The deadline to apply for the 2012 Sound Futures Fund is April 9, 2012.

LIS Futures Fund

What is the Long Island Sound Futures Fund?

The Long Island Sound Futures Fund (LISFF) is a key implementation tool of the Long Island Sound Study. Since 2005, this competitive grants program has invested $8.8 million in 227 projects in communities surrounding the Sound. The projects are opening up 78 river miles for migratory fish to return to their historic spawning and feeding areas, restoring and acquiring nearly 570 acres of critical fish and wildlife habitat, and reducing pollution from entering the Sound and its rivers through control of polluted runoff and protection of riparian buffers. The Sound Futures Fund has built the capacity of organizations and institutions to support the conservation of the Sound and funded important educational programs that are helping to connect the public to it. With grantee match of nearly $20 million, the Sound Futures Fund has generated a total of almost $29 million for locally-based conservation.

The goal of the 2012 Sound Futures Fund is to provide funds to accelerate implementation of the Long Island Sound Study’s Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan and its recently adopted Action Agenda. The Fund seeks to achieve this goal through collaborative, results-oriented actions and strategic partnerships that contribute to the advancement of the LISS’s restoration and protection goals.

FUNDING AVAILABILITY AND GRANT SIZE

• At the time of this announcement, the LISS partners anticipate awarding approximately $1 million in grants through this solicitation, although the final total award amount is dependent upon the availability of federal and non-federal funds.
• Grant awards will be made in two categories: Large grants between $20,000 and $200,000 and mini-grants between $3,000 and $10,000.

Fund Partners

Partners include the Long Island Sound Study, in partnership with the EPA, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

EPA Regions I and II, FWS, NRCS, Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, New York City Department of Environmental Protection, New York and Connecticut Sea Grant programs, Interstate Environmental Commission, New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission, and the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration review proposals and provide technical assistance to applicants, and assist in the review of the proposals.

Where Can I Get More Information on the 2012 Grant Program?

Visit the National Fish and Wildlife Foundations 2012 Sound Futures Grant  web page to find out what projects are eligible, and details on how to apply.

 Questions?

For more information please contact Lynn Dwyer at 631-627-3488 or email Lynn at lynn.dwyer@nfwf.org or John at john.wright@nfwf.org.