On March 3, 2022, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), in partnership with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the Long Island Sound Study, announced the opening of the 2022 Request for Proposals for the Long Island Sound Futures Fund. Approximately $10 million of funding is available to support communities throughout the Long Island Sound watershed as they work to design, plan, and implement projects to protect the health and living resources of the Long Island Sound. Throwe Environmental serves as Field Liaison to the Long Island Sound Futures Fund, spreading awareness of the funding opportunity and supporting prospective applicants located in the watershed’s inland areas and Upper Basin (MA, VT, NH).
Shortened from an original post by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation on 03/03/2022
Long Island Sound Futures Fund 2022 Request for Proposals
PROPOSAL DUE DATE: Thursday, May 19, 2022 (by 11:59 PM ET)
OVERVIEW
The Long Island Sound Futures Fund (LISFF) is seeking proposals to restore the health and living resources of Long Island Sound (Sound) with funding of approximately $10 million for awards in 2022. The program is managed by National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) in collaboration with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Long Island Sound Study (LISS). Major funding for the program is from EPA through the LISS with additional funding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Avangrid Foundation.
GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS
All proposed projects must be within the Long Island Sound watershed boundary as shown in Figure 1. The eligibility of projects within portions of the watershed is further restricted by geography depending on the project type, as described below. Please review the Long Island Sound Watershed Map for all referenced boundaries.
- Habitat restoration projects must fall within the Long Island Sound Coastal Watershed boundary in CT and NY.
- NEW! Resilience, water quality and fish passage projects may be in any portion of the Long Island Sound Study Area in CT and NY.
- Education projects may be in any portion of the Long Island Sound Study Area in CT and NY. Projects may occur in communities outside this boundary in those states as long as the content is focused on the health and living resources of the Sound.
- Nitrogen prevention watershed/plan/design and implementation projects may occur anywhere in the Sound watershed of CT, NY, Massachusetts (MA), New Hampshire (NH), and Vermont (VT) as shown in the Long Island Sound Watershed Boundary.
NOTE: Proposals for habitat restoration, fish passage, education, and resilience projects in the Long Island Sound watershed upper basin states (MA, NH, VT) are not eligible for funding under the LISFF. Organizations are encouraged to consider applying to the New England Forests and Rivers Fund which seeks to sustain healthy forests and rivers that provide habitat for diverse bird populations, as well as freshwater and diadromous fish populations; or the National Coastal Resilience Fund which seeks to restore, increase and strengthen natural infrastructure to protect coastal communities while also enhancing habitat for fish and wildlife.
PROGRAM PRIORITIES
The LISFF supports efforts to test innovative approaches to conservation, deliver transformative projects and support people and communities who value the sound and take a direct role in its future. A road map guiding investments under the LISFF is the Long Island Sound Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan 2020-2024 Update. The CCMP Update has four themes (CCMP Theme) shown below, Implementation Actions (IAs) associated with each theme, and three cross-cutting principles: resilience to climate change, sustainability, and environmental justice. We seek proposal submissions that incorporate the theme(s), IA(s) and cross-cutting principle(s).
Projects that incorporate outreach to communities, foster community engagement, and pursue collaborative management leading to measurable conservation benefits are encouraged. When possible, projects—especially those implemented in underserved, under-resourced or overburdened communities—should engage community-level partners to help design, implement, and sustain projects to secure maximum benefits for communities and post-grant award.
CCMP THEME: Clean Waters and Healthy Watersheds – Improve water quality by reducing nitrogen pollution, combined sewer overflows, impervious cover, stormwater runoff, and point and nonpoint source loading into Long Island Sound through:
- Implementation of “shovel-ready” projects that result in quantifiable pollutant prevention or reduction.
- Planning including: 1) Community Engagement, Planning and Prioritization; 2) Feasibility, Suitability or Alternatives Analyses; 3) Site Assessment and Conceptual Design; and 4) Final Design and Permits. Activities that eventually set-the-stage for implementation of water quality projects.
Note: Try the new tool developed to help calculate pollution prevention associated with water quality projects.
Examples of project types and actions:
- Green infrastructure/Low Impact Development (LID) activities.
- Technical assistance to help local communities build capacity to plan for or to implement green infrastructure/LID.
- Projects that reduce pollution form Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) projects where they reduce runoff and support infiltration from a MS4 system.
- Riparian and forested buffer and channel bank vegetation enhancement to slow and intercept polluted surface runoff.
- Alternatives to current decentralized on-site wastewater treatment systems.
- Innovative wastewater treatment tools or strategies.
