Elizabeth Schultz Environmental Fund Guidelines
The Elizabeth Schultz Environmental Fund (ESEF) welcomes projects committed to the preservation and understanding of nature, and to resource conservation, especially in Douglas County, Kansas. Projects may address these goals in scientific, cultural, educational, aesthetic or economic ways.
Timeline
- Annual application deadline is on or near October 1. Check here for the exact date.
- Awards are announced in late November.
- Grant reports are due by September 30 of the following year.
Resources
- The maximum award is $10,000; several awards of lesser amounts may be provided in a given year.
- Awards will be made once a year.
- No grants may be awarded if there are not qualified applications. Grant award amounts may vary year to year based on funds available.
Eligibility
- Proposal must come from a 501(c)(3) entity, tribal organization or government agency. Individuals who wish to propose projects must partner with a nonprofit organization.
- Proposal must be for work that primarily benefits residents or natural areas of Douglas County, Kansas.
- Applicant must conduct business without discrimination on the basis of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability or national origin.
Grantmaking Criteria
Favored projects meet the following criteria, with the most weight placed on the first three:
- Addresses an important environmental problem or opportunity and has a long range impact
- Supports the ESEF mission, as stated above
- Produces specific outcomes
- Is innovative and creative
- Has sufficient financial resources in addition to potential ESEF funding to complete project
- Is likely to succeed
- Proposes a realistic timeline and budget
- Is clearly and concisely described
Note: If you are applying for funds for an educational project, make sure to describe your target audience(s). If the project is intended to be part of the K-12 curriculum in a Douglas County school, you must provide a letter of support from a school official.
Limitations on Grantmaking
Generally, ESEF grants are not awarded for:
- Administrative or general operating expenses
- Litigation
- Annual campaigns
- Purchase of tickets or tables at special events
- Event sponsorships
- Fundraising events
- Lobbying or political activities
- Debt retirement
- Endowment funds
- Religious purposes
- Individual, non-charitable projects or causes
