Archive Tips

Hey COaTI:

"Adobe's Software Donation Program allows schools and nonprofits/NGOs to request a maximum of four (4) software packages per year. The program is managed in partnership with Gifts In Kind International."
http://www.adobe.com/aboutadobe/philanthropy/software.html

You can get the latest version of this information by sending a blank email to 'ecpgrant@esri.com'.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
[ESRI NONPROFIT/CONSERVATION GRANTS PROGRAM]
[SOFTWARE/TRAINING DONATION KIT version 3.2003]

If you just want to make basic maps for free right
now you can skip all this and check out the growing
list of free web-based mapping services on page 3.

If you just want basic Arcview or a book you can skip
this general form and get the much simpler "ESRI basic
grant form" by sending a blank email to
grant@esri.com

"This is the standard email application form and
instructions for the ESRI Nonprofit/Conservation Grants
Program (ECP). Any email sent to the address
ecpgrant@esri.com or
ecpform@esri.com is DELETED after
automatically returning this form to the sender.

The ECP grant program provides donations and discounts of
GIS software, data, books and training. We do not have any
deadlines, you can apply for grants at any time. We do not
grant hardware or cash, but we partner with many other
groups who do (see pg 11)

You MUST have the most current form in order to apply and
you can only get the most current form by sending a blank
email to: ecpgrant@esri.com or
ecpform@esri.com

These instructions should answer the most common questions.
If you still need to talk to someone after reading the form
please refer to the help section on page 11.

Please read the instructions COMPLETELY before preparing
and emailing in your application, ESPECIALLY PAGE 13.

Forms are reviewed by a volunteer team who receive dozens
of requests per day. The submission instructions on page 13
are specifically to ensure that your form gets routed
properly into the review database. If you don't follow
those instructions your application will not make it into
the review process. Once accepted for review you will
receive a notice, and review can take from 2 weeks to 2
months depending on the type of request.

Thank You
Charles Convis ESRI Conservation Program
380 New York St., Redlands, CA, 92373 (ecp2@esri.com)

-------------------------PAGE 1-----------------------
CONTENTS PAGE 1
-WHAT IS GIS? PAGE 2
WHAT ARE THESE GRANTS ABOUT? PAGE 2

*===HOW TO MAKE MAPS FOR FREE RIGHT NOW PAGE 3
HOW TO GET FREE TRAINING PAGE 3
*===GIS IMPLENTATION PLANNING TUTORIAL PAGE 3

-APPLICATION GUIDELINES PAGE 4

*===ELIGIBILITY PAGE 4

*===OTHER CATEGORIES OF ESRI GRANTS PAGE 5
Other Grant Programs, CTSP, SCGIS PAGE 11

*===TRAINING GRANT GUIDELINES PAGE 6
TRAINING GRANT APPLICATION PROCEDURE PAGE 7

*===INTERNATIONAL GRANTS PROGRAMS/GUIDELINES PAGE 8
INTERNATIONAL MENTOR PROGRAM PAGE 9
MENTOR QUALIFICATION APPLICATION
COUNTRY SPECIFIC APPLICATION
MENTOR REPORTING REQUIREMENTS PAGE 10
SINGLE GRANT COMBINED APPLICATION
TRAINING MISSION GRANTS PAGE 10

*===HELP RESOURCES AND OTHER GRANT PROGRAMS PAGE 11
Society for Conservation GIS PAGE 11
Conservation Technology Support Program PAGE 11
CONSGIS Internet Discussion Group PAGE 11

