We offer small reimbursable grant awards to units of State and local government, tax-exempt organizations, volunteer groups with a fiscal sponsor, and qualified individuals for projects that fall within the following areas:

1. fish and/or wildlife habitat restoration or protection

2. public access preservation, restoration, or improvement

3. natural resource or outdoor education

4. pollution prevention or reduction

5. invasive species removal or control

6. studies that support improved fish/wildlife management

7. Environmental research

Your proposed project may be a stand-alone project or part of a larger or ongoing project.

 

Application Instructions

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The Foundation’s Project Committee reviews funding requests on a quarterly basis. The deadlines for applications in 2023 are 2/6, 5/8, 8/14, and 10/30 Please submit your application and all related materials no later than 5pm on the dates shown above.

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Once submitted, your application will be reviewed by staff for completeness and then forwarded to our Project Committee for evaluation and determination of a final award. A decision on your application will be made approximately 30 days after each submission deadline passes.​

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Your proposed project will be evaluated based on the following:

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1. fit with the Foundation’s areas of interest

2. likelihood of success

3. significance at the local or state level

4. the presence of a contributing private or nonprofit partner

5. alignment with the Oregon Conservation Strategy

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Projects that conserve or restore an Oregon Conservation Strategy habitat or Strategy species are given priority. Learn more about the Oregon Conservation Strategy here. Does your project lie within a Conservation Opportunity Area? Find out here.

 

Application Guidelines

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1. We make cost reimbursement grants only.

2. Requested funds must be matched dollar-for-dollar, in cash, or in-kind from other sources. It’s appealing to the Foundation if the applicant's organization is a cash contributor to the project. We do not typically make multi-year grant awards.

3. Grant funds must be expended in the way outlined in your original application. If you need to reallocate expenditures for any reason, our office must be contacted first.

4. As requested in our application, a statement of support from a local, state, or federal biologist is required for fish, wildlife, or habitat-related projects. The same may be required for access projects if the need isn’t clearly demonstrated.

5. Overhead or administrative costs will not be reimbursed.

6. Salaries, except for project-related contract personnel, will not be reimbursed.

7. Other disallowable uses of Foundation funds include fundraising or advocacy activities, ongoing operating expenses, and pass-through grants.

8. A typical funding award is $5,000 or less. If your need for funding is greater than that, please contact tim@myowf.org  at the Foundation office.

9. Projects taking place outside the state of Oregon will not be considered.

10. Only one applicant may apply for funding if the proposed project is being undertaken by a consortium.

11. Public recognition of the Foundation’s support by the grantee is expected. That can be in your own organization’s publications (including social media posts), the local newspaper, or a combination of these.

 

The following are projects and activities that are not eligible for funding from the Oregon Wildlife Foundation:

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1. Capital or endowment campaigns.

2. Scholarships or fellowships unless they directly support a project in which the Foundation is a partner.

3. Improvement of natural resources for private gain.

4. Acquisition of land.

5. Required mitigation or toxic cleanups.

6. Wildlife rehabilitation or captive breeding programs.

7. Predator control activities.

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You will be notified by email of the Project Committee’s decision regarding your funding request.

Please note that if your funding request is approved, you are not eligible to apply for additional funding from the Foundation until we’ve received your final report, including all required documentary evidence.

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Final Report Guidelines

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A final report, including before/after high-resolution photos or a brief video, is a requirement of our funding support. Evidence of public recognition is also required.

The narrative of your final report needs to address the following:

1. Progress & Results

2. Successes & Challenges

3. Lessons Learned, and

4. Anything additional that you want to share about your project.

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Project Managers will receive an email notification that the final report is due 45 days prior to the end date of your project.

 

Image/ Video Guidelines

 

In order to promote your project to supporters and create materials, including project pages for our website, we request with your application you provide images based on the following criteria (for additional guidance please contact us or review the materials we currently have posted on our website or social media channels for the best examples):

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1. At least two images (no more than 15) that visually identify your project (if applicable).

2. Images must be good quality or high resolution (most newer cell phones will take an acceptable image).

   • Examples, images that show work being done on your project’s site, close up or distant of your site or project, images reflecting your project’s process.

3. No logos or other identifiable copyright infringements can be visible in submitted video or images (or must be cropped or edited out).

   • For example, Starbucks coffee cup in hand.

4. Upon Grant approval, you must begin collecting before and after images (only two necessary). Before image must be taken prior to project process initiation, and After image must be taken in the exact same location as Before image (to be submitted after project is complete).

5. Video content is always welcome. We request that submitted video play time not exceed five minutes. We also welcome shorter (20 sec. +) videos at the beginning of project acceptance to use as marketing materials for ongoing awareness and updates for your project.

   • Example, “teaser trailer” style video that entices a potential donor to take action.

6. Please submit officIal name(s)/title for photo or video credits.

7. We may ask for a signed release form for people pictured.

8. For further information or any clarifications about the information listed here, please contact tim@myowf.org.