The Indigenous Environmental Network (IEN) and the Western Mining Action Network (WMAN) have begun a grant program for Indigenous communities and grassroots organizations in the U.S. and Canada who are working on issues related to mining.
The program runs from October 2007-September 2008, during which time individual grants of up to $4000 will be issued to those in need. There is also an emergency fund for extremely time-sensitive projects. Details, contact information, and the application can be found below…
Please pass the application around. You can download it here (doc)
Western Mining Action Network and Indigenous Environmental Network
Indigenous Communities Mini-Grant Program
This is a program between the Western Mining Action Network (WMAN) and the Indigenous Environmental Network (IEN) that will run from October 2007 – September 2008. The goal of the mini-grants program is to support and enhance the capacity building efforts of mining-impacted indigenous communities to assure that mining projects do not adversely affect human, cultural, and ecological health within their traditional territories.
The applicant must be, rather than simply advocating for, an indigenous community or grassroots organization working within the U.S. or Canada on issues impacting indigenous peoples and communities within the U.S. or Canada. Projects or initiatives that focus outside the U.S. or Canada are not eligible.
Applications must be submitted by October 1, 2007, February 1, 2008, and June 1, 2008. Applicants will be notified of the funding decision by the 20th of October, February and June. There will be an “emergency” fund for extremely time-sensitive projects that fall between grant cycles (i.e., needs that could not have been anticipated at the time of the last cycle and cannot wait to be addressed until the next cycle). These grants will be very limited and awarded on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the Mini-Grant Review Committee.
WMAN/IEN Indigenous Communities Mini-grants program criteria:
1. Applications will be taken at fixed times during the year (October 1, February 1, June 1)
2. Organizations with any budget level may apply, however if there are more applicants than funds available, priority will be given to indigenous organizations or programs in the U.S. or Canada with a budget under $75,000 U.S.; priority will also be given to Indigenous community-based grassroots groups.
3. Requests must be project-specific for an immediate need such as legal assistance, organizing and outreach, development of campaign materials, media development, reports, travel, mailings, etc. to be fulfilled within the next four months on a specific mining campaign. Funds cannot be used for an organization’s general operating funds, staff salaries, rent or telephone bills.
4. Each grant issued will not exceed $4,000.
5. Funding recipients must submit a brief report detailing how funds were spent before the next grant cycle begins.
The application below can be emailed to either Sarah Keeney or to Simone Senogles, or they can be sent by regular mail, postmarked by October 1, 2006, February 1, 2007 or June 1, 2007 respectively, to: IEN attn: Mining Mini-grants, PO Box 485, Bemidji, MN 56619.
If you are mailing the application, please call Simone or Sarah to let us know to expect it.
Thank you!
WMAN/IEN Indigenous Communities Mini-grants Program
Sarah Keeney, WMAN Network Coordinator at (503) 327-8625 or sarahekeeney@comcast.net or Simone Senogles, Indigenous Environmental Network, (218) 751-4967 or simone@ienearth.org.
Application
Organization Name:
Primary Contact (this person is responsible for all reporting requirements):
Address:
Phone:
Email:
Website:
Do you want to be listed on WMAN’s public database at www.wman-info.org?
1. Please provide a short description of the proposed project—how will the funds be used?
2. Attach a short budget for the project.
3. Please provide a short history of your organization (mission, goals, when founded, projects, etc.)
4. What is your organization’s annual budget? How is your organization staffed?
5. Do you have another potential funding source for this project?
6. How have you participated in WMAN and/or IEN? Have you attended conferences? Are you a member of any of WMAN’s or IEN’s email listserves?
7. How did you hear about the mini-grant program? Have you applied previously? Have you received funding from the mini-grant program previously?
8. Please provide the names and contact information of two references for your organization.
Any questions? Please contact Sarah Keeney, WMAN Network Coordinator at (503) 327-8625 or sarahekeeney@comcast.net or Simone Senogles, Indigenous Environmental Network, (218) 751-4967 or simone@ienearth.org.