-HOW TO COMPLETE THIS APPLICATION PAGE 12

*===HOW TO SUBMIT THIS APPLICATION PAGE 13

*===SECTION BY SECTION INSTRUCTIONS FOR FORM PAGE 14
HARDWARE PLATFORM PAGE 14
ESRI HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS PAGE 14
SOFTWARE REQUESTS PAGE 15
SOFTWARE UPGRADES PAGE 16
EXTENSIONS TO PRIOR GRANTS PAGE 16
DATA REQUESTS PAGE 16
BOOK REQUESTS PAGE 17
TRAINING REQUESTS PAGE 17
WEB TRAINING PASSES PAGE 17
$100/$150 CONFERENCE PASSES PAGE 18
COST AND PRICING INSTRUCTIONS PAGE 19
ANNUAL MAINTENANCE FEES INSTRUCTIONS PAGE 20
ORGANIZATION DATA INSTRUCTIONS PAGE 21
REQUIRED STATUS REPORT INSTRUCTIONS PAGE 24
PRIOR GRANTEES INSTRUCTIONS PAGE 25
COURSE PRE-REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS PAGE 25
CONFERENCE VOLUNTEER TASKS PAGE 26
ADVANCED SECTION INSTRUCTIONS PAGE 27

-APPLICATION FORM PAGE 28
*===BASIC SECTION *===ADVANCED SECTION

-------------------------PAGE 2-----------------------
-WHAT IS GIS?
GIS stands for geographic information system. A GIS is a
computer-based system for the storage, management,
analysis, and display of geographic and associated data.
GIS is a powerful tool designed specifically for
integrating, analyzing and mapping all types of spatial
information.

WHAT ARE THESE GRANTS ABOUT?
GIS as a resource and a tool is spreading into all areas of
society all over the world. It is slowly becoming an
accepted part of public infrastructure, with more and more
spatial services and spatial data becoming available. But
like the US interstate highway system it's still "under
construction" so not everyone can just dial up the map they
need. Our program therefore offers grants and support at
several levels.

At the most basic level, page 3 will direct you to where
you can find free GIS software, data, and websites, no
application form required. In many cases you'll be able to
make a rudimentary map in just one session or so and that
may be all you need. If you decide you need to turn to an
outside GIS service or consultant, these same web sites can
help you refine your understanding of GIS so you can do a
better job selecting and directing a service provider. The
Help Resources listed on page 11 include many organizations
and networks devoted to providing free or low-cost mapping
and analysis services to non-profits of all types. These
groups and the sites on pg. 3 will also help you in the
event you decide to return to the ECP grant program and
submit a formal application.

If you need to actually make maps from your own desktop and
work with some data you already have, the "Basic" level of
ECP grants can provide our basic mapping software like
Arcview or PC Arc/INFO, some basic world and national
datasets, basic live or web-based training courses, and
some self-paced training books and background books. You
can expect to spend 1-4 hours working on a "Basic"
application.

If you need to do analysis and science, to work with data
sets from many other partners, to help others learn GIS, or
to prepare maps or reports for your members, your programs,
the public then the "Advanced" level of grants are for you.
There is no limit to what you can ask for at this level,
but expect to spend a day to a month working on your
application.

Building an effective GIS program takes substantial time
and commitment. Dedicated leadership by a single
individual taking responsibility for building the GIS has
proven to be critical in prior grants. This is not
something that can be done by committee, and prior skill,
background or credentials are not nearly as important as
persistence, patience and commitment. Lack of data
hampers most groups despite their resources and skills and
locating or obtaining good data can consume the lion's
share of your time. In short, learning and utilizing GIS
technology is not easy. The fact that computers can
accomplish these tasks does not mean that you can push a
button and produce an analysis or map. Building a working
GIS will take at least 12 months of half-time work before
you can begin to produce the products (maps, charts,
reports, analyses) useful in conservation activities. This
estimate assumes that you begin with no direct GIS
experience, but that you have average computer skills with
Windows databases and word processing, as well as good
scientific and/or community organizing skills.

