New Jersey Highlands Coalition: Small Grants - Emergency Funding

The New Jersey Highlands Coalition offers emergency funding grants up to $5,000 for grassroots organizations working to protect the region's vital natural and cultural resources. These grants support projects that enhance the Highlands Regional Master Plan, advocate for environmental protection, and educate the public on conservation. Organizations with an operating budget under $200,000 and current Coalition membership are eligible to apply, ensuring support for impactful local initiatives.

NOTE: Grants meeting at least one of the criteria may be considered and granted on an emergency basis at any other time during the year. A strong and persuasive case must be made for a grant being made outside the usual cycle.
Increasing local, state, federal and private sources of funding for land conservation and stewardship in the region, and promoting better planning, growth management and land acquisition strategies.
New Jersey Highlands Coalition: Small Grants - Emergency Funding
Each year the New Jersey Highlands Coalition awards a number of grants to assist grassroots organizations working on projects located within the New Jersey Highlands or associated with protecting New Jersey Highlands resources.
Grant Amount
Grants will be awarded up to a maximum of $5,000. Applicants are encouraged to think carefully about their request, and make sure they fully justify the amount requested.

Eligibility

Grants will be awarded to “grassroots organizations,” defined as non-governmental organizations with a total annual operating budget of less than $200,000. It is not necessary that an organization be incorporated, but to be eligible to apply for a grant, an organization must be a current member of the Coalition.Grants are intended to fund projects that meet at least one of the following criteria, which are described in order of priority:Projects that focus on developing a stronger Highlands Regional Master Plan, and/or implementation of the Regional Master Plan. For example, projects that identify, map, or verify mapped Highlands natural or cultural resources or monitor the implementation of RMP standards at the local level; projects that advocate for and result in municipal conformance with the RMP;
Projects that would establish a precedent advancing strong environmental or cultural protection in the Highlands. For example, hiring a consultant to help achieve the most environmentally protective decision by NJDEP, the Highlands Council, the Office of Planning Advocacy/State Planning Commission, the NJ Department of Agriculture on a Highlands matter, or for meeting local affordable housing needs;
Projects that may not help set a precedent, but would assist an organization to fight against a development in the Highlands Region – such as residential, commercial, agribusiness projects, etc. – that seriously threatens or damages natural or cultural resources in the Region;
Projects that support capacity building of Highlands Region grassroots organizations, for example, a membership mailing, a strategic planning exercise, a workshop, conference or public educational event, etc.;
Projects that educate about Highlands water and resources, and/or increase public awareness of the use and conservation of Highlands water.Grants may also be awarded for projects related to cultural resources in the Highlands Region. A grant may address issues with both natural and cultural resource components. As referenced above, projects with both natural and cultural components will be reviewed under all aspects of the guidelines.Cultural resources reflect the process of human settlement and its interconnection with the natural environment. The types of resources include industrial, commercial, and below-ground archaeology as well as historic architectural sites. These sample project descriptions are not in priority order:Projects that emphasize or establish the mutuality of the natural and the built environments.Applications to provide a match for grants from other funding sources which require conformity to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards.Applications covering “bricks-and-mortar” projects or planning documents (but not general operating expenses) for specific historic sites or districts. To qualify for grants, these sites must be designated by federal, state, or local process, or declared eligible for recognition where such formal status is available. The name and credentials of a professional consultant who will supervise the project must be provided. Projects that focus on cultural landscapes, or that lead to their inclusion in resource protection planning. Cultural landscapes are sites that illustrate the story of significant historic development in an area and the integration of the natural and built environments there.Projects that recognize significant scenic vistas, or that provide planning for their recognition and protection. Scenic vistas are viewsheds that could be designated for their beauty or their contribution to the cultural context.Projects designed to prepare a community for an improved level of cultural resource protection, for example, a public educational event involving historic preservation professionals, or a presentation, to the public or to the municipal land use boards, explaining the function and implications of a historic preservation commission.Projects leading to the Register nomination or formal designation of a single site or a district, for example, a public information meeting, or the expenses (such as travel and copying, but not volunteer hours) of preliminary background research for a professional municipality-wide resource survey.Projects contributing to the formal education of public officials whose work is related to cultural resource protection, for example the zoning officer, the construction official, HPC members, or municipal elected officials.Proposed courses should be described specifically.
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