Grants
(Through a 2009 grant, divers pulled invasive weeds from Center Pond in Becket, MA to avoid the use of harmful herbicides)
Now Accepting Grant Applications for 2009-2010 Grants
Applications Due June 30, 2009
The Toxics Use Reduction Institute is pleased to invite proposals from community organizations and municipal departments for support under our Community Grant Program. Alternatives to toxic chemicals exist. With the support of grant funding, you have the opportunity to create and promote healthier communities by raising awareness and educating people about safer alternatives.
What is Toxics Use Reduction (TUR)?
TUR is an environmental concept that involves preventing pollution at the source rather than controlling it once it has been generated. Examples include using safer cleaning products rather than ventilating while using hazardous products and using an organic lawn care approach rather than cleaning up water sources contaminated by pesticides.
Who can apply?
- Community organizations including any non-profit group operating at the local level, particularly those involved or otherwise interested in promoting environmental activities.
- Municipalities including any office, agency, or department that is operated through a city or town in Massachusetts.
- Individuals associated with a non-profit organization.
- Youth groups.
What project areas do we fund?
The TURI Community Program strongly encourages future grantees to replicate and expand on previously executed projects. Many resources, such as trainings, brochures, flyers, posters, and networks exist that can be utilized to implement projects in additional communities. It is TURI’s hope that many of the past projects will one day be ongoing state-wide. Examples of areas where past projects have been completed include:
- Municipal purchasing
- Green building and TUR in public housing
- Pesticide use reduction (indoor and outdoor)
- Labor workforce training
- Healthy homes – including safer personal care products and cleaners
- Healthy schools – including pesticide reduction and safer cleaners
- Safer janitorial cleaning
- Healthy cosmetology
- Reduction of solvent and lead use in auto shops
- Reduction of lead in fishing gear
- Healthy floor finishing
You are encouraged to view past projects through this web site and look at materials created under past projects in your category of interest. You are welcome to use the brochures, training slides, videos, etc. that have been created by other grantees. Sometimes, minor tweaks are all that are needed to make a project work in your community! However, grantees are welcome to bring new ideas to the table at well!
Grant Funding Levels:
TURI has monies available at two funding levels. You will be asked to indicate on the application which level you are applying for.
TURI Community Grant Tier I: $1,000 grants are available for several types of projects:
- New this year: Create a “TURI Grant Kit,” a new opportunity under the TURI Community Grant Program. We would like to see successful past project leaders and partners apply for this funding to transfer their knowledge to other communities to replicate. The “TURI Grant Kit” would be modeled from a past project so that it can be easily transferable to other communities or municipalities. This “Kit” will follow a simple TURI template to include an overview of the project, information about partners involved in the project, the steps taken during the project, materials developed, and any lessons learned. The grantee will also identify 3-5 communities or municipalities that they will deliver the “Kit” to.
- Project development, capacity building, and networking; to prepare for a potential Tier II project next year.
- A small project such as printing materials for distribution, holding training sessions using existing materials, or completing a survey to determine stakeholders or public interest in a project.
TURI Community Grant Tier II: up to $15,000 for fully developed project work plans and partnerships
TURI anticipates awarding at least three Tier II grants, and up to five Tier I grants, dependent on the applicant pool.
Project Time Line:
- Pre-grant training: May 28, 2009, 2-4 PM (Call the Community Program at 978-934-3275 to register)
- Deadline for proposals: June 30, 2009, 5 PM
- Notification of awards: August 1, 2009
- Grant Kick-off meeting: Late August, 2009
- Project duration: August 2009 through June 2010
- State House recognition ceremony and project completion: June 2010
How do you get started?
- Check out past projects on this web site to get some ideas on what types of projects we fund.
- Call the Community Program at 978-934-3275 to discuss your project idea.
- Download an application from the box on the right.
- Attend the pre-grant training on May 28 in Lowell.
- Send a draft proposal to TURI Community Grant Program by June 10 to get some feedback if you’d like!
- Send in completed application by June 30, 2009 at 5 PM
Deadline and where to send the application:
Mail a completed Proposal along with a Proposal Cover Sheet and Budget Page to:
Toxics Use Reduction Institute, University of Massachusetts Lowell
One University Avenue, Lowell, Massachusetts 01854
Attention: Community Grants Program
Applications must be received at the Institute Office by 5pm June 30, 2009
For more information concerning the Community Grants Program contact the Program at: Phone:978-934-3275; Fax: 978-934-3050; Email: joy@turi.org
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Due to budget constraints, we may not be able to continue hardcopy mailings.
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This page updated Friday April 10 2009