You will find a list of general guidelines for NEGEF's  Small Grants program.  If you have unanswered questions, please review our Frequently Asked Questions page or contact staff.

Application Form
Mission & Goals
Who Are the Grassroots?
Who is Eligible?
What Issues Are the Grassroots Groups Tackling?
What Types of Projects or Activities Will Be Funded?
What Types of Projects or Activities Will Not Be Funded?
What Size Grants Will Be Made?
How Will Grant Applications Be Judge
When Can Organizations Apply?
What Will Happen After an Application Is Submitted?
How Will Project Results Be Evaluated?

Looking for Boston Grants Initiative Guidelines? Please go here.

The Fund uses an Application Form that is available upon request. The Application Form can be downloaded here. Applicants should follow the application format and type the information into the appropriate sections. The completed application (Cover Sheet, Narrative, and Applicant Profile) should be no more than five (5) pages long.

Please attach a list of your board of directors, advisors, other key volunteers and current staff, if any, with affiliations and/or short bio sketches. If applicable, also send a copy of your letter of determination of tax-exempt status under Section (501)(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code which identifies your EIN (Employee Identification Number). You may also include the group's general brochure and other background information you feel would help the Fund better understand your request.

Mail one copy of the completed application and all attachments to the Fund's office by REGULAR MAIL. Do not send FedEx or Express Mail packages. As copies of your application will be sent to each of the Fund's Advisors, please print single-sided on recycled paper if possible. Do not send the application in plastic covers or binders.

Applicants must be working at the grassroots level, and must demonstrate a major element of volunteer involvement in their programs. The Fund defines a grassroots group as one that is all or largely volunteer driven, having no more than two paid, full time staff persons or their equivalents, and an annual budget, including projects, of less than $100,000. From time to time, the Fund may consider proposals from larger community-based groups for projects at the grassroots level.

Incorporated organizations (with or without established 501(c)(3) status) and unincorporated, ad hoc groups in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and Rhode Island may apply. Individuals are not eligible to apply. Loans will not be made.

NEGEF tracks the diversity of applicants' interests by nine major environmental categories. Our grantmaking includes, but is not limited to, the following:

•   AIR-Climate change and indoor and outdoor quality.
•   BIOTECHNOLOGY
•   ENERGY-Conservation, gas, nuclear, renewables, and transportation.
•   LAND USE-Community resources, historic preservation, land trusts, planning, regulatory issues, sprawl, and trails.
•   NATURAL RESOURCES-Agriculture, biodiversity, education, forestry, marine environment, and wildlife.
•   POPULATION/CONSUMPTION-Changing behaviors, ecoteams, population education, and sustainable communities.
•   TOXICS/HAZARDOUS WASTE-Brownfields, incinerators, industrial sites, landfills, pesticides, public health, recycling/resource recovery, and sludge/biosolids.
•   URBAN ENVIRONMENT-Air quality, community gardens, land use, multi-issues, public health, and youth activites.
•   WATER-Aquifer protection, streambank restoration, water conservation, water quality monitoring, watershed management, and wetlands.
•   SUSTAINABLE BEHAVIORS - Buy local campaigns, farmers' markets and CSAs, pedestrian and bike activities, community gardens, and greenspace and openspace projects.

A broad range of activities will be funded. They include, but are not limited to: communication needs, computer networking, capacity building, advocacy campaigns, institutional support, conferences, meeting travel, and enhancing partnerships in the region.

NEGEF does not fund the following proposals: Educational curriculum and/or in-school projects, publication of books or reports, lobbying or partisan political activities, studies with no follow-up action, acquisition of land and/or buildings, individuals, for-profits, and micro- or mini-grant programs.

The Fund will make grants ranging in size from $500 to $2,500.

Proposals should be postmarked by January 15th for an April decision, May 1st for a July decision, and September 15th for a November decision.  If those dates fall on a Sunday or post office holiday, they can be postmarked the following day. In usual circumstances, applications may recieve immediate review if time is a critical element in effectively completing the project.

All applications will be acknowledged upon arrival with a postcard to the applicant. Each grant will be reviewed by a staff member who will call the applicant for project updates. Proposals will be presented at the regular meetings of the Grantmaking Committee where the final decisions will be made. Telephone calls, email and fax inquiries are welcome at any time during the application process. Applicant organizations will be advised of the Fund's decision, in writing, as soon as possible after each meeting. Grant checks will be mailed after the Grant Agreement letter has been signed and returned.

Questions or additional information about proposals should be directed to the staff member reviewing applications from the designated states:

Ginny Callan - Massachusetts and Vermont 
Claire Wheeler - Connecticut and Maine
Bart Westdijk - New Hampshire and Rhode Island

The Fund is interested in knowing the results of its small grants program through grantee feedback. A Final Report is required within one year of an organization's receiving a grant to assist with this evaluation. Groups may reapply for a grant one year after the previous grant funds have been spent and a Final Report completed.  Please find the Report Form format here.