2007-2008 Colorado College “EcoFund” Competition
To Improve CC’s Environmental Sustainability
March 11, 2008

Need money to fund your sustainability related projects? The EcoFund has $3,000 available this year! Next year the EcoFund will be much larger,
merging many of the similar funds to provide a "one stop source" for sustainability related projects.

Operated by the CC Campus Sustainability Council
Deadline for 2007/08 Applications: Friday, April 4, 2008
Proposals will be reviewed and approved by: Friday, April 11th

Purpose

The "CC EcoFund" is now in its fourth year (08/09), established by the Campus Sustainability Council and maintained through the office of
sustainability. Its purpose is to offer a means by which individuals (alone or in groups) can design and implement initiatives that improve the
environmental impacts of the college. Providing an opportunity for individual action satisfies CSC's goal to defend one of the core values in
CC's mission statement of "nurturing a sense of place and an ethic of environmental sustainability." Applicants will formulate detailed
proposals that will be reviewed by the CSC to identify those that are creative, rigorous, and feasible initiatives. Feasibility is a key
criterion: projects are expected to reach a tangible outcome within a year. Projects that demonstrate a high caliber of thoughtful preparation
with detailed budgets that incorporate supplemental funding sources where necessary will be seriously considered.

Examples of appropriate initiatives include but are not limited to: weatherproofing of existing buildings; revitalizing the recycling program;
energy conservation; alternative energy proposals; improved water use; and changes to the food service.

The Sustainability Council encourages applicants to submit proposals that benefit the Colorado College community. The EcoFund is primarily designed for innovations on the CC campus rather than for individual research, off-campus projects in the community, or off-campus travel.

Application Process

Any member (or group) of the Colorado College community may submit a proposal for review. CSC is looking for applications that are innovative, thoughtful, rigorous, logical and feasible to fulfill within the time and funds specified by the application. Proposals must demonstrate research into both exploring the practicality and quantifying the results of the project. All proposals should identify the benefits to accrue to CC versus the costs of implementation and any on-going operation or maintenance costs required for continued operation. All applications must be submitted by the deadline: Friday, April 4, 2008. Applications may be submitted to Bruce Coriell. Only complete applications will be considered (as soon as possible after the due date).

Application

Personal Information:

  1. Lead Person for this Application
    Last Name:
    First Name:
    Email:
    CC ID#
  2. Others Involved in Application (if any)
    Names of others associated with the Proposal:
    Organization (if any):
    Organization Funding Number:
  3. Application Specifics
    Please answer the following questions in your application (please provided DETAILED answers as much as possible):
    1. What is the aim of the project being proposed and who will it benefit?
    2. Describe in depth the procedure and timeframe of the project including future involvement.
    3. Provide a budget for initial implementation and identify any on-going operation or maintenance costs expected and how they will be covered.
    4. How does this proposal benefit Colorado College? Be specific as to how, when, and “how much” the benefits are expected to be (where possible put numbers on these benefits).
    5. Identify the specific individuals and groups by name that will be responsible for completing the proposed project if funded.
    6. Describe briefly the applicant’s rationale for believing this project should be funded and when completed will make CC more sustainable.
    7. Please attach a letter of endorsement from a CC faculty or staff member. This endorsement is mandatory for consideration.

Evaluation and Selection Criteria

Each application will be judged on the following criteria:

  • Faculty or Staff endorsement letter is supportive
  • Significant vs. symbolic action to make CC more sustainable
  • Benefits to CC beyond costs
  • Time frame for accomplishment
  • Demonstrated ability of applicant(s) to carry out project
  • Rigor with which application has been prepared
  • Amount of funding requested is reasonable given proposed project, falls within available funds (and if costs higher, supplemental sources identified)
  • Rationale for project is compelling