Susquehanna Riverlands Conservation Landscape Mini-Grant Program

Susquehanna Riverlands Conservation Landscape Mini-Grant Program

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Weconservepa
Amount: US $2,000 - US $20,000
Last Updated: March 30, 2025

Summary

The Susquehanna Riverlands Conservation Landscape Mini-Grant Program offers competitive grants ranging from $2,000 to $20,000 for projects enhancing habitat connectivity, sustainable river access, and community collaboration. This initiative is part of a collaborative effort to protect natural resources and improve quality of life along the Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania. Applications are accepted until July 1, 2025, encouraging local nonprofits and municipalities to apply for funding that aligns with the program's goals.

Overview

Note: LOI is rolling but it's for the required email inquiry for the application link by March 11 onwards. Email Jenn Teson a brief summary of your project to receive an application link. Susquehanna Riverland Conservation Landscape Mini-Grant Program The Conservancy and its partners are excited to announce that we are accepting applications through July 1 for the 2025 Susquehanna Riverlands Conservation Landscape (SRCL) Mini-Grant Program. This program provides small competitive grants, ranging from $2,000 to $20,000, towards projects that advance the SRCL mission. The SRCL is a collaboration of communities and organizations working to protect land, steward natural and cultural resources, connect people with natural spaces, and promote sustainable economic development. Susquehanna Riverlands, which includes municipalities along the Susquehanna River in Lancaster and York counties, is one of eight conservation landscapes in Pennsylvania where partners work together to protect natural assets and improve quality of life for community members. Are you proposing or working on a public-facing project in the SRCL that will improve habitat/trail connectivity, promote sustainable river access, benefit ecosystem health, or facilitate community partnership/collaboration? If yes, consider applying for a 2025 Mini-Grant! Among the many potential project ideas is funding to assist with hiring a consultant for professional services – including planning – before applying for a bigger implementation grant, interpretive or wayfinding signage, or accessibility improvements.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. 501(c)(3) non-profits registered with the PA Bureau of Charities, municipalities, local government agencies, or some educational entitiesProjects must benefit residents of and visitors to the SRCL without discriminationFull eligibility details can be found at https://www.lancasterconservancy.org/engaging-our-community/minigrants-about/.PolicyTo be considered eligible, all project activities, costs and match must be:Approved by the Bureau.Directly related to performing the official scope of work, as stated in Appendix “A” of the grant agreement.Incurred within the grant agreement period.Eligible Activities, Costs and Match:1. Contracted/Professional Services – These include costs provided under contract/professional service agreement with the grantee to perform all or part of the official scope of work.2. In-House Professional Services - These include the grantee’s paid staff for services and labor to perform all or part of the official scope of work.a. In-house professional services are tabulated using an established “billable rate,” which can include an employee’s hourly wage, fringe benefits, and operational overhead costs. Fringe benefits and overhead costs include but are not limited to employee insurance, retirement benefits, and paid time off. Staff performing work must possess the proper qualifications, training and experience. The billable rate should be officially established by the grantee’s governing body. Should the billable rate for a particular staff person change during the course of a project, the change should be documented by making a separate entry on the final payment request form.3. Volunteer Services - These include non-skilled services, which are not paid for by the applicant/grantee to perform all or part of the official scope of work.Volunteer rates, not previously approved by the Bureau for individuals age 18 and over, should not exceed the "Value of a Volunteer Hour" for Pennsylvania as published by the Independent Sector Volunteer. Work performed by individuals under the age of 18 will be valued at the Commonwealth's minimum wage rate.4. Donated Professional Services - These include services provided at no cost to the grantee by individuals possessing specialized skills or expert knowledge to perform all or part of the official scope of work. The Bureau will require a letter from the donating professional documenting the work tasks and associated value of the service being provided. The Bureau may request additional documentation to ensure that individuals possess the proper qualifications to adequately perform the work.5. Other Project Cash Costs and Donations – These include miscellaneous costs and donations associated with performing all or part of the official scope of work. They include but are not limited to advertisements, meeting room rentals, map reproduction, printing, postage, travel, meals and lodging.a. Mini-grant funds are cash costs. All mini-grant match is donated value. 6. The value of Equipment Use will be equal to the established hourly rate that the applicant/grantee normally charges for this use, as documented on an invoice. If the organization does not have established equipment rates or has to rent the equipment, the rental rate, as supported by a written quote or invoice will be used. For Municipalities, cash reimbursement of any equipment use requires a written justification and the approval of the Bureau prior to expenditure of local resources.7. Costs related to an independent project audit, if required by the Bureau.These costs may be considered eligible even if the audit is performed after the grant agreement period, as specified in the grant terms and conditions.8. Administrative costs for projects funded through the Environmental Stewardship Fund (GG1) are limited, by law, to a maximum of 5% of the grant amount. Some typical allowable administrative costs include legal counsel, accountant and bookkeeping costs.9. Administrative costs for projects funded with Heritage Areas funding are limited to a maximum of 5% of the grant amount. Some typical allowable administrative costs include legal counsel, accountant and bookkeeping costs.10. Meeting and conference costs associated with the completion of the scope of work are allowable.This includes costs of meals, transportation, facility rentals, speaker fees and other items incidental to such meetings or conferences. 11. If the Partnerships grant request includes specific planning and/or development projects, refer to the eligible and ineligible activities documents for these types of projects. Match Requirements:Match requirements for Partnership projects are based upon several factors including funding source, level of available funding, and project activity. Applicants are strongly encouraged to leverage other sources of funding in support of their projects. In general, match requirements are set at the following:a. Mini-grant activities: 50:50 matchDevelopment project activities: 50:50 matchActivities funded with Environmental Stewardship Funds: Match varies and is set at the Bureau’s discretion.

Ineligibility

Costs related to the preparation of the grant application.Costs for projects located outside of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.Costs of conducting fundraising activities.Costs for lobbying activities.Costs of food, drink, gifts and or other hospitality items related to the general promotion of the grantee organization or not related to overnight travel expenses.Costs determined by the Bureau, to be in violation of the Grant Terms and Conditions.Match, whether in the form of cash, non-cash or a land donation, may be used only once as match. If it has been counted as match for another project/grant or portion of this project, it may not be used again as match, no matter who funded the project(s). Subsistence costs for meals, lodging and automobile mileage shall not exceed the rates allowed by Commonwealth policy.