Request for Ramsey CountyBusiness Grant Proposals
Guidance
Community POWER:
Partners On Waste Education and Reduction
RamseyCounty is providing new grants through the Community POWER program of the Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board to educate businesses andprivate schools that are not currently involved inwaste reduction and recycling practices in the workplace. Successful applicants will increase awareness of waste issues in the workplace or school and engage participants in waste reduction activities, leading to long-term behavior change.
- Up to $12,000 for an environmental project.
- Receive training, support and resources to implement your project.
- Actively involve employees or your members.
- Help promote RethinkRecycling.com, as part of theoutreach efforts of the Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board.
Your go-to guide for waste & recycling in the Twin Cities.
Changes to this document will be posted to by March 17, 2014.
Application Deadline:
Noon on Monday, March 24, 2014
Community POWER contact:
Kira Berglund, Grant Program Manager
Phone: 651-222-7227
Email:
Application Submission Guidelines
Prospective applicants must submit an on-line proposal. The on-line proposal form can be accessed at: Applicants should strive to be as accurate and complete as possible when describing their plans; however, it is understood that some details may change as plans develop.
Applicants may submit more than one application for different projects; however, no more than one project per fiscal agent will be funded. School districts, however, may serve as a fiscal agent to more than one applicant, such as projects submitted by different schools or community education programs.
Electronic Submission—Required
Fill out the on-line proposal, which can be accessed at click on “How to Apply for a Grant”. You will be able to upload workplan and budget documents from the application link. Please see the online sample timeline, project goals and description, and budget for more information.
The Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board (SWMCB) reserves the right to reject late submittals. Faxed applications will not be accepted.
Available Funding
In 2014, RamseyCounty has approximately $67,500 available for business education projects.
Applicant Eligibility
Organizations that possess the following characteristics are eligible:
- Geographical Service Area: Organizations that involve or serve businessesin RamseyCounty.
- Organizational Status: Organizations that possess a 501(c)(3) or 501 (c)(6) non-profit status, including groups such as chambers of commerce.
- Private K-12 schools. School projects must involve collaboration and education with staff.
- Organizational Focus: Community POWER is geared toward for organizations with a “non-environmental” focus. If the organization’s primary mission includes an environmental focus, the organization must partner with one or more non-environmental organizations and propose to reach new audiences beyond their traditional audiences.
Organizations that are ideal Community POWER partners for business education possess:
- A direct line of communication to their employees or members
- An existing framework and established audience to implement business education projects
Examples of eligible recipients:
- Business Association
- Chamber of Commerce
- Private schools
- Trade Association
- Professional Association
Non-Eligible Groups
- City, county, and state agencies (aside from school districts); or cities, townships, and counties.
- For-profit businesses and organizations.
Non-eligible groups are encouraged to be involved in Community POWER projects as a partner with an eligible organization.
Insurance Requirements
SWMCB requires general liability insurance coverage of at least $1,500,000; automotive liability coverage of at least $1,500,000; professional liability insurance coverage of at least $1,500,000; and workers’ compensation coverage or certification of excluded employment from workers’ compensation requirements. If applicants do not have the insurance coverage listed above, SWMCB may be willing to provide waivers. The SWMCB Risk Manager will make the final decision regarding all waiver requests, which you can note on the web application form. For questions on insurance coverage, contact the Community POWER Grant Program Manager at 651-222-7227 or via email at .
Selection Criteria
The following criteria will be used to evaluate applications:
All projects must include some recycling education. For example, educate on what can be recycled in your community.
If a project includes meetings or events, applicants must take efforts to make them “green” or waste-free. See more information.
Project Focus: Priority will be given to applicants that focus on one or more of the following topics:
Waste Reduction: Helping businesses or private schools reduce the amount of garbage created at work.
Recycling: Helping businesses or private schools implement recycling programs.
Organics Management: Helping businesses or private schools implement a food recovery program.
Green Events: Use the Green Event toolkit resources to reduce waste,plan green events, and develop case studies. See more information.
Project Activities must include:
Action:Activities that actively engage employees in waste reduction and recycling.
Education:Activities that educate employees on the topics of waste reductionand recycling.
Sustainability:Activities that could extend beyond the grant period without grant funding, and activities that could be used or replicated by other businesses.
Audience: Applicants must focus on helping EMPLOYEES change their waste reduction and recycling behavior at WORK.
- Applicants are encouraged to focus on existing networks and audiences.
- Community POWER also seeks projects that engage ethnic minority groups.
Appropriate Use of Funds and Restrictions
Funds may be used for the following:
- Materials
- Supplies
- Printing
- Dissemination of information
- Salaries devoted to education, outreach and program/curriculum development. Salaries for administrative costs such as supervisory and reporting time will be limited to 10% of the grant amount.
