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CDBG Construction Grants
Funding for all Community Development Block Grant programs is provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and administered by the Office of Community and Rural Affairs. The State of Indiana distributes CDBG funds to rural communities to support a range of projects, including infrastructure enhancement, downtown revitalization, improvements to public facilities, and economic development initiatives.
The state CDBG program offers competitive grants to units of local government to support rural areas.
Wastewater and Drinking Water (WDW) Program
Many communities in Indiana struggle with inadequate water supply and failing wastewater treatment. OCRA is committed to improving the quality of water and wastewater in Indiana and assisting in financing appropriate water and sewer infrastructure for communities and counties that have planned and set priorities for long-term development.
The goals of the Wastewater and Drinking Water (WDW) Program are to protect health and the environment, reduce utility rates for low- to moderate-income communities, and improve rural infrastructure for long-term sustainability and growth. General eligible activities include wastewater improvements such as collection lines or treatment plans, or drink water system improvements such as water towers or distribution.
Grant amounts for communities with existing systems are based on the current rates at the time of application. Grant amounts for communities constructing new systems will be based on a verified rate study included in a Preliminary Engineering Report (PER). The amount of CDBG funds granted will be based on a $5,000-cost-per-project beneficiary.
A local match of 20% of the total project cost will be required for consideration of funding.
General types of activities that are eligible for WDW funding:
Overview
The Submerged Lands Harbor Management and Access Grant (HMA) is administered by the Submerged Lands Program (SLP), a program of the Bureau of Parks and Lands (BPL) within the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF). The SLP works to balance the public’s right to access state waters with demand for private and commercial use of those waters. The SLP administers the Submerged Lands Leasing Program which provides limited leases and easements that allow piers and other structures to be built on or over publicly owned submerged lands. Lease and easement revenues are used to support harbor planning and public access improvements through grants to municipalities and state agencies. Maine’s submerged lands include:
Mission
Protect. Promote. Prosper.
We safeguard Oregon's agriculture, natural resources, working lands, economies, and communities through assistance, compliance, and market support.
Fertilizer Research Program Request for Proposal
The Oregon Department of Agriculture (Department) and the Fertilizer Research Committee are soliciting grant applications for the distribution of research funds collected by the Department’s Fertilizer Program.
Funding for fertilizer research is administered by the Department to provide grants addressing the interaction of fertilizers, agricultural amendments, agricultural minerals, or lime products with ground or surface water (ORS 633.465 (3)). Funding for this specific purpose is derived from an inspection fee based on tons of fertilizer, agricultural mineral, agricultural amendment and lime products distributed into Oregon. Grant awards are made annually subject to the availability of fertilizer research funds.
Research Focus
Projects funded by this Request for Proposals must further the understanding of the interaction of fertilizers, agricultural amendments, agricultural minerals, or lime products with the protection of ground or surface water quality in Oregon. Project outcome must be transferable to industry advisors, consultants, and the end users of fertilizer, agricultural amendment, agricultural mineral, or lime products.
Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities (EC-SDC) Grants - Illinois
The Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities (EC-SDC) Grant will utilize grant funds provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to assist small or disadvantaged communities in the State of Illinois where emerging contaminants have become a problem or appear likely to become a problem in the near term. The Illinois EPA will use the awarded funds to make sub-awards to eligible water systems for projects that will further quantify these problems and help to remediate them.
The EC-SDC Grant Program will be utilizing $40,249,646 from the EPA EC-SDC Grant Program which congress appropriated from the State and Tribal Assistance Grant (STAG). The Illinois EPA expects to award a total of $40,249,646 in grant awards with an award ceiling of $15,000,000 per applicant.
Iowa Economic Development Authority
Mission
Strengthen economic and community vitality by building partnerships and leveraging resources to make Iowa the choice for people and business. Through two main divisions – business development and community development – IEDA administers several state and federal programs to meet its goals of assisting individuals, communities and businesses. IEDA works to achieve its mission and goals to benefit Iowans while maintaining a high level of transparency.
CDBG Planning Grants
Approximately $60,522 in federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds are available to cities and counties through the state of Iowa’s Planning Grants Program. All incorporated cities and all counties in the State, except those designated as HUD entitlement areas, are eligible to apply for and receive funds under this program.
The Planning Grants Program allows communities to seek funding for three types of planning tools: Capital Improvement Plans, Asset Management Plans, and Historic District Surveys. Each plan can help communities understand their needs and create long-term strategies for protecting public health, strengthening economies, and sustaining critical infrastructure. These plans allow communities to best steward public, cultural, and historical resources and become more resilient and fiscally stable for generations to come.
Applicants must demonstrate at the time of application that they have, at minimum, a dollar-for-dollar match to the requested award amount.
