Sustainability Grants for Richmond Schools: 2009/2010 PROPOSAL DUE DATE:  December 11. 2009 Background Information The Richmond School Board has been supporting school based sustainability initiatives since 2004 and is once again proud to offer $500 Sustainability Grants.  Schools are invited to submit applications for funding that support the District's Developmental Objective of Environmental Stewardship, ìhow can we behave responsibly towards the natural world?   Preference will be given to grant proposals that: build on an existing initiatives OR begin an initiative within a school; involves a variety of school community members are evidence-based, (i.e. clear plan to collect evidence that shows that the project has met its objectives/goals); have a large impact size (e.g. a school-wide sustainability project) have an impact on the behavior of participants (i.e. change in lifelong habits) Commitment from schools that receive a grant include: A year end presentation at the Green Gala (May 20, 2010); Regular use of the Eco-wise Tool to track progress; Sending a representative to participate in the Sustainability CafÈ series (Nov. 19, Jan.21, Feb. 18 and April 15) A submission of a summary to showcase School Sustainability Initiatives.  These will be posted on the Richmond Sustainability Website.  Due by May 31, 2009.   How to apply for a sustainability Grant: Create a school Eco-Team (include staff, parents, students, community members). Fill in the application form and submit your proposal via email to Rosalind Poon or by fax to 604-668-6191 before December 11th. Complete the Eco-wise Tool - this will provide baseline data for each school.  See whether you are bronze, silver, gold or GREEN Eco-wise school.  (Note: the first portion of the grant will be present to the school once the Leadership & Teamwork, Waste Management and Energy Conservation sections of the Eco-wise tool are completed).   For more information, please contact Rosalind Poon @ rpoon@sd38.bc.ca or 604-718-4024.   Grant Approval Process: Project proposals are due Friday, Dec. 11, 2009 - only one project per school will be accepted.  Please electronically complete the attached application form and send to Rosalind Poon.   A team will review the all completed and qualified applications.  Schools will be notified of their status as soon as the approval process has been completed in Janurary. Schools will receive $400 in the Fall.  The remaining $100 will be issued once the year-end presentation, project summary and Eco-wise tool evaluation are complete.