Grant Application Guidelines

The Waterman Fund awards grants for projects that strengthen human stewardship and understanding of the alpine areas, open summits, and exposed ridgelines of the northeastern U.S. and Canada through education and outreach, trail maintenance, and research.

Start-up projects are encouraged. The Fund generally does not support long-term or programmatic needs for more than a year or two. However, please be sure to contact a Board member should your program continue to need assistance. The average grant award is $3000, but larger or smaller grants will be considered.

Project payment will take place on a reimbursement basis. The project sponsor must incur all costs for project completion, and may only submit a request for reimbursement once work is completed. Working capital advances may be approved on a case-by-case basis. Payment will take place only when all deliverables are received and a final report is approved.

Evaluation Criteria

Your project should:

  1. fulfill the Waterman Fund mission (see italics above)
  2. include an education and/or outreach component
  3. demonstrate your ability to carry out the project
  4. for research projects, have technical and scientific merit

Eligibility

501(c)(3) non-profit organizations and local, state, or federal agencies are welcome to apply. Individuals may apply through an organization, agency, or university.

Important Dates

  • Grants Announcement: November 15
  • Application Deadline: December 15
  • Grants Awarded: January 31

A Waterman Fund board member is likely to get in touch with the applicant to review the application prior to award determination. All grant applicants shall be notified of decisions by January 31st.

Examples of Appropriate Projects

  • Alpine area trail rehabilitation
  • Alpine education, including summit steward projects
  • Projects that blend education efforts with resource protection
  • Projects that further the ethics described in the Watermans' writings
  • Research that strengthens human stewardship and understanding of the alpine zone

Examples of Projects the Fund Would Not Support

  • Major trail reconstruction below treeline
  • Trail reconstruction or research projects lacking an educational or outreach component
  • Campsite rehabilitation or composting toilets

Grant Requirements

  1. Matching Funds.

    The Fund requires a match of at least 25% of the requested amount with cash, materials, labor, and/or in-kind services. Higher match amounts could increase the competitiveness of your request. Labor, skilled and unskilled, shall be appraised by the project sponsor at its market rate and can be used towards the project match.

  2. Deliverables.
    1. Reports.

      The Fund requires a comprehensive final written report about the project within 18 months of the grant award, or August 31 of the following year. For multi-year projects, the Fund requires annual reports due December 31. The Fund also requires copies of any articles or publications about the project including those in peer-reviewed scientific journals. The Fund will look favorably on applications that show thoughtful planning for the final report. Reports are added to an alpine stewardship library that the Fund maintains and thus should be written and submitted in a professional manner. Please note that reimbursement will be provided only upon receipt of an approved final report.

    2. Photos.

      The Fund requires digital images for promotional use on our web site and in publications.

    The Fund may also request that the grantee write a brief article for its newsletter and/or website or make a presentation at the Alpine Stewardship Gathering, the Waterman Fund Annual Meeting, or another meeting or event.

  3. Recognition.

    The Fund requires that any promotional material for the project be accompanied with recognition of the Waterman Fund's support. The Fund can provide a high resolution image of its logo. The Fund also requires recognition in any articles, publications, or presentations about the project (in print or on line), including an organization’s newsletter or annual report.

To Apply

To apply, please submit an application using the on-line form or send an electronic copy in pdf format to grants@watermanfund.org. If you are sending a hard copy, please note that all applications must be typed. Ten (10) hard copies are required. They may be mailed to The Waterman Fund, PO Box 1064, East Corinth, Vermont 05040. There is no limit to the number of applications an organization can submit.

Please be sure your application addresses all nine numbered elements listed in the Application Form, using the headers provided. Do not forget to include the letters of permission and support from element 9.