Gulf of Mexico Project Resources:
Funding may be available for your project. Many local, state, and federal agencies offer funding to community organizations, neighborhood groups, homeowners, and others. Navigating the funding process is not easy. Here are some resources to get you started. When speaking with representatives from one funding source or non-profit organization, make sure to ask for other recommendations and potential funding sources. Network!
Caring for Our Coasts Gulf Region Grants Program. Restore America’s Estuaries is excited to partner with CITGO to provide grants to organizations and groups interested in hosting locally-based volunteer events along the Gulf of Mexico. These grants are intended to provide coastal groups with funding to host beach clean-ups, estuary restoration, or other educational events.
The Tampa Bay Environmental Restoration Fund (TBERF) is a competitive grants program with the goal of funding projects which restore and protect Tampa Bay and its watershed. It is managed through a strategic partnership between the Tampa Bay Estuary Program (TBEP) and Restore America’s Estuaries (RAE), who work together to encourage local and national contributions from the public and private sectors and achieve measurable conservation outcome including habitat restoration and nutrient reduction in the Tampa Bay watershed.
Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Grant Program, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Provides funding for projects including protection and restoration of riparian areas and beaches, watershed clean-up, education programs, and research of watershed viability.
Foundation Directory Online, from the Foundation Center, lists 140,000 foundations and other donors worldwide. Some basic information is free; more requires a subscription. Get access at your local library.
NOZAsearch has a large searchable database of charitable donations. Searches for foundation are free. Individual and corporate philanthropy searches require a subscription. Get access at your local library.
Contact local banks, businesses, and community foundations. Many have money budgeted for community service.
Consider crowdfunding through social media, individual donations from members of your organization, or a special event.
NFWF Coastal Resilience Fund: In conjunction with the National Coastal Resilience Fund, the Emergency Coastal Resilience Fund increases the resilience of coastal communities impacted by hurricanes Florence and Michael, Typhoon Yutu, and wildfires in 2018 to help expedite the recovery of those coastal communities.
Grantspace, a service of Foundation Center, offers in-person and online classes on finding and writing grants, a knowledge base, examples of winning proposals and other documents, and more.
The Grantsmanship Center offers training and resources to help find grants and write effective grant proposals.
Classes. Many community colleges and universities offer classes on grant writing. Check the catalogs and academic schedules for your local schools.
Books. There are many books on grant writing. Check out your local library to see what might be available.
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