- Outreach expenses
- Durable equipment with the value of over $1,000 and items meant to be used beyond the grant period may be allowed but a cost-share may be required. This might include books, sewing machines and media equipment like cameras, etc.
- Recycling and food collection bins will be allowed,but a cost-share may be required.
- Incentives/giveaways must be appropriate to the activity.
- Fiscal management fees are not allowed.
- Other items as agreed to by RamseyCounty.
Projects That Do NOT Fit Community POWER
The following may be valuable, but are not a good fit for Community POWER business grants in RamseyCounty.
- Projects focused on improving waste reduction and recycling at home.
- Projects that include collection of hazardous materials.
- Projects focused on energy or energy conservation.
Support and Resources for Completing the Application
Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the Community POWER Grant Program Manager while preparing the proposal. Kira Berglund, Community POWER Grant Program Manager, can provide feedback, evaluation guidance, and information on resources. Contact Kira at or call 651-222-7227.
Information Meeting
Applicants are encouraged to attend an informational meeting prior to submitting a proposal. Pre-registration is not necessary.
Thursday, February 27, 12:00 – 1:00 pm
Roseville Public Library, Community Room
2108 North Hamline Avenue, Roseville, MN55113
Review Process
- Allproposals are due by noon, March 24, 2014.
- During the review process, the committee may choose to follow up with questions or to perform a site visit to the applicant’s office or program delivery location.
- All applicants will be contacted the week of May 19, 2014 on the status of their application.
Tentative Program Timeline
Application Process
Release of Request for Proposals January 28, 2014
Informational meetingFebruary 27, 2014
Proposals dueMarch 24 by 12:00 p.m.
Review of full proposalsMarch 25 – May 21, 2014
Site visits & questions (if requested)April 14 – May 2, 2014
Announcement of selected proposalsWeek of May 19, 2014
Contract Process
Contract negotiationMay 19 – August 1, 2014
Project duration (grant period)August 25, 2014 – August 21, 2015
Project Timeline
Projects beginAugust 25, 2014
Individual grantee meetings (required)August 25 – October 3, 2014
New grantee orientation (required)September 2014
Grantee training (required)November 2014
Progress reports dueMarch 9, 2015
Projects endAugust 21, 2015
End of project celebration (required)September 2015
Final reports due (required)September 2015
Expectations and Reporting Requirements
All groups awarded a contract through this program will be required to fulfill the obligations described below.
1.Attend the grantee orientation, training session, and the final celebration. The orientation is scheduled to take place in September 2014. The training session will be scheduled in November 2014. The final celebration is scheduled to take place in September2015. Additional trainings for grantees may be offered and attendance is strongly encouraged.
2.Complete one progress report and one final report.Documentation of activities and expenditures must be submitted with reports.
3.Disseminate information about your activities to additional "peer" groups. For example, present information at a conference or meeting of organizations similar to your own or write an article for a publication that reaches other groups.
4.Recognize the Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board as the source of funds in publications, presentations, websites, at events, etc.
5.Promote the Rethink Recycling website, , in newsletters, websites, and any new promotional items produced with Community POWER funding.
6.Use pre-approved language in educational and outreach materials or secure approval of language. Templates will be provided and staff in each county are available to review technical writing.
7.Secure approval for any changes to the work plan, major activities, staff, or budget from the Community POWER Grant Program Manager.
Definitions & Project Resources
Community POWER grantees are strongly encouraged to use the Rethink Recycling Business Recycling Guide and other previously developed resources. Visit:
Program Background
Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board
The Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board (SWMCB) is the issuing agency for the Request for Applications.The SWMCB, formed in 1990, is a joint powers board comprised of two county commissioners each from Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey and WashingtonCounties. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency also serves as an ex-officio member. The mission of the SWMCB is to increase the efficiency and environmental effectiveness of the region’s solid waste management system.
Community POWER Program
The SWMCB began the Community POWER grant program in 2001 as a way to partner with non-environmental, nonprofit organizations to promote SWMCB’s public information website) and to educate residents about waste reduction, toxicity reduction, and recycling.
Since 2001, Community POWER has completed 12 grant rounds, which have provided funding to over 100 community organizations.Community POWER will be entering its fourteenth year this year.Results of past Community POWER grantees can be found at
Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board Rights
The SWMCB may require confirmation of information furnished by applicants. The SWMCB reserves the right to:
1.Reject any or all applications if such action is in the public interest;
2.Cancel the entire Request for Proposals;
3.Issue a subsequent Request for Proposals;
4.Remedy technical errors in the Request for Proposals process;
5.Appoint evaluation committees to review proposals;
6.Negotiate with any, all, or none of the Request for Proposals respondents.
The Request for Proposals does not commit the SWMCB to enter into a contract, nor does it obligate the SWMCB to pay for any costs incurred in preparation and submission of applications or in anticipation of a contract.
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