-------------------------PAGE 3-----------------------
*===HOW TO MAKE MAPS FOR FREE RIGHT NOW

MAKING MAPS FOR FREE: There are an increasing number of
web-based mapping sites where you can create and print a
growing variety of environmental, social and base maps.
The best starting place to learn about GIS and maps is:

http://maps.esri.com/

For an overview and sampling of free mapping services, see

http://www.geographynetwork.com/freeresources.html

You can analyze and map US census data for any state at:

http://maps.esri.com/ESRI/mapobjects/tmap/tmap.htm

Map the EPA's Toxic Release Inventory System by ZIP Code:

http://maps.esri.com/website/toxicweb
Map local pollution info (via Environmental Defense Fund):
http://www.scorecard.org/

FREE SOFTWARE AND MAPS
GO TO: Geography Network,
http://www.geographynetwork.com/
ArcExplorer Web is a custom mapping application that lets
you view one or multiple map services in your Web browser
without any special plug-ins or applets. The free web
page provides 23 functions you can do, anywhere in the
world on the following default datasets: US National
Hydrology, US Census Population Density & USGS National
Elevation Data Map, and Global Land Use & Relief Map. You
can also access the Geography Network servers list (click
the "add services" (+) button) from this mapper and add on
dozens of free map services including:

--United Nations Environment Program and World
Conservation Monitoring Centre: World Heritage Sites,
World Basemaps, Marine, Conservation

--The Nature Conservancy: Maps-to-Place, Parks in Peril,
Last Great Places, US Cities, Roads, Lakes, Ecoregions,
World Wildlife Fund Global Ecoregions, US 1:250k topo
basemaps. The TNC service also includes outlines of all
worldwide Iconos/Space imaging sattelite images with the
ability to link to, examine, print or download each image
(one at a time). You can also access this same data using
TNC's own mapping software at:
www.conserveonline.org

--TeleAtlas, Route Server Basemap and USA and European
Roads, Towns, Boundaries, Points of interest

--ESRI: about 80 layers of national and global data
including US and Global basemaps, dams, World Wildlife
Fund, Imagery, Vegetation, Population, soils, pollution,
Census.

--NIMA (US National Imagery and Mapping Agency) Global
data sets available include Vector Smart Map (VMap) Level
0, at a scale of 1:1,000,000, and VMap Level 1, at a scale
of 1:250,000. The Digital Chart of the World is an older
version of these data and is widely available free.

ON THE Geography Network (http://www.geographynetwork.com),
The MAPS section will launch the "Geography Network
Explorer" minibrowser, sort of a reduced version of the
Arcexplorer Web, but which will still let you zoom around
and print free from many national and global datasets,
including: Vmap global basemap, World Population Density,
Sattellite Imagery, Elevation, Transportation. You can
download this software for free at:

http://www.esri.com/software/arcexplorer/index.html

The FEATURED PUBLISHERS section will let you zoom and
print from any of these publishers datasets, even the ones
that are paid access only. Satellite Imagery however is
only available as small samples. You can see any of GDT's
excellent streets data, updated regularly. Clicking on
"GDT" launches the Geography Network Explorer with info
about GDT, and clicking on page 2 takes you to a "Live
Data and Maps" section for US Street Maps, and clicking on
the "View Map" button will open up a free map into their
full dataset. The further you zoom in the more you will
see, right down to your own streetcorner. For other
functions you'll have to pay.

Another good site to research free data is:

http://www.cast.uark.edu/local/hunt/

In the US, many state and federal agencies provide free GIS
data download sites that include topo maps and digital
aerial photography (DOQQ's), see:
http://www.geo-one-stop.gov/
http://www.fgdc.gov/index.html

DEMOGRAPHICS
http://www.esribis.com/, and type in any
zip code in the
upper left window,
you'll get a report with 15 of the available 10,000
variables on demographics including race, gender, household
income and value and 5-year trend forecasts.
See also the Sourcebook series at

http://gisstore.esri.com/acb/showprod.cfm?&DID=6&CATID=15&ObjectGroup_ID=882

http://maps.nps.gov/
National Park Service Interactive Map Center lets you
create and print your own base maps and park brochure maps
for geographic reference and navigation to and within parks

http://www.hud.gov/emaps
HUD E-MAPS: Healthy Communities Environmental Mapping (HUD
E-MAPS) is a free Internet application that combines
information on HUD's community development and housing
programs with EPA's environmental data.

