Small Grants Program RFP

Thank you for applying to WNTIs 2024 Small Grants program.  The RFP is now closed.

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WNTI 2024 Small Grants Program Request for Proposals (RFP) 

The Western Native Trout Initiative (WNTI) and our partners are proud to announce our 2024 Small Grants Program Request for Proposals. The purpose of the WNTI’s Small Grants Program is to catalyze or accelerate smaller, high-impact efforts to restore or recover western native trout. The small project funding program specifically supports collaborative approaches and partnerships involved in local efforts or community-based programs that provide for outreach or educational activities, volunteer engagement opportunities, or project design/monitoring activities that contribute to the Initiative’s efforts to conserve western native trout.

The focus of WNTI’s Small Grants Program is on projects with a strong element or focus on community outreach, education and/or volunteer engagement; or design/planning/monitoring work.  Outreach is our top priority for this program and outreach projects will be ranked the highest, all other things being equal. WNTI’s Small Grants program funding is not intended to pay for a small portion of a large habitat restoration or construction project. Habitat project activities that are requesting support from this program should primarily involve outreach, education, or volunteer engagement, a community outreach event or work day, or project design/planning/monitoring tasks. READ the full Request for Proposals (RFP).

Approximately $20,000 in funding is available for projects that benefit one or more of WNTI’s 21 focal native trout or char species in their historic ranges in 12 western states.  Individual projects can be funded at a maximum of $5,000.

WNTI gratefully thanks our partners at RepYourWater, Wilderness Lite Float Tubes, Running River’s Rocky Mountain Flyathlon, AZ Fly Shop, California Fly Fishers Unlimited, Western Native Trout Challenge anglers’ registrations and donations, and all WNTI individual donors for contributing funds in support of the Small Grants Program this year. 

Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. Mountain time on June 3, 2024.   Late applications are not accepted.

Project funds are awarded on a reimbursable basis and must be expended by December 27, 2025.

Organizations that have received WNTI funding in the past must have interim or final reports on file with WNTI in order to be eligible for funding during this cycle.

If you are unable to finish your online form in one sitting, you have the option to “Save and Continue Later”. The system will generate a link for you to return to your form – please make a copy of the link as the system will not allow us to access “in process” applications.  You may also choose to have the link emailed to you. We recommend that you copy the link first (save it in Word or somewhere where you can access it) to ensure you have it before you click on the box that asks the system to email it to you, and then look in your spam folder if you do not see the link in your email inbox. The system we use only allows a link to remain active for 30 days so you will need to refresh your application if you think you will not return for 30 days or longer.

If you have any questions, please contact JD Davis, Coordinator, at jddavis@westernnativetrout.org.  

 


WNTI 2024 Small Grants Project Selection Guidelines, Criteria and Process 

The WNTI Steering Committee will review and evaluate proposals based on the attached criteria and considerations. Project proponents must address these requirements, guidelines, and criteria in their project applications in order to be competitive in their application. READ MORE


WNTI 2024 Small Grants Project Application Instructions 

WNTI uses an online application system. All documentation with specific guidance to help you complete the application is available HERE.  A Word version of this same document is available HERE (a Word document will open at the bottom of your screen). The budget template can be downloaded HERE (a Word document will open at the bottom of your screen).

If you are unable to finish your online form in one sitting, you have the option to “Save and Continue Later”. The system will generate a link for you to return to your form – please make a copy of the link as the system will not allow us to access “in process” applications.  You may also choose to have the link emailed to you. We recommend that you copy the link first (save it in Word or somewhere where you can access it) to ensure you have it before you click on the box that asks the system to email it to you, and then look in your spam folder if you do not see the link in your email inbox. The system we use only allows a link to remain active for 30 days so you will need to refresh your application if you think you will not return for 30 days or longer.

Please do not wait until the last minute on deadline day to begin your application!