Background
In 1995, legislation was passed creating the Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund Advisory Committee. The Advisory Committee was given the responsibility of developing goals and guidelines for the use of the moneys collected from the sale of the special Chesapeake Bay license plates. By December 1 of each year, the Advisory Committee is to present to the Governor and the General Assembly a plan for expending these funds. The Advisory Committee will recommend that such expenditures be in the form of financial grants for the support of specific Chesapeake Bay projects.

Applying for Grants
Applicants should complete the grant application form available from the Chesapeake Bay Restoration Advisory Committee. No application will be accepted after the 5:00 p.m., October 1, 2012, deadline. Typewritten proposals shall be submitted to the:

Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund Advisory Committee
c/o Division of Legislative Services
910 Capitol Street
Richmond, Virginia 23219

*As an option, the application and W-9 forms may be completed online using the website.

Projects selected for funding will be recommended for inclusion in the 2013 budget bill and applicants will receive notification of their awards by the Advisory Committee upon approval of the state budget in May 2013.

Eligibility
Applications will be accepted from state agencies, local governments, and public or private not-for-profit agencies, institutions, or organizations. Grants will not be awarded to individuals. Preferences will be given to environmental education and action-oriented conservation and restoration projects within Virginia’s Chesapeake Bay watershed.

Activities which are not eligible for funding include:

• Capital construction
• Endowments
• Annual giving or fund raising
• Salaries or benefits (unless directly performing specific project activities)
• Indirect costs
• Food items
• Lawsuits/litigation
• Political action programs/lobbying

Priority Areas
Each year the Advisory Committee will establish specific priorities for funding. This year under the subjects of environmental education, and restoration and conservation of the Chesapeake Bay, applicants are encouraged to submit proposals in the following areas:

Environmental Education Priorities

The goal of environmental education is to increase public awareness and knowledge about the Bay resulting in behavioral change. Proposals are invited which:

• Supplement and enhance environmental training for educators.
• Expand environmental educational opportunities and the use of existing educational resources (curricula, publications, field studies) in schools and community programs for students, teachers and adults.
• Increase the involvement of students and the public in Bay restoration activities.
• Increase public support for Chesapeake Bay restoration by purchase of Chesapeake Bay license plates.

Restoration and Conservation Priorities

• Activities that contribute to meeting tributary strategy nutrient reduction goals.
• Practices that protect water quality from nonpoint sources of water pollution resulting from the use of land.
• Projects that enhance and protect tidal fishery habitats.
• Projects that seek to restore tidal fisheries (finfish, crabs, clams and oysters).
• Projects that focus on the prevention of toxic substances entering the Bay and its tributaries.
• Activities that restore important Bay wetlands and habitat.

Criteria for Grants
The Advisory Committee will favor a proposal which:

• Will have a positive, tangible benefit to the Bay and the Bay program;
• Reflects priorities established by the Advisory Committee;
• Presents clear objectives;
• Includes a plan for achieving objectives (presents a specific, feasible plan of action to accomplish well-defined results);
• Demonstrates qualifications necessary to carry out the project;
• Is technically and financially feasible;
• Results from an assessment of community needs and addresses local Bay-related environmental problems;
• Provides an opportunity for cooperation among diverse organizations;
• Utilizes existing resources and expertise from local businesses, industries, public agencies, academic institutions, and conservation and environmental organizations;
• Emphasizes the service of volunteers to minimize administrative overhead;
• Provides a practical model for use by other organizations and communities and includes a plan for dissemination; and
• Demonstrates a realistic prospect of successfully completing the project.

Guidelines
Grants are awarded for one year, except in special circumstances. The Advisory Committee will not recommend grants in support of general operating budgets. Grant funds may not be used to supplant existing state or local general fund appropriations.

Recipients will be held accountable for documenting how grant funds have been used through the submission of a final financial and narrative report due upon the completion of the project’s activities, but no later than July 1 of the year following the grant award.

Grant recipients must acknowledge on project material that the project was paid for by funds generated from the sale of Chesapeake Bay license plates.

If additional information is needed
contact Martin Farber or Gwen Foley
Division of Legislative Services
TELEPHONE: (804) 786-3591
FAX: (804) 371-0169