We are now accepting applications for the 2017-18 PRIDE Environmental Education Grant Program, thanks to a grant from Appalachian Regional Commission.

The amount of each grant will be up to $2,750. Eligible applicants may receive multiple grants. The grant will be awarded to the school board or nonprofit organization that represents the eligible applicant.

The grant period will extend from October 1, 2017 to May 31, 2018. All materials are required to be purchased by April 30, 2018; no extension will be awarded.

How grants can be used

The funds can be used for a variety of educational activities that achieve the objectives of the PRIDE Environmental Education Grant Program, which are:

• To encourage the understanding of and actions beneficial to the environment through educational activities.
• To bring an awareness of nature and the conflicts between the built and natural aspects of our environment.
• To teach students skills that create a positive action on behalf of the environment.
• To promote the concept of student acceptance of being personally responsible for his or her environment while building community pride.

The Grant Application review process will be highly competitive. Projects focusing on energy efficiency and conservation, recycling and solid waste management will receive higher priority.

Below are “how to” packets on four projects that could be implemented with a PRIDE grant:

• Beekeeping 101
• Butterfly Gardens 101
• Composting 101
• Hydration Station 101

Who is eligible to apply

Eligible applicants are public and private school systems; educational institutions applying as a school; and non-formal educators. Non-profit organizations interested in the promotion of environmental education may apply. Funding is available to all distressed and at-risk counties as designated by the ARC County Economic Status in Appalachia, FY 2017. Applicants must be working with schools or organizations within the following counties: Adair, Bath, Bell, Boyd, Breathitt, Carter, Casey, Clay, Clinton, Cumberland, Elliott, Floyd, Green, Harlan, Jackson, Johnson, Knott, Knox, Laurel, Lawrence, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Lincoln, Magoffin, Martin, McCreary, Menifee, Metcalfe, Monroe, Morgan, Owsley, Perry, Pike, Pulaski, Rockcastle, Rowan, Russell, Wayne, Whitley and Wolfe.

A grant recipient is the school board or non-profit organization that represents the eligible applicant. Eligible applicants may submit their applications directly to PRIDE; however, they must notify their grant recipient, if applicable, of the submission.

NOTE: Bonus points in the scoring process will be added to applications by attendees of the PRIDE Environmental Leadership & Solid Waste Management Training, which will be held Aug. 22, 2017, in Somerset.

How to apply

The Grant Application is available below as a Word document. To submit the Grant Application, please mail, e-mail, fax or hand-deliver it to PRIDE. The Grant Application must be received by PRIDE or postmarked by 4:00 pm ET on September 15, 2017.

To apply, please follow the instructions below.

• Click here to download the Grant Application (a Word document).
• Read the Terms and Conditions in the Grant Application, which include details about the program, tips for completing the application, and a sample budget.
• Complete the Grant Application.
• Submit the completed Grant Application to PRIDE by 4:00 pm ET on September 15, 2017 via:
  • Mail or hand delivery (2292 S. Hwy. 27, Somerset, KY 42501),
  • E-mail (PRIDE@centertech.com), or
  • Fax (606-677-6055).

If you have any questions, please contact Cathy Lenox at clenox@centertech.com or 1-888-577-4339 (toll free).

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