APPLYING FOR A GRANT

The deadline to submit letters of inquiry for 2010 funding has past.  Please sign up for our E-Newsletter to be kept informed of future opportunities.  We anticipate soliciting applications for 2011 funding beginning November, 2010.

Download a copy of the 2010 RFP for your information [5 page PDF]

About Sustainable Path Foundation

The Foundation is an engaged group philanthropy whose grant making is focused on sustainability and informed by scientific understanding and systems thinking. We believe that:

• Scientific inquiry continues to expand our understanding of the complex relationships between natural systems and human systems.

• Recognition of the interconnected nature of our world provides a vital lens for informed application of scientific discoveries and technological innovations. 

• Insightful, innovative scientific and systems thinking is fundamental to imagining and creating solutions for a healthier world.

We are a diverse, interdisciplinary community of people who collectively offer our financial resources, talent and expertise, and embrace a culture of collaboration in our work. We view our grantees as partners in identifying and solving issues facing our region and our world and promote their successes and opportunities for involvement to our community of donors and volunteers. We fund both interesting experiments and big-impact projects.

Please be sure proposed projects fit with our mission, vision and values.

Funding Areas for 2010

Sustainable Path Foundation provides funding in support of projects in the greater Puget Sound area that will encompass one or more of the following:

1. Explore, elucidate, and/or apply links between natural systems (i.e. environment) and human systems (i.e. economy, health, community).

2. Provide opportunities for individuals or organizations to expand scientific awareness and scientific literacy and inquiry skills.

3. Focus on root causes and focus on opportunities for systemic change.

4. Bring together people and organizations with diverse perspectives and expertise to address complex problems.

Successful proposals will employ approaches based on science and systems thinking. Proposals may utilize, integrate and/or generate information from disciplines relevant to sustainability, the natural environment or human society. In addition, projects may involve bringing together people or organizations with interests similar to those of Sustainable Path Foundation for focused discussions or forums. Projects should include provisions for educating the public and/or policymakers about the results and should focus on issues of importance in the greater Puget Sound region. We will also consider science literacy projects for youth if the projects align with our mission.

Sustainable Path Foundation is looking for organizations with strong leadership and a clear strategic vision. Both one-time projects and ongoing work will be considered. We do not provide general operating support or support for capital projects. We value the potential for Sustainable Path to contribute to the organization’s work through collaboration or volunteer activities.

Approximately $100,000 is available for new grants in 2010; our typical grant is between $5,000 to $20,000, and partial funding is common. The maximum amount budgeted for science literacy grants is $10,000. In 2009, we funded a total of 10 projects including science literacy.

Sustainable Path Foundation will only commit to single-year grants, however grantees may re-apply for funding for new or continuing projects on an annual basis. 

Selection Criteria

1. Applicant organizations must qualify as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service Code, or have a tax-exempt fiscal sponsor.

2. Projects should utilize and apply scientific approaches and methods to further understanding of the issue being addressed.

3. Projects that consider issues from multiple perspectives or employ collaborative approaches are especially encouraged. Collaborative applications that include more than one organization are welcomed.

4. Projects should include provisions for educating the public and/or policymakers about issues addressed.

5. Applicant organizations should be based in and focus on the greater Puget Sound region.

If your organization does not meet all of the selection criteria and you would like to further discuss your status, please contact us.
 

Funding Limitations

Funding will not be provided for:

·  General operating expenses (unless directly related to a project)

·  Endowments

·  Capital expenditures

·  Political campaigns or candidates

·  Lobbying activities

·  Individuals

·  Organizations that unfairly discriminate in any manner

·  Programs operating outside of greater Puget Sound region

 

Sustainable Path’s working definition of Science and Systems Thinking

Science is the pursuit of knowledge and understanding of the natural and social world following an evidence based systematic method. Science also refers to the organized body of knowledge that has been gained by such study.

Systems thinking is a framework based on the knowledge that components and processes of our natural and man-made world(s) are interconnected and best understood in the context of relationships with each other rather than in isolation.  Those employing systems thinking are cognizant that changes in one area can alter other interacting elements of the larger whole. A systems thinker would therefore consider the interrelationships among sub-systems and processes before and during implementation of a solution to a problem.
 

Please look at this diagram that outlines our framework for developing systems-based solutions to sustainability issues.