Musser Fund Supports Collaboration in Environmental Decision Making

Through its Initiative to Promote Collaborative Process in Environmental Decision Making, the Laura Jane Musser Fund seeks to build a community-based approach to solving environmental problems and encouraging environmental stewardship. The fund will assist public or not-for-profit entities to initiate or implement projects in rural areas to undertake consensus-based activities in environmental stewardship or dispute resolution.

Applications are accepted in following two funding areas:

**The Environmental Stewardship Program will support programs that work to manage resources (whether of ecological, economic, or aesthetic values) where a broad range of community members and stakeholders are involved in both planning and implementation of the program, and, especially, those programs that involve local citizens in a hands-on grassroots approach to stewardship that helps to develop a common vision of the future and harness their energies to make that vision come true.

**The Environmental Dispute Resolution Program will support programs that engage in a collaborative process that works to build consensus instead of confrontation, where parties may be able to resolve a conflict and move forward without resorting to litigation; and, particularly where both the environmental health and economic livelihood of a community are at stake.

The fund provides support for programs in their first three years, as well as projects in the planning or implementation phase. The program does not support capital expenses, general operating support for organizations, or ongoing program support.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, start-up organizations with a tax-exempt fiscal sponsor, and units of government at the local level are eligible to apply. Organizations must be located in and serve the population of the United States.

Grants of up to $35,000 each may be made for projects in this program. The Musser Fund is likely to make a total of four to six grants through its Environmental Initiative this year.

For complete program information, go to:

http://www.musserfund.org/environmental.htm