The Planning Grant Program will not have a HUD National Objective; however, plans developed with CDBG funds must state how they will develop future CDBG projects.
CFR 200 Audit Requirements
CDBG contracts may be subject to audit. Federal Code (2 CFR 200) requires that recipients that expend $750,000 or more in federal funds within a fiscal year must have a single or program specific audit. When budgeting for CDBG funds, applicants should be aware of these audit requirements:
Communities should consult with their accountants regarding the applicability of an audit and audit requirements.
Audit costs are a CDBG-eligible expense. Organization-wide audits can be paid with CDBG funds proportional to the amount of all other funds included in the audit. The total cost of a project audit can be paid with CDBG funds.
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) was created on July 1, 1970 to combine all state programs designed to protect and enhance the environment into a single agency.
DEC's Mission: "To conserve, improve and protect New York's natural resources and environment and to prevent, abate and control water, land and air pollution, in order to enhance the health, safety and welfare of the people of the state and their overall economic and social well-being."
DEC's goal is to achieve this mission through the simultaneous pursuit of environmental quality, public health, economic prosperity and social well-being, including environmental justice and the empowerment of individuals to participate in environmental decisions that affect their lives.
Resilient Watersheds Grant Program
$60 million of Environmental Bond Act funding is available for implementation of flood mitigation projects across New York State through the Resilient Watersheds Grant (RWG) Program. Applicants to RWG must either be a recipient of a Resilient NY flood study or possess a DEC-approved comparable study, and prepared to supply a 10% match.
Description
The Resilient Watersheds Grant (RWG) program is a competitive, statewide grant program open to local governments, Indian Nations, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, state agencies, and not-for-profit corporations. The overall goal of RWG is to implement projects that build community resilience, reduce risk of flooding, erosion, and ice jams during extreme weather events, enhance climate resilience, and/ or implement natural and nature-based feature construction while supporting healthy riparian habitats. This funding is for the implementation or construction of projects, not projects exclusively for planning and/ or design.
At least five total rounds are anticipated for RWG.
Funding Overview
The Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022 allocated $4.2 billion for state agencies, local governments, and partners to protect water quality, help communities adapt to climate change, improve resilience, and create green jobs. The first round of RWG closed in 2025 and awarded $55 million in funding to 15 applicants. The RWG program has a total of $60 million available for the second round of applications, opening in 2026. RWG awards received may fund up to 90% of eligible project costs, resulting in a 10% match requirement. Projects are funded to the extent of available funds based on the evaluation criteria. The RWG program, in its sole discretion, may fund all or a portion of an eligible project and will determine the percentage amount available for any project. A local match for the balance of the estimated project cost is required.
New York Department of State
The New York Department of State’s core mission is to provide a better quality of life and expand opportunities for all New Yorkers by fostering community revitalization, catalyzing economic growth through business formation, protecting consumers, helping new Americans, supporting local governments, assisting individuals and families to achieve upward economic mobility, and ensuring safety and integrity through the regulation of licensed occupations and the development of building standards and codes.
Community Resilience and Flood Risk Reduction Grants
The NYS Department of State (Department or DOS), through the Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022 (Bond Act), is soliciting applications from eligible applicants through the New York State Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) for Community Resilience and Flood Risk Reduction Grants. These grants will enhance community resilience and reduce flood risk through the implementation of the following project types:
State assistance awarded and paid shall not exceed 90% of the total eligible project costs set forth in the application and as approved by the Department.
Community Resilience and Flood Risk Reduction Grant implementation projects may include completion of final design and construction, or construction-only for eligible projects. Projects should prioritize nature-based and natural solutions where feasible and provision of co-benefits.
Inland Flooding and Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP) Implementation Projects
Inland Flooding and LWRP Implementation Projects address restoration and flood risk reduction through implementation of a complete or substantially complete LWRP or LWRP Component, including a watershed management plan funded by DOS. New York State’s approach to managing waterfront areas recognizes that municipalities are in the best position to determine their own waterfront objectives and needs in a manner consistent with the goals and requirements of the Waterfront Revitalization of Coastal Areas and Inland Waterways Act.4 Accordingly, the Department encourages waterfront communities to prepare and implement LWRPs. An LWRP is a comprehensive land and water use plan that expresses a vision for a community’s waterfront area, proactively plans for current and future climate hazards, addresses State Coastal Policies to reflect local or regional needs, and outlines the organizational structure, local laws, and waterfront revitalization projects necessary to implement the program.
Private Well Protection Grant
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) received funding from the Clean Water Fund to provide testing and outreach to private well users. A portion of this funding is available through grants aimed at increasing private drinking water well testing among households that rely on private wells for drinking water. Eligible entities may apply for funding to support activities that promote and provide well water testing within their communities.
