Promoting Sierra Club’s mission and policy
By Robert Smith, Treasurer and Tom Schuster, Chair, Huplits Grant Committee
The Sierra Club Allegheny Group is a beneficiary of the Huplits Trust and conducts a grant program each year to help further the mission of the Sierra Club in Pennsylvania. Last year, the program awarded just over $55,000, with individual grants ranging from $500 to $17,250.
We are happy to announce that we are once again accepting proposals. Applications are due on Friday May 29th, 2026.
Application Guidelines:
We seek projects that promote Sierra Club’s mission, vision, and values in Pennsylvania, and that are consistent with Sierra Club policies. Examples of past funded projects include public education, grassroots campaign organization, litigation, land acquisition, and research that could inform the Sierra Club’s work.
Any proposal that requests support for possible legal action is subject to review and approval by the Sierra Club Environmental Law Program prior to any award. Scientific research proposals require a recommendation letter from an elected Sierra Club leader at the Chapter or Group level. Recommendation letters for other types of projects are encouraged but not required.
Projects can be funded for 12 or 24 months. Extension requests will only be granted due to unforeseen circumstances and must be approved by the Huplits Committee Chair. Status reports are due at the 12-month point and the end of each project.
Grants may be sought by Sierra Club entities within Pennsylvania, including Groups, Committees, or Teams. Outside organizations with projects in Pennsylvania are also eligible, with preference given to proposals that work in partnership with Sierra Club and are aligned with the goals of local Pennsylvania Sierra Club Groups and/or Sierra Club Pennsylvania Chapter.
Eligibility:
Past awardees with unspent funds on their projects, or who have not submitted a final report are ineligible for this round of funding.
All proposals must include a copy of the respondent’s IRS 501(c)(3) designation letter, or that of a fiscal sponsor. Grants are paid out as reimbursements for expenses incurred after those expenses are determined to be 501(c)(3) eligible.
Lobbying and political expenses are ineligible, and we will not fund proposals in which the majority of funding is used to purchase large equipment.
Submittal, Deadline, and Inquiries:
Applicants must submit a completed Application Form and the appropriate accompanying documents.
Submit proposals no later than May 29, 2026 to Robert (Bob) Smith via e-mail at 44kayak77@gmail.com.
If you have any questions, contact Bob (via email or 412-979-1519), or Tom Schuster (tom.schuster@sierraclub.org or (814) 915-4231).
This blog was included as part of the February 2026 Sylvanian newsletter. Please click here to check out more articles from this edition!