FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1) What exactly do you mean by “people measures”?
In thinking about the “people measures” for your project, identify the target audiences you want to engage and what you want them to know, feel, and do. With all audiences – from homeowners and politicians to farmers and consumers – it is important to identify the specific actions and behaviors that will help achieve your conservation targets. It might be helpful to think about the kinds of actions that are possible, such as:

• Taking consumer actions that will help the environment
• Educating yourself and others about the issues and how to take conservation action
• Providing financial support to conservation
• Taking direct environmental action, such as cleaning up a site, restoring habitat, removing invasives, and/or monitoring habitats, water quality, or species
• Engaging in education and public policy work. (As stated earlier, funds for this program can not be used for lobbying or electioneering; however, funds can be used to help people understand how they can get involved in effecting civic change.)

2) Can the funds be used to conduct conservation monitoring activities such as species census programs that do not achieve immediate conservation results but help monitor the conservation value of existing habitats?
Monitoring activities, linked to specific conservation goals, are fine, especially if they lead to the long-term protection of species and habitats. To be competitive, monitoring activities should involve diverse communities, engage large numbers of participants, or identify specific conservation targets.

3) Will I be allowed to change my conservation goals and objectives after my proposal is submitted?
Yes. Although we encourage applicants to think through their goals and objectives, we understand that situations change and opportunities arise. In fact, as part of the grantee training November 7-10, we will work with applicants on their projects’ conservation goals and objectives, as well project metrics.

4) I’d like to apply for an Innovation Grant but I cannot attend the three-day grantee workshop in September. Can I still apply?
The grantee workshop is important and it’s also a great opportunity for high quality, free professional development. If you cannot attend, another key member of your team must attend the training.

5) What if my project is only meant to be a one-year project and is not meant to be sustainable?
Although we encourage sustainability, we realize that not all projects will meet this criterion. If your project meets the other criteria, your application will be competitive.

6) Can my organization apply for more than one grant?
Yes. Each application will be reviewed independently based on the same criteria outlined in the Applications Guidelines. In each case, remember that you must have a partner outside the Audubon network to be eligible.

7) Can my organization apply for a multi-year grant?
Projects should be completed within the one-year term of the grant. Applicants can apply for a second year of funding, if additional funding will clearly build on the success of the first year’s grant. However, only a limited number of projects will be able to receive additional support. Applicants are encouraged to seek matching funds to leverage TogetherGreen funding.

8) My organization is not part of the Audubon network but we’d like to apply for an Innovation Grant. Do you ever make exceptions?
Grant applications must come from organizations within the Audubon network (see below for more detail). However, you are welcome to approach an Audubon state office, Center, or Chapter to explore possible collaboration. Individuals from outside of Audubon are also eligible to apply for the Conservation Leadership Program. See Fellows pages for more details.

9) What do you mean by the Audubon network?
This program is open to all members of the Audubon network (certified Chapters, state and national programs, and Center programs), as well as independent Audubon entities that wish to participate in a cooperative agreement with National Audubon Society for this purpose.

10) Can the grant funds be used to buy land or purchase conservation easements on property?
No. Grant funds may not be used to buy land or purchase conservation easements on property. See Grant Restrictions (in the Application Guidelines section) for more details on funding restrictions.

11) Will we discuss evaluation strategies at the training session?
Yes. The external evaluation team will conduct sessions at the training focus on how to evaluate projects and the specific metrics that Audubon will be rolling up to assess the program’s success.

12) Are we required to fill out a logic model?
No, you do not need to fill out a logic model for your project during the application process. However, we believe the thinking process of doing a logic model will help you with the application process. We encourage you to read the W. K. Kellogg Foundation’s Logic Model Development Guide to find out how to create logic models for your project.

13) My project has been funded before. Will you fund it again?
One of the goals of the Innovation Grants program is to encourage as many new people as possible to take part in conservation projects. If you are applying for funding for a second or third time, you will need to demonstrate in your application that further funding will help you reach new audiences. Reviewers will also be looking to see whether you are innovating based on past project challenges and accomplishments. It is likely that only a handful of projects will receive multiple years of  funding.