The Environmental Program
Foundation Reopens Environmental Grants Program

Dear Environmental Colleague:

After a careful review of our Environmental Program, the Trustees of the Sudbury Foundation have agreed to continue funding projects and organizations in both the Northern Forest and Gulf of Maine fisheries which operate on the nexus of environmental protection and community economic sustainability. However, there will be several changes to our program described below.

A Bit of History
As many of you know through our communications over the past year, our Environmental Program has been on “hiatus” since 2006. As requests for funding grew, we found ourselves unable to respond in a fair and consistent manner to the many appropriate and exciting proposals we received.

Over the last year, Trustee Rich Davison, Julia Blatt, program officer, and I have met and talked with many of you about the challenges you face in preserving the quality of life in the Northern Forest and within Gulf of Maine fisheries. We were encouraged by what we saw and heard, and inspired by the breadth and depth of knowledge, passion and compassion you and your colleagues bring to both issue areas. You told us that the work of your organizations happens slowly, and requires a long-term, sustained commitment both from within your nonprofit and from your philanthropic partners. You said we could best support you through larger, multi-year grants with fewer restrictions.

Looking Ahead
To respond to the administrative and financial challenges which led us to suspend funding in 2006 and to the suggestions we heard during our assessment period, we have revised our process so that proposals will now be accepted by invitation-only. This change means we will be funding fewer organizations but in a way we hope will be more meaningful. We intend to be more proactive, spending time working closely with current grantees, learning about new initiatives, and networking. We continue our commitment to building strong institutions and solid leaders that strengthen local communities.

Northern Forest: Working Regionally
In the Northern Forest, the Foundation will support a small number of organizations focused regionally on promoting a healthy balance between natural resource protection and community sustainability. These organizations will be identified by Foundation staff in early 2008 and invited to apply for funding in June.

Fisheries: Working Locally
Similarly, in the Gulf of Maine fisheries in early 2008 staff, will identify a handful of nonprofits working with communities to better manage the natural resources on which their economic viability and way of life depends. They will be invited to apply in June. Beginning in 2009, potential fisheries applicants may submit a brief letter of inquiry. Staff will then select from among the responses and invite full proposals.

Thank you for your support, participation and hospitality during this valuable reassessment period. The targeted focus of our new process increases our need to remain abreast of what’s happening in the Northern Forest and Gulf of Maine fisheries. We invite you to continue to stay in touch as well. Julia and I can be reached at 978-443-0849.

Sincerely,

Marilyn Martino
Executive Director

The Environmental Program Guidelines
Investing in the health, sustainability and resilience of the natural environment and local communities in the Northern Forest and the Gulf of Maine.

The Environmental Program supports two regions that face significant challenges to ecological integrity and community sustainability:

• The 26-million-acre Northern Forest of New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, and
• The fisheries and coastal communities of the Gulf of Maine, which encompasses 36,000-square miles of ocean and connects the New England states of Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine with adjoining Canadian provinces.

The Environmental Program makes grants to nonprofit organizations with headquarters or branch offices located in the Northern Forest and the Gulf of Maine who are working at the nexus of ecosystem protection and community economic sustainability. Because solutions developed with local input are often the most effective and enduring, the Foundation favors community-based efforts to conserve resources and enhance quality of life. The heart of our approach is to support groups who give voice to local stakeholders seeking to balance marine and forest resource management and community sustainability.

Funding Restrictions
The Environmental Program does not fund annual appeals, basic science, capital campaigns, educational programs or land or easement purchases.

Applying for an Environmental Program Grant
Inclusion in the Foundation’s Environmental Program is by invitation only. In early 2008, organizations identified by Foundation staff will be invited to submit proposals. Beginning in 2009, the Sudbury Foundation will accept letters of inquiry for our Gulf of Maine focus area. Please check back later in the year for more information.

For additional information, please call Julia Blatt, program officer, at 978-443-0849 or email blatt@sudburyfoundation.org.