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Hudson River Improvement Fund
In 1985, the Hudson River Foundation received $1.5 million from the State of New York to create the Hudson River Improvement Fund with monies originally paid to the State to settle litigation concerning the out-of-state export of Hudson River water by oil tankers. Through the combined efforts of Hudson River environmental organizations, including Scenic Hudson, the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, the Hudson River Fishermen’s Association (now Riverkeeper) and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the Improvement Fund was created to support projects that promote the enhancement of public use and enjoyment of the natural, scenic and cultural resources of the Hudson River and its shores - with an emphasis on physical projects that require capital construction, development or improvement.
Examples of projects that may be considered for funding include:
PUBLIC ACCESS -- Development or improvement of facilities that increase physical or visual access to the Hudson River for the public, including but not limited to docks, boats, piers and shorefront access points. The Fund has a special interest in projects that provide improved accessibility.
HABITAT -- Repair, restoration or creation of habitat.
EDUCATION FACILITIES -- Development or improvement (and equipping) of facilities suitable for Hudson River education programs -- such as interpretive centers, marsh boardwalks or waterfront classrooms.
2008 CALL FOR PROPOSALS:
CELEBRATING THE QUADRICENTENNIAL
In 2009, in commemoration of the voyages of exploration of Henry Hudson and Samuel de Champlain in 1609 and the historic 1807 voyage of Robert Fulton's Clermont, the Hudson Valley will be the setting for celebration and commitment to protecting and reclaiming the river and its shores. The Hudson River Improvement Fund invites proposals for projects that confirm that commitment while enhancing public use and enjoyment of the Hudson's natural, scenic and cultural resources.
Toward the achievement of this goal, the Improvement Fund is particularly interested this year in proposals that augment and expand the objectives of the Fund by incorporating one or more of the following themes that the Quadricentennial will seek to advance:
- Reclaiming the waterways: habitat restoration; increased public access; scenic landscape preservation.
- Celebrating the social and cultural impact of the waterways: acknowledging the diverse peoples, communtities and traditions that have flourished along the Hudson.
- Understanding the possibilities for the future: sustainable living along the waterfront; travel; recreation; and education.
2008 AWARDS
Approximately $200,000 will be awarded in 2008. Requests for funding will undoubtedly be far greater than the funds available. Applicants are therefore encouraged to seek matching funds and provide in-kind services whenever possible. The typical grant awarded by the Hudson River Improvement Fund will be under $10,000.
2008 APPLICATION DEADLINE
The application deadline for 2008 is Tuesday, September 2. Applications must arrive at the Hudson River Foundation by 5:00 p.m. on the deadline date.
Applications must be sent to the Hudson River Improvement Fund, Hudson River Foundation, 17 Battery Place, Suite 915, New York, NY 10004; 212-483-7667.
NOTIFICATION OF FUNDING
Notification of decisions regarding applications will be provided by October 31, 2008.
WHO MAY APPLY
An applicant must be either a tax-exempt organization that qualifies under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or a governmental body, i.e., a federal, state or local entity or a subdivision thereof. Any applicant requiring assistance in becoming associated with an existing non-profit group for purposes of a particular project should contact the Hudson River Foundation. Applications from individuals or from profit-making organizations cannot be considered.
THE HUDSON RIVER FOUNDATION
The Hudson River Foundation supports scientific and public policy research, education and projects to enhance public access to the Hudson River. In addition to the Hudson River Improvement Fund, the Foundation has two other funds: the Hudson River Fund and the New York City Environmental Fund. Information about these funds may be obtained by writing to the above address or online at www.hudsonriver.org.
PROPOSAL DESIGN
The Foundation does not require special forms for grant applications. However, applicants should submit an original and ten copies of all materials. The application must include the following:
(Please use this as a checklist and append to your proposal.)
- A
cover page which includes:
- a brief, one-paragraph project summary;
- the project supervisor’s name, address, phone number and email;
- the applicant organization's address, phone number and email;
- the amount requested and the budget total;
- a work schedule with proposed start and finish dates.
- A copy of the organization’s tax exemption certificate under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue code or an indication that the applicant is a subdivision of a government unit.
- A narrative description of the project; a statement explaining why the project is in keeping with the purposes of the Hudson River Improvement Fund and its relationship, if any, to the goals of the Quadricentennial; a list of tasks to be accomplished and a work schedule.
- Where appropriate: graphic representations of the project, such as maps, photos, plans, drawings, etc.; studies which support the need for the project, such as engineering or architectural studies; letters of support.
- A list of personnel who will be involved with the project. This should identify a Project Supervisor and the fiscal officer of the applicant organization or government subdivision.
- The budget for the project and for the amount sought from the Fund. When the total budget is greater than the amount requested, list the sources for the remaining funds. Please elaborate on any matching funds or in-kind services.
- Indication that the applicant will satisfy all local, state and federal and other official requirements that the project may entail. Funding will be contingent on proof of all relevant permits.
- A statement that the project is equally available to all members of the general public.
- An original application signed by the Project Supervisor and a responsible official of the applicant organization.
2007 GRANT PROGRAM
Black Rock Forest Consortium
To renovate the aquarium room, Cornwall, NY. ($5,000)
Children’s Museum of Science & Technology
To purchase laboratory supplies and develop an outdoor aquatic education program, Troy, NY. ($4,000)
Hudson River Sloop Clearwater
To continue restoration of the Hudson River Sloop “Clearwater,” Poughkeepsie, NY. ($10,000)
Constitution Marsh Audubon Center & Sanctuary
To replace the roof of the nature center building, Cold Spring, NY. (10,000)
Friends of Milton-on-Hudson Train Station
To renovate the hamlet’s train station as a community center, Milton-on-Hudson, NY. ($5,000)
Friends of Palisades Interstate Park Commission
To construct a boardwalk and viewing platform at Iona Marsh, Bear Mountain, NY. ($10,000)
Hudson River Maritime Museum
To modify the Museum’s docks, Kingston, NY. ($9,000)
Hudson Crossing Park
To design and construct interpretive signage for the Play Garden, Schuylerville, NY. ($10,000)
Hudson Highlands Nature Museum
To design a new exhibit, “In Touch with the Hudson,” Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY. ($5,000)
Hudson River Park Trust
To purchase laboratory equipment for the Pier 66 classroom, Manhattan, NY. ($8,000)
Hudson River Valley Greenway
To reprint two community trail handbooks, Albany, NY. ($5,000)
Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance
To purchase marine safety equipment for the “Big G,” Manhattan, NY. ($8,500)
Municipal Art Society of New York
To produce and distribute the film, “City of Water,” Manhattan, NY. ($5,000)
NY/NJ Baykeeper
To expand the oyster gardening program in Manhattan, NY. ($4,000)
The Point Community Development Corporation
To fund the “North Brother Island Initiative,” Bronx, NY. ($5,000)
Riverkeeper, Inc.
To replace windows on the Riverkeeper’s boat, Tarrytown, NY. ($4,450)
River Pool at Beacon
To construct a storage building and changing station, Beacon, NY. ($8,500)
River Project
To design new signage, Manhattan, NY. ($3,000)
Rocking the Boat
To purchase boat dollies, Bronx, NY. ($4,300)
Rondout Rowing Club
To purchase a new rowing shell, Kingston, NY. ($8,000)
South Street Seaport Museum
To print and purchase education materials, Manhattan, NY. ($10,000)
Urban Divers Marine Conservation/Science Diving
To equip the EnviroMobile, Brooklyn, NY. ($10,000)
Waterfront Museum
To restore the hull of the Waterfront Museum, Brooklyn, NY. ($10,000)
Project WET Foundation
To print and ship, “Discover the Hudson KIDS, Activity Booklet,” published in Bozeman, MT. ($10,000)