Grants

Brochure

Wyoming Youth for Natural Resources

Application Instructions

Application Form

WHAT IS IT?
The Wyoming Youth for Natural Resources (WYNR) is a program designed to encourage Wyoming youth to develop imaginative wildlife and natural resources conservation projects that incorporate education, technology, volunteering and service to others. The program is a collaborative effort of the Wyoming Community Foundation and Wyoming Agriculture in the Classroom.

WHO CREATED IT?
Grants between $500 and $5,000 are available for imaginative youth centered projects. Grant funds are generated from an endowment created in 1999 by former Governor Jim Geringer. He established the endowment fund through the donation of proceeds from the sale of the Governor’s complimentary hunting licenses as they are defined by Wyoming State Statute 23-1-705(a).

WHO CAN APPLY?
Grants may be made to public schools, youth organizations or other nonprofit organizations exempt from federal taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and, on occasion, to public/governmental agencies. Grants are not made to individuals.

WHAT ARE THE CRITERIA?
The program is designed to encourage Wyoming youth to learn about Wyoming’s natural resources, about science and technology and their application to the well being of Wyoming’s citizens. Proposals should include at least one of the following elements:

• address at least one wildlife or natural resource conservation issue (for example, habitat and open space enhancement and protection, or the relationship of industrial development to habitat, or non-consumptive wildlife management);
• serve as a catalyst to initiate conservation and/or best practices in the areas of wildlife and natural resources;
• encourage the involvement of young people in volunteer activities centered around natural resources;
• apply new technologies (for example, geographic information systems or remote sensing to classroom learning); and
• consider sustainability of the proposed project once grant funding has ended.

In addition to evaluating each proposal against the above elements, the WYNR Advisory Committee asks the following questions about each grant request:

• Is the proposed project youth centered?
• Do youth have active participation in the project?
• Does the proposal emphasize the project rather than simply requesting funds for equipment?
• Does the proposed project have measurable outcomes and objectives?
• Does the proposed project collaborate with other natural resource agencies?
• Does the proposed project have other funding sources?

Awards generally range in amounts between $500 and $5,000, although grants of greater or lesser amounts may be considered from time to time. Generally, an organization may apply only once within a twelve-month period, and applications from organizations that did not submit final reports from prior grants will not be considered.

WHAT IS THE APPLICATION PROCESS?

Applications should be submitted in hard copy to the Wyoming Community Foundation by 5: PM on NOVEMBER 1. 8 copies of the complete application should accompany the original signed application. Please do not bind your proposal. Applications will not be accepted by fax or email.

WHAT IS THE REVIEW PROCESS?

The Wyoming Community Foundation acknowledges by mail all proposals received. After initial staff screening to make sure that a proposal meets required criteria, proposals will be forwarded to Wyoming Ag in the Classroom. WAIC and the WYINR Advisory Committee will review, evaluate and make recommendations on all proposals. On occasion, WAIC staff will seek more information from applicants during the review process by either making a site visit or phone call. Once decisions are made, and applicants will receive written notification by January 31.

APPLICATION FORMAT

1. APPLICATION COVER SHEET (please use enclosed form)
   • Public Schools: please note if you are applying through a public school, the applicant organization is the school district. The application cover sheet should be completed with information specific to the school district and signed by an individual authorized to sign on behalf of the school district. All correspondence will be mailed to the school district.
   • Youth Organizations: if you are applying on behalf of a an unincorporated youth organization, you must have a fiscal sponsor that has a 501 (c)(3) or is otherwise tax exempt. The cover page should be completed with information specific to the fiscal sponsor, as they are the applicant agency. All correspondence will be mailed to the fiscal sponsor.
   • What about city or government agencies?
2. NARRATIVE: Use the following outline and do not omit any headers.
   • Purpose of the Grant
     1. The problem or opportunity addressed and how that focus was determined
     2. Specific activities for which you seek monies, including:
        • What you plan to do
        • Who will carry out those activities
        • When you plan to carry out those activities
     3. How does your proposal meet the Wyoming Youth Initiative for Natural Resources criteria?
     4. Other organizations participating in the activity, if any
   • Evaluation
     1. The expected results during and after the funding period
     2. How success will be defined and measured
     3. Who will be involved in the evaluation process
   • Continuation
     1. Is this a one-time or a continuing project?
     2. If continuing, how will you support the project after this grant has been expended.
3. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
   • Expense and revenue budget for program/project (please use enclosed Project Budget Form)
   • Agency budget for current fiscal year and for most recently complete fiscal year. (governmental agencies or public entities please disregard)
4. ATTACHMENTS
   1. Letters of support from any cooperating organizations, if applicable
   2. Copy of 501(c)(3) determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service (governmental agencies or public entities please disregard)
   3. Final report for previously funded grant, if applicable

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