Across the region PAN members are working on innovative projects on their properties, in their neighborhoods, and in their chosen communities. Moving from idea to implementation is dependent on many variables but one of the most limited is often funding. Over the past few years the PAN Board has been working closely with the New England Grassroots Environment Fund (NEGEF) to share funding opportunities with our members. Fortunately for us NEGEF as an organization shares many of the same ethics as PAN and the Permaculture community do! NEGEF is “dedicated to inspire, connect, and support community-based environmental projects throughout New England.”
So, how does this work? There are two initial grant sources at NEGEF that we encourage you to review. They are called Seed and Grow grants and are designed for groups that:
* are doing community-based environmental work in CT, ME, MA, NH, RI or VT;
* are volunteer-driven or have no more than 2 full-time paid staff (or equivalents);
* have an annual operating budget under $100,000.
It is important to note that NEGEF does not fund statewide, regional, national or international work. Their focus is specifically on community-based, local initiatives. More information on both grants is available at https://grassrootsfund.org/dollars.
Seed grants have a rolling application so you can apply anytime. Grow grants are accepted twice per year. There is also a Harvest grant round once per year for capacity building projects for groups empowering youth-led initiatives that allow young adults to design, lead, and engage a community-based effort from inception.
We hope that you will take a closer look at these funding opportunities for your projects. If you do move forward and need a fiscal sponsor at any point you can always look to PAN for that service!