Grant Program

Missouri Bird Conservation Initiative Grant Program
2009 Call for Proposals
August 15 through September 30, 2008

The Missouri Bird Conservation Initiative (MoBCI) serves as a conduit in providing financial support to private and public organizations or to individuals who have partnerships that carry out bird habitat conservation projects in Missouri.  Eligible activities include projects that protect, enhance or restore bird habitats on any lands in Missouri.   All projects should be habitat based and not strictly designed for monitoring, however monitoring can be a component of the project (<10%) and is recommended. 

MoBCI grant projects must be relevant to the goals and objectives of one or more of the major national and international bird conservation initiatives, including: the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, Partners in Flight Bird Conservation Plans applicable to Missouri, North American Waterbird Conservation Plan, U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan, and the Northern Bobwhite Conservation Initiative.  If you do not have ready access to these plans you can find them at the following web addresses:
           
http://www.fws.gov/midwest/nawmp
http://www.lmvjv.org/library/MBST_Bio_Issues_052002bd.pdf
http://www.partnersinflight.org
http://www.waterbirdconservation.org/nawcp.html
http://shorebirdplan.fws.gov
http://www.acjv.org/documents/Northern_Bobwhite_Plan.pdf
           
In addition, priority will be given to projects that address priority habitats which benefit priority birds species identified in any of the 36 Conservation Opportunity Areas (COA’s) or approved species/habitat restoration plans.  For specific information on priority Missouri habitats see the MoBCI web site at www.mobci.org or visit the Missouri Department of Conservation’s, Comprehensive Wildlife Strategy, “Conservation Opportunity Area” web site at www.mdc.mo.gov/nathis/cws/coa .  A map of Missouri’s Important Bird Areas can be found at http://mo.audubon.org/PDFs/IBA_lgmap1.pdf

Projects should benefit an array of species, such as grassland birds, forest birds, wetland birds or glade birds. An acceptable project may target one or more high priority bird species, but should include benefits to other species, involve habitat and ecosystem level planning and management, and engage partners with shared goals and objectives. 

Grant awards:

The Missouri Department of Conservation (Grantor) has made $100,000 funds available for MoBCI grants. Individual grant awards are available up to a maximum of $20,000 annually.  MoBCI grants require a one to one match of [local, state, or federal] funds that do not originate from the Department of Conservation.  The match may include acquired realty, partner financial contributions, monitoring and evaluation costs, stewardship costs, volunteer time, etc.  Projects which include a significant amount of overhead (i.e., indirect administrative expenses) are strongly discouraged.  Funds may be spent over a two-year period. 

Grantees will be required to submit a semi-annual progress report that includes both a financial and narrative summary and comply with the Grantor’s (Missouri Department of Conservation) policy regarding grants.  

Application and Review Process:

Grant applications must follow the format listed in the “General Requirements” section below and be received no later than 5:00 p.m. September 30, 2008, at the following address:  MoBCI Grant Subcommittee, in care of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service-Missouri Private Lands Office, 101 Park DeVille Dr. Suite B, Columbia, Missouri 65203.  Mailed applications should contain one original and five copies.  No faxed applications will be accepted.   Electronic applications will only be accepted in MS Word format to the following address: Kelly_srigleywerner@fws.gov, please put MOBCI GRANT PROPOSAL in subject line.

The MoBCI Grant Subcommittee will review, score (based on the ranking criteria below), and provide funding recommendations to the MoBCI Steering Committee.  The MoBCI Steering Committee will make recommendations for final approval to the Missouri Department of Conservation, Wildlife Division Chief (the Grant Administrator). 

Ranking Criteria:

Proposals will be ranked by the MoBCI Grant Subcommittee based on the following:

1.  Priority bird species addressed (15 points)
2.  Priority habitats conserved (i.e., Important Bird Areas, Conservation Opportunity Areas) (15 points)
3.  Bird initiative plan goals and objectives addressed (15 points)
4.  Partnerships developed (20 points)
5.  Use of project as a model for other projects (10 points)
6.  Capacity of the organization(s)/individual to accomplish the project (10 points)
7.  Budget (15 points)
8.  Bonus for First Time MoBCI proposal – (5 points).

General Requirements:  (maximum of five pages for entire proposal)

1. Grant Title
2. Purpose of Grant (Clearly define goals, objectives, or activities to be achieved with applicable time lines.)
3. Project Location
4. Is this the first time you have submitted a MoBCI Grant Proposal?  Yes or No
5. Project Description including narrative and any pertinent tabular information
6. Measurable Outcomes (Identify specific and measurable outcomes that will be used for tracking progress.)
7. Measurable Deliverables (If applicable, describe products or services that will be provided by the grantee.)
8. Grant Request Amount (Including matching and non-matching partners and description of match.)
9. Reporting and monitoring plan (Describe process for monitoring and reporting progress and identify a point of contact to include e-mail address.)
10. Lead organization, point of contact, and their capacities (Provide names, titles, addresses, electronic addresses and phone numbers of parties who can answer questions relating to the agreement; if applicable, include a list of NGO Board members and officers.)
11. List of partners involved in the project and point of contact for those other partners (same as above for Lead Organization)
12. Fiscal Responsibility/Management (Describe fiscal management and identify grantee fiscal agent.)
13. Habitat types, birds, and other wildlife benefited
14. Public Benefits

Deadlines:

All grant proposals must be received by 5:00 p.m. September 30, 2008.  The MoBCI Grants Subcommittee will notify applicants of their status within three months of submission date and indicate reasons for rejection and/or suggestions for making the proposal more competitive.

Please go to the MoBCI website www.mobci.org for examples of funded proposals to serve as a guide in preparation of 2009 proposals.  

For Assistance Contact:

Kelly Srigley Werner
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
101 Park DeVille Dr., Suite B
Columbia, Missouri 65203
Phone:  573-234-2132 Ext. 112
E-mail: Kelly_srigleywerner@fws.gov

OR

Gene Gardner
Missouri Department of Conservation
P.O. Box 180
Jefferson City, Missouri  65102
Phone: 573-522-4115 ext. 3353
E-mail: gene.gardner@mdc.mo.gov