Intermountain West Joint Venture FY 2016 Capacity Grants Program Funding Guidelines

CAPACITY GRANTS PROGRAM

FY 2016

Funding Guidelines

March 2016

Please note that all proposals are required to follow the format within these guidelines to be considered for funding. Deviation from the specified format may impact the overall score of the grant and disqualify the proposal for funding.


Table of Contents

General Information...... 3

Introduction...... 3

Intent of the Program...... 3

Funding Availability...... 3

Who Should Apply...... 4

Grant Agreement...... 4

Reporting Requirements...... 4

Timeline...... 4

Required Proposal Components...... 5

Eligible Proposals...... 5

Ineligible Proposals...... 6

Partnerships...... 6

Fund Leveraging...... 6

Technical Scoring Criteria and Point Values...... 6

Proposal format and Submission...... 8

Cover Page...... 8

General Project Description...... 8

Specific Project Criteria...... 8

Budget Tables...... 9

Project Map, Partner Contribution Statements, Letters of Support and Photos....9

Second- or Third-Year Funding Requests...... 10

Proposal Submission...... 10

INTERMOUNTAIN WEST JOINT VENTURE GRANT CONTACTS...... 11

APPENDIX A-Wetland Focal Areas and Priority Bird Species...... 13

APPENDIX B-Budget Table Examples...... 15

APPENDIX C-Partner Contribution Statement Format...... 16

APPENDIX D-Grant Agreement...... 17

Report Guidelines...... 24

GENERAL INFORMATION

Introduction

The Intermountain West Joint Venture (IWJV) is a diverse public-private partnership that works across 11 states to deliver strategic habitat conservation for migratory birds and other priority bird species.We bring people and organizations together to leverage technical and financial resources, building our collective capacity to achieve conservation at meaningful scales.

The IWJV is committed to:

1)Biological planning and conservation design: determining what needs to be done and where to maintain bird populations at desired levels;

2)Habitat delivery: assisting our partners with on-the-ground habitat conservation; and,

3)Monitoring, evaluation, and applied research: supporting key monitoring programs and assumption-driven research.

Activities are carried out in accordance with the goals and objectives of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP), the U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan (USSCP), the North American Waterbird Conservation Plan (NAWCP), the Partners in Flight (PIF) Landbird Conservation Plan, the IWJV 2013 Implementation Plan, 2005 IWJV Coordinated Implementation Plans for Bird Conservation (by state), and State Wildlife Action Plans (SWAPs).

Intent of the Program

The intent of the Capacity Grants Program is to build capacity and catalyze partnerships that measurably contribute to the protection, restoration, or enhancement of priority bird habitats to support sustainable populations of birds in the Intermountain West. Successful capacity grants are meant to join conservation partners together—around priority areas, habitats, or bird species—to improve conservation program effectiveness.

Applicants will be expected to explain how their proposal will result in tangible outcomes (e.g., number of: acres conserved, conservation easements acquired, conservation plans/contracts developed, landowner visits, partner organizations involved, meetings/work groups facilitated, field tours hosted, grant proposals written and funded, conservation program actions enhanced by specific science information, or conservation outcomes increased by better science, etc.).

Capacity grants can be awarded to organizations within the Intermountain West(see Appendix A) seeking to increase capacity for habitat work and other aspects of bird conservation in particular landscapes. Grant applicants are encouraged to work with the appropriate IWJV State Conservation Partnership (SCP) to develop a competitive grant proposal (see page12).

Funding Availability

The maximum grant award per proposal is $15,000. Funds are federal, provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). The IWJV recognizes that the establishment of capacity to effectively deliver habitat conservation requires a certain level of continuity.Proposal funding may be requested for one year only. Additional funding may be possible through subsequent grant requests, for up to three years. Please note that second- and third-year funding proposals are subject to the standard review and approval process;tangible progress must be demonstrated, and these proposals will compete with all other proposals submitted in the same cycle.

The IWJV intends to award at least one (1) capacity grant of up to $15,000 annually to eachstate, pending acceptable applications that meet program criteria. Additional Capacity Grant Program funds may be made available on a JV-wide competitive basis with a $15,000 cap per grant. Additional Capacity Grant Program awards are dependent upon available funding.

