Wild Wonder Project Micro Grant

Program Overview

The Wild Wonder Foundation supports individuals leading projects that bring nature journaling to new audiences, especially those currently underserved. The foundation is dedicated to encouraging nature connection and conservation through attention, curiosity, art, science, and community.

Focus Areas

• Nature journaling projects and initiatives
• Training educators to teach nature journaling (especially encouraged)
• Nature journaling events, trainings, classes, publications, websites
• Projects that help people engage with nature and nature journaling
• Initiatives that increase the number of new nature journalers
• Projects that expand capacity for people to teach others

Eligible Uses of Funds

• Purchase/create materials
• Purchase equipment
• Support development/teaching time
• Other items that directly support implementation of the project

Award Details

Number of Grants: Approximately 12-15 Project Micro Grants per year
Payment Schedule: Half of award up front; second half upon submission of required grant summary report (including photos/videos, detailed expenses, and receipts)

Award Timeline (2026 cycle as example)

• January 1: Application opens
• January 29 (5pm Pacific): Deadline
• January 30-February 27: Review and selection
• March 5: Awards announced, first payment made, 9-month implementation period begins
• December 4: Grant reports due, second payment made

Eligibility Requirements

• Projects must be completed within 9 months following the award
• Practice of nature journaling must be the focus of the project
• Applicant must demonstrate experience with nature journaling and teaching/sharing nature journaling
• Successful applications include time or material commitment from applicant
• One application per person per grant cycle
• Cannot submit both Project and Club Grant in same calendar year
• Do not resubmit previous rejected applications

Review Criteria

Applications reviewed anonymously on:

• Clarity: Clear project outline with creative ideas, well-defined audience, detailed and realistic deliverables; goals and impact clearly noted; evidence of applicant's experience with nature journaling and teaching
• Capacity: Clear budget documentation, timeline, deliverables, and evaluation; demonstrated potential to reach broad audiences; applicant experience aligned to proposed project

Contact & Support

Funding Source: Donations from the global nature journaling community; tax-deductible donations welcome
Promotion Responsibility: Grant recipients responsible for promoting their program; Wild Wonder may also promote through website, social media, newsletters, annual reports

What They Fund

• Nature journaling events, training, classes
• Publications and websites
• Materials and equipment
• Educator training programs
• Community outreach and engagement projects

What They Don't Fund

• Projects without nature journaling as primary focus
• Projects that cannot be completed within required timeframe
• Costs exceeding the grant award
• Individual artist grants or personal study

Application Process

1. Preparation Phase
   • Carefully review all grant information
   • Download the Project Micro Grant Application Worksheet (PDF or Word format)
   • Draft and polish your responses in the worksheet
   • Gather all required supporting materials
2. Submit Online Application
   • Transfer information from worksheet to online form at designated application portal
   • Submit before deadline (5pm Pacific)
   • Note: Applications cannot be edited after submission

Required Application Materials

1. Contact Information
   • Name, email, phone
2. Project Location
   • Geographic region: city, state, province, district, or region
   • Example format: Fresno, CA, USA (medium-sized city in agricultural region of central California)
3. Nature Journaling Background & Experience (Limit: 300 words)
   • Explain experience with nature journaling
   • Describe teaching/sharing nature journaling with others
   • Explain why you are qualified to lead this project
   • Explain why you need grant support
4. Project Summary (1-2 sentences)
   • Brief overview of the project
5. Project Narrative (Limit: 500 words)
   • What you will do (action items)
   • Who your work will reach (audience)
   • How you will publicize the project
   • Collaboration details (if applicable with groups, organizations, schools)
6. Timeline (Limit: 250 words)
   • Detailed timeline supporting narrative
   • Demonstrate completion within required 9-month timeframe
   • Closely aligned to Project Narrative
7. Metrics (Limit: 200 words)
   • Anticipated number of people reached
   • How you will measure impact, reach, and outcome
8. References
   • Two professional references
   • Each reference should include: name, email address, cell phone number, time zone
   • References must be familiar with applicant's nature journaling work and ability to lead project
   • References must be prepared to discuss support for application
9. Budget
   • Detailed budget with all projected costs
   • Total amount requested for grant
10. Financial or In-Kind Contributions (Limit: 100 words)
    • List any donated funds, time, materials, or space
    • Note: Successful applications always include some time or material commitment from applicant
11. Amount of Grant Requested
    • Specify exact amount ($300-$1,250)
12. Growth and Service Questions (Limit: 300 words)
    • Why do you want to do this project?
    • How will this project support your own growth?
    • How will this project help you serve your community?

Important Notes

• Incomplete applications will be disqualified
• Applications cannot be edited after submission
• One application per person per grant cycle
• Cannot submit both Project and Club Grant in same calendar year
• Do not resubmit rejected applications from previous rounds
• Decision notification sent 5-6 weeks after application deadline
• All decisions are final