Best Water Grants in Washington

Agricultural producers, forest landowners, Tribes, and water management entities in Washington can receive technical and financial help to improve water resources and overall environmental quality. Focused on conservation practices, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service invites eligible land stewards to address freshwater conservation, water resource management, soil health, air quality, and wildlife habitat through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program.

Nonprofit or conservation organizations providing technical assistance for regenerative agriculture and conservation practices on private lands in Washington can access funding through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, with awards of US $250,000 - US $750,000. Projects must support freshwater conservation, water resource management, soil health, or related habitat benefits through Farm Bill conservation programs.

Washington 501(c)(3) public charities working on freshwater or marine conservation, water resource management, or related land use issues can access short-term project funding through the Community Response Fund. Grants from Northwest Fund for the Environment help community-based groups address urgent aquatic ecosystem or growth management needs, build grassroots advocacy, and empower communities of color on local environmental solutions, with awards from US $1,000 - US $5,000.

Counties, cities, towns, tribal governments, special purpose and conservation districts, and eligible nonprofits in Washington can apply for the Department of Ecology’s Water Quality Combined Funding Program; awards up to US $500,000 for wastewater, stormwater, nonpoint source, and on-site sewage projects. This single application process bundles multiple water quality grants and loans.

Water resource agencies and other eligible water managers in Washington can receive up to US $400,000 to improve hydrologic data, modeling, and water supply forecasting tools. The Bureau of Reclamation’s WaterSMART Applied Science Grants support projects that enhance water management, increase water supply reliability, and strengthen forecasting for droughts and floods across eligible U.S. regions.

Water utilities, public entities, and other organizations planning water reclamation and reuse projects in Washington can seek funding for planning, design, or construction activities. The Bureau of Reclamation’s WaterSMART Title XVI program supports projects that expand urban and irrigation water supplies, enhance water management flexibility during shortages, and improve long-term water supply reliability, with awards from US $1,000 - US $40,000,000.

Public entities and other eligible organizations in Washington and other western states can seek US $50,000 - US $3,000,000 to improve water resource management, including conservation, infrastructure, and watershed restoration. With a mission to enhance water resources, the US Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation prioritizes collaborative projects that provide significant, multi-use watershed benefits.

Grants support Washington water systems, local governments, conservation districts, nonprofits, schools, and tribes to plan and implement source water protection projects that safeguard drinking water quality and quantity. Grants from Washington State Department of Health offer up to US $100,000 for studies, implementation, and security measures that reduce contamination risks and build long-term resilience for public water supplies.

Water utilities, public entities, Tribes, and similar organizations in Washington can seek funding for planning, design, or construction of desalination facilities treating seawater or brackish water. The Bureau of Reclamation supports water resource management by backing projects that expand local water supplies, diversify water portfolios, and improve reliability, with awards from US $1,000 - US $120,000,000.

State and local governments, private nonprofits, and federally recognized tribes in rural Washington can seek funding to develop or improve water and waste systems, including drinking water, sewer, solid waste, and stormwater infrastructure. Focused on water resource management, USDA Rural Development also supports related project costs like engineering, land rights, and start-up operations in eligible rural areas.

Agricultural producers, non-industrial private forest landowners, and Tribes in Washington can receive financial and technical assistance to improve water resources and overall land stewardship through the Conservation Stewardship Program. Grants from USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service of Washington help working lands enhance water management, soil health, wildlife habitat, and climate resilience via customized, five-year conservation contracts.

Public agencies, tribes, and other eligible Washington entities working on freshwater conservation and invasive species control can apply for the Aquatic Invasive Plants Management Grants Program, with awards up to US $50,000. With a mission to protect state waters, the State of Washington Department of Ecology provides funding for technical assistance, public education, and on-the-ground control projects.

Eligible Washington cities, counties, tribes, state agencies, and nonprofit nature conservancies can apply for the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program to conserve land and restore habitat, including freshwater and riparian areas. Administered by the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office, this program supports acquisition, development, and restoration projects that may benefit water and freshwater conservation efforts.

Public agencies and tribes in Washington can seek funding to manage toxic freshwater algae blooms through education, monitoring, control, and nutrient reduction projects, with awards up to US $50,000. State of Washington Department of Ecology supports freshwater conservation and water resource management efforts, prioritizing lakes with harmful algae in the past three years.

Local governments, tribes, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Washington can seek funding to reduce flood risks and restore riverine floodplains through the Department of Ecology’s Floodplains by Design program. Focused on integrated freshwater conservation and flood management, projects may include design, construction, land acquisition, riparian restoration, and related outreach, with awards up to US $10,000,000.

About Serve Washington

Serve Washington advances national service, volunteerism, and civic engagement to improve lives, expand opportunity to meet the local critical needs of residents of Washington, and strengthen community capacity while creating healthy and resilient communities.

AmeriCorps Planning Grant

AmeriCorps Planning Grants provide initial funding to support current staff or to hire additional staff who can plan a proposed AmeriCorps program and develop systems for successful implementation of an AmeriCorps operational grant application. This is a great place to start if you are new to AmeriCorps! 