NGS Topo! Map Service - Preview, then the "View Map" button
Can zoom in and out anywhere in the USA to see a national
shaded relief map or as you zoom in it changes to a 1:100k
topo and even close it changes to a 1:24k topo maps joined
together seamlessly. You can print anytime for free.

FREE TRAINING: You can take a free sample class in ESRI's
virtual campus at http://campus.esri.com/.
There are many
specialty classes there as well, growing all the time.

There is also a GIS Implementation Planning tutorial which
teaches the basic principles of GIS and is especially
useful for GIS users who want some help clarifying and
planning all of the different elements that go into a
successful GIS. For a copy of the tutorial, please send a
blank email message to
gistutorial@esri.com Please note
that the tutorial is approximately 24 pages, and any
applicant is invited to submit completed tutorials as part
of their ECP grant application.

There are a series of books and magazines on Conservation
GIS that you can order from the following web site:

http://gisstore.esri.com/acb/showprod.cfm?&DID=6&CATID=12&ObjectGroup_ID=690

-------------------------PAGE 4-----------------------
-APPLICATION GUIDELINES

Our ECP grants cover any ESRI-produced software, book,
training or CD-ROM data product, in any quantity, in any
country.

*===ELIGIBILITY
Grants are made on a case-by-case basis to non-profit
organizations and programs active in public service and
nature conservation, including but not limited to 501c3
organizations, University programs, Botanic Gardens &
Museums, Native and First Nations groups, Local Parks,
Watershed commissions, Social Justice and local volunteers.

If you are requesting software, you'll be expected to show
that you have adequate hardware, staff, and training to run
the software you request. See Page 14 for more details on
hardware requirements.

INDIVIDUAL GRANTS
Grants are not normally made to private commercial
organizations. Grants have the condition that they may
only be used for non-profit work and may not be used for
private commercial work. However, individuals who work pro
bono for conservation or social benefit may qualify for a
grant privately regardless of their formal employment. We
recognize that groups often have difficulty keeping trained
GIS staff especially as volunteers, whereas a dedicated
individual can contribute broadly to many groups over time.
Such "Individual grants" can have lasting beneficial effect
for conservation.

The primary criteria for approving individual grants is
your history and track record of service to non-profit
groups, which you document by completing the "advanced"
section of the form. The restrictions on individual grants
are that they may never be used for commercial or profit-
making work and you'll be expected to submit annual status
reports on your work like any other grantee.

APPROVAL GUIDELINES
Grant approval is based on a sliding scale of need and
resources. Developing country groups and all-volunteer
organizations typically merit a full donation, while groups
with funding are expected to offer what they feel they can
afford. The more you ask for and the less you offer for
costs, the stronger your case must be. The primary
criteria for approving a basic grant is your commitment to
spend the time needed to learn how to use it. The primary
criteria for advanced grants is the return benefit to other
non-profit organizations, so the more you are involved in
support and teaching to other needy organizations, the
better.

If you receive a grant, you have certain obligations in
terms of status reports and participation in the global
community of wonderful individuals who, like you, have
chosen to devote time, computer & GIS skills to benefit
society and nature conservation.

-------------------------PAGE 5-----------------------

*===OTHER CATEGORIES OF ESRI GRANTS

ESRI has many specialized departments for other types of
organizations:
http://www.esri.com/industries/index.html

Other departments who do grants include:

-Universities & Tribal Colleges: Milton Ospina, email:
mospina@esri.com
web: http://www.esri.com/industries/university/index.html,

-Community Colleges: Ann Johnson, email ajohnson@esri.com
web: http://www.esri.com/industries/university/index.html,

-International Universities: Mike Phoenix,mphoenix@esri.com
web: http://www.esri.com/industries/university/index.html,

-Schools & Libraries: email: k12-lib@esri.com
web: http://www.esri.com/industries/k-12/index.html,

-Humanitarian & Sustainable Development: Carmelle J. CŸt‰
Email: ccote@esri.com
http://www.esri.com/industries/internationaldev/index.html

-Public Libraries & Museums:
http://www.esri.com/industries/libraries/index.html

-Marine & Coastal: email: jbreman@esri.com
web: http://www.esri.com/industries/marine/index.html

- Archaeology: Bob Booth, email: bbooth@esri.com
http://www.esri.com/industries/archaeology/index.html

-Cave and Karst: Bernie Szukalski, bszukalski@esri.com
http://www.esri.com/industries/cavekarst/index.html

-Local Government: Chris Thomas, cthomas@esri.com
http://www.esri.com/industries/localgov/index.html

-Resource Conservation Districts: Ann Johnson,
ajohnson@esri.com. To get grant guidelines send a blank
email to: rcdgrant@esri.com

Regardless of the type of group, you are always welcome to
apply via the Esri Nonprofit/Conservation program.

For Commercial sales, product or pricing questions:
call 1-800-GIS-XPRT, or email info@esri.com, or contact
your ESRI regional sales office:
USA (http://www.esri.com/company/contactusa.html)
WORLD (http://andes.esri.com/intldist/contactint.cfm)

-------------------------PAGE 6-----------------------
*===TRAINING GRANT GUIDELINES (see also pg 17)
Training to US applicants is offered on a SPACE-AVAILABLE
basis. Once you apply for a course grant you are placed on
a "standby" list and do not have a confirmed seat. 10 days
before the class starts, you MUST call the ESRI learning
center at (909) 793-2853 x1585. If there is space available
in that class you will then be granted a confirmed seat
over the phone. Otherwise, you will be offered the chance
to try for a later class. If you are "bumped", don't worry
as we limit the number of times you can be bumped to 2
before your course application automatically converts to a
standard course seat. Standard course seats retail for
$400/day, and what you offer is on the honor system as
noted above.

If you are able to offer 50% of retail towards your course
fees ($200/day or more), you may apply directly for a
'standard' seat at any time rather than space available,
but bear in mind that courses can still be cancelled due to
unforseen circumstances, even for standard seats. Partial
payment offered at less than $200 per day will entitle you
to a space available seat.

If you really need to apply for a 'standard' seat and you
have no funding, no 50%, no nothing, you may apply for a
free standard seat but please note that this will require
BOTH the "basic" and "advanced" sections of the form to be
completed to justify your request. Please be specific on
what you are requesting in the form. These grants normally
go to grantees arriving from overseas for training or who
are part of an international conference grant or GIS grant
coordinated by SCGIS or CTSP (see pg 11)

You may apply to take classes at any ESRI USA Regional
Offices or at our Headquarters in Redlands, but please note
that classes in Redlands are much more frequent. WE CANNOT
GRANT courses taught by "certified trainers" from other
companies as these are independent of ESRI.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS: International applicants are
allowed to request guaranteed spaces in light of the
extensive travel arrangements they must make, but may only
apply for training at USA ESRI locations.

-------------------------PAGE 7-----------------------
*===TRAINING GRANT APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

You MUST complete the "Course Pre-registration" section at
top section of the form if you want to be considered for
any training grant.

Current Course Schedules and guidelines can be seen at:

http://www.esri.com/training/index.html, or you may contact
the ESRI Learning Center directly at 909-793-2853 x1585.

IF YOU ARE OFFERING PARTIAL PAYMENT: Please email this form
in as instructed, and when you are notified your request
was approved, please mail a printed copy of this form
with your check directly to:

You can find out more about Organizer's Database and download a copy of your own at www.organizenow.net. You can also find information on consultants who can help you implement ODB in your organization.

call (612) 724-2600 or 866-298-6463
arif@progressivetech.org