A Guide for Applying
for Fall 2009 Grants
Patrick Santelli | 30 Sept. 2009

The Scoop
Minnesota Schools Cutting Carbon will award ten to
fifteen grants of up to $20,000.
PLEASE APPLY!!! The application process is not
difficult, and we will help answer your questions.
Get Started: The Request For Proposals is posted on
the MnSCC website at www.SchoolsCuttingCarbon.org.
This is a guide on how to apply for these grants.
www.SchoolsCuttingCarbon.org

Why Should I Apply?
1. GOOD CHANCE OF SUCCESS. Only MNSCC schools
are eligible for these grants—10 to 15 grants for a
maximum of 100 schools.
2. ENERGY SAVING IDEAS ALREADY IDENTIFIED.
The ERM Report already identifies specific energy
savings projects for your school.
3. MAKE A DIFFERENCE! This is a chance to show how
students can make a big impact in your school and
community. We can build momentum!
www.SchoolsCuttingCarbon.org

Why Should I Apply?
4. MORE FUNDING SOURCES ARE POSSIBLE. We will
help you link to other possible energy funds if you
do not receive a grant. We have been in contact
with utilities and looking at new government funds
for energy projects.
5. HELP DEMONSTRATE SUCCESS. MnSCC intends to
promote school efforts at events such as a display
at the State Capitol & Governor’s Mansion; a
display at Living Green Expo; and other events.
We want to recognize YOUR SCHOOL!!
www.SchoolsCuttingCarbon.org

Requirements
ONLY TWO REQUIREMENTS:
1. Must demonstrate student leadership
2. Must result in measurable reductions in energy use
and greenhouse gas emissions
PROJECT FEATURES: Please be creative in integrating
your project into the curriculum, school operations,
and your community.
www.SchoolsCuttingCarbon.org

The Website
The application
form & details
can be found
on the MnSCC
website at
www.Schools
CuttingCarbon.org
www.SchoolsCuttingCarbon.org

The Application
There are four sections to the grant application:
1. Applicant information
2. Project information
3. Project proposal (including work plan, team,
support summary & budget)
4. Conflict of interest disclosure form
www.SchoolsCuttingCarbon.org

Application Deadline
The Deadline is December 3rd 2009
There are two ways to submit your application:
1. In‐person delivery: Must be received by 2:00pm
on December 3rd
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
First Floor Reception Area
520 Lafayette Road North
St. Paul, MN 55155‐4194
Attn. Lynette Podritz
2. Mail delivery: Must be postmarked by end of
business day on December 3rd
www.SchoolsCuttingCarbon.org

Application Details
• 4 copies of your proposal are required—
a signed original proposal and three copies
• Only 1 copy of Conflict of Interest Form is required,
available at www.SchoolsCuttingCarbon.org
• Use recycled paper and double‐sided printing to
reduce paper consumption
• Faxed submittals will not be accepted
www.SchoolsCuttingCarbon.org

Judging Criteria
See RFP for full grant application evaluation details
• School must be enrolled in the MnSCC program
• Project Impacts (55 points total)
– Energy and carbon impacts; cost/benefit analysis (25 points)
– Sustainable impacts (15 points)
– Educational and other impacts (10 points)
– Measurement and reporting (5 points)
• Project Details (45 points total)
– Project goal, activities and timeline (25 points)
– Student team participation (15 points)
– Other project members (5 points)
www.SchoolsCuttingCarbon.org

Timeline
• September – November 2009: School teams develop
their applications
• Thursday, December 3rd: Deadline for filing grant
applications, either in person at MPCA or by mail
• December: Selections made by the MnSCC judges
• January 1st: Winning schools will be notified
• January 31st: Deadline for schools to sign contracts
to receive grants
• February 1st, 2010 – June 30th, 2011: Schools
implement grant projects
www.SchoolsCuttingCarbon.org

Payment Schedule
• 40% up front,
• 50% on a reimbursement basis,
• And the last 10% upon project completion, and the
submission and acceptance of a final report
www.SchoolsCuttingCarbon.org

Help is Available!!
If you have questions or want to discuss project ideas,
please contact:
Patrick Santelli
MnSCC Project Coordinator
SchoolsCuttingCarbon@CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org
612‐625‐3759
Patrick can also discuss your questions with the ERM
consultants who visited your school
www.SchoolsCuttingCarbon.org

Program Managers
• Clean Energy Resource Teams
• Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
• Minnesota Office of Energy Security
• Funding provided by Minnesota Environment and
Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by
Legislative‐Citizen Commission on Minnesota
Resources
www.SchoolsCuttingCarbon.org

Program Partners
• Environmental Resources Management
• USGBC Mississippi Headwaters Chapter
• Will Steger Foundation
• Youth Energy Summit (YES!)
• Transcampus Energy Action Movement (TEAM MN)
• Youth Environmental Activists (YEA MN)
• Project Green Fleet
www.SchoolsCuttingCarbon.org