AmeriCorps Focus Areas

The National and Community Service Act of 1990, as amended by the Serve America Act, emphasizes measuring the impact of service and focusing on a core set of issue areas. To carry out Congress’s intent, maximize the impact of investment in national service, and achieve the goals laid out in the Strategic Plan (2022-2026), AmeriCorps has the following Focus Areas:

• Disaster Services: Helping individuals and communities prepare for, respond to, recover from, and mitigate the effects of disasters and increase community resiliency.
• Economic Opportunity: Improving the economic well-being and security of underserved individuals.
• Education: Improving educational outcomes for underserved people, especially children. AmeriCorps is particularly interested in program designs that support youth engagement and service learning as strategies to achieve high educational outcomes.
• Environmental Stewardship: Supporting communities to become more resilient through measures that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, conserve land and water, increase renewable energy use and improve at-risk ecosystems, especially in underserved households and communities.
• Healthy Futures: Support for health needs within communities, including mitigating the impacts of COVID-19 and other public health crises, access to care, aging in place, and addressing childhood obesity, especially in underserved communities.
• Veterans and Military Families: Improving the quality of life of veterans, military families, caregivers, and survivors. 

Funding

Awards for planning grants may not exceed $75,000

Organizations in Washington with existing AmeriCorps operational grants that include freshwater conservation or related service activities can seek continuation funding for years two or three. Serve Washington supports ongoing national service, volunteerism, and civic engagement projects; water-focused AmeriCorps programs already funded in this cycle may be eligible to continue their work.

Public agencies in Washington can seek funding to acquire, restore, or develop aquatic lands and improve public waterfront access, with awards up to US $1,000,000. With a mission to enhance state aquatic resources, Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office supports projects like estuary restoration, shoreline habitat, and waterfront parks on navigable waters.

Nonprofit and community organizations implementing AmeriCorps programs in Washington can seek operational funding to run service projects that address disaster services, environmental stewardship, freshwater conservation, education, economic opportunity, health, and veterans’ needs. Serve Washington’s New & Recompete AmeriCorps Operational Grant supports new programs or those renewing after a completed three-year grant cycle.

The FY2026 Implementation of the Quagga and Zebra Mussel Action Plan (QZAP) seeks to address the rapid spread of these invasive species in the Western United States. This funding opportunity aims to support proposals that align with the priorities established in QZAP 2.0, focusing on critical areas for prevention and control. Applications will only be accepted through grantsolutions.gov, and the initiative is limited to U.S. states within the Western Regional Panel.

Environmental 501(c)(3) organizations in Washington working on habitat preservation that supports biodiversity and quiet remote recreation can seek US $5,000 - US $15,000 for general operating support or special projects. With a mission to protect rivers, forests, native fish, and land, The Burning Foundation prioritizes local and statewide conservation groups over national organizations.

The National Estuary Program Watersheds Grant Program, administered by Restore America’s Estuaries and supported by the EPA, funds competitive projects addressing critical threats to estuaries. Key priorities include habitat restoration, enhancing coastal resilience against extreme weather, managing nutrient impacts, and mitigating stormwater runoff. Established in 1987, the program aims to improve ecological integrity and water quality in 28 estuaries nationwide, providing essential funding and guidance to local initiatives.

The Nisqually Watershed Small Grants program, sponsored by Pierce County, aims to improve environmental literacy and enhance water quality in local watersheds. By supporting nonprofit organizations, schools, and individuals, the program encourages projects such as riparian plantings and community clean-ups. Successful initiatives must align with watershed councils' Action Agendas, promoting sustainability and ecological education within the Nisqually River Watershed and beyond.

The Doyle Undergraduate Fellowship, offered by New Hampshire Sea Grant, provides a unique opportunity for undergraduates to engage in marine resource projects while receiving mentorship and training. This paid fellowship supports students interested in marine-related research and education, with potential earnings of up to $5,000 over a 10-week summer period. By participating, fellows gain valuable insights into coastal and marine management, enhancing their skills and expanding their professional networks.

The Biophilia Foundation Grants support biodiversity conservation on private lands, focusing on systemic change through community engagement. The foundation encourages organizations to submit letters of inquiry detailing their mission, tax status, funding requests, and intended outcomes. They prioritize private land conservation, ecosystem restoration, and innovative policy initiatives, especially in the arid Southwest and Chesapeake Bay regions. Grants typically range from $5,000 to $25,000, with larger amounts available for established partnerships.

The Laird Norton Family Foundation, based in Seattle, prioritizes grants that reflect family values in arts education, climate change, human services, and watershed stewardship. Their approach emphasizes equitable educational opportunities, carbon sequestration, support for youth at risk of homelessness, and long-term ecological health. They focus on organizations that address social justice and community needs, particularly in King County, WA, and the West Coast. Note: No unsolicited applications are accepted.

The Chambers-Clover Creek Watershed Small Grants Program encourages local nonprofits, schools, and individuals to enhance environmental literacy and improve water quality. By supporting projects like riparian plantings, invasive species removal, and educational initiatives, it aims to foster community involvement in watershed stewardship. Grant funding is available for various collaborative activities, ensuring that projects benefit the Chambers-Clover Creek Watershed and its surrounding environment.