Dockstader Foundation Environmental Grant

Mission: Promote educational, charitable, and scientific activities that support, enhance and optimize the natural environment in Southern Chester County, Pennsylvania.

Geographic Scope

• Service Area: Southern Chester County municipalities served by SECCRA (Southeastern Chester County Refuse Authority)
• States: Pennsylvania (US)

Funding Priorities

The Foundation will consider:

• Alignment with Mission: Applications that place highest priority on supporting grant requests aligned with the foundation's environmental mission
• Geographic Focus: Applications by organizations and individuals operating in SECCRA service area, Southern Chester County, Pennsylvania
• Environmental Impact: Applications that will have strong environmental impact in the SECCRA service area
• Leverage & Sustainability: Priority given to applications that:
  • Leverage additional support from other sources
  • Include partner organizations
  • Benefit larger numbers of people
  • Have lasting impact
  • Are cost effective
• Award Amount: Up to $40,000

Most Successful Applications

• Align with the Dockstader mission
• Impact a large number of people in the community
• Have a significant, lasting impact
• Have an impressive cost benefit
• Include partners and other funding support

What the Foundation Will NOT Fund

• Projects for organizations with unfinished projects from prior year
• Projects where applicant is a government organization with taxing authority (unless clearly explained why taxes cannot/are not being used)
• Projects to fund organizational or operational support
• General endowment funds
• Annual fund drives
• Debt retirement
• Political campaigns
• Religious activities
• Memberships in civic organizations or trade associations
• Courtesy advertising
• Tickets for benefits
• Fundraising efforts
• Routine maintenance projects
• Grants when activities are not clearly described
• Grants when outcomes/expectations are not specific or realistic
• Grants to for-profit organizations
• Grants to organizations that discriminate on the basis of gender, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, national origin or physical ability

Two-Step Online Application Process

Step 1: Letter of Interest

• Timeline: February 1 to March 1 (annual)
• Process:
  1. Click the APPLICATION LINK
  2. Complete the new user form
  3. Receive email with link to complete Letter of Interest form
  4. Submit Letter of Interest by March 1

Step 2: Grant Application

• Timeline: March 1 to April 1 (annual)
• Eligibility: Only organizations whose Letter of Interest are accepted will be invited to complete and submit the grant application
• Deadline: April 1
• Process:
  1. Complete full grant application form through online portal
  2. Submit by April 1

Required Materials (Grant Application)

• Clear description of proposed activities
• Specific and realistic outcomes/expectations
• Demonstration of community involvement and partnerships
• Budget information
• Metrics for measuring success
• Letters of recommendation (if applicable)

Award Timeline

• Award Notification: Mid-May
• Grant Distribution: Mid-June

Post-Award Reporting

• Report Due: 18 months following award of grant
• Report Requirements: Grantees must address:
  • Goals and/or expectations
  • Outcome and measurables (with supporting data using metrics from grant)
  • Impact
  • Budget (actual project costs vs. budgeted)
  • Visuals and publicity (if available)
• Submission: Through grant application portal