- Wastewater infrastructure asset management programs.
- Low-cost retrofits at wastewater treatment facilities.
- Alternatives to chemical and nitrogen-intensive turf and landscaping fertilizer and pesticide use.
- Reduction or prevention of single-use plastic and other water/land-based consumer debris, abandoned and lost fishing/aquaculture gear, microplastics and microfibers.
- Watershed planning addressing eutrophication-related water quality problems and which identifies potential projects. Plans should include EPA’s nine elements – see the Handbook for Developing Watershed Plans.
- Nutrient bioextraction planning or implementation projects that pilot or demonstrate approaches to resolve use conflicts, facilitate permitting and testing, and demonstrate water quality benefits.
- In-stream restoration to increase nutrient processing, and to reduce erosion.
- Replacing or right-sizing culverts or otherwise improving road and stream crossings in order to reduce downstream erosion of nutrients.
- Technical assistance to engage rural landowners and farmers in design and delivery of nitrogen prevention projects.
- Addressing agricultural runoff through farm-scale conservation systems and solutions, including efforts to reduce water quality impacts through best management practices.
- Efforts to accelerate implementation of regenerative agriculture practices on working lands.
- Soil health practices and management systems that combine improved tillage and/or pasture management, cover crops, crop and livestock rotations, and other practices to increase soil fertility while improving the capacity of crops and soils to reduce runoff and increase nutrient uptake.
- Precision nutrient management systems that fine-tune the rate, source, method, and timing of nutrient applications to maintain or increase crop yields, minimize nutrient input costs and nutrient losses to surface and groundwater.
Projects in the Upper Basin of the Long Island Sound Watershed (MA, NH, VT) must have a specific outcome related to nitrogen prevention or reduction as a result of project activities through:
- Implementation of “shovel-ready” projects that result in quantifiable pollutant prevention or reduction.
- Planning including: 1) Community Engagement, Planning and Prioritization; 2) Feasibility, Suitability or Alternatives Analyses; 3) Site Assessment and Conceptual Design; and 4) Final Design and Permits. Activities that eventually set-the-stage for implementation of water quality projects.
Note: Try the new tool developed to help calculate pollution prevention associated with water quality projects.
Examples of project types and activities include:
- Green infrastructure/Low Impact Development (LID) activities.
- Technical assistance to help local communities build capacity to plan for or to implement green infrastructure/LID.
- Projects that reduce pollution form Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) projects where they reduce runoff and support infiltration from a MS4 system.
- Watershed planning which addresses eutrophication-related water quality problems and identifies potential projects. Plans should include EPA’s nine elements – see the Handbook for Developing Watershed Plans.
- Alternatives to current decentralized on-site wastewater treatment systems.
- Innovative wastewater treatment tools or strategies.
- Alternatives to chemical and nitrogen-intensive turf and landscaping fertilizer and pesticide use.
- Low-cost retrofits at wastewater treatment facilities.
- Riparian and forested buffer and channel bank vegetation enhancement to slow and intercept polluted surface runoff.
- Stream channel reconnection to historic floodplains and adjacent wetlands to promote nutrient removal and reduce erosion.
- In-stream restoration to increase nutrient processing, and to reduce erosion.
- Replacing or right-sizing culverts or otherwise improving road and stream crossings in order to reduce downstream erosion of nutrients.
- Technical assistance to engage rural landowners and farmers in design and delivery of nitrogen prevention projects.
- Addressing agricultural runoff through farm-scale conservation systems and solutions, including efforts to reduce water quality impacts through best management practices.
- Efforts to accelerate implementation of regenerative agriculture practices on working lands.
- Soil health practices and management systems that combine improved tillage and/or pasture management, cover crops, crop and livestock rotations, and other practices to increase soil fertility while improving the capacity of crops and soils to reduce runoff and increase nutrient uptake.
- Precision nutrient management systems that fine-tune the rate, source, method, and timing of nutrient applications to maintain or increase crop yields, minimize nutrient input costs and nutrient losses to surface and groundwater.
CCMP THEME Sustainable and Resilient Communities – Projects that 1) support vibrant, informed, and engaged communities that use, appreciate, and help protect and sustain the Sound; 2) sustain its ecological balance in a healthy, productive, and resilient state for the benefit of both people and the natural environment; and 3) improve habitat, enhance resilience, and directly engage communities through:
Public Engagement, Knowledge and Stewardship: Examples of project types and actions:
- Local behavior-change campaigns, including Community-Based Social Marketing.
