‘Clean Water Montgomery’ Grants Available for Local Nonprofits and Community Groups with Awards Up to $100,000

Montgomery County nonprofit organizations such as local watershed groups, homeowner and community associations, faith-based organizations, service and civic groups can now apply for grants ranging from $40,000 to $100,000 through the “Clean Water Montgomery Grant Program.” The County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Chesapeake Bay Trust (the Trust) are partners in the program through the Trust’s grant process.

The grant program is accepting proposals for projects that could include tree planting, installing permeable pavers or creating rain gardens. The projects should aim to improve the County’s water quality and stream health as called for in the County’s Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit. Eligible projects that are outside of the municipalities of Rockville, Gaithersburg and Takoma Park will be considered.

Applications are due no later than 4 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 17.

The grant program is made possible through the County’s Water Quality Protection Fund and through Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG) funding.

“Through this program, more than $500,000 in grant funding was awarded last year to 15 organizations,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “These grants supported projects to improve water quality, plant trees, engage diverse audiences and create green jobs throughout the County. I am proud to see this work that enriches our local communities and has a positive impact on our shared environment.”

The goal of the program is to reduce stormwater runoff and pollutants affecting water quality through community-based projects. It also seeks to broaden the diversity of people and groups involved and to support projects focused on education, outreach and stewardship.

The County and the Trust will accept applications in the following categories:

• Tree planting and reforestation projects (up to $100,000).
• Public outreach and stewardship projects such as knowledge building (up to $40,000).
• Community-based restoration projects such as parking lot replacement with permeable pavement (up to $100,000).
• Litter-reduction projects in the Anacostia River Watershed (up to $50,000).

Montgomery County has the responsibility to meet regulatory watershed restoration and water quality improvement goals. Significant effort is needed from individuals and community-based groups to meet the goals since the amount of privately owned land far exceeds the amount of government-owned property.

More than $500,000 in grant funding was awarded last year to 15 organizations. The grants went for projects such as green infrastructure/stormwater projects; pavement removal; street trees and conservation landscape plantings; engagement of Latino audiences; work with and by faith-based audiences; green jobs programs; and water-quality monitoring projects.

The average approval rate from the last three rounds in this grant program is 73 percent, including fully and partially funded applications. Entities are encouraged to contact the Trust to discuss their eligible project ideas prior to submitting their proposals.

To learn more, register for the pre-application workshop or review the request for proposals, visit https://cbtrust.org/grants/montgomery-county-watershed-restoration-outreach/ or contact Kathy Somoza at 410-974-2941, extension 120.