Youth Grant Application

The Ozark Society (OS) is soliciting proposals for Youth Conservation Grants from local organizations working with youth on environmental and conservation efforts. Grants will be awarded to school or community-based organizations who develop project proposals that actively involve young people (K-12) in environmental awareness and conservation. Funds will generally range between $500 and $2,500 depending on the scope and needs of the project. Applications will be accepted October 1 – November 30. Grant recipients will be announced in early February.  Funds may be combined with other sources of funds to increase the size/impact of the project. To apply, groups must be affiliated with a 501c3 nonprofit or school. Previously grants have been awarded for projects that actively engage young people in hands-on conservation activities and environmental engagement involving service learning and community projects that lead to environmental stewardship.

Grant Requirements:

  • All grant projects should align with the Ozark Society’s mission statement: Our principal purpose is the preservation of wild and scenic rivers, wilderness, and unique natural areas. The Ozark Society seeks to achieve this through conservation, education and recreation.
  • All grant projects should engage youth (Kindergarten thru 12th grade) in hands-on conservation activities that foster an environmental stewardship ethic.
  • Applicants should be associated with a 501c3 organization or an accredited K-12 school.
  • Projects should take place in a region where the Ozark Society is active. This includes much of Northwestern and Central Arkansas, Southern Missouri, as well as Northwest Louisiana.
  • The Ozark Society support should be acknowledged in all publicity and social media related to the project
  • All projects will submit a report due one year after the award.
  • For more information, email: osfoundationgrants@gmail.com

Preferences will go to:

  • Projects with hands-on conservation activities which may include environmental education or outdoor experiences with tangible outcomes that result in stewardship.
  • Projects that engage youth in lasting conservation efforts that will have long term outcomes for the participants and/or the community.
  • Projects that have clear description of the goals, activities and outcomes.
  • Projects that are initiated, written and planned by youth.
  • Provides a plan for long-term continuity or maintenance of the project, if needed.
  • New projects that have not previously received funding from the Ozark Society.
  • Small nonprofits with under 25 full-time employees or an annual budget of less than $500,000 or accredited schools.
  • Projects that serve marginalized communities, low income families, communities of color, and diverse ethnic groups.

OS will NOT fund:

  • Direct grants to individuals
  • Political campaigns, events, or lobbying activities
  • Projects serving religious purposes
  • Any use not specified in the grant proposal and budget
  • Organizations and projects not within the region that the Ozark Society serves, including the Ozark, Ouachita, River Valley, and NW Louisiana regions.
  • Organizations that are currently fully funded by county, state, or federal tax dollars.
  • Administrative operating expenses, including but not limited to postage, billing, computer software or systems, rentals, paper goods, food/beverages, social functions, or gas/mileage.
  • Personnel not directly associated with implementation of the project.
  • Recreation proposals that do not support environmental education and stewardship.
  • Vegetable garden projects without a greater conservation emphasis.

Reporting:

Projects can take place anytime in the year following award..

Within 60 days of the completion of the project, the grant report should be submitted for review and approval.

Reports will be due, March 31st the year following the award and should include:

  • An impact report that describes the scope of the project
  • A description of how the objectives of the grant were achieved
  • A budget report detailing how the funds were used
  • Did you face any challenges in connection with this project? If so, how did you address these challenges?
  • Documentation of how the Ozark Society was recognized
  • At least three photographs of the project in action
  • At least one example of students’ work or engagement
    • Note that photographs, videos, and testimony greatly helps our cause! Please remember to get permission to photograph students and then document the project!

If the grant requirements were not met and the report does not show that the funds were used as the grant outlines, the Ozark Society may ask for a partial or full reimbursement of the grant funds.

Links to Apply:

Click Click HERE for Application  for the grant through Google Forms (you do not need a Google account to apply)

Click HERE to view the budget example. When uploading the budget, name your budget in the following format: “Name of YOUR Organization”-Budget-Year

If you received funding last year, please submit your grant report HERE.

Tip: it is best to write the grant in a document that can be saved and then copy and paste into the form.