Best Water Grants in Missouri

Nonprofit or conservation organizations helping private landowners implement water and habitat conservation in Missouri can seek US $250,000 - US $750,000 through the Conservation Partners Grant Program. National Fish and Wildlife Foundation supports technical assistance that advances regenerative agriculture, soil and freshwater conservation, and Farm Bill program participation on private lands, which may benefit water-focused projects.

Missouri 501(c)(3) public charities and eligible K–12 schools, colleges, and universities can seek funding for sanitation, clean drinking water, freshwater conservation, and water resource management projects. With a mission to demonstrate community commitment, American Water Works Company provides support within its Missouri service territories through the Keep Communities Flowing Grant Program.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and K–12 public schools, colleges, and universities in Missouri can seek funding for watershed protection, water conservation, and equitable access to water-based recreation projects. With a mission to support community-based water and environment initiatives, American Water Charitable Foundation provides grants for projects within its Missouri service areas that can be completed in 12 months.

Missouri environmental and community organizations working on watershed or source water protection projects can access funding through Illinois American Water’s Environmental Grant Program. Eligible projects within American Water service areas may receive up to US $5,000 for activities like watershed cleanup, groundwater protection, habitat restoration, and public education that improve, restore, or protect local water resources.

Missouri undergraduate students studying fisheries, forestry, wildlife, parks and recreation, or soil and water conservation can receive scholarship support for natural resource management fields in Missouri. The Conservation Foundation of Missouri Charitable Trust’s Ed Stegner Natural Resource Scholarship awards US $1,000 in each of five areas, with preference for applicants demonstrating financial need, including water-related disciplines.

Missouri graduate students studying fisheries, forestry, wildlife, parks and recreation, or soil and water conservation at in-state colleges can apply for the Carl Morrow Graduate Scholarships, awarding US $1,000 for advanced natural resource studies. This Conservation Foundation of Missouri Charitable Trust program may benefit students focused on freshwater conservation and water resource management in Missouri.

Missouri Department of Natural Resources

Missouri’s air, land and water resources play an important role in our health and are essential to the environmental and economic vitality of our state. The department aspires to help Missouri citizens thrive by advancing environmental and economic sustainability. The department provides a range of services to help Missouri citizens, communities and businesses in these efforts. The department also provides opportunities to learn more about Missouri’s natural and cultural history at our state parks and historic sites.

Our Mission: We serve as stewards of our natural resources to benefit Missourians. The department's values and Strategic Initiative Plan guide the department as it moves. The department accomplishes its mission through its Division of Administrative Support, Division of Environmental Quality, Division of Energy, Missouri Geological Survey and Missouri State Parks.

CWSRF Integrated Management Plan Grant

Under the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) program, the department provides Integrated Management Plan Grants to small and medium communities for developing integrated management plans. These plans identify and prioritize existing and future investments for municipal wastewater and stormwater management, and may include drinking water management, in a manner that is affordable to ratepayers.

Funding is provided by the CWSRF fund, capitalization grant additional subsidization allocation. Funding is offered through a competitive, annual funding cycle. 

Missouri Department of Natural Resources

Missouri’s air, land and water resources play an important role in our health and are essential to the environmental and economic vitality of our state. The department aspires to help Missouri citizens thrive by advancing environmental and economic sustainability. The department provides a range of services to help Missouri citizens, communities and businesses in these efforts. The department also provides opportunities to learn more about Missouri’s natural and cultural history at our state parks and historic sites.

Our Mission: We serve as stewards of our natural resources to benefit Missourians.

Water Safety and Security Act Project Grant

The Missouri Water Safety and Security Act, found in Missouri Revised Statutes section 640.144, RSMo, requires certain community public water systems to develop valve and fire hydrant inspection programs. The Act also requires systems to develop an accurate map identifying shut-off valve and hydrant locations using a geographic information system (GIS) or an alternative physical mapping system and create a hydrant inspection program.

Section 1452(g) and (k) of the federal Safe Drinking Water Act authorizes the Missouri Department of Natural Resources to distribute part of the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) to public water systems to improve system capacity, promote asset management and maintain compliance with federal and state drinking water laws. Through this grant program, the department provides financial assistance to eligible community public water systems to develop accurate maps that satisfy the requirements of the Missouri Water Safety and Security Act.

Eligible Projects and Costs

Eligible projects are limited to contractual agreements to develop valve and hydrant inspection programs and accurate valve and hydrant maps that include all shut-off valve and hydrant locations throughout the applying water system’s distribution system and to satisfy the requirements of Section 640.144, RSMo.

A finalized valve and hydrant inspection program plan and/ or a map accurately depicting the locations of all system shut-off valves and hydrants must be provided to the department for a project to be considered complete. Reimbursement for pre-approved project-related costs is only issued following completion of awarded projects and submission of a finalized map to the department.

