Project Details and Application

What Is a Microgrant Project?

Microgrants are small grants ($1,000–$5,000) that support youth-led climate projects aligned with Lincoln's priorities.

A microgrant project must:

• Be proposed, designed, and led by at least two young people aged 15–24, who reside within Lincoln City Limits
• Align with Lincoln's Climate Action Plan(PDF, 15MB)
• Focus on youth leadership and action
• Operate within a budget of $1,000–$5,000. Equipment and infrastructure costs should not exceed 50% of the project budget
• Be completed by Thursday, April 15, 2027

Examples of eligible project types:

• Climate education and awareness, like courses, experiences, or the arts
• Research and data collection, like mapping environmental health
• Resilience and adaptation, such as addressing water quality or heatwaves
• Green infrastructure, reforestation, and environmental protection, like creating parks, community gardens, or green roofs for community buildings
• Sustainable agriculture and food systems, like urban farms that enrich community access to fresh food
• Promotion and advancement of circular economy, like sustainable fashion or rethinking the use of discarded materials
• Sustainable waste management, like sorting, collection, or cleaning
• Sustainable transportation, like encouraging walking, cycling, and using public transportation
• Climate governance, like youth councils or consultation of youth for public decisions

Each project must include:

• At least one output (a direct deliverable, such as the number of events held)
• At least one outcome (the result of those activities)
• A numerical target for both

An "output" is a direct deliverable or measurable result of activities (such as "number of clean-up events held"), and an "outcome" is what happens because of those activities. Both need numerical targets. Program staff and partner organizations are available to help you think through your project's outputs and outcomes.

Example Project (What happens in the project)	Example Output (What are the project activities)	Example Outcome (What happens as a result of those activities)
Organize a series of city park clean-ups	Number of youth-led clean-up events	Number of bags of trash picked up
Start a newsletter on city meetings related to climate	Number of youth registered for the newsletter	Number of youth attending public city government meetings
Create and distribute home rain garden kits at school	Number of rain garden kits distributed	Number of rain gardens planted
Start a collaboration to turn food waste into fertilizer pellets	Number of fertilizer pellets created	Number of pounds of food waste repurposed

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How Are Projects Selected?

Projects will be chosen by a selection committee that is not affiliated with potential grantees or projects.

To be considered for funding, projects must be youth-led and address one or more of the four chosen climate action focus areas. Each application must propose a unique project. Selected projects will represent a variety of climate topics to ensure funding supports a diverse range of ideas and community impacts.

Projects will be assessed using an Application Evaluation Scorecard(PDF, 75KB). We encourage you to read the scorecard before you submit your proposal.

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Submit an Application

Apply Now

The application form is open August 26 and closes October 7. We encourage teams to submit their application as early as possible. Applications are reviewed as they are received. If your application isn't eligible, the City team will let you know so you may have the opportunity to fix any issues and submit it again. Please note that this depends on the City team's review capacity. Teams that apply earlier are more likely to have enough time to make changes and resubmit if needed.

Please feel free to download the Application Template(DOCX, 51KB) to review the questions and begin drafting your responses. We also encourage you to review the Eligibility Checklist(DOCX, 55KB) to ensure that your project and application are eligible to be awarded. Please plan to complete and upload the following Budget Form(XLSX, 24KB) with your application.

Please note that applications must be submitted through the City form to be reviewed. Any applications that are submitted differently, such as emailed or mailed, will not be eligible for review.

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Resources for Drafting Your Application

The City team will be offering Design Jams and Office Hours during the open call period, to help you develop your project idea, connect with resources, and get answers to your questions. We encourage you to attend any session that is helpful to you! Below are the event details and times.

Design Jams

Design Jams are interactive sessions designed to help you brainstorm and develop your project idea. During a Design Jam, you can expect to, meet with City staff and experts representing the four areas of focus, learn more about community barriers and gaps that your project could help address, connect with other youth who are attending to form a project team, hear other ideas and get inspired as you develop your own project.

• 4-5:45 p.m., Thursday, September 10
  Online: Zoom link
• 3:45-5:30 p.m., Tuesday, September 15
  Multipurpose room at the Science Focus Program, Doors 2 and 3 (adjacent to Lincoln Children’s Zoo), 1222 S 27th St, Lincoln
• 5:30-7:30 p.m., Thursday, September 17
  Pioneer Room at Willa Cather Dining Center (City Campus), 530 N 17th St, Lincoln

Office Hours

Office Hours are an opportunity to meet with program staff and get one-on-one support. You can bring questions about your project idea, application, budget, or eligibility. You are also welcome to attend if you would like to continue developing or discussing your project idea. All office hours are online - see Zoom links below.

• 10-11 a.m., Tuesday, September 22
  The First 10-15 minutes of this session will be a brief presentation on the application questions and completing the budget.
  Zoom link
• 4-5 p.m., Wednesday, September 23
  The First 10-15 minutes of this session will be a brief presentation on the application questions and completing the budget.
  Zoom link
• 10-11 a.m., Tuesday, September 29
  Zoom link
• 4-5 p.m., Monday, October 5
  Zoom link

If you have questions, please reach out to City staff. Additionally, a Youth Advisor, Anica Brown, is available to meet with you individually to talk through your project, brainstorm ideas, or help you further develop your concept. You can reach out to her at brownanica8@gmail.com.

Don't forget that your partner organizations are also a valuable resource! They can help you think through your project idea and provide support as you complete your application and budget.

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Who Will Receive a Microgrant?

Projects are led by young people, but funds will be disbursed to partner organizations.

Eligible partner organizations include:

• Youth-led organizations (e.g., youth clubs or groups)
• Youth-serving organizations (adult-led organizations supporting young people)
• Sponsor organizations, such as city agencies, schools or other educational institutions, museums, or community organizations

Private companies, individuals, political parties, or party-affiliated organizations are not eligible.

All organizations must:

• Be legally registered entities
• Be recognized as a non-profit or charitable organization under local laws (unless a public entity)
• Have a bank account in the organization's name

Please note that organizations may receive funding for up to three separate projects.

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What Costs Can Be Included in My Budget?

Eligible Microgrant Project Expenses

• Project supplies and materials, including rental and purchase of items directly needed to carry out the project, such as equipment, tools, art supplies, or technology.
• Costs for organizing community events, workshops, or educational sessions, including venue rental, printing of materials, and basic refreshments.
• Costs for any necessary permits to implement the project in accordance with local regulations.
• Reasonable ground travel expenses (such as public transit, ride shares, or taxis) for youth participants or team members directly involved in project implementation.
• Promotional materials to raise awareness about the project, encourage engagement, and share project results, including photography, editorial support, and videography.
• Reasonable fees for training and mentorship offered in workshops with youth participants.
• Administrative costs charged by partner organizations for administering a microgrant, not exceeding 15% of the microgrant value.
• Small amounts to enable youth participation, such as per diems for food or gift cards, provided they do not make up the majority of the microgrant.
• Capital investments, when they do not exceed 50% of the microgrant and are essential to the project.

Ineligible Microgrant Project Expenses

• Services or expenses covered by existing city initiatives
• Rent or utilities, unless specified above
• Nonprofit/NGO incorporation fees
• Speaker honorariums and speaker fees
• Scholarships
• Direct support to individuals or families
• Partisan political contributions or expenses
• Expenses related to political campaigns, fundraisers, or projects
• Expenses related to lobbying or voter registration
• Expenses related to commercial activities
• Capital campaigns, endowments, or endowed chairs
• Payments to government officials
• Events or fundraisers not related to youth climate action
• Regranting or sub-granting to other organizations or individuals

Cost Eligibility Examples

Project Description	Eligibility	Reason
Gift cards to a local grocery store to thank youth leads for their volunteer efforts and time commitment.	Eligible	Funds to enable youth participation should be reasonable, based on the activities, and cannot exceed 50% of the microgrant.
Paying a local environmental scientist a fee to lead a hands-on soil testing workshop with youth participants over three sessions.	Eligible	Reasonable fees for training and mentorship in a workshop setting with active youth participation are covered.
Paying a fee to a keynote speaker to give a presentation at a youth climate event.	Not eligible	Speaker honorariums and one-time speaking fees are not covered, even for climate-related events.
Producing and distributing pamphlets to support the election of a local political candidate.	Not eligible	Funds cannot be spent to support political campaigns or partisan political organizations.
Installation of solar panels for municipal buildings, like schools.	Not eligible	Funds should be used for youth-led activities, and no more than 50% of the microgrant should be directed to capital investments.

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Frequently Asked Questions