State Capacity Grants
The PLJV Capacity Grant Program was initiated in 2002 to provide member states additional resources to deliver habitat conservation projects that address PLJV priorities. The grants are intended to increase the ongoing capacity of states to develop and deliver habitat projects, rather than directly support habitat, research, and/or education/outreach projects. PLJV encourages grantees to identify bottlenecks in habitat delivery within their state and think about projects/programs that remove or lessen these bottlenecks. Successful state capacity grants result in sustainable local conservation partnerships that implement projects contributing to PLJV habitat objectives. Grants are awarded on an annual basis.
We believe that successful state capacity grants result in sustainable local conservation partnerships. These partnerships may be focus areas, habitat partnerships, or other coalitions wanting to do habitat conservation work. These conservation partnerships, once funded, work to strengthen their infrastructure and their ability to contribute to PLJV habitat objectives. While we do not expect immediate habitat accomplishments, continuing accomplishments are expected after two to three years. We discourage short-term (one year), narrowly-defined, non-partnership projects. Our intent is to support groups to get them “on their feet” and then move on to other groups also needing help. Therefore Capacity Grants are “venture capital” in nature and are given to groups/organizations showing promise but need financial help to move beyond current capabilities. We do not expect to support organizations beyond approximately 6 years unless a new type of capacity project is built or capacity is delivered to a new area of the state.
Capacity Grant Request for Proposals (RFP) is generally announced in the late summer or early fall. Capacity Grant proposals must be run through your state wildlife agency. Contact your state wildlife agency PLJV Management Board member to get started. For additional information, contact Christopher Rustay, Conservation Delivery Leader for the PLJV, at (505) 243-0737 or via email.