- Public engagement in stewardship of local natural resources.
- Programs that foster, support, or develop community buy-in and meaningful inclusion in local environmental management projects.
- Programs to increase appreciation of the Sound including in underprivileged and underserved communities.
- Environmental Justice initiatives and collaborations that promote equitable access, appreciation and understanding of Long Island Sound. For example, develop tools (including training modules, websites, ordinances, best practices) and conduct regional or local workshops to assist municipal government in developing or incorporating environmental justice in projects that implement CCMP actions. See LISS resources about state and federal Environmental Justice.
- Plans or activities to increase or enhance public access points and the length of shoreline accessible by the public to the Sound and its rivers with a focus on supporting projects and programs that promote environmentally sustainable recreational activities and protection of the Sound’s environmental and wildlife resources.
- Campaigns to build public awareness aimed at single-use plastic and other water/land-based consumer debris, abandoned and lost fishing/aquaculture gear, microplastics and microfibers prevention or reduction.
- Native plant landscaping guidance and training that encourages alternatives to chemical and nutrient intensive landscapes.
- Long Island Sound environmental and conservation-related classroom or informal instruction. Please note LISFF does not support development of new curriculum. See LISS Educational Resources for examples of available information and curriculum.
NOTE: Public engagement, education and stewardship projects providing a hands-on conservation experience are highly desired.
Resilience & Sustainability. Nature-based projects that combine resilience, community, and conservation goals… NEW! in any portion of the Sound watershed in CT and NY as shown in the Long Island Sound Study Area.
Examples of project types and activities:
- Implementation of “shovel-ready” projects that build resilience in communities. The LISFF will prioritize nature-based resilience projects that provide dual benefits – both benefits for human community resilience and benefits for habitat, fish and wildlife.
- Planning activities that set-the-stage for implementation of resilience projects including: 1) Community Engagement, Planning and Prioritization; 2) Feasibility, Suitability or Alternatives Analyses; 3) Site Assessment and Conceptual Design; and 4) Final Design and Permits. Priority will be given to projects developed through community input and co-design processes.
Examples of project types and actions:
- Natural infrastructure – Projects that use existing or rebuilt natural landscapes (e.g., .forests, floodplains, and wetlands) to increase resilience to climate impacts resulting in environmental, economic, and social co-benefits particularly in vulnerable communities that tend to be disproportionally impacted by stressors.
- Green infrastructure – Projects that combine gray infrastructure with nature-based solutions to create hybrid systems that improve habitat and resilience to climate impacts, while also often resulting in environmental, economic, and social co-benefits. Generally, green infrastructure is a built or engineered solution.
- Right-sizing stream-crossings or culverts.
- New or updated municipal, watershed or regional resilience/sustainability/natural hazard mitigation plans that evaluate the vulnerability of infrastructure, natural areas and develop strategies for making these features and infrastructure more resilient to hazardous events (sea level rise, flood and/or weather events).
- Technical assistance to help local communities build capacity to plan for or to implement resilience through nature-based infrastructure, such as living shorelines.
Eligible and Ineligible Entities
- Eligible applicants include non-profit 501(c) organizations, state government agencies, local government, municipal government, Tribal Governments and Organizations, and educational institutions.
- Ineligible applicants include U.S. Federal government agencies, businesses, and unincorporated individuals.
FUNDING AVAILABILITY AND MATCH
With funding of approximately $10 million for projects in 2022. There are four funding categories under the LISFF each with a different range of grant funding.
- Implementation Projects: $50,000 to $1.5 million for projects that implement actions described in the CCMP Update and have particularly high environmental community benefit relative to cost, including:
- Water quality improvement, habitat restoration, and resilience projects.
- Projects with the greatest promise to demonstrate, influence, pilot, innovate, and/or provide a proof of concept with the aim of accelerating local and regional water quality improvements, natural resource restoration, coastal resilience, Environmental Justice/Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and/or community and public outreach and engagement.
- Design/Planning Projects: $50,000 to $500,000 for costs associated with design/planning for:
- Water quality or habitat restoration projects.
- Watershed plans to mitigate eutrophication-related impairments.
- Sustainable behavior education and outreach including community based social marketing campaigns.
- Coastal resiliency/sustainability/natural hazard mitigation plans.
Project Period: Projects must start within six months and be completed within 24 months after notification of grant award. Larger-scale complex implementation projects must start within six months and be completed within thirty-six months after notification of grant award. Notification of award is projected to be November 2022. Project start date cannot be before October 1, 2022.
