Applications Open for Columbia River Fund – United States

Deadline: 01-Sep-20

The Rose Foundation is seeking applications for its Columbia River Fund to support projects designed to improve or protect clean water and aquatic habitat, and benefit the Columbia River Basin.

The Columbia River Fund, funded through settlements of legal actions as part of the Columbia River keeper’s Clean Water Act enforcement program, has awarded over $800,000 in grants to support community-based water quality stewardship projects along the Columbia River.

Funding Information

In this grant opportunity through the Columbia River Fund, they encourage grant proposals of up to $40,000.

Note: the Rose Foundation strictly limits university overhead to 5% of the total requested amount.

Examples of allowable projects and activities

Here are some examples of the types of projects and activities that are eligible for funding. A project does not have to cover all of the topics or activities listed. While the Fund is open to proposals that may include activities or issues in addition to the following list, due to limited funds, applicants should recognize that the following types of projects have been designated as priorities:

Water quality monitoring and testing including sediment impact analysis, especially if the project also includes an element that uses the data to promote enhanced water quality.
Legal strategies, policy development, and associated public outreach directed towards protecting the watershed and impacted communities.
Community organizing , public/environmental education to protect water quality and prevent degradation of the watershed.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for a 2020 grant, the applicant and project must meet the following criteria:

Projects Supported: Projects designed to improve or protect clean water and aquatic habitat in the Columbia River Basin. We are especially encouraging projects that benefit:
- the main stem of the Columbia River from Richland downstream to its mouth at Astoria; and
- reaches upstream from Richland in the general vicinity of Malaga in Chelan County, and tributaries north of Wentachee including the Wentachee River, Entiat River, the Chelan River, the Methow River, and the Okanogan River.
Applicant requirements: The applicant must demonstrate the capacity to complete the proposed project, including experience in successfully conducting similar or otherwise related work in the past.
Environmental Justice: Supporting environmental and social justice is a core organizational value that guides all Rose Foundation’s programs and applications from environmental justice organizations engaged in projects to protect the Columbia River are strongly encouraged. Project proposals centered around equity and with strong community involvement and participation are especially encouraged.
Duration of Support: Many applicants seek a one-year grant; however, you do not have to ask for a one-year grant. It is permitted to request a shorter or longer grant period if that is what you need.
Frequency of Applying: Organizations that have been funded may re-apply in the next cycle after their grant report has been submitted and approved.
Non-profit Status: The applicant must be a 501(c)3 organization, fiscally-sponsored by a 501(c)3, or a governmental or tribal entity. If your community-oriented organization lacks charitable status but has a compelling project, the Rose Foundation may be willing to act as your fiscal sponsor for this grant proposal.
Small Organizations: In the 2020 grants cycle, the Fund is open to organizations of any size. If your organization has an annual budget of $100,000 or less, we recommend applying for a grant of $10,000 or less and we encourage proposals from local, volunteer-based groups. We welcome 1st time grant seekers and want to help new applicants and emerging organizations navigate the grant application process.