Who Should Apply

Applications will be considered from 501(c)3 non-profit organizations and government agencies. If your group is unincorporated, please contact the IWJV for guidance on acquiring a fiscal sponsor or agent.

Grant Agreement

Successful grantees will be required to execute a grant agreement. Agreements vary but are typically managed by Ducks Unlimited, Inc.,under a Cooperative Agreement with FWS.

Funding will be granted to your organization based on the terms and conditions defined in the grant agreement (see Appendix D). The grant agreement will reference the capacity grant proposal as the scope of work for the project.In the event the grantee identifies a need to make substantial changes with respect to the timeline, scope, or purpose of the project,after notification of the grant award and before execution of the grant agreement, the grantee may be asked to withdraw their proposal and re-apply for funding in the next cycle.

Capacity grant funds provided through this process must be expended within the period of performance identified in the grant agreement. The period of performance is typically one year.Grantees awarded second- or third-year funding for a project will be asked to close out their current agreement and meet reporting requirements prior to initiation of a new grant agreement.

Reporting Requirements

The grant agreement requires submission of a Progress Report and a Final Report. Report deadlines are stipulated in the grant agreement.Failure to submit reports as stipulated in the grant agreement may result in delayed payments or loss of funding.

Timeline

The following provides an overview of the timing of the 2016 Capacity Grants Cycle:

  • Proposals must be submitted by May 6, 2016, to be considered in the current cycle.
  • Each SCP will review andrankcapacity grant proposals from within their state and submit their recommendations to the IWJV Assistant Coordinator by June 24, 2016.
  • The IWJV staff and Capacity Grants Committee will review and rank proposals, in concert with SCP recommendations, and present funding recommendations to the IWJV Management Board by August1, 2016.
  • The IWJV Management Board will make funding decisions no later than September 16, 2016.
  • The IWJV will notify applicants and SCP Chairs of funding decisions by October 14, 2016.
  • Grant agreements will be developed no later than March 1, 2017.

REQUIRED PROPOSAL COMPONENTS

Eligible Proposals

The critical question to be addressed by Capacity Grants Program applicants is as follows: How will the proposal build capacity and catalyze partnerships to increase bird habitat conservation in the Intermountain West?

We define capacity as actions that improve program effectiveness by strengtheninghuman and financial resources, technology, and/or scientific information. The project will be evaluated using Technical Scoring Criteria (see pages 6-7).

The following project types are eligible for funding:

  • Partner positions and/or staff supportto build partnerships, develop action/conservation plans, generate funding, provide technical expertise, and/or implement on-the-ground habitat conservation.
  • Communications and outreach (e.g., websites, brochures, landowner visits, tours, etc.) directly linked to on-the-ground habitat conservation.
  • Training, workshops or demonstration area projects that target private landowners and directly impact the partnership’s ability to transfer and deliver on-the-ground habitat conservation.
  • Science-based projects to increase strategic conservation of wetlands, sagebrush steppe, or grasslands. A science-based project must address information gaps in a priority area, priority bird habitat, or focus on a priority bird species AND demonstrate that the information is crucial to advancing on-the-ground habitat conservation.Please see Chapters 4-8 of the IWJV 2013 Implementation Planto learn more about the regional bird habitat conservation science and information gaps identified to date.Consideration for science funding will be given to proposals in the following thematic areas this cycle:
  • Conservation planning for waterfowl (e.g., wetland habitat extent, availability, and productivity, food availability assessments, stepping down population objectives to spring migration areas, and/or using existing data to carry out bioenergetics modeling) in any of the IWJV’s Wetland Focal Areas described in Appendix A, except Southern Oregon and Northeastern California and Columbia Basin, wherein the IWJV has invested significant resources in biological planning and conservation design for waterfowl.
  • Conservation planning for shorebirds and/or waterbirds in any of the IWJV’s Wetland Focal Areas described in Appendix A.
  • Conservation planning for priority grassland birds described in Appendix A(e.g., designing decision support tools to inform conservation program actions in focal areas).
  • Outcome-based evaluations of the effects of sagebrush habitat conservation practices implemented through the Sage Grouse Initiative or other large-scale sagebrush habitat conservation initiatives on migratory birds (i.e., Brewer’s Sparrow, Sage Sparrow, and Sage Thrasher).

