FUNDING GUIDE FOR RECREATION AND CONSERVATION PROJECTS

November, 2012

This guide has been developed by DCNR’s Bureau of Recreation and Conservation (BRC) to assist communities and

organizations interested in pursuing funding for their community recreation and conservation projects.

DCNR’s Bureau of Recreation and Conservation helps communities build connections between citizens and the outdoors by providing technical and financial assistance for community recreation and conservation projects and community revitalization efforts.  For additional information on how BRC can assist you with your recreation and conservation project contact our Regional Offices at:

http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/brc/aboutus/index.htm?tab=RegionalOffices#RegionalOffices

For more information on the community recreation and conservation grant program go to:

http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/brc/index.htm

I. STATE FUNDING

1. Act 13 , signed into law on February 14, 2012, puts into place a drilling “impact fee” on unconventional gas wells being drilled for the production of natural gas from geological shale formations (such as the Marcellus Shale). The Pennsylvania Utility Commission (PUC) is charged with administering the collection and distribution of the impact fees. Some of the Act 13 fees are eligible to be used to fund recreation and conservation projects and can also be used to match DCNR’s Bureau of Recreation and Conservation grant applications. Interested parties should contact their local municipality and or County administrator for additional information. Some helpful websites are:

CCAP Act 13 Resources :http://www.pacounties.org/GovernmentRelations/Pages/Act13.aspx

Act 13 FAQs from the PUC:http://www.puc.state.pa.us/NaturalGas/pdf/MarcellusShale/12_Act13_FAQs.pdf

PUC Revenue Estimates Chart: http://www.slideshare.net/MarcellusDN/pa-act-13-of-2012-revenue-distribution-calculation

Funding Available for Recreation and Conservation Projects through Act 13http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/cs/groups/public/documents/document/dcnr_017083.doc

2. PA Department of Agriculture (PDA), Bureau of Farmland Preservation

a) The Clean and Green Act, established in 1974, is designed to preserve farmland, forest land and open space by taxing land according to its use as farmland rather than its market value and its potential use for activities other than agriculture.

A property must be ten acres in size, and in Agricultural Use, Agricultural Reserve, or Forest Reserve. Agricultural Use applications may be less than 10 acres in size if the property is capable of generating at least $2,000 annually in farm income. Land taken out of agricultural use becomes subject to a roll-back tax, imposed for up to seven years, plus six percent interest. Certain split-off or separated lands are exempted from roll-back penalties provided the original use of the land does not change.

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Contact information: (717) 783-3167www.agriculture.state.pa.us/

3. PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR)

a) DCNR’s Bureau of Recreation and Conservation (BRC) provides technical assistance outreach and grant funding to local governments, land trusts, trail organizations, non-profits and other organizations with their recreation and conservation projects and purposes through their Recreation and Conservation Grant program.  This grant program provides funding for planning, acquiring and developing public recreation and conservation based projects and initiatives. BRC’s grant program is funded with state and federal funding including: the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund (Keystone), the Environmental Stewardship and Watershed Protection Act (Growing Greener), Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and the Pennsylvania Recreational Trails Program (PA Rec Trail).

Contact information:eGrants customer service: 1-800-326-7734http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/brc/grants/c2p2programguidance/index.htm

b) Established by The Wild Resource Conservation Act of 1982, the Wild Resources Conservation Program is a part of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, working closely with the Pennsylvania Game Commission and Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission to conduct and support research, conservation and education projects focused on preserving Pennsylvania’s biodiversity.

Contact information:(717) 787-3212http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/conservationscience/wrcp/index.htm

c) Responding to an alarming trend of the loss of trees in Pennsylvania’s metropolitan areas, TreeVitalize is a public-private partnership to help restore tree cover, educate citizens about planting trees as an act of caring for our environment, and build capacity among local governments to understand, protect and restore their urban trees.

Contact information:http://www.treevitalize.net/

4. PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)

a) DEP has dozens of grants and loans to assist individuals, groups and businesses with a host of environmental issues. DEP’s Grants Center is available to answer your general questions. Most grant programs allow for private nonprofit organizations and Federal, State, and local government agencies to be eligible applicants.

