Grants

Each year, MRVAC awards grants to organizations that support our mission of providing leadership in promoting environmental awareness, education and advocacy action, especially relating to the wildlife and habitats of the Minnesota River Valley.

MRVAC gives priority to grant requests that benefit wildlife, especially birds and avian habitat; that support its legacy projects and projects within MRVAC’s membership territory; and that have an education component, especially for children.  At the completion of the grant project, applicants must agree to document to MRVAC how well the project met its goals and allow MRVAC to share news about the project with the public.

If you are interested in receiving a grant from MRVAC, please fill out the Grant Request Form. We will review it  and a volunteer will get back to you as soon as possible.  Those requests that hew to the criteria below have the best chance of success.  Good luck!

Criteria for MRVAC Grants

MRVAC’s criteria for accepting and approving grant requests include:

1. Location within MRVAC’s territory. Priority will be given to grants requested to support projects within MRVAC’s membership territory, which includes Farmington, Lakeville, Rosemount, Eagan, Apple Valley, Burnsville, Carver, Chanhassen, Chaska/Victoria, Eden Prairie, Jordan, Prior Lake, Shakopee, Savage, Waconia/Victoria, Bloomington, Belle Plaine, Henderson, and New Prague/Heidelberg.
   • At its discretion MRVAC’s board of directors may approve a grant request for a project outside its membership territory, especially legacy projects. A legacy project is one proposed by an organization that has been approved by MRVAC for funding within the last five years (e.g., Osprey Wild, Friends of Sax-Zim Bog, Red-headed Woodpecker Recovery, etc.).
   • MRVAC’s board of directors will determine if potential benefits warrant considering a non-legacy grant request for a project outside MRVAC’s membership territory that could benefit those within MRVAC’s membership territory.

2. MRVAC typically has considered grant requests for not more than $3,000. Requests for more than $3,000 and a strong need will be considered.
3. Priority shall be given to grant requests that have a clear educational component, especially for young people college age or younger.
4. All proposed projects shall benefit wildlife, especially birds. Benefits for wildlife shall include natural plant cover, water, food, nesting habitat and/or protection. This benefit shall be a priority of the project or an auxiliary benefit, as determined by MRVAC’s board of directors.
5. Grants shall only be approved for nonprofit 501(c) (3) corporations and governmental or educational entities. Grants may be denied to entities that MRVAC determines have a financial capacity to self-fund.
6. Supporting and matching grants from other grantees are acceptable and encouraged.
7. Any signage, press release, or other announcement concerning an approved project shall acknowledge MRVAC’s role in funding the project.
8. Grants shall be provided only for organizations that support MRVAC’s mission (see the first paragraph above for mission statement).

MRVAC is proud to have helped numerous conservation and birding efforts. Below are a few past grant recipients. Click each to learn more about the organization.