Award Amounts and Match

Funding is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis after the priority application period. Matching funds are not required, but may contribute to project selection and ranking according to the priority point criteria described in section 4 of the grant application form.

Department of Conservation

Our work began in 1937, when citizen-led efforts created the Department of Conservation to restore, conserve and regulate Missouri's over-stressed fisheries, forests and wildlife populations. During our first 40 years, hunting, fishing, and trapping permits provided most of our funding, but in 1976 an expanded program, the "Design for Conservation," was passed to set aside one-eighth of one percent sales tax directly to the agency. That consistent funding, plus a strong, non-political structure and very supportive public helped make Missouri a national leader in conservation. Today we continue our legacy of protecting our state's wild resources and helping Missourians connect with their natural heritage. Our goal is to sustain diverse, healthy plant and animal communities — well into the future.

Department of Conservation Funding Opportunities

The Department of Conservation offers communities and partners a number of grant and cost-share options to assist with everything from green development to wildlife habitat to enhancing outdoor recreation opportunities.

Community Conservation Cost-Share

MDC’s Community Conservation Cost-Share Program promotes sustainable development practices and the establishment of natural resource conservation practices in municipal and developing areas.

Eligible Practices

Cost-share is authorized for activities such as native grass and pollinator plantings, forest and woodland management, invasive species control, and aquatic resource management. In addition, other practices eligible for cost-share include urban green space planning, engineered drawings, and training of staff on conservation-related programs.

Publicly owned water and sewer systems in Missouri can seek funding to construct or improve drinking water treatment, distribution, and wastewater collection infrastructure. The Missouri Department of Economic Development’s CDBG Water/Wastewater Grant, coordinated through the Missouri Water and Wastewater Review Committee, offers up to US $750,000 or $5,000 per household to fill financing gaps alongside other state and federal partners.

Missouri Department of Natural Resources

Missouri’s air, land and water resources play an important role in our health and are essential to the environmental and economic vitality of our state. The department aspires to help Missouri citizens thrive by advancing environmental and economic sustainability. The department provides a range of services to help Missouri citizens, communities and businesses in these efforts. The department also provides opportunities to learn more about Missouri’s natural and cultural history at our state parks and historic sites.

Our Mission: We serve as stewards of our natural resources to benefit Missourians. The department's values and Strategic Initiative Plan guide the department as it moves. The department accomplishes its mission through its Division of Administrative Support, Division of Environmental Quality, Division of Energy, Missouri Geological Survey and Missouri State Parks.

CWSRF On-site Wastewater Treatment System Grant

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources' grant program for on-site wastewater systems provides pass-through grant funding to one or more qualified nonprofits to implement the program in select areas of the state. The On-site Wastewater Treatment System Grants will assist private (non-commercial) and single-family homeowners in select watersheds with identified water quality concerns related to nutrients. It is anticipated that the grants will be used to either:

• Repair or replace failing or poorly functioning onsite wastewater systems or
• Connect to a larger decentralized or centralized wastewater treatment system

The goals of this grant program are to improve and protect public health and water quality by focusing on watersheds with nutrient impairments and implement infrastructure improvements, regardless of home lot size, with effective designs and proper installation that follow local and state health statutes and rules. Maintenance is also key to ensure the newly installed systems continue to provide protections for their expected useful life.

Local governments in Missouri seeking to improve public drinking water and wastewater systems can apply for Community Development Block Grant Water/Wastewater funding, with awards up to US $750,000 for construction projects. Grants from Missouri Department of Economic Development help communities upgrade water and sewer infrastructure that benefits low- to moderate-income residents and addresses health and safety concerns.

State and local governments, private nonprofits, and federally recognized tribes in rural Missouri can apply for USDA Rural Development’s Water & Waste Disposal funding to build or upgrade water and waste systems. Support covers drinking water, sewer, solid waste, and stormwater infrastructure, plus related costs like engineering, land rights, and start-up operations.

Missouri Department of Natural Resources

Missouri’s air, land and water resources play an important role in our health and are essential to the environmental and economic vitality of our state. The department aspires to help Missouri citizens thrive by advancing environmental and economic sustainability. The department provides a range of services to help Missouri citizens, communities and businesses in these efforts. The department also provides opportunities to learn more about Missouri’s natural and cultural history at our state parks and historic sites.

Our Mission: We serve as stewards of our natural resources to benefit Missourians. The department's values and Strategic Initiative Plan guide the department as it moves. The department accomplishes its mission through its Division of Administrative Support, Division of Environmental Quality, Division of Energy, Missouri Geological Survey and Missouri State Parks. 

Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) Engineering Report Grant

Under the Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (DWSRF) program, the department provides Engineering Report Grants to small communities for developing plans or engineering reports related to the following:

• Compliance with new permit requirements
• Ability to provide safe drinking water

The community uses the funds to hire an engineer to produce a plan or report that either evaluates improvements to their drinking water system or consolidated or regionalized a nearby system. The report identifies the system’s needs, evaluates the existing facility or system, describes all the options to meet project goals, provides cost estimates and recommends the best alternatives. The report must strive to make reasonable and cost-effective recommendations for system improvements to meet Missouri Safe Drinking Water Law requirements. The final plan or report must be signed and sealed by a professional engineer registered in the State of Missouri.

Missouri 501(c)(3) organizations working on natural resource protection, water resource management, outdoor recreation, or related conservation projects can apply for the Conservation Foundation of Missouri Charitable Trust’s Carl Morrow Annual Giving Program, with awards of US $250 - US $5,000. Funding supports research, education, and projects of statewide conservation significance, including water-focused initiatives.

Missouri local governments and public schools seeking support for outdoor recreation acquisition, development, or renovation projects in Missouri can access funding through the Land and Water Conservation Fund grants, requiring a 50% match. Administered with Missouri State Parks Foundation, funded sites must be maintained long term for public outdoor recreation and may benefit freshwater-focused park and trail projects, with awards up to US $500,000.

Eligible 501(c)(3) charities, local governments, Tribal governments, and religious organizations in Missouri working on basic human needs, health care access, or environmental and freshwater conservation can apply for the Doree Taylor Charitable Foundation’s support. Programs with water resource management or clean drinking water components, especially serving underserved populations, may be particularly competitive.

Researchers working on applied water quality and water environment innovations in Missouri can receive up to US $100,000 to advance their work. With a mission to support practical water research, Water Research Foundation provides individuals collaborating with a U.S.-based firm, university, or organization with funding to continue, expand, and explore new directions in their projects.

The SFS Fellows Grant, awarded by the Society for Freshwater Science, recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to freshwater science research, policy, or management. Each year, up to four fellows are selected based on their sustained excellence and leadership within the field. This initiative also encourages diversity by promoting nominations from underrepresented groups and mid-career professionals. The grant fosters collaboration and participation in SFS activities, enhancing the impact of freshwater science.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Missouri working on water stewardship, freshwater conservation, or watershed health can apply for grassroots grants of US $500 - US $5,000. Focused on ecosystem health, water resource management, and climate-related water risks, Bell's Brewery supports projects that benefit public health and frontline communities across the U.S.

The Jim Flynn Outstanding Corporation Award, presented annually by NALMS, honors the corporation that has made significant contributions to advancing lake management goals. This award emphasizes the importance of facilitating information exchange, promoting public awareness of lake ecosystems, and supporting management programs at all levels. Eligible nominations can come from any individual or entity, focusing on achievements in lake and reservoir management. Notably, current NALMS board members and awards committee members are excluded from eligibility.

The NALMS Achievement Awards: Secchi Disk Award recognizes outstanding contributions to lake management by its members. NALMS aims to unite citizens, scientists, and professionals to ensure the protection and management of lakes and reservoirs. This prestigious award is open to NALMS members, with nominations encouraged from any individual or entity. However, current board and committee members are ineligible. The award celebrates those who significantly advance NALMS's goals and objectives in fostering lake ecosystem awareness and management.

Missouri water and watershed organizations can access funding through the Laird Norton Family Foundation for freshwater conservation, water resource management, and broader watershed stewardship work. Eligible U.S. nonprofits focused on environmental stewardship, climate-related watershed resilience, or related youth and community programs may be considered, though the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications and invites only brief email inquiries from strong mission fits.

Nonprofit organizations and public entities working on freshwater conservation or water resource management in Missouri and other U.S. regions can access funding through the Biophilia Foundation; awards range from US $5,000 - US $25,000 for eligible first-time grants. Grants support private land conservation, ecosystem restoration, restorative economies, and conservation policy, with emphasis on arid Southwest and Chesapeake Bay projects.

Undergraduate students at U.S.-based colleges interested in marine, coastal, estuarine, or water-related systems can access funding through New Hampshire Sea Grant’s Doyle Undergraduate Fellowship, earning up to US $5,000 for a 10-week summer project. Fellows support research, extension, education, or communications that inform decisions about marine and water resources, which may benefit Missouri students focused on water management careers.

U.S. nonprofit organizations working on land, water, and climate-related conservation, including freshwater and water resource management in Missouri, can apply for Doris Duke Foundation’s Environment Program grants, which typically range from US $100,000 - US $1,000,000. Funding supports land and water conservation, natural climate solutions, and equity-focused, inclusive environmental stewardship initiatives.

Nonprofit organizations working on freshwater conservation, clean water, or water resource management in the U.S., including Missouri, can access funding for multi-state or national environmental projects; awards range from US $25,000 - US $75,000. The Roy A Hunt Foundation supports project management, outreach, applied research, and innovations that influence private-sector environmental decisions.