Communication and education grant program
2013 Request for Proposals
In 2010, the BBP developed a Communication and Outreach Plan and a Communication and Education Committee (CEC) to support the educational objectives of the BBP’s Strategic Plan. The Communication Outreach Plan established clear objectives, approaches, and methods to engage distinct target audiences that are important to protecting the Barnegat Bay ecosystem.
The BBP Communication and Education (C&E) Grant Program aims to advance projects that produce tangible results through education and outreach. For those of you who are familiar with the previous education grant program (the Public Participation and Education Grant - or "MInigrant" Program), the C&E Grant Program is the result of revisions made by the CEC to the old program to better reflect the priorities of the Communication and Outreach Plan and the Strategic Plan that it supports. The BBP is looking for projects that increase public understanding of the bay's ecology and how humans impact it, promote stewardship of the bay's valuable resources, and encourage public participation in protecting and restoring the bay. 
In October, 2012, the BBP issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for its 2013 C&E Grant Program. In the RFP, the BBP encouraged projects that focused on specific priority topics and target audiences. Due to the impact of Superstorm Sandy, the deadline for submitting an application was extended to January 4, 2013. The BBP considered funding requests from $1,000 (minimum) to $10,000 (maximum). Only projects located within the Barnegat Bay watershed were eligible for funding.
Click here to read the BBP Communication and Education Grant Program's 2013 Request for Proposals. All requirements for a complete application were explained in this document, including information about the purpose of the grant program, who can apply, types of projects that are eligible, proposal evaluation criteria, how to submit an application, the review and selection process, and the responsibilities of awardees.
The following forms were required for a complete application:
Proposal Cover Page
Proposal Budget Summary
2013 grant recipients
A grant review committee evaluated the proposals and made recommendations for funding. The committee included both CEC members and external reviewers. Only individuals with no connections to any of the proposals participated in the review. The committee's recommendations have been approved by the BBP's Advisory Committee, and the following projects will receive 2013 C&E grants.
"Harvest the Bay" ($10,000) – Island Beach State Park will develop and present a series of hands-on educational programs in both English and Spanish that focus on the fisheries of Barnegat Bay and their current decline.
"Businesses for a Healthier Barnegat Bay" ($8,250) – Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey will develop and implement an outreach program for businesses and corporations with the goals of increasing awareness of the ecological and economic importance of the bay and encouraging involvement in restoration efforts.
"Extending Environmental Education to a Non-English-Speaking Population: Discovery Fridays in Spanish”($5,000) – Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts & Sciences (LBIF) will expand its already successful Discovery Fridays program to include the Spanish-speaking population of Long Beach Island and the surrounding communities.
"Shellfish in the Classroom" ($1,875) – ReClam the Bay will expand this successful educational program to bring lessons about water quality and a hands-on experience growing shellfish to more classrooms throughout the watershed.
"A Pathway to Possibilities" ($1,000) – Meadows of Lake Ridge Homeowners Association will improve soil conditions and plant native species along a sidewalk and common pathway within the senior community, and educate residents about the advantages of low impact landscaping.