Contact information:(717) 705-5400http://www.ahs2.dep.state.pa.us/GrantsCenter/GrantAndLoanPrograms.asp

b) The Environmental Education Grant Program was established by the Environmental Education Act of 1993, which mandates that five percent of all pollution fines and penalties collected annually by the Department of Environmental Protection be set aside for environmental education. Since the inception of the environmental education grant program, DEP has awarded nearly $8 million in grants to support environmental education efforts throughout Pennsylvania. Administered through DEP, the funds are used for projects ranging from creative, hands-on lessons for students, teacher training programs, and outdoor learning resources to conservation education for adults.

Contact information:http://www.ahs2.dep.state.pa.us/GrantsCenter/GrantAndLoanPrograms.asp

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c) Brownfields Program Environmental Cleanup & Brownfields Program works in partnership with economic and industrial development associations, local governments and the business community to foster the cleanup and redevelopment of Pennsylvania's brownfields and other industrial sites. Remediating these often idle properties not only improves the environment, but gets them back into productive use. DEP provides brownfields redevelopment and economic development assistance through our award-winning Land Recycling Program. Funding for environmental investigations (Phase 1 and Phase 2 assessments) and site remediation is available through DCED’s Industrial Sites Reuse Program.

Contact information: http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/environmental_cleanup___brownfields/6049http://www.newpa.com/find-and-apply-for-funding/funding-and-program-finder/industrial-sites-reuse-program

5. PA Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC)

a) The State Wildlife Grant Program provides federal money to every state and territory for cost-effective conservation aimed at preventing wildlife from becoming endangered. This program continues the long history of cooperation between the federal government and the states for managing and conserving wildlife species, going back to landmark laws like 1937 Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act and the 1950 Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act.

Contact information:(717) 705-7912http://fishandboat.com/promo/grants/swg/00swg.htm

6. PA Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Department of Planning, Center for Program Dev. And Mgmt.

a) Transportation Project/Land Use Planning Coordination Initiative: PennDOT provides federal transportation planning funds on an annual basis to planning partners for studies that help to coordinate transportation and sound land use planning. Funding is open to municipalities, counties, MPO/LDD/independent counties and other planning organizations.

Contact information:(717) 772-0827http://www.dot.state.pa.us/Internet/Bureaus/CPDM.nsf/LandUseHomepage

b) Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) was signed into law on July 6, 2012 for funding surface transportation programs at over $105 billion for fiscal years (FY) 2013 and 2014. MAP-21 is the first long-term highway authorization enacted since 2005. Projects must fall into one or more of the twelve eligible categories established in the Transportation Equity Act for the twenty-first century. With these categories, projects must have a relationship to the surface transportation system. Typically the cost-sharing ratio is the Federal government will pay 80% for construction costs and the sponsor pays 20% for pre-construction costs. The latter option can apply to road and bridge projects and also projects dealing with the acquisition of scenic easements and scenic or historic sites (including historic battlefields). PennDOT distributes this funding through its Metropolitan Planning Organizations and Rural Planning Organizations. PennDOT is currently developing guidelines on MAP 21 funding.

Contact information:http://www.dot.state.pa.us/TYP/Index.htmhttp://www.dot.state.pa.us/TYP/Index_files/MPOsandRPOs.htm

7. Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST)

Since its inception, PENNVEST has continued its service to the communities and citizens of Pennsylvania by funding sewer, storm water and drinking water projects throughout the Commonwealth. These projects not only contribute to improving Pennsylvania's environment and the health of its people, they also provide opportunities for economic growth and jobs for Pennsylvania's workers. PENNVEST has been empowered by Pennsylvania state law, Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority Act 16 of 1988,

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to administer and finance the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) pursuant to the federal Water Quality Act of 1987, as well as to administer the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) funds. PENNVEST also finances, through the issuance of special obligation revenue bonds, water management, solid waste disposal, sewage treatment and pollution control projects undertaken by or on behalf of private entities.

Contact information:(717) 783-6798http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/pennvest/9242

8. New PA (DCED)

The Municipal Assistance Program provides funding to assist local governments to plan for and efficiently implement a variety of services and improvements, and soundly manage development with an emphasis on intergovernmental approaches. Funding is available for three groups of activities: shared services, community planning, and floodplain management. Counties and municipalities may apply. Shared service activities require two or more participating municipalities. Some projects are open to COGs and other intergovernmental organizations where duly authorized by participating municipality (ies).

