The small-grants program of the Highland Communities Initiative (HCI) is making cash awards of up to $5,000 to projects and programs designed to preserve the natural and cultural landscapes of the Highlands region through land conservation or community preservation. Since 2001, the small-grants program has been successful in encouraging a variety of innovative and effective projects.

To learn more about the types of projects HCI funds, view a list of grantees and funded projects. To read a summary of what the HCI small grants program has helped accomplish, click here.

Projects or programs must be from or benefit communities within the defined Highlands Region.

Eligible projects include, but are not limited to:

• Costs associated with individual land protection projects (examples include: acquisition costs, appraisals, option payments, interest costs). 
  
  
• Outreach and informational programs that promote land conservation and/or community preservation on a town-wide or regional basis. Includes:
  a) A series of public lectures, forums, or seminars
  b) Development and dissemination of informational literature and materials.
  
  
• Community-based planning projects that address resource conservation, land use and/or community preservation related issues. May include:
  a) Municipal open space plans or master plans
  b) Local zoning bylaw revisions
  c) Town visioning processes.
  
  
• Feasibility studies, assessments, or planning projects that promote the conservation of regionally significant cultural, scenic, historical, ecological, or recreational resources.
  
  
• Projects that benefit local economies while protecting the natural and cultural landscape.

Note: HCI will not fund applications for 'bricks and mortar' type projects (e.g. building renovations, trail construction). Also, HCI will not fund requests for food associated with conferences and meetings.

Eligible recipients:

• Municipal boards (e.g. conservation commissions, planning boards, open space committees).
  
  
• Other governmental entities.
• Private, non-profit organizations (501[c]3 status required)

Maximum of $5,000 per award. Unless otherwise noted, the grant must be spent within 12 months of the award.

• Frequency:
  Up to $5,000 will be awarded each month.

Application procedures:
Applicants should submit a proposal no more than two pages in length (with black-and-white map attached, if appropriate), all on 8" x 11" paper, that includes the following information:

• Name and address of organization;
  
  
• Public or non-profit, tax-exempt status (attach 501[c]3 letter);
  
  
• Name, address, telephone, fax, and e-mail address of contact;
  
  
• Brief summary of proposal, including goals and objectives, implementation plan, project significance, and evaluation measures; proposal should address review criteria (below), where appropriate.
• Project budget.

Review Criteria:

• Significance of project:
  Will the project make a significant contribution to land conservation or community preservation in the town or region?
  
  
• Likelihood of success:
  What is the likelihood that the project will succeed and the grant will be a productive investment?
  
  
• Creation of a regional model:
  Will the project producea model for other communities?
  
  
• Promotion of multi-town cooperation:
  Does the project include or encourage towns to work together?
  
  
• Leverage and match:
  Preference will be given to projects that demonstrate potential for high leverage, and that can provide at least a 1:2 cash match ($1 from other sources for every $2 in grant funds)
  
  
• Ability and track record of applicant:
  What is the history of the applicant in conducting successful projects of this type?
  
  
• Project impact:
  What is the value of the project in developing conservation/community preservation leadership, awareness, and public support?

Review Procedures:
Grant applications will be reviewed by a subcommittee of the HCI Steering Committee. Applicants will generally be notified within two weeks of the application deadline that their application has been rejected, approved, or that more information is needed.

Potential applicants are encouraged to discuss their proposals beforehand with Wendy Sweetser at The Trustees of Reservations. Call 413.268.8219, or e-mail them to highlands@ttor.org.

Grant recipients make an interim and final report assessing the project and showing how the grant was spent. The interim report is generally in the form of a letter or email covering progress toward completion. The form for the final report can be downloaded:

Final Report Form (Rich text document)