Project Proposal Letter Requirements

 

The first step in applying for fiscal sponsorship from the Alchemical Nursery involves submitting a project proposal letter.  Representatives from the Alchemical Nursery Board of Directors will review the letter and decide if the proposed project is in line with Alchemical Nursery goals and mission*, and if we have the capability to support the project.  The Project Proposal Letter should contain the following information:

1. Summary of the charitable purpose of the project/program.
2. How the project relates to the Alchemical Nursery goals and mission.
3. How you learned about the Quinta Essentia Fiscal Sponsorship program.
4. Is the project entity an individual artist or partnership, or an unincorporated association?
5. Is this project/program starting from scratch, or already undertaken prior activities (if so, please describe)?  
6. Who has been conducting the prior activities?
7. List of money raised or committed so far.  From whom, how much, and dates acquired/expected.
8. List of assets to transfer in and/or current liabilities (line items 7 and 8 may be submitted together as a financial spreadsheet if desired)
9. Are the current project personnel employees, volunteers, or independant contractors?
10. Does the project propose any political or lobbying activity?  If yes, explain. 
11. Name, address, telephone, email of contact person(s).
12. Be submitted on organizational letterhead.

1. A current resume (for each legally responsible member of the project)
2. Two references ~ one professional and one personal (for each legally responsible member of the project)

The goal of evolving an ecovillage in the context of a currently existing urban mosaic is a long-term project, growing from an eco-house to an eco-block to an eco-hood to an eco-village.  To achieve this goal, Alchemical is working on creating the major supporting systems of everyday life that any ecovillage needs for success.  These systems should be plainly present and in balanced proportions, such as residences, food production, manufacturing, recreation, social life, and commerce (Gilman, 1991).

By providing the resources, dialogue space, and networks needed for those interested in the movement for sustainable cities, we are furthering our goal to contribute to the growth of the urban ecovillage movement locally, nationally, and globally.

*Some definitions of "ecovillage" to enhance understanding of Alchemical's mission:

A. Robert Gilman's 1991 definition of an ecovillage that has become a standard:
    * human-scaled
    * full-featured settlement
    * in which human activities are harmlessly integrated into the natural world
    * in a way that is supportive of healthy human development, and
    * can be successfully continued into the indefinite future.
    * have multiple centres of initiative.

B. Ecovillages are urban or rural communities of people who strive to integrate a supportive social environment with a low-impact way of life. To achieve this, they integrate various aspects of ecological design, permaculture, ecological building, green production, alternative energy, community building practices, and much more.  Ecovillages are living models of sustainability. They represent an effective, accessible way to combat the degradation of our social, ecological, and spiritual environments.  - Global Ecolovillage Network

C. Jonathan Dawson’s Five Principles of Ecovillages:
   1. Ecovillages are private citizens’ initiatives. They’re grassroots.
   2. Ecovillagers value community living.
   3. They are not overly dependent on government, corporate, or other centralized sources for water, food, shelter, power, and other basic necessities.
   4. Ecovillagers have a strong sense of shared values, often characterized in spiritual terms.
   5. They often serve as research and demonstration sites. Many offer educational experiences for others. 
                    —Paraphrased from "Ecovillages: New Frontiers for Sustainability"

TrackBack URI for this entry