Ineligible Proposals

The following projects are ineligible for funding:

  • Direct on-the-ground habitat projects and associated activities including but not limited to site specific National Environmental Policy Act or archaeological clearance support, permitting, engineering or design, construction materials, labor, or equipment.
  • Direct educationor public outreach projects.

Partnerships

Partners are defined as those who contribute toward a capacity grant project in direct cash or in-kind services to establishthe capacity or habitat project funding. Partnerships should be broadly based with a diversity of partner categories. A mix of state and federal agencies, non-governmental conservation organizations, and other conservation groups working toward focused habitat conservation delivery is considered optimal.

Fund Leveraging

A goal of the Capacity Grants Program is to increase the habitat delivery capacity necessary for partners to acquire and utilize project funding that might not otherwise be attainable or available without the investment in capacity. The IWJV encourages fund leveraging; however, there is no “match requirement” or cost-share obligation for an IWJV capacity grant. The IWJV defines fund leveraging as follows:

  • Capacity Fund Leveraging: The direct cash or in-kind services committed by other partners to project capacity.
  • Habitat Project Fund Leveraging: The project funds devoted or likely to be devoted to on-the-ground bird habitat conservation projects as a result of the capacity. The habitat project fund leveraging should be estimated in the context of being above “baseline” or standard allocations for bird habitat conservation in the project area.

Technical Scoring Criteria and Point Values

A. Builds Capacity: Maximum 6 points

  • How will the proposed increase in capacity impact your ability to deliver bird habitat conservation in the Intermountain West?
  • How will the funding help achieve strategic bird conservation goals and objectives that would not happen otherwise?
  • Define any unique or special aspects of the capacity-building effort in terms of scale.

B. Catalyzes Partnerships: Maximum 4 points

  • Provide a list of project partners as well as their roles and commitments to this project.
  • Define any unique or special aspects of the partnership (e.g., diversity, scope, scale) that will contribute to the long-term success of the project.
  • How will the increased capacity strengthen the IWJV’s broader partnership efforts to implement bird habitat conservation? Consider any potential opportunities for information or project transfer to a larger IWJV constituency.
  • How much direct funding (“capacity fund leveraging”) is committed by other partners to the project?
  • How much on-the-ground bird habitat conservation funding (“habitat project fund leveraging”) will be leveraged by partners?

For Section C, respond to either C.1 or C.2, but not both. All traditional capacity grant projects (i.e., partner positions, communications, or training/workshops) should address C.1. Science projects should address C.2.

C.1 Delivers Bird Habitat Conservation: Maximum 8 points

  • How will the increase in capacity support on-the-ground bird habitat conservation?
  • Describe the anticipated benefits to one or more IWJV priority habitats (wetlands/riparian associated wetlands, sagebrush steppe, and grasslands). Please reference the Habitat Conservation Strategy of the IWJV 2013 Implementation Plan (Chapter 8) and wetland focal areas (Appendix A), if applicable. Additionally, describe anticipated benefits to habitat priorities defined by the2005 IWJV Coordinated Implementation Plans for Bird Conservation(by state) or the SWAPs.
  • Describe the anticipated benefits to IWJV priority bird species (see Appendix A). Focus on a specific species that the project will substantially benefit, in contrast to those species that are casual or accidental in occurrence. How will the project address limiting factors for the species and/or meet annual life cycle requirements?
  • Describe how the project will measure success in terms of conservation outcomes.Please refer to the Summary Table (page 25 of Appendix D) for a list of conservation outcomes.

C.2 Science to Facilitate Habitat Conservation: Maximum 8 points

  • Describe how this funding will address information gaps or key uncertainties (e.g., quantifying species-habitat relationships) relative to management or conservation actions for priority habitats and bird species. (Please make linkages to Chapters 4-8 of the IWJV 2013 Implementation Plan and opportunities to address information gaps.)
  • How will data/analyses/products promote or refine conservation actions for priority habitats and bird species?
  • Describe linkages to existing conservation partnership networks and the anticipated application of science product(s).
  • Describe how science product(s) will be disseminated to habitat delivery partners or practitioners and applied to on-the-ground conservation actions.