Contact information:http://www.newpa.com/find-and-apply-for-funding/funding-and-program-finder/municipal-assistance-program

9. . Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission (PHMC)

Keystone Historic Preservation Project Grants' funding comes from the Commonwealth's Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund. This fund was established by the Pennsylvania General Assembly in 1993 using revenue from the voter-approved sale of bonds and from a portion of the state realty transfer tax. Bond funds were utilized during the first three years of the program. Currently, the program is supported annually with realty transfer tax revenue. The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission also annually uses a portion of the realty transfer tax revenue to rehabilitate and maintain Commonwealth-owned historic sites and museums.

Contact information:(717) 787-3362http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/grants/3794/historic_preservation_grants/426654

II. FEDERAL FUNDING

1. Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

a) The Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) is a flexible program that provides communities with resources to address a wide range of unique community development needs directed toward revitalizing neighborhoods, economic development, and providing improved community facilities and services. Funds are to be used for activities that benefit low- and moderate-income persons, carry out activities which aid in the prevention or elimination of slums and blight, or address existing conditions that pose a serious and immediate threat to the welfare of the community where other financial resources are not available to meet these needs.

Contact information:http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/comm_planning/communitydevelopment/programs

b) The Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant Program supports metropolitan and multijurisdictional planning efforts that integrate housing, land use, economic and workforce development, transportation, and infrastructure investments in a manner that empowers jurisdictions to consider the interdependent challenges of: (1) economic competitiveness and revitalization; (2) social equity, inclusion, and access to opportunity; (3) energy use and climate change; and (4) public health and environmental impact. The Program places a priority on investing in partnerships, including nontraditional partnerships (e.g., arts and culture, recreation, public health, food systems, regional planning agencies and public education entities) that translate the Federal Livability Principles into strategies that direct long-term

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development and reinvestment, demonstrate a commitment to addressing issues of regional significance, use data to set and monitor progress toward performance goals, and engage stakeholders and residents in meaningful decision-making roles.

Contact information:http://www.hud.gov/sustainability/

2. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management

The Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program (CELCP) was established in 2002 to protect coastal and estuarine lands considered important for their ecological, conservation, recreational, historical or aesthetic values. The program provides state and local governments with matching funds to purchase significant coastal and estuarine lands, or conservation easements on such lands, from willing sellers. Lands or conservation easements acquired with CELCP funds are protected in perpetuity so that they may be enjoyed by future generations. CELCP provides grants to eligible state agencies and local governments to acquire property or conservation easements from willing sellers within a state’s coastal zone or coastal watershed boundary. This program is administered as a three-stage process: development of a state CELCP plan, a state competitive process to identify top projects (run by the PA’s Department of Environmental Protection), and a national peer-review competition. http://coastalmanagement.noaa.gov/land/ http://www.dep.state.pa.us/river/czmp.htm

3. National Park Service (NPS)

The Rivers,Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program (RTCA) implements the natural resource conservation and outdoor recreation mission of the National Park Service in communities across America. RTCA will help create local, regional, and state networks of parks, rivers, trails, greenways, and open spaces by collaborating with community partners and National Park areas in every state. Their focus is on helping communities help themselves by providing expertise and experience from around the nation. From urban promenades to trails along abandoned railroad rights-of-way to wildlife corridors, their assistance in greenway efforts is wide ranging. Similarly, their assistance in river conservation spans downtown riverfronts to regional water trails to stream restoration.

Contact information:http://www.nps.gov/ncrc/programs/rtca/whoweare/wwa_who_we_are.htm

4. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS)

The Fish and Wildlife Service Grant Program includes a variety of natural resource assistance grants to governmental, public, and private organizations, groups, and individuals. Examples include restoration of a variety of habitats on private land through the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program, promotion of conservation of wetlands and associated habitats for migratory birds and other wildlife, restoration of natural resources and establish or expand wildlife habitat, ensure neotropical bird conservation by supporting programs in the U.S., Latin America and the Caribbean; restore native species and to encourage international cooperation to help conserve birds.

