Grants

Partners across Greater Philadelphia are working to build a region-wide network of multi-use trails that people can use to bike, walk, roll, commute, exercise, relax, and meet neighbors and friends.  This network, called the Circuit Trails, connects communities across the nine counties of Greater Philadelphia and is a hub for national trails like the East Coast Greenway and 9/11 National Memorial Trail. About 370 miles of this 800-plus-mile network are complete.

Continuing to build the Circuit Trails and creating safe, accessible, and welcoming community connections to the network are two important goals to ensure the continuing success of this initiative. These goals are envisioned in the region’s long-range transportation plan, Connections 2050: Plan for Greater Philadelphia, and in DVRPC’s Regional Trails Program.

Capitalized with funding from the William Penn Foundation, a total of $1 million is available through this funding opportunity for projects in the nine-county Greater Philadelphia region to fund right-of-way acquisition, planning, design, and/or construction of multi-use trails and/or safe, accessible, and welcoming trailheads, gateways, and neighborhood connections.

 A strong emphasis is placed on equity and community engagement as part of this funding opportunity.

The fund provides grants and program-related investments for projects serving the Met-Ed and Penelec electric companies in Pennsylvania that meet the mission of the fund to support:
• the development and use of renewable energy and clean energy technologies
• energy conservation and efficiency
• sustainable energy businesses
• projects that improve the environment in the companies’ service territories, as defined by their relationship to the companies’ transmission and distribution facilities

The fund will award multiple grants of $2,000 to $50,000 for projects within or substantially affecting the Met-Ed and Penelec territories. Program-related investments in addition to this amount may be considered. Program-related investments range from $25,000 to $500,000.

Questions should be addressed to Kevin Lugo, Energy and the Environment Program Officer of the Berks County Community Foundation, at KevinL@bccf.org.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced on May 6th, 2020 the availability of $3 million for grants through its new Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production. The competitive grants will support the development of urban agriculture and innovative production projects through two categories: 

• Planning Projects ($1 million for projects that initiate or expand efforts of farmers, gardeners, citizens, government officials, schools and other stakeholders in urban areas and suburbs.)
• Implementation Projects ($2 million for projects that accelerate existing and emerging models of urban, indoor and other agricultural practices that serve multiple farmers.)

Clean water is a priority for partners across all of Lancaster County, especially since over half of our streams and much of our groundwater are unhealthy.

The Lancaster Clean Water Fund serves as a catalyst for increased collaboration to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of current and future clean water projects in accordance with the Lancaster Countywide Action Plan.

Since 2019, the fund has provided $972,000 to 16 nonprofits and municipalities working on stream restoration, riparian buffer plantings, agricultural BMPs, education, and stormwater management projects. The fund addresses the immense need for clean water work throughout the county, and provides financial support to bring ideas to life.