This Request for Proposals (RFP) is for the Volunteer Stream Monitoring Program (VSMP) Aquatic Macroinvertebrate Survey grants offered under the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy’s (EGLE) Michigan Clean Water Corps (MiCorps) Program.
Donor Name: Michigan Clean Water Corps (MiCorps)
State: Michigan
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline (mm/dd/yyyy): 03/07/2022
Grant Size: $20,000
Grant Duration: 2 years
Details:
These funds support volunteer training and macroinvertebrate data collection for the purpose of assessing water quality that help state and local efforts to protect and manage water resources. Grants may be used to fund a monitoring coordinator and/or purchase water quality monitoring supplies.
MiCorps VSMP Implementation Grants
- In an implementation grant, the grantee organization conducts aquatic macroinvertebrate surveys and stream habitat assessment with a volunteer labor force in wadable streams and rivers in specific stream locations throughout Michigan.
- This is a “train the trainer” program. MiCorps staff will provide training and support to the grantees. Grantees use the information provided by MiCorps to train their own volunteers who will conduct the majority of the data collection work. Staff together with volunteers identify macroinvertebrates, process the data and work to turn their data results into actions that improve water quality and stream habitat.
- While the grant lasts two years, it is expected that organizations will use this money to start a long-term, sustainable monitoring program that lasts beyond the grant period.
- This grant money is meant to launch groups into macroinvertebrate monitoring, not to fund groups who already conduct MiCorps monitoring.
Funding Information
- There is a maximum dollar amount of $20,000 per grant award.
Eligibility Criteria
- Local units of government and not-for-profit entities are eligible to receive grant funding. Nonprofit entities are those exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Eligible entities generally include county, city, township, and village agencies; watershed and environmental action councils; universities; regional planning agencies; and incorporated not-for-profit organizations.
- Supply proof of a successful financial audit of the applicant organization conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards for a period ending within the two years immediately preceding the RFP due date, as demonstrated by an Independent Auditor’s Report signed by a Certified Public Accountant from a Comprehensive Annual Report. Note: The audit date (on or after March 7, 2020) is based on the audit period and not the date of the audit or the audit letter.
- Entities that do not meet this requirement must partner with an eligible local unit of government or a nonprofit organization with a current audit that will serve as the primary applicant and fiduciary agent for the grant.
- Must not have had a grant revoked or terminated or demonstrated an inability to manage a grant or meet the obligations in a project contract within the 24-month period immediately preceding the application
Ineligible Entities and Activities
- Individuals, for-profit organizations, and federal and state agencies are not eligible to receive funding.
- Volunteer activities such as river cleanups, lake monitoring, restoration efforts, and strictly educational or school activities will not be funded. (There is a separate MiCorps grant opportunity for river cleanups).
- School or classroom-based programs using students as the primary volunteer source are not eligible for grant funding. It is acceptable to have some students as volunteers but adults must be involved as well; the goal of this program is to develop long term monitoring through long term volunteers.
- Costs associated with chemical and thermal analysis are not eligible activities under the MiCorps VSMP and may not be included as local match.
For more information, visit Michigan Clean Water Corps (MiCorps).
