2024 Peace Grant

The Bellingham Sister Cities Association (BSCA) is a community-based organization helping the citizens of Whatcom County to develop relationships and build a sense of community with our sister cities worldwide. The Bellingham Sister Cities Peace Grant is funded by the Bellingham Sister Cities Association. The objective of this grant award is to improve and expand existing relationships between Bellingham and its seven Sister Cities. The winning proposal would reach out into the community of one of these cities, ideally create something that continues long past the winner’s travel, and make a lasting impression on its citizens and, in a perfect universe, even the world.

Our mission is to promote world peace through international understanding, cultural sensitivity, and the promotion of tourism and economic exchange between the seven cities. This mission is accomplished through cultural exchanges, educational programs and community events. The Peace Grant was created to help facilitate this mission. The Peace Grant exchange funding program supports Bellingham Sister City partnerships by providing funding for local Whatcom County residents to make outbound exchanges to one of our sister cities. A total pool of $1500 is available to be awarded to one or more individuals who plan to travel to one of our sister cities in 2024, apply, and are chosen. Members should submit questions via email to peacegrant@bsca.org.

Important Dates:
May 1, 2023 – Applications available
November 1, 2023 – Application deadline
December 22, 2023 – Announcement of selected recipient(s)

Winners will be asked to be present to receive the grant at the BSCA January Board Meeting the third Tuesday of January (January 16, 2024) or possibly a more public function around this time. Before the money is distributed, winners will be asked to:

1. Submit a thank you letter to BSCA
2. Meet with one or more representatives of the board to come up with an agreement that lays out the exact terms of the grant how the winner will demonstrate that it has been fulfilled.
3. Within 2 months of their return, submit a reflection of their experience. This could be in the form of an ongoing blog with a wrap–up at the end; a photo essay; a slide show to present to the community; or 1000–1500 word reflective essay, or something else agreed upon with the board.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: November 1, 2023 (email dated or post marked)

Instructions:
Email your application to: peacegrant@bsca.org / Subject Line: “Peace Grant Application” or mail your application to: Bellingham Sister Cities Association/ PO BOX 30217/Bellingham, WA 98228

You will receive an email confirming the receipt of your application. We are under no obligation to award any of the money for the grant to anyone if none of the applications meet our criteria, so please take your application seriously. We want quality impactful ideas.

Bellingham Sister Cities Peace Grant
2024 Exchange Funding Application
APPLICATION DEADLINE: November 1, 2023

Complete the application below. Please pay careful attention to answer each question completely.

NOTE: YOU MUST BE A MEMBER OF THE BELLINGHAM SISTER CITIES ASSOCIATION BEFORE YOU CAN APPLY (click here to become a member)

Applicant Information:
Name: ____________________________________________________
Mailing Address: _____________________________________________________
Email: _____________________________________________________
Phone: _____________________________________________________

Criteria:
Only dues-paying members are eligible for this funding opportunity. Current board members are not eligible. Applications will be reviewed based on the following qualifications. The applicant must:

1. Follow application instructions carefully and submit all required information
2. Be a paid member of Bellingham Sister Cities and a resident of Whatcom County prior to application
3. Be traveling to one of Bellingham’s seven Sister Cities in 2024. They are:
Tateyama, Japan – Vaasa, Finland – Nakhodka, Russia – Cheongju, South Korea – Port Stephens, Australia – Punta Arenas, Chile – Tsetserleg, Mongolia

Peace Grant Application Requirements:

A. List the dates of proposed travel and to which Bellingham Sister City.
B. List the grant amount requested.
Note: The entire amount of the grant may be awarded to an applicant in the case of an extraordinary proposal with the potential to make a lasting impact. Just because you request the full amount and win, does not necessarily guarantee the full amount will be granted.

Think big. Let your imagination run wild!

C. Describe how your project will support the mission of the BSCA as defined above. Please include how it will make a lasting impression on the world and widen the influence of the BSCA in our community and the world in general.
D. Please describe your proposed project, including relevant partner agencies.
E. Describe how you will report on your project to the BSCA Board and the greater Bellingham community before, during and after your trip.
F. Tell us what your presentation to the Association at either the annual membership meeting or a fundraiser will look like. Also, do you agree to give the Association permission to record the presentation for future use in promotional materials?
G. Describe how your project will appear on our website.