April 16, 2009 – The Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority has resurrected an old program and now has $150,000 in grant money available to enrich the community.
Twenty-eight people Wednesday were at the WMA office in William's Delight to see if their visions and projects would meet the requirements set forth by the authority.
In its Community Enrichment Grant Program, the authority has designated $50,000 for each island. The funds are to be used for recycling, composting, beautification, education, litter abatement, clean ups and other projects to improve the environment of the islands. The grants are to be used to create viable long-term environmental protection projects that will have a sustained positive impact on the environment.
The grants must benefit the community. The funds are available for use by youth groups, non profits, civic organizations, churches, schools and other such groups licensed and registered as non profit organizations.
“I would like to see the smallest child to the oldest citizens in this meaningful project,” said Cordell Jacobs, Environmental Programs Division program manager.
During his presentation, Jacobs went over the one-page application, which appears straightforward and easy to fill out.
Each applicants must state his or her group's mission, its vision for the community, and describe its programs and activities of the last year. The purpose for the requested amount must be stated clearly along with the total cost of the project and a description of the area and population to be served.
A committee from the authority will select the groups eligible to receive funds. There are certain requirements and restrictions once selected.
“Once selected we require the group to keep good records,” Jacobs said. “We will be collecting data to make sure the program is worth it. We expect to see meaningful change with before and after pictures.”
He also said the funds are not to be used for salaries, research, fundraising or operational expenses. All printed material, public announcement, signs, displays and other material resulting from the grant should recognize the WMA role as grantor.
“When you are successful we want you to tell a friend this was funded by V.I. Waste Management Authority Community Enrichment Grant Program,” Jacobs says.
Applications will be available at all Waste Management offices beginning Monday and will be accepted until May 22. Successful applicants will be notified of their selections by June 5.
A meeting was held Thursday on St. Thomas and there will be one Friday on St. John at the Julius Sprauve School at 6 p.m.
Further information can be obtained by calling Waste Management's Office of communications at 712-4950 or 712-4951.
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