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Grants

LIST OF AVAILABLE GRANTS

3RQ GAPS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Building successful remediation projects is accomplished through a combination of reliable data, healthy partnerships, and sufficient funding. The Federal 319 program is a reliable source of funding for nonpoint source pollution remediation, including abandoned mine drainage (AMD) and stream restoration projects. However, there is a “gap” in reliable funding and resources to develop realistic cost estimates for 319 remediation projects. A hurdle to many grass-roots organizations is collecting, managing, and analyzing data in preparation for a remediation funding request.

Generating Awareness for Project Success (GAPS) is a collaboration between the Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds (FPW) and Three Rivers QUEST (3RQ) with support from the Colcom Foundation to assist grass-roots organizations within the Allegheny and Monongahela river basins with preparing and applying for successful remediation projects. Utilizing field teams and researchers, 3RQ will provide watershed groups with the information and technical expertise needed to prepare successful proposals that secure funding for the engineering and construction of nonpoint source remediation projects.

PENNSYLVANIA AMERICAN WATER COMPANY AND WEST VIRGINIA AMERICAN WATER COMPANY ENVIRONMENTAL GRANTS PROGRAM

The Pennsylvania American Water Company and the West Virginia American Water Company conduct their Environmental Grants Program in the spring of each year. 

Projects must take place in an American Water service area, address source water protection, and be carried out by partnership of between two or more organizations, be completed between May 1 and November 30 of the year of application, and be reported on in writing by in December of the year. Applications must use the Standard Application Form, be submitted by mail or e-mail no later than the annual due date “to your local coordinator referenced in the cover letter accompanying this brochure,” and request no more than $10,000.

Applications must include:

  1. Grant Application Cover Page (provided) as your cover sheet.
  2. Project description summarizing expected (measurable) outcomes in no more than 2 or 3 sentences.
  3. Project Description not to exceed 4 pages, in 12-point font, that includes:
    1. Project Need and Objectives
    2. Description of the issue the project will address, the target population, and number ofvpeople that would benefit
    3. Specific objectives and measurable outcomes anticipated
    4. Timetable, incl. major milestones, tasks, and anticipated completion dates
    5. Description of community involvement and roles of partners
    6. Partner organizations and their involvement in/contributions to the project
    7. For Project Evaluation and Monitoring, specific, measurable goals.
  4. Budget Summary Worksheet (provided) as specifically as possible on anticipated costs
  5. Supporting Materials, if applicable:
    1. List of American Water employees that serve on your organization’s Board of Directors
    2. Annual reports, media kits, brochures, photos, press releases, news clippings, etc. that reference your project

The written report on project results/impact is due after the completion of the project in December of the year that it takes place. This report should present public educational materials produced for the project (publications, brochures, videos); copies of articles and media clippings written about the grant project; and before-and-after photos, if possible; and how the funding was spent.

For more information about the application process and recent projects funded, click here.

EQT

EQT states that its “funding strategy endorses programs that directly touch the community and its residents, …projects that demonstrate positive, significant, measurable and sustainable impacts, grounded in solid research and analysis that demonstrate creative approaches to addressing critical issues. Projects should be located in EQT’s service area.

Funding priorities are arts & culture, community & economic development, diversity, education, and environment. Organizations active in water quality monitoring and watershed protection should look into both the education and environment areas. For education, the relevant funding focus is on enhancing student proficiency in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) areas. For example, funding might be requested to support classes and training in water chemistry and biology that include actual field work. The “Environment” funding area focuses on the “preservation of natural resources through residents and businesses employing accepted conservation techniques and activities to minimize adverse impacts on the environment.”
Watershed conservation is expressly noted as an example.

For more information, see: https://www.eqt.com/our-communities/eqt-foundation/funding-priorities. Inquiries should be directed to Ellen Rossi, EQT Foundation Manager, erossi@eqt.com, 412.553.7703

PEOPLES GAS

https://www.peoples-gas.com/

The Peoples Gas website indicates that it will make “financial contributions to both large and small organizations, giving priority to organizations and causes in our service territories that support direct human services, economic development, and environmental causes.” Organizations engaged in water quality monitoring and watershed protection fit the third funding area.

The webpage advises prospective applicants to allow a minimum 60-day lead time for
consideration and approval of requests. Your request must be submitted via the Contributions Request Form and must be accompanied by a current, completed W-9 form. Applicants can register online, and then use the very straightforward application form. See https://www.peoples-gas.com/contributionsrequest/

NRG

http://www.nrg.com/company/community/
NRG makes grants to support education, human welfare, and environment. The company’s webpage refers to the last category this way: “Environment grants fund initiatives that preserve natural resources or help to meet the environmental needs of communities where we operate.” Organizations engaged in water quality monitoring and watershed protection fit. The site goes on to say that preference in funding is given “to organizations and initiatives that have a meaningful and direct impact on the community, as well as nonprofit organizations and initiatives that are supported in partnership with the community. We encourage investing in initiatives that strengthen community involvement and inclusiveness.”

To submit a grant request, registration/login is required, at https://nrg.versaic.com/login.

GEORGE AND MIRIAM MARTIN FOUNDATION

The George and Miriam Martin Foundation tells prospective applicants to send a brief letter describing how a grant will help your organization preserve streams and wetlands. There are no deadlines and no formal grant guidelines. Grants have ranged from $1,000 to $200,000. 

https://www.themartinfoundation.org/home

1818 Market Street, 35th Floor
Philadelphia, Pa 19103

SMALL GRANTMAKERS SUPPORTING WATER QUALITY AND WATER RESOURCES PROJECTS SEPTEMBER 2018

CORNELL DOUGLAS FOUNDATION

The Cornell Douglas Foundation funds projects in five areas: Environmental Health & Justice, Land Conservation, Sustainability of Resources, Mountaintop Removal Mining, and Watershed Protection. Based in Maryland, the Foundation does fund projects in the 3RQ geographic area.

Grant size is $10,000-$15,000 with an average amount of $10,000. Applications are accepted at all times during the year. The application process is straightforward and easy. Applications are to be submitted by regular mail, not by email faxes. Provide the following:

  • Introductory letter providing information about the organization
  • 1 – 2 page summary of project for which funding is requested
  • IRS determination letter of 501(c)(3) status
  • Recent 990 form. *This can be submitted by email.
  • Project and organizational line item budget
  • Other sources of support: amounts secured and amounts requested

The application process can be reviewed at http://www.cornelldouglas.org/apply and http://www.cornelldouglas.org/ check-list. Previously funded projects can be reviewed at http://www.cornelldouglas.org/grants

Cornell Douglas Foundation
http://www.cornelldouglas.org/
4701 Sangamore Road
Suite 133 South
Bethesda, MD 20816

Partners

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Red Horse Environmental logo
Duquesne University logo
Colcom Foundation logo
Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds