Mini-Grants

DAEE announces 2025 mini-grants up to $1500 for environmental education!

Beginning in 2016, DAEE offered annual mini-grants to current DAEE members to conduct an environmental education project at their institution. In 2025, DAEE will once again award a mini-grant for up to $1,500. Proposals with a minimum request of $500 and a maximum of $1,500 will be considered for funding. DAEE may choose to fund more than one project per year. The Grantee must have an active DAEE membership in order to receive DAEE funds.

Deadline for submissions: February 28, 2025.

The grant is available annually to formal educators (classrooms, Pre-K-16) and non-formal educators (nature centers, zoos, museums, government agency staff, etc.). Projects should promote meaningful experiences with nature, expand opportunities and the reach of environmental education in Delaware. Applicants are encouraged to plan innovative, create, replicable, and collaborative projects that conform to the program structure outlined below.

DAEE grant funds are derived mostly from donations and the annual conference’s silent auction proceeds. Mini-grants are paid out as a reimbursement to the grantees.

Applying for a mini-grant

We have recently simplified our grant application process. Potential grantees are encouraged to thoroughly read the grant information packet before deciding to complete the grant application. Please note that you must be a current DAEE member* to be eligible to apply.

* The Grantee must have an active DAEE membership in order to receive DAEE funds. If you attended the 2024 DAEE Conference at Fifer Middle, you are an active member!! Need to join DAEE? https://2025daeemembership.eventbrite.com

Proposals in the amount of up to $1,500 will be considered for funding.

GRANT TIMELINE

- Application Submission period: January 1 to February 28, 2025
- Notification of award: Spring, 2025
- Announcement of award: Via Email
- Grant life: July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026.
- Grant report due date: September 1, 2026

Contact jen.cipolla@daeeonline.org or sonia.saunders@daeeonline.org with questions.

Please reference “2025 Mini-Grant Application” in the subject.

* The Grantee will submit a final report (electronic format) to both the Grants Committee Chair and DAEE Treasurer by September 1, 2026. The report (no more than five pages, exclusive of news articles and photos).

DAEE Mini-Grant Evaluation Rubric (how DAEE will review your application)

We are looking for projects that do at least one of the following...

Projects that...

promote meaningful experiences with nature for Delawareans.

Projects that...

expand opportunities and the reach of environmental education in Delaware.

Projects that...

use innovative, creative, replicable approaches to environmental education.

Past grantees

2022: Caesar Rodney School District EcoTeam; Project Title: CRSD EcoTeam Revitalization - Volunteer Corps Program
2022: Caesar Rodney School District EcoTeam; Project Title: CRSD EcoTeam Revitalization - Volunteer Corps Program
2021: Lenita McIntyre, South Dover Elementary School; Project Title: Butterfly Migration Station AND Rebecca LeJeune, Gallaher Elementary; Project Title: Gallaher’s Gallant Outdoor Classroom
2020: Melissa Tracy, Odyssey Charter School; Project Title: From Plastic Bag to Bench
2019: Serah Pesce, Delaware Nature Society; Project title: Outdoor Classroom at the DuPont Environmental Education Center Native Planting Plan
2018: Nicole Sturgill, Las Americans Aspira Academy; Project title: Restoring ASPIRA Academy’s stormwater pond
2017: Kathleen Calais, Alapocas Run and Wilmington State Parks; Project title: Monarch Educator’s Workshop
2016: Barbara Woodford, White Clay Creek State Park; Project title: White Clay Creek State Park BioBlitz

Mini-grants provide one way for DAEE to help members plants the seeds of environmental education in Delaware. Our Board Members also may know of additional grant resources or partners available for projects so get in touch at DAEEonline@gmail.com.