Community Grant Review Overview
Momentum is committed to building a more inclusive and equitable conservation movement in Maine. We are actively leaning into the intersection of conservation and social justice and working to decolonize conservation through our work partnering with Land Trusts and other conservation organizations. We, as individuals and as a sector, are continuously learning about our blind spots and unconscious biases. We know that biases and disparities disproportionately burden communities of color, Indigenous communities, people with disabilities, and low-income communities with legacies of environmental damage and ongoing harm. By inviting community members to participate in the grant review process with Momentum staff, our goal is to have a broader perspective on grant applications and amplify community voices and experiences connected to this work. Please know that no professional conservation or environmental experience is required for this role. This is an advisory role. All feedback from reviewers will be taken into consideration for the final award decisions.
We are looking for 18-22 individuals to represent a variety of backgrounds, including, but not limited to:
• Experience working in nonprofitsExperience in grassroots efforts and/or community organizing
• Experience in communities with limited conservation opportunities or access to the outdoors
• Experience as a land trust professional or volunteer
• Experience in or familiarity with any issues connected to conservation, including public health, outdoor recreation, education, etc.
• Black, Indigenous, or Person of Color
• LGBTQIA+
• Person with a disability
• Under 22 years old
• 22 – 35 years old
• 36 – 50 years old
• 51 – 65 years old
• 66 – 80+ years old
Timeline:
Grant review will take place between Monday, May 19th, 2025 and Sunday, June 1st, 2025 Reviewers should expect the review to take ~10 hours total. A rubric and full instructions will be provided to selected reviewers in advance of the reading window.
Training:
We are asking that reviewers attend a mandatory community reviewer training (on Zoom) on Thursday, May 1st at 4-5pm or Tuesday, May 13th at 12-1pm. Reviewers will also be required to attend a bias training (date TBD and this will be recorded).
Compensation:
Momentum Conservation will pay all community grant reviewers a $200 stipend following the completion of their grant review. We appreciate the time and expertise that community members bring to our grant review process.
To Apply:
Application for the 2025 Community Grant Reviewer Program has closed. We will provide further details on the application process for next year’s program at the beginning of the 2026 Land Trust Grant Fund Program.
FAQ:
All Community Reviewers will complete a “Conflict of Interest” form before they receive their applications to review. Community Reviewers will not score proposals from land trusts that they have close affiliation with, but are still welcome (and encouraged!) to participate as a Community Reviewer for other applications.
If you have any questions, please contact Peyton Black, Operations and Grant Program Director, at peyton@momentumconservation.org. Thank you for considering this role!
