Program Scholarship Cost-Share Grant

Grant guidelines

The WSFD, in conjunction with the USDA Forest Service, has developed these guidelines for distributing available funds for educational program scholarships.

Examples of programs include:

• Green Communities Leadership Institute
• Municipal Forestry Institute
• Partners in Community Forestry Conference
• Trees, People, & Towns Conference
• Wyoming Tree Academy
• Others; please provide event information and estimated cost of attendance

As required by federal regulations, sub-recipients are required to have an audit done in accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular A-133 should they expend more than $750,000 in total of federal assistance from any funding or pass-through agency.

Important grant information

Funds

This is a 50/50 cost-share grant. The match must equal or exceed the grant amount requested. For example, if you request $1,000 you must match the $1,000 grant request with at least $1,000 in local funds, for a total project expenditure of $2,000.

Unlike the Tree Planting grant category, which requires a cash-match, the match for Program Scholarships category can be cash, in-kind services, or a combination of both. The Scholarship Category is a flat rate amount offered as financial assistance to cover travel, registration, and meals and incidental expenses, and is not intended to fully cover the total amount of the cost of an individual’s expenses incurred for an event.

Sub-recipient agreement

Successful grant applicants will be required to sign a sub-recipient agreement outlining the requirements of this grant program.

Project completion

ALL FUNDED SCHOLARSHIPS MUST BE COMPLETED AND PROJECT REPORT/ REQUESTS FOR PAYMENT RECEIVED WITHIN ONE MONTH AFTER RETURN FROM THE EVENT UNLESS OTHERWISE AGREED UPON.

Project report / request for payment

After completion of funded events, a REPORT/ REQUEST FOR PAYMENT form must be submitted to WSFD for payment. This form will be provided to applicants who receive grant funding. Grant funds will be paid on a reimbursement basis upon receipt of this documentation.

Evaluation criteria

• How the program will positively impact or benefit on the community or build capacity for the local forestry program
• How the project improves the overall condition of the community forest
• Potential to inspire an increased level of community forest management
• Involvement of the community in the development or implementation after the program
• Development of partnerships or the leveraging of funds
• How well the applicant has completed and maintained previous grant projects

Preference may be given to:

• Applicants who have received limited past community forestry grant funding
• Communities that are currently Tree City USA certified
• Communities that have a local tree board or similar organization