Contact information:http://www.fws.gov/grants/

5. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

a) Climate Showcase Communities Program is making available up to $10 million in grants to local governments to establish and carry out initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Under this program, EPA expects to award approximately 25 cooperative agreements ranging from $100,000 to $500,000, with approximately five percent of the funds ($500,000) being made available specifically for tribal governments. Local governments, federally recognized Indian tribal governments, and inter-tribal consortia are eligible for grants to create sustainable community actions that can be used elsewhere, general cost-effective greenhouse gas reductions and improve the environmental, economic, public health, and social conditions in a community. A 50 percent cost share is required for recipients, with the exception of tribal governments and intertribal consortia, which are exempt from matching requirements under this grant.

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Contact information:http://www.epa.gov/statelocalclimate/local/showcase/index.html

b) Environmental Education Regional Model Grants EPA's Office of Environmental Education grants program supports environmental education projects that enhance the public's awareness, knowledge, and skills to make informed environmental decisions and take responsible actions towards the environment.

Contact information:http://www.epa.gov/education/grants/index.html

6. U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), National Resource Conservation Service’s

Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP) is a voluntary program for conservation-minded landowners who want to develop and improve wildlife habitat on agricultural land, nonindustrial private forest land, and Indian land. The Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 reauthorized WHIP as a voluntary approach to improving wildlife habitat in our Nation. In 2012, WHIP funds will be dedicated to the new Working Lands For Wildlife partnership between NRCS and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). Nationwide, seven species in priority habitat areas are being targeted, whose decline can be reversed and will benefit other species with similar habitat needs. Two of the species, the Bog Turtle and Golden-Winged Warbler, are found in Pennsylvania. Landowners in areas known to support these two species can apply for WHIP financial assistance to establish or improve habitat for the Bog Turtle or Golden-Winged Warbler.

Contact information:http://www.pa.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/whip/index.html

III. PRIVATE and NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS

1. The Baseball Tomorrow Fund (BTF) is a joint initiative between Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association established in 1999 through a $10 million commitment by Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association. The mission of BTF is to promote and enhance the growth of youth participation in baseball and softball throughout the world by funding programs, fields, coaches' training, and the purchase of uniforms and equipment to encourage and maintain youth participation in the game. The funds are intended to finance a new program, expand or improve an existing program, undertake a new collaborative effort, or obtain facilities or equipment. BTF provides grants to non‐profit and tax‐exempt organizations in both rural and urban communities. The average grant amount is approximately $50,000. BTF is now funded annually by MLB and the Players Association. Non-profit and tax-exempt organizations in both rural and urban communities may apply.

Contact information:http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/official_info/community/btf.jsp

2. The Coldwater Heritage Partnership (CHP) is a collaborative effort between the PA Fish & Boat Commission, PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds and Pennsylvania Council of Trout Unlimited. The purpose of the Coldwater Heritage Partnership (CHP) is to provide leadership, coordination, technical assistance, and funding support for the evaluation, conservation and protection of Pennsylvania's coldwater streams. Under this program there are planning grants designed to help develop a conservation plan that identifies the values and threats that impact the health of our coldwater ecosystems that have naturally reproducing trout.  The collected information can be used as a catalyst for more comprehensive planning or for development of watershed improvements projects. Planning grants average around $6,000. There are also Implementation Grants designed to provide funding to projects recommended in a completed conservation plan or report. Potential projects must enhance, conserve or protect the coldwater stream for which the coldwater conservation plan was originally completed.  Implementation grants average around $10,000.

Contact information:http://www.coldwaterheritage.org/

3. The goal of the KaBOOM Playground Grants is to bring people, community organizations, and businesses to develop safe, healthy, and much-needed playgrounds. A National Partner of KaBOOM!, Dr Pepper Snapple Group has made a $15 million, three-year commitment to the organization as part of the company’s Let’s Play initiative. Let’s Play is a community partnership led by Dr Pepper Snapple Group designed to get kids active nationwide. Together through Let’s Play, DPS and KaBOOM! will build or fix up 2,000 playgrounds by the end of

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2013, benefiting an estimated five million children across North America.  For more information about Let’s Play, visit letsplay.com.

