We are now accepting applications for the 2018 PRIDE Environmental Education Grant Program, thanks to a grant from Appalachian Regional Commission.

The amount of each grant will be up to $2,750, plus an additional $500 to start a service-oriented PRIDE Club for the 2018-19 school year. 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 April 1, 2018, until Sept. 15, 2018. All materials are required to be purchased by Aug. 31, 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.

The grant can be used to start a PRIDE Club and fund its projects. PRIDE Club members learn about the environment in fun ways, such as mentoring to younger students and performing community service. The clubs are a great way to fulfill community service hours, if required for graduation. To learn more about PRIDE Clubs, click here.

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 nonprofit 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.

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 by 4:00 pm ET on March 27, 2018.

To apply, please follow the instructions below.

• Click here to download the Grant Application (a Word document).
• Click here to download the PRIDE Club Registration Form (PDF).
• 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 March 27, 2018 via:
  • Hand delivery or mail (must be received, not postmarked by March 27) to 2292 S. Hwy. 27, Somerset, KY 42501,
  • E-mail to(PRIDE@centertech.com,
  • Fax to 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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