Aiken Audubon has two ongoing grant programs: our Foothills and Prairie Grant Program and a Mini Grant for smaller projects. See below for details and application instructions for each program. If you have any questions, email [email protected].

Foothills and Prairie Grant Program Guidelines & Requirements

The Aiken Audubon Society’s (AAS) mission is to promote the enjoyment, study, and conservation of the birds of the Pikes Peak Region.

 

AAS supports projects that are educational and scientific in nature and related to birds and their habitats. The 2023/2024 call for proposals is now OPEN. 

 

Grant Eligibility

 

The Foothills and Prairie Grant Program through AAS is open to individuals and organizations conducting research, education programs, or conservation projects focused on foothills and prairie ecology related to birds in the Pikes Peak Region. Please see below for proposal submission requirements.

 

Limitations

 

The Foothills and Prairie Grants cannot be applied to the following costs:

  • Institutional overhead/indirect costs.
  • Researcher salaries (stipends for field assistants are permitted).
  • Requests for equipment where use goes beyond the scope of the project.
  • Requests up to $6500 will be considered for funding.

Reporting Requirement

Recipients who receive funding will provide a final report detailing how the project was accomplished and any research results (if appropriate). If support is for an ongoing research project, a report will be required of the project-to-date and results.

 

Proposal Deadline:  February 9, 2024

 

Notification of Funding Decision: March 4, 2024

 

Submission: Email requests (as a single PDF document) to [email protected] with the subject line “Grant Proposal Submission”. 

Examples of past projects receiving grants from AAS include: plant propagation for riparian restoration, bird banding station at Chico Basin Ranch, educational programs at Bear Creek and Fountain Creek Nature Centers, and the Colorado Breeding Bird Atlas. 

 

To be considered for a grant, please submit a written proposal or request 2 pages or less in length. In addition to the proposal please include your résumé (or CV) and at least one letter of support.

The proposal should include:

  • Name/Title of the project.
  • Background.
  • Project objectives.
  • Justification – include how the project relates to foothills/prairie habitats and Aiken’s mission (“…to promote the enjoyment, study, and conservation of the birds of the Pikes Peak region”).
  • Methodology.
  • Timeline.
  • Budget: table or list of itemized funding requirements. Include what portion(s) of the budget AAS is being asked to contribute and whether there are any potential matching funds.
  • If you have received funding from AAS in the past, provide brief description of project, outcomes, amount provided.
  • Attach resume or CV – include contact information.
  • Letter of support.

If you have any additional questions, please email [email protected]. 

 

Mini-grant Application Instructions

To further support Aiken‘s mission to promote the enjoyment, study, and conservation of the birds of the Pikes Peak Region, we consider applications from local community organizations and individuals that directly further and implement our mission. 

Awards are in the amount of $100-$500.

Deadline is open and rolling. Funds will be awarded as available, with a goal to support a minimum of 4 mini-grants per calendar year. Please allow up to one month for grant approval, decision time can be faster if needed.

Eligibility: Mini-grants are open to individuals and organizations that support our mission, we do not require formal 501(c)(3) status.

Project Timelines: Requestor should be ready to initiate and complete the project within a reasonable amount of time upon grant award. For longer term projects, please see our annual Foothills and Prairie Grants above.

Reporting and grant requirements: successful applicants must agree to provide: documentation of the project, receipts of expenses, a 100 to 200 word summary of the project with pictures for Aiken’s social media and newsletter purposes. Any unused funds must be returned to Aiken Audubon.

Please answer the following questions and submit to [email protected] with the subject “Small Grant Application.” 

Name of Organization or Individual:

Address:      

Phone:

Email:

Title of project/event:

Date(s) of project/event:

Summary project/event (250 word max): 

How does this project event help fulfill Aiken Audubon’s mission?

Are you a Student, Under the age of 25, or a member of an underserved community?

Project budget: Please include a total budget, and please note other funding sources. Denote other funds are in hand, anticipated, or unknown.  If you do not receive other funds, will you be able to complete the project?