The Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), in partnership with the Chesapeake Bay Trust, is offering $750,000 in grant funding for local, community-driven initiatives aimed at improving water quality. Through the Clean Water Montgomery Grant Program, Montgomery County nonprofit organizations— including local watershed groups, homeowner and community associations, faith-based organizations and service and civic groups—may be eligible for grants ranging from $40,000 to $100,000 to support their projects to improve water quality and stream health. 

The grant program is now accepting proposals for projects such as planting trees, installing permeable pavers and building rain gardens that will improve and protect local waterways. Applications are due no later than 4 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. 

To review the request for proposals or to register for the pre-application workshop click here. 

Projects throughout the County are eligible for consideration, except those in Rockville, Gaithersburg and Takoma Park, as these municipalities manage their storm water separately. 

“Through this partnership between the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection and the Chesapeake Bay Trust, we have provided $5.6 million for 123 projects over the past 10 years,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “By supporting these projects that address stormwater runoff and pollution, promote education and foster stewardship, we are empowering local organizations to play a crucial role in restoring and maintaining the health of our waterways.” 

The grant program will be accepting applications in the following categories: 

• Public outreach and stewardship projects such as knowledge building, are eligible for funding up to $40,000, and behavior change up to $60,000. 
• Community-based restoration projects such as parking lot replacement with permeable pavement are eligible for funding up to $100,000. 
• Tree planting and restoration projects are eligible for funding up to $100,000. 
• Litter-reduction projects in the Anacostia River Watershed are eligible for funding up to $50,000. 

Montgomery County Government is responsible for meeting regulatory watershed restoration and water quality improvement goals. Significant effort is needed from individuals and community-based groups since the amount of privately-owned land far exceeds the amount of government-owned property. The Clean Water Montgomery Grant Program aims to broaden the diversity of people and groups involved in the restoration of the watershed to help support these goals. 

“Clean Water Montgomery grants provide residents and local organizations with the resources and support needed to take local, on-the-ground action to improve and protect our environment,” said DEP Director Jon Monger. “In the last year, nearly $1 million in grant funding was awarded for 23 projects throughout the County. These projects are building a strong and inclusive network of environmental stewards and leaders who are helping to improve water quality in our County.” 

The grant program empowers communities to lead and implement their own projects to reduce stormwater runoff and pollutants affecting water quality. Community-inspired projects will also focus on education, outreach and stewardship. Last year’s grant funding was awarded for projects such as green infrastructure and stormwater projects; pavement removal; conservation landscape plantings; engagement of diverse audiences in stewardship projects; work with and by faith-based audiences; green jobs programs and water quality monitoring projects. This year’s awardees will build on this work to further protect the County’s water quality.

“Our successful partnership with Montgomery County allows more resources for local nonprofit organizations to accomplish measurable, visible improvements that protect our waterways and strengthen our communities,” said Dr. Jana Davis, president of the Chesapeake Bay Trust. “Together, we can continue to empower more local groups to take action to protect the health of our environment.” 

This year's awardees will build on this work to further protect the County's water quality.

To learn more, register for the pre-application workshop or review the request for proposals, click here or call Kathy Somoza at 410-974-2941, extension 120. 

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