The Conservation District Watershed Specialist is available to provide grant writing assistance and information. Listed below are several federal, state, county and other grant programs that may be of interest:
DCCD Mini-Grant Program
To promote conservation work in Delaware County, the Conservation District has established a mini grant program. Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis. Grant requests should not exceed $500.00. The Conservation District Board of Directors will annually allocate a sum of money to this program based on the prior year’s excess of income over expenses. To start the program in 1998, the Board allocated $3,000.00.
Applicants must be based in Delaware County. Applications for mini grants will be accepted from the following groups:
- Locally Based Environmental Organizations
- School-based Environmental Clubs
- Homeowners Associations and Civic Associations
- Scouting Organizations
- Municipal Environmental Advisory Councils and Shade Tree Commissions
- Sportsman’s Groups
- Master Watershed Stewards and Master Gardeners of Penn State Extension in Delaware County
Projects expected to result in the conservation of natural resources, education of a wide audience, and/or significant improvements to water quality will be funded. Projects must be located in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. The following are examples of the types of projects that will be considered:
- Streambank stabilization
- Riparian forest buffer plantings
- Storm sewer stenciling / disks
- Wildlife habitat improvements
- Conservation practice installation or implementation approved by the Natural Resource Conservation Service (N.R.C.S.) on land open to the public without an access fee
- Special topic workshops or seminars for the general public on local environmental issues
- Stream monitoring / water quality testing programs
- Evaluation of new erosion and sediment control products on publicly owned construction projects
- Nature trails
The following expenses are considered ineligible:
- Salaries/benefits
- Overhead costs
Applications are accepted semi-annually:
Spring Deadline: April 1st
Fall Deadline: October 30th
Grants will be awarded at the Conservation District Board of Directors meeting following each deadline.
Project Completion and Reimbursement Requests
The funds will be distributed after the grantee has expended the funds and completed the project unless the Board waives this requirement. Funds will be released from the Conservation District upon the group’s submittal of a report documenting proof of project completion, including expense records (receipts, invoices, etc.). If the Board waives the requirement for payment after completion of the project, the group must still submit a report after the project has been satisfactorily completed. If the group fails to provide the necessary proof of project completion, they will be ineligible for future mini-grants and requested to return the funds.
Electronic copies or hard copies of project completion materials will be accepted.
Supporting materials for project completion include:
- Brief summary of project accomplishments
- Copies of expense documentation, such as receipts or invoices
- Photographs of the project are encouraged, but not required
Additional Terms and Conditions
The grant applications must be submitted on the form developed by the Delaware County Conservation District.
The mini-grant program’s goal is to maximize environmental quality while minimizing paperwork as associated with other grants. The funds allocated to this program are non-tax dollar funding. The funds are a part of our affiliate membership program. Donations are received from various sources, but the funds are primarily received as part of the emergency Erosion & Sediment Control Review Process. We will need to keep accurate records on the use of these funds, so a certain amount of documentation is required.
Click below for guidelines and application:
DCCD Mini-Grant Application PDF
Low Volume Roads Program
The Dirt, Gravel, and Low Volume Road (DGLVR) Maintenance Program is an innovative non-point source pollution control program for PA state and local municipal roads. Under this program, the State Conservation Commission provides grant funding through county conservation districts to state and local entities to eliminate stream pollution caused by runoff and sediment from dirt, gravel, and low volume roads. Low Volume Roads are sealed or paved with an average daily traffic count of 500 vehicles or less (PA DEP).
The grant applicant must be a PA municipal or state entity that owns the road where the proposed project will be completed.
- Federal roads and privately owned roads are not eligible for grant funds.
- The person in charge of work plan development/project implementation for the applying entity must be ESM Certified. ESM Certification is obtained by attending a two day "Environmentally Sensitive Maintenance" (ESM) training.
- The road must be open to public motor vehicle travel for a minimum of 2 consecutive weeks annually.
- The road must be one of the following:
- Dirt and gravel roads: unpaved surface of natural material or rock aggregate with no binder.
- Low volume roads: paved/sealed surface with average daily traffic of 500 vehicles or less.
- The road drainage must impact a stream, lake, wetland, or other water body.
For more info specific to Delaware County, click this Link. Contact DCCD for more information on eligibility.
Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP)
The Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP) supports Pennsylvania farmers and agricultural landowners in their efforts to protect and enhance water quality.
Established through the Clean Streams Fund in Pennsylvania's FY2022-2023 state budget, ACAP provides critical financial and technical assistance for implementing best management practices (BMPs) on agricultural operations across the Commonwealth.
Other Grants
PHS Trees for Watersheds Grant (formerly TreeVitalize Watersheds)
NFWF Delaware River Program
PA DEP Growing Greener Plus Grant
PA DEP Coastal Resources Management Program
Apply for the Coastal Zone Grant to protect coastal environments
Community Conservation Partnerships Program (C2P2)
Restore America's Estuaries Coastal Watershed Grants
PA Power & Light Community Grants
PA DEP Environmental Education Grants
EPA Environmental Education Grants
The Conservation Fund Grants
Water Resources Education Network
Chesapeake Bay Program Small Watershed Grants (not applicable in Delaware County)
