The Long Island Community Foundation's (LICF) Long Island Sound Stewardship Fund (LISSF) is a competitive grant program seeking proposals to restore and protect the health and living resources of Long Island Sound.

LICF is interested in empowering communities of all kinds (including communities typically underrepresented in environmental advocacy) to access, improve and benefit from Long Island Sound, its waterways, and surrounding lands.

The most competitive proposals will incorporate multiple values including sustainability, resilience and diversity, equity, and inclusion. The availability of funds is contingent upon the quality of proposals received, and their alignment with the priorities in this RFP. The LISSF aims to:

• support nongovernmental organizations working on issues and projects related to the Long Island Sound Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan;
• help build stronger nongovernmental organizations working in the Long Island Sound watershed in Connecticut and New York;
• foster collaboration and innovation around conservation and environmental quality;
• accelerate the “next best step” for proven tools and strategies to reduce pollution, restore habitat, conserve species, enhance community resilience, support inclusive management, and engage people around the Sound; and
• support communities and organizations in advancing environmental justice and diversity, equity and inclusion.

Funding Information

• Projects under $100,000 must start within three months and be completed within 15 months after notification of grant award projected to be March 2021.
• Projects requesting the maximum award amount must start within three months and be completed within 24 months.

Eligibility Criteria

• Eligible applicants include non-profit 501(c)3 organizations and educational institutions.
• Applicant organizations may submit up to two proposals per organization.
• Proposals must be submitted electronically through the given website.
• Funds may not be used for:
  • Activities prohibited to 501(c)3 organizations.
  • Scientific research. Those interested in funding for research should consider the Long Island Sound Study Research Grant Program.
  • Marketing efforts that serve to generally promote solely the applicant organization and its initiatives.
  • Building or capital or acquisition campaigns, endowments, sponsorships, or to address budget deficits.

For more information, visit LICF.