Match Requirements: Grants require a minimum matching contribution valued at 25% of the “Requested Amount” from the LISFF. For example, if you request $100,000 from LISFF, then the required match is $25,000. Matching contributions may include cash, in-kind contributions of staff and volunteer time, work performed, materials and services donated, or other tangible contributions to the project objectives and outcomes.
Note: The amount of matching funds offered is one criterion considered during the review process, and projects that meet or exceed the required match will be more competitive.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
All proposals will be screened for relevance, accuracy, completeness, and compliance with NFWF and funding source policies. Proposals will then be evaluated equally based on the extent to which they meet the following criteria.
- Program Goals and Priorities – Project contributes to the Implementation Actions of the Long Island Sound Study CCMP Update and has specific, quantifiable performance metrics to evaluate project success. Project addresses one or more the three CCMP Update cross-cutting principles (resilience to climate change, long-term sustainability and/or environmental justice).
- Technical Merit – Project is technically sound and feasible, and the proposal sets forth a clear, logical, and achievable work plan and timeline. Project engages appropriate experts and partners in project planning, design or implementation to ensure activities are technically sound and feasible.
- Community Impact – Partners and engages collaboratively with diverse local community members, leaders and community-based organizations and other relevant stakeholders to implement and ensure the long-term sustainability and success of the proposed project. Describes integration into local programs and policies, and community acceptance of proposed actions. Describes proposed partners and roles—including short- and long-term—are clearly identified (including potential or contemplated subawards to third party subrecipients of the applicant). Describes community characteristics of the project area, identifies communities impacted, describes community outreach and engagement activities, and provides means to monitor and measure. Provides demographic data and letters from community partners demonstrating commitment to and engagement in project activities as proposed.
- Budget – Costs are allowable, reasonable and budgeted in accordance with NFWF’s Budget Instructions cost categories. Federally-funded projects must be in compliance with OMB Uniform Guidance as applicable.
- Match – These grants require a minimum matching contribution valued at 25% of the “Requested Amount” from the LISFF. For example, if you request $100,000 from LISFF, then the required match is $25,000. Matching contributions may include cash, in-kind contributions of staff and volunteer time, work performed, materials and services donated, or other tangible contributions to the project objectives and outcomes. Larger match ratios are encouraged and will make proposals more competitive during evaluation.
- Cost-Effectiveness – Project includes a cost-effective budget that balances performance risk and efficient use of funds. Cost-effectiveness evaluation may include, but is not limited to, an assessment of either or both direct and indirect costs in the proposed budget. The federal government has determined that a de minimis 10% indirect rate is an acceptable minimum for organizations without a Negotiated Indirect Rate Agreement. As such NFWF reserves the right to scrutinize all proposals with indirect rates above 10% for cost-effectiveness.
TIMELINE
Dates of activities are subject to change. Please check the program page of the NFWF website for the most current dates and information under “Application Information” tab at the Long Island Sound Futures Fund webpage.
Informational webinars about the RFP and application process:
| CT & NY Applicant Webinar (Register) | March 15, 2022, 2:00PM – 3:30PM Eastern |
| MA, NH, VT Applicant Webinar (Register) | March 16, 2022, 2:00PM – 3:30PM Eastern |
| Pollution Prevention Calculator Webinar (Register) | March 22, 2022, 9:30AM – 10:30AM Eastern |
| Proposal Due Date | May 19, 2022, 11:59PM, Eastern |
| Review Period | Summer 2022 |
| Awards Announced | November 2022 |
HOW TO APPLY
All application materials must be submitted online through National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Easygrants system.
- Go to easygrants.nfwf.org to register in our Easygrants online system. New users to the system will be prompted to register before starting the application (if you already are a registered user, use your existing login). Enter your applicant information. Please disable the pop-up blocker on your internet browser prior to beginning the application process.
- Once on your homepage, click the “Apply for Funding” button and select this RFP’s “Funding Opportunity” from the list of options.
- Follow the instructions in Easygrants to complete your application. Once an application has been started, it may be saved and returned to at a later time for completion and submission.
APPLICATION ASSISTANCE
A Tip Sheet is available for quick reference while you are working through your application. This document can be downloaded here. Additional information about prior grants can be found here.
Additional information to support the application process can be accessed on the NFWF website’s Applicant Information page.
For questions about the Long Island Sound Futures Fund, or to discuss potential project ideas, please contact the Throwe Environmental team at info@throwe-environmental.com.
Additional Resources:
• READ the full 2022 Request for Proposals
• VIEW the informational flyer about the 2022 round of LISFF funding