Grants

The Department of Environmental Protection will be accepting applications for EPA Section 319 Watershed Restoration and Planning Grants. The purpose of these grants is to provide funding to implement nonpoint source management plans and activities identified in Pennsylvania’s Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP) watersheds. Implementation activities must address specific sources of nonpoint source pollution identified by the 2019 – 2024 Pennsylvania Nonpoint Source Management Plan.

Objectives:

• Reduce AMD-related iron, aluminum, and acidity pollutant loads.
• Reduce nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment pollutant loads.
  
  • Implement stream restoration, bank stabilization, and/or stormwater management projects.
  • Plant, maintain, and protect riparian forest buffers.
  • Implement agricultural Best Management Practices (BMPs).

This year's grant also provides for funding to develop Watershed Implementation Plans in Hydrologic Unit Code 12 (HUC12) watersheds within Environmental Justice areas.

The Strategic Business Plan (SBP) adopted by the Chester County Commissioners (Commissioners) establishes goals for land preservation, water quality, public safety, public health (mental and physical), quality of life, and economic development. The Commissioners have authorized the Department of Parks + Preservation to solicit land preservation proposals from eligible municipalities and private nonprofit organizations in northern Chester County that advance the SBP and complement conservation work in the northern part of the county by offering “Northern Conservation Initiative” grants on a trial basis. The County will focus these funds on projects that preserve the most land with the greatest economy and efficiency. Examples of high priority projects include (but are not limited to) preserving water quality, conserving flood prone areas, providing public recreation opportunities, implementing local and regional policy plans, or otherwise implementing the SBP. For more information about this program, please contact Judy Thomas at jthomas@chesco.org.

The Albany Township Tomorrow Fund was created in honor of Pauline Levan Hamm and Gloria Longenberger Hamm and their lifelong efforts to support and improve the Albany Township community. The Fund provides grants to support community-minded organizations and initiatives that benefit the general population of Albany Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania. The fund awards grants each year using the following considerations:

• Grant funding is to be for the general benefit of the Albany Township community and not for programs/activities restricted to members or beneficiaries of a single organization.
• Grants may not be made for the benefit of pre-identified individual residents.
• Grants benefiting youth education and advancement will be given priority.
• Activity-based programs will be preferred over facility/material support.
• Community enhancement/improvement programs will be preferred over support of existing programs/activities.
• Funding shall be used only for secular purposes. While religious organizations may be eligible for grants, the grant funding shall be used for the benefit of the general community, and not to advance religion-focused organizational goals.
• The activities funded by a grant must be completed and a grant report submitted within one year from the date of award notification.

Important: If your organization historically applied to both American Water and the American Water Charitable Foundation environmental grant programs, please note only one environmental-focused grant program will be offered in 2024. The American Water Environmental Grant Program has been discontinued and blended into the Foundation’s Water and Environment Grant Program.

Applications will be accepted in the following states served by American Water, in addition to its Military Service locations: California, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.

Grants will be awarded to help fund innovative, community-based projects that:

• improve, restore or protect the watersheds, surface water and/or groundwater supplies
• promote water conservation
• improve equitable access to water-based recreation in underserved communities

To qualify:

• Applicants must be classified as a 501(c)(3) public charity by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or K-12 public school, college or university.
• Projects must be completed within 12 months of the grant being awarded
• Projects must be located within and benefit American Water’s service areas

Deadline:
Applications must be received online between February 5 – March 15, 2024. Grant decisions will be announced by April 30. To apply online, please visit amwater.com/awcfgrants or click the image below. Paper applications will not be accepted.