The Douglas C. Anderson Bird Conservation Mini-Grant is an annual funding opportunity provided by the Chicago Ornithological Society (COS). It supports educators and organizations working on youth-driven community projects that promote bird conservation, education, and advocacy in the Chicago region. The grant honors Douglas C. Anderson, a former COS president and lifelong birding mentor, by continuing his legacy of fostering appreciation for avian life. Funded projects should align with COS’s mission to enhance awareness and conservation of birds.

The grant provides up to $1,000 per cycle and is awarded to a single grantee each year. Eligible projects must engage youth in meaningful conservation action and be based in the City of Chicago, with priority given to those in or near Jackson Park. The preferred geographical areas for projects include zip codes 60609, 60615, 60617, 60619, 60620, 60621, 60637, 60649, and 60653. Example projects include habitat restoration, nest box construction, bird-related educational materials, art installations, research, and short films. Stipends, salaries, interpretive programs, and indirect costs for existing programs are not eligible for funding.

Applicants must be representatives of schools or community organizations, or individual adults working with students from 1st grade through high school. While no specific number of students is required, the impact and quality of engagement are key evaluation factors. The project should be student-driven and create lasting conservation or educational benefits.

Applications will be assessed based on their alignment with COS’s mission, measurable conservation impact, feasibility, creativity, and potential for future growth. Applicants should demonstrate how their project will be sustained beyond the grant period or explain why continued maintenance is unnecessary.

The grant application opens on January 9, 2025, and the submission deadline is February 16, 2025. Applicants will be notified of funding decisions by February 28, 2025, with funds disbursed in March 2025. A site visit by COS board members will take place during the project implementation phase, and all projects must be completed by December 1, 2025. Grant recipients must submit a final report, including a written summary, photos, and expense receipts, and present their project at the COS annual meeting in January 2026.

Applicants must submit their proposals through an online Google form available on the COS website. Additional materials such as photos or diagrams can be uploaded separately. For inquiries, applicants can contact chicagobirder@gmail.com with “Douglas C. Anderson Mini-Grant” in the subject line.