Over 1.1 million Minnesotans across Minnesota have fewer safeguards because they use a private well. Unlike their peers connected to public water, private well users are responsible for voluntarily protecting and testing their well and addressing water quality issues. MDH received funding from the Clean Water Fund to ensure safe drinking water for private well users. A portion of this funding is being offered as grants to promote private well testing among private well users. Each entity will have the opportunity to apply for up to a predetermined amount of funds to promote well testing for households that rely on private well water for drinking water that will include testing for five common contaminants (arsenic, coliform bacteria, lead, manganese, and nitrate). This will be an iterative and communicative process in which grantees will work with MDH to carry out the grant goals. Entities can submit a shared proposal that adds each entity’s predetermined amount together.
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is committed to ensuring that every Minnesotan has healthy air, sustainable lands, clean water, and a better climate.
Through the authority of state and federal statutes and guidelines, the MPCA focuses on preventing and reducing the pollution of air, land, and water, and leads Minnesota’s efforts to protect against the devastating effects of climate change. We work with regulated parties, businesses, governments, organizations, and 11 Tribal Nations in Minnesota to develop innovative, community-centered approaches that protect our natural resources, improve human health, and foster strong economic growth.
Minnesota GreenCorps
Serving communities for a greener tomorrow
The Minnesota GreenCorps program, coordinated by the MPCA, aims to preserve and protect Minnesota’s environment while training a new generation of environmental professionals.
Each year, the program places AmeriCorps members with host site organizations around the state to build community resilience by:
Minnesota GreenCorps members serve full-time at their host site for 11 months, from September to August each year. Members implement environmental projects to build community resilience in one of four topic areas: community readiness and outreach, energy conservation and green transportation, stormwater and forestry, waste reduction and recycling. Sample projects include activities such as coordinating multi-modal transportation events, educating community members and youth, removing invasive species, installing rain gardens, benchmarking energy, conducting waste sorts, and more.
Host Sites
As a host site, your organization can harness a member's energy and enthusiasm to move your environmental projects forward. Member projects must align with one of four topic areas: community readiness and outreach, energy conservation and green transportation, stormwater and forestry, or waste reduction and recycling. Host sites don't pay a fee to participate in the program but are expected to provide supervision, office space, internet and phone service, training, and any resources necessary for members to accomplish their projects. The MPCA manages the recruitment, application, and selection process for Minnesota GreenCorps members.
New Leaf Fund - Spring Cycle
The New Leaf Fund was established in 2025 by a Greenville native with a passion for conservation.
The Foundation encourages grant requests that include the protection of land and waterfront areas, increased tree cover and access to green spaces, and the protection and restoration of historical properties, in the City of Greenville, in Greenville County, and, to a lesser degree, in the Upstate.
Additional Information
Funding opportunities may include
Funding opportunities may include
Water grants provide funding to support clean water access, conservation projects, and infrastructure improvements. The following grants help nonprofits address water scarcity, promote sustainability, and enhance community well-being through innovative water solutions.
Explore 400+ funding opportunities for water-related initiatives, with $179.4M in resources. Instrumentl helps organizations secure funding with deadline tracking, customized grant searches, and insights to improve water access and conservation efforts.
How common are grants in this category?
Common — grants in this category appear regularly across funding sources.
Over the past year, when are grant deadlines typically due for Water grants?
Most grants are due in the third quarter.
Nonprofits that help people get clean water, save water, or keep water clean might get these water-supporting grants. Groups that stop pollution, use water wisely or build water systems can also apply.
Water grants typically have the highest concentration of deadlines in Q3, with 28.3% of grant deadlines falling in this period. If you're planning to apply, consider prioritizing your applications around this time to maximize opportunities. Conversely, the least active period for grants in this category is Q2.
These grants help make sure water stays clean and safe to drink. They also protect rivers, lakes, and other water sources. The people giving the money care about nature, keeping people healthy, and fixing water problems caused by climate change.
Funding for water grants varies widely, with award amounts ranging from a minimum of $250 to a maximum of $18,000,000. Based on Instrumentl’s data, the median grant amount for this category is $65,000, while the average grant awarded is $850,368. Understanding these funding trends can help nonprofits set realistic expectations when applying.
Water grants are majorly funded by the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
State and local governments also provide funding through health departments and community service grants. Private foundations like Water.org focus on saving and providing drinkable water. Additionally, corporate initiatives, such as Coca-Cola and Nestlé, offer grants for projects that help the environment.
To improve grant success, nonprofits should:
Struggling to manage multiple grants? Learn how to stay organized with our comprehensive grant tracking spreadsheet guide.
Instrumentl streamlines the search for water grants by identifying relevant funding opportunities. You can track deadlines, and organize applications as well. It also provides insights into funder priorities to help nonprofits refine their grant-seeking strategies. Optimize your grant-seeking process with these research strategies.