Click on the links below for more information on the grant programs and application submission procedures.
National Wetland Program Development Grants
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will award approximately 12 grants in amounts ranging from $25,000 to $120,000 to support and/or build any aspect of a local or state government wetlands program. Emphasis for award selection will be placed on the four national priorities: regulation, monitoring and assessment, restoration and water quality. Applications are due Aug. 10, 2007.
Grants for Source Water Protection Plans and Wellhead Protection Plans
EPA is soliciting proposals to provide training and technical assistance to small and/or rural public water systems to develop and implement source water (groundwater and surface water) protection plans and wellhead protection plans. EPA is also soliciting proposals to provide training and technical assistance to small and/or rural public water systems for rule implementation, capacity development and water systems operations. (Public water systems include community water systems and other small and rural noncommunity systems such as hospitals, schools and mobile home parks.) Hard copy applications must be received by 4:30 p.m. EDT, Aug. 22, 2007, or by electronic submission through Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. EDT, Aug. 22, 2007.
Regional Environmental Priority Project Grants
EPA Region 4 is soliciting proposals for demonstration/investigation projects that address one or more of the region's 2007-2008 environmental priorities. The region is seeking innovative projects that are pilots, demonstrations, investigations or studies (not routine implementation) of issues related to (1) sustainable agricultural practices, (2) children’s health protection, (3) environmental excellence models and approaches, including source reduction, (4) reduced exposures to PM2.5 and air toxics, (5) improved water quality on a watershed basis, and/or (6) resource conservation challenge demonstrations and pilots, particularly in the areas of municipal solid waste recycling, industrial materials recycling, and priority and toxic chemical reduction. Proposals are due to EPA Region 4 by Sept. 10, 2007.
Water Resource Education Network (WREN)
WREN offers funds for watershed groups to attend water resources education/management trainings and conferences. WREN also offers Opportunity Grants for "great, last minute ideas" relating to watershed education or drinking water protection. There are no application deadlines for either of the grants.
Cargill Water Matters Minigrants
The Cargill company, along with The Conservation Fund, provides minigrants to watershed organizations working within Cargill communities. The average award is $3,000 or less, and there is no application deadline. Projects funded in the past include water festivals and stream cleanups.
Five Star Restoration Program
This grant program brings together students, conservation corps, citizen groups, corporations, landowners and government agencies to provide environmental education and training through projects that restore wetlands and streams. The program provides challenge grants, technical support and opportunities for information exchange to enable community-based restoration projects. Funding levels are from $5,000 to $20,000, with $10,000 as the average amount awarded per project. For information about becoming a sponsor, call Myra Price at 202-566-1225 or e-mail her at price.myra@epa.gov.
Patagonia Environmental Grants
This grant provides support for environmental work through nonprofit organizations. Patagonia supports small, grassroots activist organizations with provocative direct-action agendas and multipronged campaigns designed to preserve and protect local habitats. The company funds work that is action-oriented, builds public involvement and support, is strategic, focuses on root causes, accomplishes specific goals and objectives, and takes place in communities in which Patagonia does outdoor clothing and gear business. Most grants range from $3,000 to $8,000. Proposals for this round of funding will be accepted during the month of August. Click here for more information.
Patagonia does not fund organizations without 501(c)(3) status or a comparable fiscal sponsor. It also excludes general environmental education efforts, land acquisition, land trusts or conservation easements, research (unless it is in direct support of a developed plan for specific action to alleviate an environmental problem), conferences, endowment funds and political campaigns.
Honorable Order of the Kentucky Colonels
These grants are awarded for charitable and educational programs that will benefit the citizens of Kentucky. Grant recipients must have 501(c)(3) nonprofit status and monies may not be used for salaries. The next application period is spring 2008. Matching funds are required for projects that exceed $10,000. See http://www.kycolonels.org, under “Good Works” for additional information.
Town Creek Foundation
This foundation supports programs that engage citizens in challenging the unsustainable use of natural resources and in protecting biological diversity. Strategies supported are grassroots activism, monitoring the enforcement of environmental laws, public policy advocacy, collaborative opportunities, media outreach and model or demonstration projects fostering sustainable policies and practices. Funding objectives include:
- Preserving the ecological richness of our natural heritage, with a major focus on our federal public lands.
- Promoting policies and practices to protect the land, estuaries and coastal bays of the mid-Atlantic region.
- Modifying patterns of consumption and degradation of our natural resources, addressing the environmental impacts of personal, institutional and community choices and building public interest in conservation.
- Building the effectiveness of the environmental movement by strengthening the advocacy, outreach and institutional development of environmental organizations.
Grant decisions are made by the Board of Trustees during March, July and November. The deadlines for application are Jan. 15, May 15 and Sept. 15. If the deadline date falls on a holiday or weekend, it is postponed to the next business day.
Cooperative Agreements for Local Acid Mine Drainage Reclamation Projects
The Office of Surface Mining awards cooperative agreements to nonprofit organizations to reclaim land and water affected by mine drainage, using accepted technology that has a probability of success with tangible results. Each project must have demonstrated public support and a specific plan to address any ongoing operation/maintenance considerations. Application must be submitted to the Appalachian Clean Streams Coordinator for your state. Applications will be accepted until all available funds have been awarded. The application can be download here.
StEPP Foundation
The StEPP Foundation is dedicated to helping organizations realize their vision of a clean and safe environment by nationally matching projects with funders. The foundation provides project oversight to enhance the success of projects increasing the number of energy efficiency, clean energy and pollution prevention projects for the benefit of the public. The organization will enter their projects into the StEPP Online Project Submittal System, where the foundation will try to match the project with funding. The foundation conducts a project selection process several times during the year in search of projects to best match the requirements of funding sources.
Minigrants for Source Water Protection (SWP)
These grants are available through the Clean Water Fund, the Campaign for Safe and Affordable Drinking Water and the Clean Water Network (funded through a national EPA grant). This organization is hosting SWP workshops and making grants up to $2,000 available to communities to implement SWP efforts. Applicants must have 501(c)(3) nonprofit status or be sponsored by such an organization. For more information regarding these grants, go to Community Source Water Protection Initiative.
Directories, foundations and other funding sources
