewed and awarded by a joint committee of Conservation Board and Parks Commission members. This is an annual grant program.   

 

Summary of the grant 

For the 2024 grant cycle, the total amount of available funding is $176,000.  Minimum grant awards will be $20,000 up to a maximum of $80,000.  

 

Dates 

Grant applications will be accepted October 1, 2024 – November 30, 2024.   

 

How to apply

All application forms must be filed online on the OpenGov portal. You will need to create an account to login to the portal. Get started here: Conservation Legacy Grant Application Form

 

Contact information 

Dan Cahill, Land Steward: dcahill@burlingtonvt.gov 

Program Description 

Priorities  

The 2022 Nature-Based Climate Solutions addendum is the basis for this grant program. Successful grant applications will address two or more of the six primary categories within the addendum: 

  • Forests and Tree Canopy 
  • Agriculture and Community Gardening 
  • Water and Wetlands 
  • Lawns, Fields, and Small Open Spaces 
  • Green Infrastructure 
  • Equity, Inclusion, and Relationships 

The sixth category — Equity, Inclusion, and Relationships — spans the prior five categories and will be one of the two categories addressed in successful grant applications.  The addendum contains an implementation matrix with a variety of strategies that monies from this grant program may be used for.   

Nature-Based Climate Solutions addendum and related information. 

 

Eligibility  

Groups or individuals may apply for grants.  Emphasis will be placed on projects with group effort and community benefit.  The project must be located within the City of Burlington, VT.   

Funds may be used for implementation work, operational work for sustained implementation, or planning work. 

 

Grant Timeline 

  1. Application opening date – October 1, 2024
  2. Applicant informational session / Q&A – October 24, 2024 (Please RSVP here, meeting invite sent later) 
  3. Application due date – December 15, 2024
  4. Grant Application Review and Scoring – January 2025
    1. Note: tentative awards will be made by end of January, with ratification at February Conservation Board, Parks Commission and City Council Meetings
  5. Notification of funding date – March 15, 2025
  6. Mid-project review (project specific date TBD) 
  7. Final report due date – January 31, 2026.   

 

Rubric/evaluation matrix  

Please review the: Official Scoring Matrix 2024

 

Accountability 

Applicants that are not a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit will need a fiscal agent to administer monies.  Grant awardees will be required to read and sign a standard grant agreement with the city.  This agreement, in part, contains standards for funding by project phase, expenditure of grant monies, record keeping, reporting, inspections by city staff, and maintenance requirements.