D. Special Circumstances Maximum 2 points

  • Describe any special project circumstances not articulated above (e.g.,significance of landscape, transferability, capitalizing on timing of funding or initiatives, innovative conservation approaches, unique outcomes, enduring solutions, ability to produce measurable outcomes, etc.).

ProPOSAL FORMAT AND SUBMISSION

Applicants are required to follow the format below. Maximum page limitis six pages, excluding the project map, partner contribution statements, letters of support, and photos. Use 11 or 12 point font size with standard font type (e.g., Times New Roman or Arial).Please note that deviation from this format may impact the overall score of the grant and disqualify the proposal for funding.

Cover Page (1 page)

IWJV 2016 Capacity Grants Program
Date Submitted: / Amount Requested:
Project Title:
Project County(ies):
Project State: / Congressional District:
Bird Conservation Region:
Bird Habitat Conservation Area:
Organization:
Contact Address:
Contact Person:
Telephone: / Email:
Brief Description of Project Purpose and Goals (125 words maximum):

General Project Description (2 pages maximum)

  1. Clearly state the context and need for capacity, as well as how the capacity will translate to on-the-ground habitat conservation achievements.
  1. Identify the purpose, goals and objectives of the project. (Objectives expressed in quantitative terms will result in a higher rating.)
  1. Describe the project activities, the duration of the project and expected results.
  1. Include a timetable for accomplishment of capacity grant activities and who will be completing the work.

Specific Project Criteria (2 pages maximum)

Please address in narrative form the Technical Scoring Criteria and Point Values above (pages 6-7, A-D).

Budget Tables (1 page)

Please provide detailed information on capacity grant funding leveraged by partners, in addition to the proposed total for habitat project funding leveraged (see page 6 for definitions and Appendix B for examples).

Overhead or administrative charges are allowed but limited to five percent of direct project costs, and total funds requested cannot exceed $15,000.

Table A. Capacity Fund Leveraging

IWJV
Request
($) / Non-Federal
Partner
(Name) / Non-Federal
Partner
($) / Federal Partner
(Name) / Federal Partner
($) / TOTAL $
TOTAL CAPACITY FUNDS LEVERAGED

Table B. Habitat Project Fund Leveraging

Project Detail:
Non-Federal
Partner
($) / Federal
Partner
($) / TOTAL $
TOTAL HABITAT PROJECT
FUNDS LEVERAGED

Project Map, Partner Contribution Statements, Letters of Support and Photos

A project map is required and should include the project title and location of the entire project area. Partner contribution statements are required from all partners contributing project funding, excluding the organization submitting the request (see Appendix C for preferred format). Letters of support canalso be submitted. There is not a required number of letters, but enough should be provided to demonstrate partner and/or general support of the project. Photos are optional.

Second- or Third-Year Funding Requests

Applicants funded previously through the Capacity Grants Program are required to submit a Progress Report along with their proposal. The Progress Report should include:

  • A brief narrative (1-2 pages) summarizing project progressto date. Please address the following in your report:
  • What progress have you made towards the stated project objectives?
  • Will your objectives be achieved in the stated timeline? Why or why not?
  • What direct and/or indirect on-the-ground conservation work has been catalyzed or is underway? (Be specific wherever you can.)
  • Summary of expenditures to date.

Proposal Submission

Applicants must submit anelectronic copy by 5:00 p.m. (Mountain Daylight Time) on May 6, 2016:

The electronic version of the proposal must be saved into one Microsoft Word or PDF file. Maximum electronic file size is 5MB. File name should read as follows:

State Abbreviation_Applicant_ProposalTitle_2016

Please email the proposal to both the IWJV, c/o Brian McDonald(see page 11),and the appropriate SCP Chair (see page 12).

INTERMOUNTAIN WEST JOINT VENTURE GRANT CONTACTS