Chesapeake Bay Small Watershed Grants

The Chesapeake Bay Small Watershed Grants Program provides grants to organizations working on a local level to protect and improve watersheds in the Chesapeake Bay basin, while building citizen-based resource stewardship. The purpose of the grants program is to address the water quality and living resource needs of the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem. Eligible organizations include either non-profit 501(c)3 organizations or local governments (i.e., counties, townships, cities, boroughs, conservation districts, planning districts, utility districts, or other units of local government) from the Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, District of Columbia, New York, West Virginia, and Delaware portions of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Grants range between $5,000 and $50,000; the average award is between $25,000 and $35,000 with larger amounts awarded to projects that directly address commitments of the Chesapeake 2000 Agreement. Matching funds are not required, but in-kind goods or services are encouraged. A maximum of five additional grants of up to $100,000 will be awarded through the Community Legacy Grants initiative to support truly outstanding and innovative projects that will serve as models to inspire others to undertake similar activities that protect and restore vital habitat and improve local water quality. Grant applications must be postmarked no later than February 2, 2004. Several grant application workshops are being held during the upcoming months. For more information, visit http://www.chesapeake@nfwf.org/chesapeake/index.htm, r for free assistance in writing the application, contact F. X. Browne, Inc. at info@fxbrowne.com or 800-220-2022.