Apply for a YEA! Grant

Edward J. Sopneski
Youth Environmental Action
(YEA!) Grants

Old Lyme Land Trust is pleased to offer grants of $100 to $600 to support worthy environmental projects. Applicants should be 11-21 years old and live in Lyme or Old Lyme. We are especially eager to fund original and independent projects that otherwise might not happen, but welcome requests for support of any project with positive environmental impact in which you play a major role, including relevant student and volunteer work. Projects may be proposed anywhere at all, including on OLLT properties. Whether you roll up your sleeves to help the natural world however you best can, or come up with a creative approach to tackle a neglected problem, OLLT would like to assist.

The YEA! grant program is in honor of Edward J. Sopneski, former Trustee and longtime OLLT volunteer. Ed died in 2022 at age 87 following decades of work caring for the environment. He installed osprey platforms, removed invasive plants from his beloved Watch Rock Preserve, and worked to boost declining numbers of pollinators. Ed was also keenly interested in encouraging the next generation to live a life of action to protect our natural world. That goal inspires these grants.

To apply, complete the application below and click "Submit." Grants are awarded on a rolling basis, with decisions made by the OLLT Board when it meets, typically on the third Thursday of every odd month (January, March, May, etc.), and notification of applicants in the following weeks. Please apply at least ten days ahead of a meeting to assure consideration. Thank you for your interest, and for being a champion for nature!

YEA! Grant Application Form

First Name

Last Name

Age

Street Address

Town

Email (please doublecheck for accuracy)

Phone

Describe the project you are seeking support for.

What environmental problem does it aim to address?

How will it help to solve this issue?

Where did the idea come from?

What is your role in the project?

Are others involved in it? If so, please describe, including ages and roles.

If you or others involved have any relevant experience, please summarize it.

Where will your project take place?

Is anyone's permission needed? (Relevant authorities, landowners, etc.) Has it been sought or obtained yet?

How long will your project take to complete? And how much time do you expect to dedicate?

How will you judge if it is successful?

How much funding are you requesting? How will it be spent? (A final budget with all reciepts will be required when done. Proposed budgets may be uploaded below.)

Are you receiving funding from any other sources? If yes, please describe.

Optional: provide a web address or upload any file(s) that would help us to better understand your project. Maximum 25MB for most file formats.

Upload a document

Upload an image

By signing below, I affirm that the above information is accurate and agree to these terms:

I shall provide a short (1-2 page) report documenting the finished work. Photos encouraged!
Unused funds or undocumented expenditures will be returned. I will save my receipts, and attach them with my final budget to the report.
Failure to complete a project within the granted timeline requires return of funding.
Where possible, an Edward J. Sopneski Youth Environmental Action Grant from the Old Lyme Land Trust will be acknowledged as having supported the project.

Your Signature

Date

Parent/Guardian Signature(if applicant under 18)

Parent/Guardian Name

Date

P/G Phone

Thank you for applying. We will be in touch soon!

Edward J. Sopneski Youth Environmental Action (YEA!) Grants

YEA! Grant Application Form

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Edward J. Sopneski
Youth Environmental Action
(YEA!) Grants