NFWF Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund Now Accepting Grant Applications

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) this week announces its 2017 Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund grant program for worthwhile project submissions is now available on the NFWF website. The deadline for applications is May 9. Interested land and water conservation program offices may submit to www.NFWF.org/Chesapeake.

NFWF is soliciting eligible proposals through two distinct grant programs: Small Watershed Grants (SWG), and the Innovative Nutrient and Sediment Reduction Grants (INSR). SWG grants will be awarded for projects within the Chesapeake Bay watershed that promote community-based efforts to protect and restore the diverse natural resources of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributary rivers and streams. INSR grants will be awarded to projects within the Chesapeake Bay watershed that dramatically accelerate quantifiable nutrient and sediment reductions through innovative, sustainable, and cost-effective approaches, methods, and new technologies.

In addition to continued funding for bay-wide efforts, special dedicated funding is available this year for proposals that assist Pennsylvania’s agricultural sector with watershed restoration efforts. Last year, the fund awarded close to $12 million to organizations throughout the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.

Working in partnership with government agencies and private corporations, the Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund awards $8 million to $12 million per year through two competitive grant programs and directed technical assistance. Through NFWF-sponsored forums and symposia, like the Chesapeake Bay Ag Forum and the annual Stormwater Summit, NFWF also serves as a convener and thought leader on the critical cross-cutting issues affecting the health of the Bay. The major issues such as agricultural practices, habitat restoration, stormwater and local government strategies are discussed.

From 1999 to 2016, the Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund awarded over 990 grants totaling roughly $137 million. These investments leveraged more than $250 million in grantee matching funds to support a wide range of conservation projects throughout the Chesapeake Bay basin.

About NFWF

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) protects and restores our nation’s wildlife and habitats. Chartered by Congress in 1984, NFWF directs public conservation dollars to the most pressing environmental needs and matches those investments with private contributions. NFWF works with government, nonprofit and corporate partners to find solutions for the most intractable conservation challenges. Over the last three decades, NFWF has funded more than 4,500 organizations and committed more than $3.5 billion to conservation projects. Learn more at www.nfwf.org.