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We realize that we are making a sizable request of CSF funds, but we and the FHL administration and staff are committed to completing the project even in the event of a reduced CSF funding level. Indeed, we will be attempting to secure additional outside funds even while this application is being considered.
We will begin by contacting the College of the Environment in the coming weeks, and sharing with them the contents of this proposal. We are hopeful that the College –given its mission to develop “sustainable solutions to the challenges of our time”– will thus feel compelled to provide a match of a few thousand dollars at least. Doing so would allow for a 5-10% reduction in our budget request. In addition, we understand that UW units occasionally provide services to CSF funded projects pro bono. Specifically, it is possible that the UW architects responsible for the design process for the proposed solid waste facility could waive or offer a reduced fee for their efforts needed to design a suitable structure. Doing so would reduce our needed budget by an additional 5-15%.
If funded, even at a reduced level, we are confident that we would be able to fill a 20% or greater budget shortfall, either from the aforementioned avenues, or through a targeted capital campaign directed at FHL scientists, past visitors, and previous donors to the labs. FHL has a development office that would be able to assist in these latter efforts and in contacting donors.
Friday Harbor Laboratories is committed to long-term maintenance of the composter facility and we are including an estimated annual contribution that FHL has agreed to contribute towards this project. In addition to FHL committing to cover operational utility costs, weekly efforts by FHL maintenance and FHL dining staff will include composter upkeep, ongoing wood chipping and collecting food waste. A breakdown of these ongoing FHL matches can be found in the “Non-CSF Sources” budget section of this proposal, and would total an estimated $10,500 annually, or $52,500 over 5 years. Furthermore, the Student Ambassador outreach position will create signage and directly communicate with the FHL community to ensure that only compostable materials will enter the compost stream. FHL administration has graciously agreed to fund this position for four years (at $8,000/yr, from 2018-2022) following the initial year of the project. Initially this program will be limited to FHL dining hall staff coordinating food waste from the dining hall to the composter to ensure proper use. In subsequent years of the project, the FHL Student Compost Ambassador will coordinate with other FHL units to determine the feasibility of expanding the composting program to encompass the other FHL housekeeping units (i.e., student and researcher housing with their own kitchens). Please note that the $98,035 listed as "Project Completion Total" reflects our estimated project costs (CSF + FHL match) for the first year of funding. Ongoing operation costs beyond the first year are all committed as matching funds from FHL, and are listed in the "Non-CSF Sources" budget table.