1% for the Tetons Announces 2010 Grants Finalists

1% for the Tetons announced its 2010 grants finalists today. 19 finalist projects, requesting a combined total of nearly $300,000, will be vying for grants awarded later this year by 1% for the Tetons.

The 19 sponsoring organizations (the “finalists”) are teaming with an additional 76 partners to conduct the projects, the total value of which is $1.6 million. 16 of the projects will take place in the Jackson Hole valley; 3 are slated for the Teton Valley in Idaho.

1% for the Tetons is a Jackson, Wyoming-based organization whose members donate one percent of their sales to fund projects sustaining the Tetons region’s extraordinary natural resources and related qualities. In its first three years, 1% for the Tetons has granted $372,000 to 27 separate projects.

"To date, 1% for the Tetons has been very successful. To take our efforts to the next level, in 2010 1% for the Tetons is making two significant changes to our grantmaking process" said Jonathan Schechter, executive director of the Charture Institute, which runs 1% for the Tetons. "First, our members will be able to direct their donations to any or all of the finalist projects. Second, to further leverage our members’ donations, anyone in the world with a credit card and internet access can go to 1PercentTetons.org and donate directly to any or all of the finalist projects. Through this two-part approach, we anticipate being able to fund all 19 of this year’s finalist projects."

The funding period for this year’s 1% for the Tetons grants process will kick off on Saturday, May 8, at the first annual 1% for the Tetons "Sustainability Grants Conference." To be held at Spring Creek Resort, the focus of the Sustainability Grants Conference will be 5 minute oral presentations by each of the 19 grant finalists. Other highlights will include a keynote speaker discussing national sustainability trends, and a "Brag Session" of local businesses, non-profits, and government agencies talking about sustainable actions their organizations are taking.

The funding period for this year’s 1% for the Tetons grants process will close 28 days later, at midnight on Saturday, June 5. 1% for the Tetons members, supporters, and grant applicants will gather at the Q Roadhouse for a "Countdown to Sustainability" party. At the event, computers logged into 1PercentTetons.org will show, in real time, how each of the 19 applications is faring in its quest to become funded, and a DJ will set the tone for those celebrating their success. Q Roadhouse is a 1% for the Tetons member.

The 28 day funding period will be called "1% for the Tetons; 28 Days of Funding the Future" or "One28" for short. During One28, 1% for the Tetons will advertise and do other community outreach to raise public awareness of the 1% for the Tetons grant process and finalists. Also during One28, each of the 19 finalists will conduct its own outreach efforts, with the goal of getting its proposal funded.

"1% for the Tetons has set an ambitious goal for 2010: raising $300,000 to fund all 19 finalist projects,” said Schechter. “I’m confident we can do it, for all 19 finalists have proposed worthy projects. One28 will draw regional attention to these projects. As a result, I believe the community as a whole will follow the philanthropic lead of 1% for the Tetons’s members, and do what they can to fund all 19 finalists."

A roster of the 19 finalist projects is available here.