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Thank you for your interest in The Mountaineers Foundation. The following information includes the Foundation's purposes, granting policies, and application procedures.
Please Note: If you are making a grant application on behalf of a committee of The Mountaineers Club, you MUST follow a different procedure with different deadlines and adhere to different guidelines. Mountaineers Club grant guidelines, application deadlines, and application form can be found here.
About the Foundation:
The Mountaineers Foundation promotes the study of the mountains, forests and streams of the Pacific Northwest, and contributes to preserving its natural beauty and ecological integrity. We fund modest short-term projects consistent with those purposes, with a maximum grant normally at $5000. Our funding criteria are based on our by-laws, articles of incorporation, and status as an IRS-designated 501(c)(3) organization.
We Support:
- selected projects of 501(c)(3) or of other non-profit organizations and of certain agencies such as libraries and schools; and, occasionally, projects by individuals.
- research about the natural environment: studies that will yield new data aimed at protecting Northwest wilderness and wildlife
- biologic, economic, legal, or policy studies
- direct educational programs and materials related to environmental preservation:
- lectures, conferences, seminars
- written or audiovisual awareness materials
- curriculum or other instructional materials
- publication of conference proceedings, journal articles
- other fundable projects: seed or pilot studies that can be continued with funding from other sources
- selected capital improvement projects (e.g., restoration; assistance in purchasing equipment/materials)
Please review our awarded grants on this web site for examples of projects funded by the Foundation.
We do not support:
- for-profit organizations
- regular operating expenses (e.g. overhead, ongoing or administrative salaries)
- projects that include legislative lobbying or support candidates for office
- commercial ventures or feasibility studies that might lead to commercial products or programs
- fund drives
- projects that could harm the environment
- memberships in organizations
- projects that have no start/end dates
- projects that repeat established and/or verified studies
How we judge proposals:
The Mountaineers Foundation looks for evidence of the following:
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- innovation and originality
- audience/message/probable impact of educational projects
- likelihood that a research project will yield useful results; how results will be applied
- the applicant's ability to conduct and complete the work
- feasibility of the study or project
- a realistic and reasonable budget
- commitment from the other agencies you will work with
- significance to the environment or the community
- completion of the Mountaineers Foundation Applicant Data Sheet
How to apply for a Mountaineers Foundation Grant:
A few important details:
- we do not prescreen applications or accept letters of inquiry
- we will not review incomplete applications
- Please do not send elabrorate brochures or other expensive materials
If you think your project falls within our guidelines, please send to the Grants Screening Committee eight (8) copies of the following (we prefer that proposals are printed on both side of the paper):
1. A completed Grant Application Form; please use this as your proposal's cover page (be sure to include your tax ID on the form)
2. A short (4-page maximum) narrative telling us about:
- your organization's mission
- exactly what you propose to do; why it is important; how it addresses the Foundation's priorities; what outcomes you expect to achieve
- who will do the work; include either resumes or short narrative descriptions of qualifications
- a project schedule, including regular progress reports to The Mountaineers Foundation
3. Your organization's most recent financial statement (please do not send audit reports or IRS filings); and a specific detailed budget for this project, including cash flow, which shows how The Mountaineers Foundation funds, and the funds you have requested from others, will be spent
4. Your organization's tax-exemption statement from the IRS
5. Evidence (e.g., a letter) of commitment from any organization you have included in your project's work scope. For instance, if you intend to conduct your project in a school, we need to know that school officials have approved the project.
Please address all correspondence to:
The Mountaineers Foundation
Grants Committee
P.O. Box 25590
Seattle, WA 98165
* Please note: this is a new address as of September 2008.
WHEN TO SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION:
Application deadlines are: Feb 1st, May 1st, & Sept 1st
These are dates for receipt, not postmark, of proposals. Allow extra time for your proposal to reach our post office box by the deadline. Unless we have further questions about your project, we will notify you about our funding decision approximately 8 to 10 weeks after the application deadlines.
IF we fund your project, we expect:
- regular progress reports, as specified in your proposal
- a copy of any materials you produce with our funding
- appropriate credit to The Mountaineers Foundation (NOT The Mountaineers Club. We are a totally separate organization.)
- A link to our website (http://www.mountaineersfoundation.org) on your web site.
- all funds granted to be used for the purposes described in the grant application
Please note: If your project is cancelled for any reason, including lack of funds, our grant may not be used for general operating expenses and must be returned to the Foundation.
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