Alabama Audubon provides financial support up to $1,000 for educators and educational nonprofits working to connect students with birds, their habitats, and the next generation of responsible stewardship. To find out more about our Education MiniGrant program, read the FAQ below. If your project is eligible, we’d love for you to apply.
Our recent deadline for applications was 30 October 2021.
We realize COVID-19 has thrown a curveball at a lot of our educators, with school closings, online transitions, event cancelations, and more. With so much uncertainty around projects that could potentially be funded by our Education MiniGrants, we’ve decided to push back our deadlines for this year’s applications as well as last year’s recipients’ reports as a courtesy to our educators and educational nonprofits.
We’ll now be accepting new applications beginning 19 April 2021, with applications due by 30 October 2021. New applicants will receive notification about whether or not their grant was awarded by early 2022.
Education MiniGrant FAQ
Who can apply? Educators throughout Alabama are eligible to apply. To be considered, your school or organization must be a nonprofit and tax-exempt with IRS public charity status, or be a public entity qualifying under Section 170(c) of the Internal Revenue Code.
How large are the grants? We award up to $1,000 per grant.
What does the grant cover? Applicants may request funding for:
- physical improvements (e.g., native plantings, bird feeding stations, bird houses, outdoor classrooms, pollinator gardens) at school or community habitat sites—chimney swift towers are especially of interest! Check out our initiative to build more swift towers here.
- student birding equipment (e.g., classroom binocular sets, field guides, bird-song recording devices)
- innovative, student-led projects with community-science or habitat-monitoring components
- select field trips to visit significant public bird areas (Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge, Dauphin Island, &c.)
Please note that we cannot provide funds to cover stipends, salaries, interpretive programs, or indirect costs. Daring, creative, and innovative projects receive priority attention!
When is the application deadline? We’ll begin accepting applications for the next cycle starting on 19 April 2021; all applications must be received via email no later than 30 October 2021.
How do I apply? First, read Advice for Applicants (available below). Then download and complete the application, scan and save a signed copy in PDF format, and email it to the address listed on the application. Please do not mail a hardcopy.
When will I hear back from Alabama Audubon? Soon after the 30 October deadline, the Alabama Audubon Education Committee will meet to review applications and make awards. Applicants will receive an email notification with the results of that decision in the weeks to follow.
What do I need to do after I complete my project? All 2020/2021 school year successful applicants must complete the MiniGrant Report Form, available below, and return it via email to Alabama Audubon no later than 30 October 2021. If you include photographs of students in your report, you must attach a signed Photo Release form (also available below) to your final report. If you were a 2019 MiniGrant recipient (or earlier) and did not submit the MiniGrant Report Form along with supporting documentation, you will not be eligible to reapply.
I have additional questions—whom should I contact? Please email additional questions to info@alaudubon.org, subject line: “MiniGrant question.”
Forms:
The 2021–22 school year application period is now closed. Check back in 2022 for updated forms!
Helpful Resources:
Alabama Audubon’s mission is to promote conservation and a greater knowledge of birds, their habitats, and the natural world.