New England Grassroots Environment Fund

Small Grants

Next deadline: Wednesday September 15, 2010

NEGEF’s small grants program provides grants to groups working on community level issues in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island. The Fund interprets the word ‘environment’ broadly and will provide funding for a wide range of activities. Whole systems-thinking is critical to initiatives focused on making our environment better, healthier and more sustainable.

Small grants are intended to support community groups who represent the most exciting energy in the environmental movement that are not being reached by traditional funders.

Successful applicants will have:

• Earned credibility as a grassroots organization through community work which strengthens the role of local citizens in solving environmental problems or developing sound environmental policies;
• Identified a significant community need and developed a clear plan for translating that need into action;
• Developed a vision of the long-range impacts of their work; and
• Demonstrated an ability to account for the expenditure of funds.

NEGEF does not fund the following proposals:

• Educational curriculum and/or in-school projects
• Publication of books or reports
• Lobbying or partisan political activities
• Studies with no follow-up action
• Acquisition of land and/or buildings
• Individuals
• For-profits
• Micro- or mini-grant programs

The goals of the Small Grants program are to:

• Increase civic engagement, volunteerism, emerging leaders and community initiatives that create health, just, safe and environmentally sustainable communities at the neighborhood and town level in New England;
• Help community leaders move single issue, backyard debates to positive, inclusive, systemic, constructive, and lasting community solutions;
• Link community-based advocacy with the work of state-wide and national organizations without losing local identity; and
• Establish and maintain informed networks of activists across the region that are committed to building a just and equitable society.