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LOCI Implementation Grants

APPLICATION AND REPORTING PROCESS

Measuring Results

LOCI is committed to an Adaptive Management approach, whereby results of projects are measured and provide feedback to guide future efforts. All projects funded under the LOCI Local Implementation Grant Program must have an evaluation component and a sufficient amount of the project budget and time should be allocated to this project element. The purpose of the evaluation is to determine if an environmental change occurred due to the project, as well as the efficacy of an approach, and how it might be improved and applied to achieve additional results in the future.

Project evaluation data will help guide future projects, and contribute to LOCI’s monitoring and understanding of coastal environmental conditions. Many projects will meet the evaluation objective through environmental or water quality monitoring. Other projects will require use of different types of measures to evaluate institutional, social or economic impacts (e.g., indicators of community support, behavioral changes, cost avoidance, etc.)

Disbursement of Funds and Reporting

Twenty-five percent of the grant award will be forwarded to the grantee to begin work upon execution of the project contract with CEI. Additional payments will be advanced on a reimbursement basis upon completion of quarterly expense and progress reports. Twenty percent of the grant award will be withheld until the final report is complete and submitted to CEI. The final report is due to CEI within 30 days of completion of the project. All projects must be completed by September 1, 2007.

Quarterly progress and performance reports will be concise, but include the following:

  1. a comparison of actual accomplishments with the anticipated outputs/outcomes specified in the agreement work plan;
  2. reasons why anticipated outputs/outcomes were not met;
  3. other pertinent information, including, when appropriate, analysis and explanation of cost overruns or higher unit costs; and
  4. a complete program line item expense report to include copies of receipts detailing all expenses from the period of the last interim report through the end of the reporting period.

The final report submitted under this agreement should include any agreed-upon work product(s) resulting from the project and the following:

  1. an abstract or overview of the project including completed work plan activities;
  2. a comparison of actual accomplishments with the anticipated outputs/outcomes specified in the assistance agreement work plan;
  3. reasons why anticipated outputs/outcomes were not met;
  4. other pertinent information, including, when appropriate, analysis and explanation of cost overruns or higher unit costs;
  5. the methods to be used to effectively disseminate project information and/or continue the benefits of the project;
  6. materials generated in connection with project activities (e.g., reports, articles, pamphlets); and
  7. A complete program line item expense report to include copies of receipts detailing all expenses from the period of the last interim report through the end of the reporting period.

Grantees must follow the federal government’s Office of Management and Budget Circulars A-122 (Cost Principles for Nonprofit Organizations) and A-110 (Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals and other Nonprofit Organizations) when spending any CEI grant funds. A copy of these circulars can be obtained through email at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/circulars/

Proposal Format

All applicants should use the format below.

  1. Cover Sheet
    1. Project Title
    2. Project Category
    3. Contact Information:
      1. Name of contact person
      2. Organization
      3. Mailing Address
      4. Telephone number/E-mail address
    4. Amount of LOCI request
    5. Project Summary: Describe the project in three to five sentences.
    6. Project Outcome/Deliverable: Provide one to two sentences describing the project outcome(s)
  2. Proposal: The text of the proposal should be no more than five pages, excluding budget and supporting materials.
    1. Project Need. Describe the location and document the need for this project. If this is part of larger project, describe the portion of the project for which you are seeking LOCI funding. Comment on demonstrated community support for this project.
    2. LOCI Fit. Describe how this project fits with the LOCI mission and the priorities for action identified in the LOCI Action Agenda, particularly in Chapter Three.
    3. Project Scope: Describe the scope of work to be accomplished. Include the following:
      1. Project Goals/Objectives
      2. Project Tasks and Methods
      3. Personnel Committed and Collaborative Arrangements
      4. Who will be doing the work? What partnerships or collaborative arrangements does the project entail?
      5. Outcomes/Deliverables
      6. Evaluation Plan -- How will you measure your success? See measuring results section above.
      7. Project Timeline -- Projects should be completed within 12 months or less, including evaluation of results. Provide a schedule for major project tasks.
      8. Project Map -- Map should clearly show the location of the project.
  3. Budget

    Only direct costs should be included. No indirect costs can be reimbursed by LOCI.

    Matching funds: Non-federal matching funds should be included in the budget where applicable. A minimum 25 percent match of cash or in-kind contribution is required, and is determined as a percentage of the total project cost. For example, for a project with a total cost of $10,000, the 25 percent non-federal match would be $2,500 and the LOCI grant request $7,500. Preference will be given to cash matches, and higher local matches will be viewed favorably. Federal funds leveraged that cannot be included in the match can be listed separately below the project budget.

    Budget Format. The project budget should follow the following table format:

    Project Expenses

    		A
    Total     		B
    Non-Federal Cash
    Match     		C
    Non-Federal In-Kind Match    		 D
    LOCI Request
             
    Personnel        
    (title, salary and benefits calculated as total hours at hourly rate, e.g., 70 hours @ $20)        
    Volunteers        
    calculated as total hours at $18.04/hour*        
    Add lines as needed        
    Travel        
    Add lines as needed        
    Supplies/Materials        
    Specify (postage, mulch, etc.)        
    Add lines as needed        
    Equipment        
    Be specific, add lines as needed        
    Contracts        
    Name of contractor, purpose of contract        
    Add lines as needed        
    Other (specify)        
    TOTALS $ $ $ $

    *Volunteer hourly rate is from Independent Sector, Washington DC.

    Columns B and C must add to at least 25 percent of the amount in column A.
     
  4. Letters of Participation and Support
    1. A letter from the qualified applicant is required that clearly states its intent to assume fiduciary responsibility for the project. A determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service or New York State must be appended for 501(c)(3) organizations.
    2. Letters of commitment are required from each project partner receiving LOCI grant funds or contributing project match.
    3. Up to three additional letters of support may be included.
    4. All letters must be submitted with the application package.
    5. If projects are to take place on private property, written landowner commitment or permission will be required with the application.

Proposal Review and Selection Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated according to the following criteria, based on information provided. A peer review panel will evaluate and rank proposals, and submit a recommendation for funding to the LOCI Executive Committee. The LOCI Executive Committee will make final decisions on and announce project awards.

  1. (20 points) Extent to which the project advances the mission of LOCI and in particular addresses one or more of the priorities in the LOCI Action Agenda.
  2. (20 points) Extent to which the project will result in tangible public environmental benefits or improvements that can be readily measured or, if more applicable, the extent to which the project will create a positive change that will lead to future environmental benefits.
  3. (20 points) Feasibility and appropriateness of the project tasks and methods proposed.
  4. (10 points) Adequacy and likely effectiveness of the methods used to evaluate this project and measure results.
  5. (10 points) Appropriateness and clarity of the proposed budget, relative to project goals and objectives. Vague or inflated budgets will not be competitive.
  6. (10 points) After the grant is completed, the extent to which the project will increase the capacity of local groups to continue working toward the goals of LOCI, the Action Agenda, or a local initiative consistent with LOCI to which this project is related.
  7. (10 points) Extent to which the applicant demonstrates the commitment to work with other partners and/or leverage other sources of funding to achieve project goals.

Questions may be directed to LOCI staff at Center for Environmental Information at 585/262-2870 or cei@ ceinfo.org.

Acknowledgement: A variety of sources were used as guidance for the development of this Call for Proposals. LOCI acknowledges the Lake Champlain Basin Program for special assistance.


LOCAL IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS

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