Contact information:http://kaboom.org/about_kaboom/programs/grants?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=surl

4. Kodak American Greenways Program : Eastman Kodak Company, the Conservation Fund and the National Geographic Society team up each year to present the Kodak American Greenways Awards Program. One major element of the program involves “seed” grant awards to organizations that are growing our nation's network of greenways, blueways, trails and natural areas. The program operated by the Conservation Fund invites land trusts, local governments, and other organizations to submit proposals for small greenway project grants. Funded projects typically advance one or more of the following program goals: catalyzing new greenway projects, assisting grassroots greenway organizations, leveraging additional money for conservation and greenway development, and promoting use and enjoyment of greenways.

Contact informationhttp://www.conservationfund.org/kodak_awards

5. National Endowment for the Arts: Art works to improve the lives of America's citizens in many ways. Communities across our nation are leveraging the arts and engaging design to make their communities more livable with enhanced quality of life, increased creative activity, a distinct sense of place, and vibrant local economies that together capitalize on their existing assets. Through Our Town Grants, subject to the availability of funding, the National Endowment for the Arts will provide a limited number of grants, ranging from $25,000 to $200,000, for creative place making projects that contribute toward the livability of communities and help transform them into lively, beautiful, and sustainable places with the arts at their core. Our Town will invest in creative and innovative projects in which communities, together with their arts and design organizations and artists, seek to: Improve their quality of life, Encourage greater creative activity, Foster stronger community identity and a sense of place, Revitalize economic development.

Contact information:http://www.arts.gov/grants/apply/OurTown/Grant-program-description.html

6. The National Environmental Education Act of 1990 established the National Environmental Education Foundation as a complementary organization to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), extending its ability to foster environmental knowledge in all segments of the American public by leveraging private support for the agency’s mission. In addition to core programs—Classroom Earth, National Public Lands Day, National Environmental Education Week, Business and Environment, Earth Gauge and Health and Environment—NEEF provides grants and awards to leverage the reach of our programs, implement our program goals, support the efforts of other organizations and strengthen the environmental education (EE) field as a whole.

Contact information:http://www.neefusa.org/grants/index.htm

7. The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation is a private, nonprofit, tax‐exempt organization that provides funding on a competitive basis for projects that sustain, restore and enhance the Nation’s fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats. The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation funds projects which assist in the restoration of the habitats and water quality of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributary rivers and streams. The Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund awards grants and technical assistance in partnership with the Chesapeake Bay Program. Major funding for the Stewardship Fund comes from the Environmental Protection Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Forest Service and Altria.

Contact information:http://www.nfwf.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=GrantPrograms

8. Outdoor Nation (ON) is a non-profit founded by a community of Outsiders dedicated to reconnecting millennials with the outdoors. We host Summits around the country, award grants for outstanding project ideas, lead outdoor outings, work with youth, and connect with others like us - all in an effort to mobilize a movement to get our generation outside. 

a) Explore Fund supports organizations that encourage youth outdoor participation, focusing primarily on creating more connections of children to nature, increasing access to both front and backcountry recreation,

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as well as providing education for both personal and environmental health. Applicants can apply for up to $2500 for projects that encourage youth outdoor participation, focus on sustainability initiatives, or help to create a connection to nature that will empower the future leaders of tomorrow.

Contact information:http://www.explorefund.org/ (eligibility requirements explained) orhttp://www.outdoornation.org/grants

b) The Pack Project Activation Grants Program – to increase participation in active outdoor recreation. In fall 2012, there will be a cycle of the grant awarding an additional $12,500 to a minimum of 5 projects. Grants will be awarded to the most innovative, impactful and sustainable projects focusing on increasing outdoor recreation in communities across the country. Applications are being accepted from individuals between the ages of 18 and 28 and 501(c)3 non-profits. Fall cycle opens October 10, 2012, and the deadline for applicants is November 13, 2012.

Contact information:http://www.acacamps.org/grants/pack-project-activation-grant-program http://www.outdoornation.org/grants

9. The Open Space Institute (OSI) protects scenic, natural, and historic landscapes to ensure public enjoyment, conserve habitats, and sustain community character. OSI achieves its goals through land acquisition, conservation easements, regional loan programs, fiscal sponsorship, creative partnerships, and analytical research. OCI received a $5 million grant from the William Penn Foundation and has established the Bayshore Highlands Fund (the "Fund") supports projects that accelerate strategic land conservation in the New Jersey Bayshore and the Pennsylvania Highlands. This Fund provides grants and loans for land conservation transactions that conserve wildlife habitat, provide new and expanded outdoor recreational access, protect clean water, or preserve farm and forestland. The Fund also will help to raise visibility about the regions and conservation transactions within them; and research, promote and pilot, where possible, innovative conservation financing tools and practices. 

