DEERFIELD RIVER ENHANCEMENT FUND
The Deerfield River Enhancement Fund was established in 1999 by USGen New England, Inc. (USGenNE) for the environmental preservation of the Deerfield River Watershed. Grants will be awarded for new initiatives, one-time special projects, or continuing funding for outstanding, existing programs. Examples include, but are not limited to, volunteer monitoring projects, events, trail work projects, field trips, educational workshops, media campaigns and improving public access sites.
A grant or grants, totaling approximately $15,000 will be awarded in 2011. Letters of inquiry for the 2011 cycle must be postmarked on or before November 30, 2010. You will be notified within a month after submitting your letter of intent if the evaluation committee would like to see a full proposal. The full proposal is due by February 1, 2011 with awards to be made by June 1, 2011.
The Vermont Community Foundation and the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts are jointly managing grantmaking for the Deerfield River Enhancement Fund. Please feel free to call either community foundation before you apply for a grant.
Eligibility
Projects must be located within the Deerfield River Basin or in towns with some portion falling within the basin. In the latter case, projects must be directly tied to the basin, e.g. a trail spur originating outside the basin that connects with a trail network within the basin. See a map of the area.
Grant Range
A grant or grants totaling approximately $15,000
Interest Area
Environmental preservation of the Deerfield River Watershed.
How to Submit a Letter of Inquiry
All letters of inquiry must be postmarked on or before Tuesday, November 30, 2010. The letter of inquiry should be no longer than 2 pages and should include the following information in this order:
- Date
- Legal name and address of organization
- Contact person(s) and title(s)
- Telephone and email
- Geographic area served by the organization
- Geographic area served by this project, specifically how you’re connected to the Deerfield River Watershed
- A brief statement summarizing the purpose and activities of the organization
- A brief statement summarizing the purpose of the proposed project including the community need or opportunity the project is intended to address, and specific ways in which the project will address this need
- A brief statement summarizing the specific use of the funds being requested
- Timeframe of project
In addition to the two-page letter of inquiry, all applicants must include a copy of the organization’s 501(c)(3) letter (not required for governmental entities).
Where to send your Letter of Inquiry
For projects in Vermont:
Deerfield River Enhancement Fund
c/o The Vermont Community Foundation
P.O. Box 30
Middlebury, VT 05753
Attn: Ryan Torres, Philanthropic Advisor
Phone: (802) 388-3355
For projects in Massachusetts:
Deerfield River Enhancement Fund
c/o The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts
1500 Main Street, P.O. Box 15769
Springfield, MA 01115
Attn: Nancy Reiche, VP Program
Phone (413) 732-2858
For projects in both states:
Please send to either office. You will be notified within a month after submitting your letter of inquiry if the evaluation committee would like to see a full proposal.
Application Deadline
Grants will be made once every four years. Click here for a listing of 2003 grants. The deadline for the letter of inquiry for this grant round will be November 30, 2010. All inquiries must be postmarked by this date.
We're here to help
If you have any questions, we are always happy to answer them. Please contact:
Ryan Torres
Philanthropic Advisor
rtorres@vermontcf.org
802-388-3355 extension 289
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