Rose Foundation: California Watershed Protection Fund

Deadline: 15-Feb-21

The Rose Foundation welcomes proposals from small grassroots conservation and environmental justice groups for its California Watershed Protection Fund which is enabled by court-ordered environmental mitigation payments.

Most of the mitigation payments relate to federal Clean Water Act problems and are limited to supporting projects designed to benefit the surface water quality of many of California’s watersheds and their ecosystems.

Funding Information

The Foundation anticipates that this funding process will be very competitive and most grants awarded will be in the $7,500 – $25,000 range.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for a California Watershed Protection Fund grant, the applicant and project must meet the following criteria:

Projects Supported must be designed to benefit the water quality of currently eligible watersheds and their ecosystems:
- Southern California Bight with an emphasis on Los Angeles area waterbodies, including specific limited funds for Compton Creek, Santa Ana River, and San Gabriel River, and projects that reduce plastic water pollution.
- Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta (with a preference for projects located within the Delta or in San Joaquin County), the Sacramento River (projects related to wastewater treatment encouraged), and the Feather River.
- Santa Maria River Watershed, including San Antonio Creek and Orcutt Creek.
- Russian River.
- San Francisco Bay.
- Mad River Watershed and very limited funds for Arcata Bay and Humboldt Bay.
- There are very limited funds for Half Moon Bay Basin in San Mateo County.
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: While this is not specifically an environmental justice fund, supporting environmental and social justice is a core organizational value that guides all of our grantmaking. Projects that advance environmental justice, as well as water quality, will receive preference.
Duration of Support: Most grants are for a one-year period; however, an applicant does not have to ask for a one-year grant. It is permitted to request a shorter or longer grant period if that is what they need.
Frequency of Applying: Organizations that have been funded may only re-apply in the next cycle after their grant report has been submitted and approved. Organizations with an active grant from this Fund are not eligible to reapply.
Nonprofit status: The applicant must be a 501(c)3 organization, fiscally-sponsored by a 501(c)3, or a governmental or tribal entity. If applicants work with a small organization that lacks non-profit status but has a compelling project, the Rose Foundation may be willing to act as their fiscal sponsor for this grant proposal.