The Pennsylvania Chapter of the Sierra Club announces the availability of $75,000 for grant projects in 2009.
In 2003, the Pennsylvania Chapter was notified that Mr. William Bernheim of Cumberland County bequeathed 10% of his estate for the benefit of the charitable work of the local chapter of the Sierra Club. This substantial sum was to be used to further the efforts of the local organization. The Pennsylvania Chapter intends the bequest to be used to spread the environmental ethic, protect the beauty and resources of Pennsylvania, protect the health of its citizens and environment, and engage people in Sierra Club efforts. These funds must be used for charitable purposes only and must be actively drawn down over five years.
The bequest money is open to use by any Pennsylvania Sierra Club entity whose proposal meets the charitable purposes specified above. In 2007, the Executive Committee established criteria for reviewing grant applications. These include: building the Sierra Club name; fitting into national/chapter priorities; solution oriented environmental education; building local capacity; filling a need not met by others; strengthening Sierra Club's ties to other organizations; holding regulators accountable; introducing people to the beauty of Pennsylvania; protecting human and environmental health; creating opportunities for volunteers; using the media effectively.
In the past two years, grants have been awarded for environmental education, hosting citizen workshops, supporting litigation efforts, opposing pollution-causing activities, helping others reduce energy use, conserving public lands, and cleaning up rivers and streams.