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the protected
status for unique sites were next with 31
grants (18%) and $253,300, as were
forestry and wilderness issues with 30
grants and $265,550. Constituency
building received 26 grants (15%) at
$202,050. The large increase in
constituency building in 1997 and 1998
over the previous two years mirrors the
importance environmental organizations
are giving to a broadened support
base. Challenge grants continue to
be an impotant tool for the fund; two
were given in 1998.
All other
areas received a much smaller number of
grants. Although the NW Fund
received 4 proposals in the area of
transportation during the four-year
period, only one was funded.
What
was the chief method used to achieve the
stated goals?
A
categorization of the primary method or
tool used is very difficult and probably
somewhat arbitrary. Most grants
used a variety of tools, but this
analysis attempts to identify the primary
tool. Still, a strong preference
for shorter term, results oriented
methods over more long term education and
values changing activities was
clear. This emphasis is embodied in
our guidelines in the statement that the
NW Fund does not support "purely
educational activities".
This
year, we added a new category to
designate the methods used:
"Campaign strategies".
More and more, the fund receives grant
applications describing a strategic plan
to achieve an environmental goal.
Such a plan often utilizes a number of
campaign-style methods, ranging from
education and public relations to
negotiations and, if necessary,
litigation. This is distinct from
the category "Multiple" which
designates multiple methods for often
unrelated activities.
It is
clear that litigation is a preferred
method of achieving results, with over
20% of all grants using a litigation
strategy as their primary tool. If
we add campaign strategies, the
percentage is even higher. The
emphasis on litigation has been
traditional for the NW Fund from its
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