SAN JOSE—The Santa Clara Valley Water District has opened a grant application process to award up to $200,000 in mini-grants. The Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program mini-grants program is designed to provide seed funding to encourage broader and/or long-term community engagement in wildlife habitat restoration and watershed stewardship activities in Santa Clara County.
Mini-grants will be awarded to restore wildlife habitats, which is Priority D3 of the Safe, Clean Water Program. All projects must be located in Santa Clara County. Projects funded under the mini-grants program must provide at least one of the following benefits:
- Enhance creek and bay ecosystems
- Improve fish passage and habitat
- Increase community awareness and understanding of watershed stewardship
The funding is part of the Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program parcel tax, approved by voters in 2012.
Public, private, and nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply. Details on the application process are posted at https://goo.gl/ozx3Rd. Applications will be accepted throughout the year until all grant funds have been disbursed.
Applicants can request up to $5,000 per project. At program staff’s discretion, partial or full funding may be granted. No more than $5,000 will be awarded per project. Applications must demonstrate matching funds of at least 25% of the total project cost (monetary or in-kind).
This grant cycle is the second round of funding for mini-grants. During the 15-year life of the Safe, Clean Water Program, the water district expects to distribute nearly $35 million in grants, partnerships and rebate programs, under several different funding categories. Each year, one or more grant programs will have a new funding cycle.
Questions about this request for grant proposals should be directed to [email protected].