Grant Application, Forms, and Requirements

Special Note to K-12 Public School Teachers!

New this year, special funds are available to support outdoor education activities in Wisconsin schools.  We will fund one to several $500 to $1000 projects.  To apply check off items #4, "Education and Outreach" on the Besadny application.

The C.D. Besadny Conservation Grant (BCG) Program provides financial support to public and private organizations or government agencies working on natural resource projects and programs at a small-scale, local level. Grants range from $100 to $1,000 and must be matched 100% by recipient organizations either through cash or in-kind donations. Click here to see a list of projects funded in 2009.

How to Apply:  Grant applications must be received in the Natural Resources Foundation office by January 15 of the year in which the grants are awarded. Funds are awarded in early March of each year.

Click here to download the 2010 application (Microsoft Word format)

To be eligible for a Besadny Grant, applicants must:

1. Be a private or public organization or a government agency.
2. Use funds for a small-scale (i.e. total budget of $10,000 or less) natural resource project or program which:
   • benefits the public;
   • involves management and restoration of Wisconsin's natural resources; and /or
   • contributes to knowledge about Wisconsin's natural resources through education.
3. Use the Besadny Grant to fund a definable unit of a small-scale project or program in Wisconsin.
4. Match the requested funds on a 1:1 basis with funds or in-kind services. Note: Besadny grants can be matched with “in-kind” donations. Volunteer hours should be calculated based on the federal minimum wage for general work, $7.25 per hour effective July 24, 2009, source http://www.dol.gov/esa/whd/flsa/). Volunteers donating professional services, such as legal help, can have their in kind contribution calculated according to the fair-market value of their services.
5. Show that any previous Besadny grant received from the Natural Resources Foundation was for a different project/program than that for which current funding is being sought.
6. Three year rule--This year, to increase opportunities for previously unfunded and new applicants, only applicants who have not received Besadny funding in the past three years will be considered.
7. When possible, obtain a letter of support from a DNR specialist in the project region if the project involves habitat manipulation, or stocking plant or wildlife species. School prairie gardens are exempt from this requirement.
8. If the applicant's funding request is approved, the grant recipient is required to provide the following information and materials to NRF:
   • Project completion report summarizing your group's activities (a form will be provided). Include any project publications with the report.
   • Copies of at least two press releases submitted by the organization which credit, "The Natural Resources Foundation's C.D. Besadny Conservation Grant Program," and any published media articles about the project.
   • Letter explaining how Besadny support helped you accomplish your conservation goals.
   • Photos of project development and completion that may be used by the Foundation for publicity purposes.

Restrictions: Grants are not given to private landowners for property improvements or to individuals for completing projects that are part of an advanced degree program (i.e. PhD or MS). Grants are not awarded to projects or programs with total budgets greater than $10,000. Supplemental materials you provide will not be returned. One proposal per applicant please.

Mail Completed Applications to:

Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin, Attn: Besadny Committee, PO Box 2317, Madison WI 53701-2317

Please include nine (9) paper copies of the grant application. We do not accept electronic applications.