Selecting a Funding Source

Background

A seaside community, the city of Port Hueneme, California, is located in a fertile coastal plain. Year-round temperatures moderated by the ocean help the region produce as many as six fresh fruit and vegetable crops a year. You have just started work as a technical-communication intern at the Port Hueneme Discovery Center, an interactive science center. Focusing on the region’s natural resources, the center has as its mission providing educational opportunities that inspire lifelong learning and interest in science, math, and technology. Your role is to help the center write proposals to fund upcoming exhibits and educational programs.

“Near the end of her internship, Heather Blanchard, our last intern, started to research funding sources for our upcoming exhibit on saltwater intrusion,” explains John Orr, the center’s Exhibits and Education Director. “Saltwater intrusion is probably the most common and widespread contamination in aquifers, our source of groundwater wells and springs. When fresh water is withdrawn from the ground at a faster rate than it can be replenished, salt water from the ocean intrudes into the freshwater aquifer, resulting in our water supplies becoming contaminated with salt water.”

“I assume that saltwater intrusion could wreak havoc on our agricultural crops?” you ask.

“It already has. Although our water district has built water-diversion structures, spreading grounds, and distribution facilities to augment the natural recharge of our aquifers, the region still needs to combat saltwater intrusion. We want to educate our visitors about this issue. Unfortunately, Heather’s internship ended before she could recommend a funding source. I’d like you to pick up where she left off.”

“What work has already been accomplished?”

“Heather wrote a brief outline of our project to help focus her search for funding. After not having much success locating sources of state or federal dollars, she decided to take advantage of our 501(c)(3) status and concentrate on private funding sources, especially those interested in environmental education.” (See Document 11.1.)

“What does 501(c)(3) indicate?” you ask.

“A 501(c)(3) designation by the Internal Revenue Service indicates that an organization is both tax-exempt and nonprofit. Such a designation helps the Discovery Center apply for funding from many private funding sources. Heather consulted Environmental Grantmaking Foundations and created profiles of four possible funding sources. I’d like you to take a look at the profiles and recommend which, if any, of the potential funders is a good match.” (See Document 11.2.)

Your Assignment

DOCUMENTS: