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Green Partnership Fund (GPF)
Request for Proposals
Background
The Green Partnership Fund was established to further the goal of implementing natural resource, agricultural and local food supply conservation for the citizens of Fircrest, Lakewood, Milton, Puyallup, Steilacoom, Sumner, University Place, Tacoma and unincorporated Pierce County. The fund was established through the cooperative efforts of the City Council, the Pierce County Council, and the Pierce Conservation District Board of Supervisors.
Fund expenditures are governed by Chapter 89.08.220 RCW (Conservation District Spending Law, on the sidebar), and Districts are under the direct oversight of the Washington State Conservation Commission, a legislative commission. District mandates are established in State law, and through ongoing guidance from the State legislature.
The Greater Tacoma Community Foundation (GTCF) invests in the community through grants to vital non-profit agencies that turn donations into action. By managing the grant process of the Green Partnership Fund, The Foundation supports environmental programs that are making a positive difference in the lives of Pierce County residents.
Available Funding
The Green Partnership Fund is drawn from the Pierce Conservation District operating funds. The funds are available for use in semi-annual increments during the funding period (March 15 through December 31, 2009).
For this funding round (March 15, 2008 through December 31, 2008) approximately $160,000 will be available for distribution. LOI Submittal Deadline is March 31, 2008.
Eligible Project Applicants
Project applicants must identify themselves in the pre-proposal as one of the following;
- Resident of Fircrest, Lakewood, Milton, Puyallup, Steilacoom, Sumner, University Place, Tacoma or unincorporated Pierce County
- Registered Non-Profit Agency
- Public or Private School
- Public or Private College or University
- Local Government Agency
- Washington State Agency
Types of Work Funded
This fund was created to work in partnership with other agencies, groups and individuals to undertake natural resource improvement projects, agricultural conservation and connections for local food supply, as well as research and education/outreach that will lead directly to measurable improvement to these resources. Examples of projects appropriate for this fund include agricultural conservation, pollution reduction, water quality improvements, and wildlife habitat improvements.
For this funding round, all projects must be shown to connect urban and rural communities through agricultural conservation, support local food supply or directly benefit natural resources for the citizens of Fircrest, Lakewood, Milton, Puyallup, Steilacoom, Sumner, University Place, Tacoma and unincorporated Pierce County. Projects with broader scope which include benefits to the natural resources, agricultural conservation, local food supply or citizens will be considered as well. At least $100,000 will be reserved to benefit the City of Tacoma.
Project Criteria
· Project planning and/or implementation that will bring about measurable natural resource improvement within five years.
· Education/Outreach that causes landowners to implement or allow projects on their property that brings about measurable natural resource improvement.
· Education/Outreach that causes citizens to take actions (through everyday activity, or volunteerism) that lead to measurable natural resource improvement.
· Research projects may be funded only if in partnership with a federal or state agency, as outlined in Chapter 89.08.220 RCW (on the sidebar).
· Collaboration/partnership between groups.
· Connect urban and rural populations (i.e., local food supply, organic agriculture, transfer of development rights, water quality).
Project proposals must include the means to measure the proposed improvements to natural resources, agricultural conservation or local food supply. Measurement activities may include project monitoring (i.e., water quality testing, wildlife counts) and/or public opinion surveys as a reimbursable cost. In general, measurement should comprise no more than 25% of total grant cost. Administrative overhead costs (i.e., printing, office rent) are reimbursable, but may comprise no more than 15% of total grant cost.
Additional Selection Criteria
- Feasibility and value of the program or project to the environmental health of Pierce County.
- Demonstrated capability of management (leadership and governance).
- Innovative solutions for positive community change, including collaborations with other Pierce County agencies and individuals.
- Understanding of potential outcomes and demonstrated evaluation methods.
- Sustainable plan for long-range or on-going funding support.
Available Technical Resources
The Pierce Agricultural Assistance and Pierce Stream Team, may be able to answer technical questions for applicants.
Pierce Agricultural Assistance
Contract: Sarah Garitone, Program Coordinator
sarahg@piercecountycd.org
253-845-9770
Pierce Stream Team: Water quality testing kits, educational/informational literature, posters, or other materials, staff time to assist in project coordination and post-project monitoring.
Contact: Melissa Buckingham, Program Coordinator
melissab@piercecountycd.org
253-845-2973
Landowner Concurrence
Projects that include activities on private property must include written concurrence including the notarized signature of the owner(s) of any property upon which projects will take place, if any construction/enhancement is involved. Projects that include activities on public property must include written concurrence from the responsible agency on agency letterhead.
Where appropriate, proof of insurance and/or construction bonds may be required as a component of GPF project funding.
Ranking Committee
GTCF will appoint and convene a ranking committee to consist of representatives of groups with broad, city-wide interest in natural resource improvement, agricultural conservation, local food supply, as well as interested Tacoma and Pierce County residents. Specifically, the ranking committee may include representation from:
- Tacoma City Council
- Pierce County Council
- Tacoma and Pierce County residents
- Natural resource organizations with citywide focus
- Interested City agencies
- Pierce Conservation District Board of Supervisors
- Pierce Conservation District Staff
- Washington State Conservation Commission
Staffing for the Ranking Committee will be provided by the Greater Tacoma Community Foundation with support from the Pierce Conservation District.
Selection Process
- GTCF receives and logs Letters of Intent (LOI) into Project Spreadsheet.
- GTCF forwards LOIs and Project Spreadsheet to the Ranking Committee for evaluation. Ranking Committee identifies projects of concern and which applicants they would like to interview.
- Project Applicants submit full application to GTCF
- GTCF prepares and presents updated Project Spreadsheet and full applications to the Ranking Committee.
- Ranking Committee convenes to review project applications; Project Applicants present their project proposal in person.
- Ranking Committee ranks proposals according to ranking criteria, formally removes projects inappropriate for Green Partnership Fund, and finalizes recommendations.
- GTCF forwards final Project Spreadsheet with recommended projects to District Board of Supervisors for review and final approval; a copy is also sent to the City Council
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