2025 Community Conservation and Education Grant

2025 Community Conservation and Education Grant

Jackson Soil and Water Conservation District
Grant Information

The Jackson Soil and Water Conservation District (JSWCD) 2025 CCE Grant provides funding of up to $10,000 for conservation education projects and conservation projects with significant educational outcomes. This grant is designed for organizations working in Jackson County, Oregon, and encourages collaboration on projects that align with JSWCD's conservation priorities.

Grant Overview
- Application Deadline: November 21st, 2025, by 5 PM.
- Funding Maximum: Up to $10,000.
- Eligible Applicants: Nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, Tribes, and government entities. Project beneficiaries and location must be based in Jackson County, Oregon. Applicants cannot have an active CCE grant with JSWCD.
- Project Completion Deadline: Within 2 years of the award. Extensions of up to one year may be granted with prior JSWCD approval.
- Match Requirements: No matching funds are required.
Project Eligibility

Eligible projects must:
- Align with JSWCD's Natural Resource Priorities: Projects should support soil health, water conservation, water quality, ecosystem function, forest health, or riparian health within Jackson County.
- Incorporate an Educational Component: Projects must have a strong educational or outreach component aimed at educating Jackson County residents, either broadly or within a targeted population, about the project and/or one or more of JSWCD's natural resource priorities.
Grant Review and Selection Process

1. Review Process: Applications will be reviewed and scored by a committee composed of JSWCD staff and board members.
2. Ranking Criteria: Awards will be based on the following:
-The strength of responses to application questions.
-Potential to contribute to natural resource conservation and education in Jackson County.
-Preference will be given to new applicants over recent recipients.
3. Award Notification: Applicants will be notified of their status by Friday, December 15th, 2025.
4. Grant Agreement: Successful applicants will enter into a grant agreement effective January 2026. Note: The grant will not cover expenses incurred before the finalization of the grant agreement.

Grant Conditions
- Reimbursement Structure: TThe CCE grant reimburses project expenses. Grantees can request one or two incremental payments for incurred expenses if arranged with the JSWCD representative in advance.
- Final Report: Grantees are required to submit a final report detailing project outcomes, including educational and ecological benefits of the final project. The report must also include photo documentation, and JSWCD must be permitted to share these images publicly.
- Public Recognition: Grantees must acknowledge JSWCD's financial support through social media, newsletters, or other communication channels.
Budget Guidelines
- Budget Template: Applicants must use the JSWCD CCE Grant Budget Template to detail expected project expenses. The completed budget must be uploaded in Excel (.xlsx) format in the designated section of the online application.
- Unit Costs: Ensure the budget reflects realistic quotes or estimates for all project costs.
- Labor Rates: Use current pay rates for staff, including taxes and benefits. Contractor rates should be based on quotes or bids.
- Travel Costs: Follow current State of Oregon rates for per diem and mileage (See pages 12-13 for applicable rates).
- Contingency: You may include a contingency line for unanticipated expenses, as appropriate for the project.
- Restrictions: JSWCD does not cover administration time for grant paperwork or indirect costs.
Application Tips and Resources
- Budget Template: Download the grant budget template here.
- Application Template: Download the application template here. This template is an aid to assist applicants in preparing their applications. The actual application must be submitted online. The .pdf form will not be accepted.
- Jotform: This application platform allows you to save your progress, enabling you to return and edit your application before final submission.
Support and Guidance

Jill Smedstad, JSWCD Executive Director, is available to answer questions about the grant and application process. She can be contacted at jill.smedstad@jswcd.org.

Applicant Information
Organization Name*
Organization Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Organization Type*

501c(3) Non-profit OrganizationSchool (K-12)School (higher education)Tribal government agencyLocal or state government agency
Applicant/Project Manager Name*

First NameLast Name
Applicant/Project Manager Job Title
Applicant/Project Manager Email*
example@example.com
Applicant/Project Manager Phone Number*
Please enter a valid phone number.
Is the person listed above as the applicant authorized to sign a grant agreement contract for your organization?*

YesNo
Authorized Representative Name

First NameLast Name
Authorized Representative Job Title
Authorized Representative Email
example@example.com

Project Application
Project Name*
1. Project description and need: Please provide an overview of your proposed project, how the grant funds will be used, and why there is a need for this project in Jackson County. *

0/250
2. Environmental benefits: Describe how this project will benefit one or more of JSWCD's natural resource priorities in Jackson County: soil health, water conservation, water quality, ecosystem function, forest health, and/or riparian health. *

0/250
3. Educational benefits: Describe the educational outcomes of your project. This may include outreach to increase awareness of the project, and its benefits in the community. *

0/250
4. Engagement: Describe how you will engage people in this project. Include who will participate or be involved in planning, education, or implementation activities, and estimate the number of participants if applicable. *

0/250
5. Public Reach: How will your project provide benefits or opportunities to a range of people or groups in the community? If your project serves a specific school, neighborhood, or community, how will you make sure it is accessible and beneficial to the people it’s intended to reach? *

0/250
6. Timeline: Provide a timeline for your project. Please note that the project must be completed within two years of receiving the award to qualify for full funding reimbursement. *

0/250
7. Maintenance: Describe how efforts from this project or program will be sustained in the long term. *

0/250
8. Evaluation: How will you measure the success of this project? *

0/250
9. Partnership: Describe the involvement and contributions of partners (if any) helping to make this project successful. *

0/250
Additional Supporting Documents - Optional

If you would like to include any additional uploads, please do so here. (Examples: site plans, letters of support, etc.)
Cancelof

Budget
Total request from JSWCD Community Conservation and Education Grant fund*
Maximum $10,000
Use the 2025 CCE Grant Budget Template to complete your grant budget. Submit the budget in .xlxs or .pdf format. Please ensure the file name of the uploaded file includes the project name.
Budget Upload - use template linked in "Application Tips and Resources" *

Upload your project budget in .xlsx (Excel) or .pdf format using the Community Conservation and Education budget template.
Cancelof
Budget Narrative: Please provide a succinct explanation for the items in your budget. If not clear from information provided elsewhere in the application, please explain why a given item is included in your budget and/or the reason for the quantity needed. *

0/250

Agreements and Signature
Purpose of the Grant and Use of Funds

The grant funds awarded through this application must be used solely for the purpose outlined in the proposed project description. Any deviations from the approved project scope or intended use of the funds must receive prior written approval from Jackson Soil and Water Conservation District. Under no circumstances may the funds be used for personal expenses, administrative overhead, or any other purpose unrelated to the project.

Compliance with Applicable Laws

The grantee agrees to comply with all local, state, and federal laws and regulations that may apply to the project. This includes, but is not limited to, laws concerning environmental protection, safety, and ethical practices in education or conservation projects adn obtaning any necessary permits or approvals. Non-compliance may result in termination of the grant agreement.

Acknowledgment and Acceptance of Grant Terms

By signing below, I certify that the information provided in this application is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge. I have read, understood, and agree to comply with the agreements outlined above and in the Grant Information section of the application.
Name

First NameLast Name
Date

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Date
Signature

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2025 Community Conservation and Education Grant

Grant Information

Grant Overview

Project Eligibility

Grant Review and Selection Process

Grant Conditions

Budget Guidelines

Application Tips and Resources

Support and Guidance

Applicant Information

Project Application

Budget

Agreements and Signature

Purpose of the Grant and Use of Funds

Compliance with Applicable Laws

Acknowledgment and Acceptance of Grant Terms