The mission of the W. C. Kenney Foundation is to protect and restore watersheds in the Western United States.

The Foundation gives out three types of grants:

1. Leadership Grants (given out by confidential Advisory Committee)
2. Discretionary Grants (email inquiries welcome - see instructions below)
3. Policy Grants (email applications welcome - see instructions below)

1. Leadership Grants

The bulk of our grantmaking funds are allocated by a small Advisory Committee made up of experts and activists deeply engaged with grassroots river protection groups in the West. Every three years, the Foundation will convene a group of Advisors to nominate and determine potential grantees for that cycle.

Advisors choose registered 501(c)3 groups working to protect, preserve, and restore western rivers, giving priority to strong leadership, the group's capacity to create meaningful change, and the importance of the issues. The ideal grantee is strongly supported by a diverse local community and broadens its strategies to find proactive and creative solutions. Projects are funded in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming.

Successful grantees receive a three-year general support grant ranging from $15,000 to $75,000 annually. These multi-year grants are tied to the leadership and capacity of the grantee organization. Sudden changes in leadership may require the foundation to reconsider or discontinue the second or third years of the grant, as we want our grantees to maintain their capacity and focus throughout the grant period.

The first Advisory Grants will be distributed in Fall of 2005. The next cycle will most likely occur in 2008.

The Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications or funding inquiries for leadership grants.

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2. Discretionary Grants

A portion of the Foundation's funds are granted at the discretion of the Board to specific projects anywhere in the western United States (including Alaska). Relatively small discretionary grants allow the Foundation to fund efforts that either do not fit the leadership grant guidelines or did not filter up through our Advisory Committee process.

Discretionary grants are given to projects that either:

1. Provide a real opportunity to change western water policy on a local, state or national level; or
2. Defend environmental laws critical for the protection of all western rivers; or
3. Focus on a specific strategy for protection of a biologically important western watershed.

Groups interested in applying for a discretionary grant may do so by sending an email to jay@kenneyfdn.org with "Discretionary Grant Inquiry" in the subject line.

The email must be limited to 2 paragraphs that explain the importance of the project and its fit with one of three guidelines noted above. Upon receipt, the Kenney Foundation will request more information if the project has funding potential.

Please note:

• Paper inquiries and email attachments will not be accepted.
• Inquiry emails are accepted at any time, but must be received by September 30 to be considered for a grant within that fiscal year.
• Grant inquiries can only be made once a year, unless the second request is for emergency funds.
• The Foundation will try to reply to all inquiries in a timely manner. However, as we operate without staff, response time may be up to two months.
• Discretionary grants can only be made to registered 501(c)3 organizations (not to individuals or political organizations).

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3. Policy Grants

The Kenney Foundation is interested in providing small grants to encourage policy research and analysis of issues that affect western water. Research topics might include alternatives for managing water demand, mechanisms for transferring water to environmental and recreational use, commentary on federal and state actions that affect water policy. Grants may be used for arranging meetings. Preference will be given to projects that will be disseminated in a manner that reach advocates for the West's rivers.

The Foundation is likely to make 2-4 grants per year, for a grants budget totaling approximately $50,000 - $75,000 per year.

Applications should

• describe the project (what it addresses and why it is needed)
• the total budget of the project and the sources of additional funding that are being sought
• the experience of the primary analyst
• how the research will be disseminated
• the tax status of the proposed recipient.

Please do not submit more than 3 pages for this application. Applications should be emailed to jay@kenneyfdn.org.

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