Review Process and Applications

The Cynthia Krieg funding cycle includes a pre-proposal application form for one of two grant types, education or innovation. The pre-proposal is highly recommended, but not required to be submitted before a full proposal.
Next grant cycle: Fall 2012
Pre-Proposals Due- Wednesday, September 26, 2012 (MCWD accepts pre-proposals at any time and will provide feedback, but a pre-proposal is not required)
Proposals Due - Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Download Application  (MS Word/Excel format):
Pre-Proposal
Application - Education Grant
Application - Innovation Grant
Budget Form - Education and Innovation Grants
Please submit by the dates listed below via email to the Education Manager, as well as by mail to MCWD, 18202 Minnetonka Ave., Deephaven, MN 55391 or fax to (952) 471-0682.

The Pre-Proposal requires a "Parcel ID" or "Property ID" number. These are available through the Hennepin County and Carver County websites. Users may enter their address and receive their PIN. 

Selection Criteria

Education Grants:
Water Quality (30%)

• Does the project have an impact on water quality protection (either direct or indirect) within the Minnehaha Creek Watershed?
• Does the applicant clearly state what their goals are related to water quality protection and how they will reach them?
• Is the reason for and impact of the project described?
• Is the purpose of the project compelling?

Education (30%)

• Does the project have an educational component? Is the audience clearly identified?
• Is a specific method described? (30%)

Community Involvement (15%)

• Does the project encourage community involvement or community service by local citizens?
• Are local citizens involved in planning and/or implementing the project?

Evaluation (5%)

• How will the effectiveness of the project will be measured?
• Will the evaluation give meaningful information that will be useful in future projects with phases of this project?

Timeline (5%)

• Is the timeline realistic given the scope of the project?

Personnel/Partnership (5%)

• Does the project involve partners with other organizations or groups?

Budget (10%)

• Is the budget appropriate for the proposed project?

Innovation Grants:
Water Quality (30%)

• Does the project have an impact on water quality protection (either direct or indirect) within the Minnehaha Creek Watershed?
• Does the applicant clearly state what their goals are related to water quality protection and how they will reach them?
• Is the reason for and impact of the project described?

Innovation (30%)

• What makes the project innovative?
• Is a specific method described?

Evaluation (15%)

• How will the effectiveness of the project will be measured?
• Is this a viable form of evaluation?

Disseminating Results (5%)

• How will the results of the project be made known to the public?

Timeline (5%)

• Is the timeline realistic given the scope of the project?

Personnel/Partnership (5%)

• Does the project involve partners with other organizations or groups?

Budget (10%)

• Is the budget appropriate for the proposed project?

Work Plans and Grant Agreements

1.      The MCWD Board of Managers, with input from MCWD staff and the Citizen Advisory Committee, chooses projects for funding based on the criteria above. Once the funding awards have been determined, staff will work with the successful applicants to develop a project work plan and a grant agreement.

2.      Submit completed work plans and signed agreements within 180 days of notification that their project is funded. Failure to complete an approved work plan and enter into an agreement to do the work will result in forfeiture of grant dollars, which will be returned to the fund for allocation in the following grant cycle.

3.      Requests for amendments to project budgets, work plans, or grant agreements will be handled by staff on a case-by-case basis. Requests to substantially deviate from the spirit and outcomes of the original proposal may require MCWD Board approval.

4.      Review Process and Selection Criteria - All applications received by the deadline will be reviewed and ranked by a panel of individuals representing the MCWD. Ranking will be done according to percentages as assigned to questions in the “Application Guidelines” section below. The MCWD Board makes the final selection determination.

5.       Award of Fund - Once the fiscal agent and the MCWD execute a notarized agreement, applicants will receive a check for 90% of the awarded amount. The final 10% will be awarded after completion of the final report according to the requirements in the Grant Agreement. Some projects may need MCWD permits and maintenance agreements to be recorded with the appropriate county depending on the type of project.