In the past, FSI has granted funding for organizations nationwide, and even internationally. However, with its interest in working alongside the Laguna Wilderness Press to build awareness about environmental concerns in southern California, the foundation desires to direct attention to environmental groups and projects in the Laguna Beach area, especially preservation and restoration of areas under conservation in the open space known as the Laguna Greenbelt or wilderness. Projects that expand open space in the inner greenbelt, promote community gardening, including in its schools, restore wherever possible the canyon creeks to their natural setting, and help to establish the legacy of a unique place and its traditions of village diverse planning and vision, plein-air painting, and historic homes and sites are among a few examples. Proposals from organizations based elsewhere are still welcome, and can still receive funding from FSI.Laguna Wilderness Press
FSI conducts two grant cycles, annually. The due dates for both cycles are April 15th and October 15th. Applicants who submit proposals by April 15th can expect a decision by mid-May, while proposals submitted by October 15th can expect a decision by mid-November. Organizations awarded a grant will receive additional information at that time as well. For any questions regarding proposal applications, decisions, or the grant cycle process, feel free to contact us at FSIFoundation@aol.com
FSI requires only one copy of an organization’s grant proposal, which must contain all necessary documents and a five-page outline of the proposal. Please refer to the Application Guidelines for more information. It is our preference, though, that we receive an electronic copy (word doc., pdf) of your proposal via email. However, for organizations that do not have access to an email account or the Internet, hard copies of proposals are still accepted via postal mail.
The main proposal should be a maximum of 5 single-spaced pages, concise and organized. It should address each item listed in the following order:
1) Contact information for organization or individual proposal representative (Including mailing and email address, phone and fax number, etc…);
2) Summary or abstract of proposal;
3) Brief history of the organization and its purpose;
4) Clear statement of the problem or issue to be addressed and the objectives to be achieved;
5) Approach or methods, including a timeline of how the project or program will be carried out;
6) A budget outlining all expected costs of the project, and what the proposed grant from FSI will be covering;
7) Clients to be served, anticipated impact and success, and an evaluation plan.
*In addition to the five-page proposal, the application requires one (1) copy of the following:
1. Brief cover letter signed by a representative of the organization
2. Copy of the IRS letter designating non-profit charitable status
3. Current budget of income and expenses
4. Recent annual report, preferably signed by an independent accountant
FSI welcomes proposals that request between $1,000 and $10,000, for a one-year range, for their project. These amounts are outlined in our Application Guidelines section and organizations are encouraged to follow them.
In line with its vision statement, our foundation seeks to foster environmental restoration, preservation and education. FSI takes particular interest in proposals for seed projects that establish demonstration projects, which link rural and urban settings. Projects could orient toward use of resources in sustainable ways, preservation of wildlife habitats, conservation of wilderness, integration of food production, technology, economics, and community development in harmonious ways with the natural world. Also, another area of interest is support for small alternative presses and periodicals that show creativity and new ideas, and focus on issues and problems.
FSI will not consider funding requests for administrative cost or salaries. Our interest is in funding seed projects that will eventually outgrow the need for our funding. Requests for endowment or general operations will not be considered.