Tips from the Trenches Administering Federal Grants

1. Tips from the Trenches Administering Federal Grants Presented by: Jill Spisiak Jedlicka, Director of Ecological Programs & Buffalo River RAP Coordinator Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper HOW Conference September 24-25, 2010 Buffalo, New York

2. Presentation Overview • Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper Context • Building Capacity • Things your mother never told you about grant management… • Top 10 Tips & Lessons Learned

3. The Buffalo River Watershed

4. Photo courtesy of: Lower Lakes Marine Historical Society Photo courtesy of: How do you make this…….turn into this? Photo courtesy of:

5. 1924 2004 Photo courtesy of: Photo courtesy of: And this………………………..to this? 1951 Photo courtesy of: National Aniline and Chemical COmpany Photo courtesy of:

6. “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” -Margaret Mead

7. Buffalo River AOC- Riverkeeper Context • TIMELINE • 1987-1989 RAP Stage 1/Stage 2 Completed • 1987-1989 “Friends of the Buffalo River” (predecessor to Riverkeeper) is incorporated • 1989-2003 – Buffalo River RAP Coordinated by NYSDEC • 2001 – First major NYS grant to “Friends” for aquatic habitat assessment • 2003- “Friends” granted Buffalo River RAP Management authority from USEPA • 2005 – Riverkeeper-Army Corps 312 Agreement, RAP Coordination extended 5 yr • 2007- Riverkeeper-GLNPO Legacy Act Agreement • 2010- Commence Buffalo River sediment removal with Army Corps • 2010- Finalist for 5 GLRI awards = $1.9 million

8. Building Capacity • Pre and Post Capacity- Build a Portfolio. • Staffing, volunteers, and Board members • Organizational standards and requirements There’s cleaning-up…………………...then, there’s clean-up..…….. USEPA-GLNPO R/V Mudpuppy Photo courtesy of Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper

9. Things you never knew… • Timeframes are never as you expect or hope for- EVER. • You need unrestricted funds or overhead to get started. • What’s a QAPP, a DUNS #, an SFR, an RFQ, an RFP, an MOA, an MOU, an Article 404…? Ask someone. • Master the art of information management- track in kind match, deliverables, and build and maintain institutional knowledge. • Boilerplates for everything, then adapt. • Embrace your mistakes and learn from them.

10. Tips & Lessons Learned Step 1 – Organize Or Re-Organize • Identify local group, individual, or agency that is unequivocally committed to the restoration of your river. • Have the courage to lead and take risk, others will follow. Photo credit: Erie County Historical Society Photo credit: Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper

11. Tips & Lessons Learned Step 2 – Inform, Educate and Engage • Reach out to and educate local elected officials and agency representatives. • Know your audience. • Be prepared to follow up your words with actions. • Never complain about an issue without offering a solution or next step. • Take responsibility and build credibility through small scale pilot or demonstration projects . Photo credits: Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper

12. Tips & Lessons Learned Step 3 – Partnerships, collaborations and the art of compromise. • Partnerships are only as strong as its weakest link. Try not to be the weakest link. • Invite everyone to the table, but don’t compromise on what really matters. • Identify the strength and value of every stakeholder or partner and leverage it to the fullest capacity. • Challenge, inspire, mobilize, and collaborate with others who can support or derail the efforts – the “Team of Rivals” model. • Keep the perspective- the big picture and grand vision balanced with a dose of reality. Photo credits: Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper

13. Tips & Lessons Learned Step 4 – Celebrate & Communicate • Don’t be afraid to contact or utilize the local press. • Public meetings, tours, presentations and invite feedback. • Self promotion is never a bad thing (i.e.: completion of major grant project, signing of Legacy agreement, award of new funding). • Be creative- guerilla tactics, social media, in-your face or subtle. Photo credits: Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper

14. Questions? Contact: Jill Spisiak Jedlicka Director of Ecological Programs & Buffalo River Remedial Action Plan Coordinator Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper (716)852-7483 jedlicka@bnriverkeeper.org