Contact information:http://www.osiny.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Places_NewJersey

10. The Tony Hawk Foundation Grant Program seeks to foster lasting programs focusing on the creation of public skateboard parks, and other causes. The foundation strives to make improvements in society, with an emphasis on helping children. The primary mission of this program is to promote high‐quality skateboard parks in low‐income areas throughout the US.

Contact information:http://www.tonyhawkfoundation.org/

11. The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy’s Colcom Revolving Fund for Local Land Trusts provides grants in the form of short-term loans to land trusts and other nonprofit organizations seeking to preserve open space and conserve high priority properties. This loan fund is made possible through $1 million in grants from the Colcom Foundation. It helps to resolve a common problem for local land trusts and other conservation organizations: Significant land conservation opportunities usually require quick action in order to make a purchase before the seller moves on to other interested buyers, but fundraising to conserve land typically takes 18 to 24 months. The loan fund not only provides land trusts and other nonprofit organizations with financing to act quickly in response to rare conservation opportunities, but it also offers the technical assistance of Western Pennsylvania Conservancy’s staff members to support positive outcomes. For a limited time, the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy is offering a 0% interest rate on loans for the first six to 12 months contingent on project and loan approval. Available to multiple organizations, the fund regenerates as loans are repaid providing financing for additional projects.

Contact information:http://www.paconserve.org/281/colcom-revolving-fund-for-local-land-trusts

12. The Water Resources Education Network (WREN) is a project of the Citizen Education Fund of the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania (LWVPA-CEF). WREN is a nonpartisan informal collaboration of organizations and public officials working for the protection and management of Pennsylvania’s water resources, both surface and ground water, through grass-roots education and informed policy-making. WREN provides training and grants for local coalition building to promote community awareness and development of public policies necessary to

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protect Pennsylvania water resources. The WREN Program has two clean water initiatives: Watershed Protection Education to prevent nonpoint source pollution, and Source Water Protection Promotion to raise awareness about the importance of protecting public drinking water sources. Since 1992, LWVPA-CEF has awarded almost $2 million in funding to over 300 community partnerships working to safeguard Pennsylvania water resources.

Contact information:http://wren.palwv.org/grants/local.html

13. The William Penn Foundation approved a new strategic plan to guide our funding for the next decade. Entitled Capitalizing Change, the plan calls for strategies that will help Greater Philadelphia embrace and benefit from the rapid pace of global and regional change.. These strategies drive the implementation of three new grant making centers, which will operate as ten-year campaigns to relentlessly pursue the following goals: Close the achievement gap for low-income children by increasing the supply of high-quality schools, make Philadelphia an even more creative community, from Center City to our neighborhoods, including investments in great public spaces, and ensure clean water by protecting the Delaware and Susquehanna watersheds. The Foundation’s grant making centers will be integrated with two additional investment vehicles — a Transformation Fund and an Innovation Fund — creating new opportunities for the Foundation and other philanthropists to invest in breakthrough ideas and help key legacy organizations respond to changing conditions. New program guidelines and application procedures will be published early in 2013.

Contact information:http://www.williampennfoundation.org/Grants.aspxhttp://www.williampennfoundation.org/watershedprotection.aspx

14. The mission of the U.S. Soccer Foundation is to enhance, assist and cultivate the sport of soccer in the United States. They view soccer as a powerful vehicle for social change and focus our efforts on programs and projects that improve the health and well‐being of children in urban, economically disadvantaged communities. The Foundation awards grants to help pay for field development, uniforms, player equipment, travel costs, facility rental, registration costs, and training for players, coaches and referees. Foundation Field Grants assist with every stage of the field building process – from planning and designing a new field to installing the finishing touches such as lights and field boards. In cooperation with our National Partner, FieldTurf, the Foundation awards grants to build synthetic grass soccer fields that are durable and can be used in all weather conditions.

Contact information:http://www.ussoccerfoundation.org/site/c.ipIQKXOvFoG/b.5482645/k.C652/Grants.htm

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