L.L.Bean Maine Land Trust Grant Program

L.L.Bean has teamed up with Maine Coast Heritage Trust and its Maine Land Trust Network Program to provide grant support to Maine's land trust community. Together, L.L.Bean and MCHT will work to enhance the capacity of Maine's land trusts in support their land conservation activities and the protection of Maine's outdoor heritage and natural landscapes.

Eligible Grant Size: 3-5 grants will be given in amounts not to exceed $5,000 each.

Eligibility Requirements:

Applicant must be a 501(c)3 non-profit
Applicant must be a current member of the Maine Land Trust Network
Applicant must have adopted LTA's Land Trust Standards & Practices
More than one organization involved in a collaborative project may apply

Purpose:

Thepurpose of the L.L.Bean Maine Land Trust Grant Program is to provide strategic funding to Maine land trusts for organizational development efforts that will significantly increase the organization's ability to conserve and properly care for its conservation holdings. Collaborative projects are welcomed and encouraged. Projects that connect stewardship activities and organizational capacity, particularly as they relate to public access, are a priority.

Applicable organizational development projects include, but are not limited to:

Organizational management audits
Campaign feasibility studies
Board/volunteer development
Strategic planning and/or implementation
Conservation planning
Public awareness/outreach
Membership development
Systems development

Applicable collaborative projects include, but are not limited to:

Shared resources
Planning or implementation of regional initiatives including outreach, land protection, and stewardship
Initiatives that will further integrate the land trust into the communities it serves

Applicable stewardship project costs include:

Trail building and maintenance
Educational information
Management plans
Baseline documentation
Stewardship endowments

Application Process:

Please answer the questions on the adjoining Grant Application Form adhering to the following procedural requirements:

Applications should be submitted to: Maine Coast Heritage Trust; Attn: Megan Shore; 1 Bowdoin Mill Island, Suite 201; Topsham, ME 04086

Applications must be postmarked by Friday September 12, 2008
Applications by fax will NOT be considered
Limit your narrative to three (3) pages double spaced
Use size 11 font or larger

Grant Terms:

Grantees will be asked to accept the following terms as a condition of funding:

The information contained in this application and any attachments is true and correct to the best of your knowledge.
Funds received as a result of this application will be expended within 12 months of the payment date and used in accordance with this application.
Changes in use of granted funds must be requested, and approved, in writing.
A final grant report will be submitted no later than 13 months after the grant check was awarded. This report will summarize the project and evaluate outcomes, challenges, and next-steps for your organization.
The Maine Land Trust Network would appreciate receiving copies of any "products" produced that may be used as an example to other trusts. Examples: Board/volunteer handbooks, models and agreements for sharing resources etc.
The Maine Land Trust Network may request you to summarize your project for publication in Land Trust News or other MLTN publications.

Contact:

If you have questions about the L.L.Bean Land Trust Grant Program, please contact Megan Shore at (207) 729-7366 or mshore@mcht.org.