Financial Resources for Watersheds Water Quality Grants, Cost Shares, and Loans
| Funding Source Website | Activities Funded | Match Required | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Projects | |||
| Nonpoint Source Section 319 Grant Program USEPA and NCDWR | Implementation of approved nine element watershed restoration plan(s) with approved checklist | 40% of Total Award | State and Local Governments Intra and Inter - State Agencies, Nonprofits, Educational Institutions |
| Clean Water Management Trust Fund NCDNCR | Protect, improve, and/or restore surface water, acquire lands with ecological, cultural, and/or historical significance (including riparian buffers) | Varies | State Agencies, Local Governments, Nonprofits |
| 205 (j) Planning Grant USEPA and NCDWR | Water Quality management and planning | Optional Match | Regional Councils of Governments |
| Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation | Improve, restore, protect water quality, and ensure access to all waters | 501(c) 3 Organizations | |
| Clean Water State Revolving Fund USEPA and NCDWI | Provides low interest loans to fund wastewater collection and treatment facilities as well as estuary and nonpoint source program projects | N/A | Local Governments |
| State Wastewater & Drinking Water Reserve Programs USEPA and NCDWR | Provides grants for technical assistance and for construction of critical needs for wastewater collection systems, wastewater treatment works and public drinking water system projects | N/A | Local Governments |
| Cooperative Water Program USGS | Jointly funds water resources projects | Varies | Non-Federal Agencies |
| NC Division of Mitigation Services (formerly EEP) | Conduct watershed assessment, planning, and restoration implementation. DMS offers many benefits to landowners interested in protecting and restoring wetlands, streams, and riparian areas on their property, and may pay up to 100 percent of the costs of restoration. | N/A | Public and Private Entities |
| Community Conservation Assistance Program NCDSWC | Funds non-agricultural management measures | Up to 75% cost share |
Citizens |
| Water Resources Development Project Grants NCDWR | Funds general and recreational navigation, water management, stream restoration, beach protection, land acquisition and facility development for water based recreation and aquatic weed control. | Varies | Local Governments |
| Section 22 Planning Assistance to States USACE | Aquatic ecosystem restoration and protection projects | 35% | Non-federal public agencies |
| Section 206 Aquatic Restoration Grants USACE | Aquatic ecosystem restoration and protection projects | 35% | Non-federal public agencies |
| Parks and Recreation Trust Fund NCDPR | -65% State park land acquisition and capital improvements -30% Local government park and recreation purposes -5% Beach Access |
1:1 | |
| USDA-NRCS Easement Program | Voluntary easement programs to landowners who want to maintain or enhance their land in a way beneficial to agriculture and/or the environment. | Varies | Landowners |
| Developing the Next Generation of Conservationists NFWF | Provide support for innovative job opportunities that expose young people, particularly urban and underserved youth to natural world and career opportunities in conservation | 1:1 | Non-profit 501(c) organizations, state and local government agencies, Indian tribes, educational institutions (eligible for BLM, and USFS funds only), BLM field units (eligible for BLM funds only) |
| Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Grant Program NFWF | Provide support for innovative job opportunities that expose young people, particularly urban and underserved youth to natural world and career opportunities in conservation | 1:1 | Non-profit 501(c) organizations, state and local government agencies, Indian tribes, and educational institutions |
| Lowe's Home Improvements Community Partners Grant | Community improvement defined as building renovations/upgrades, grounds improvements, technology upgrades and safety improvements | varies | Non-profit 501(c) organizations, state and local government agencies, and educational institutions |
| Duke Energy Foundation - Water Resources Fund | Protecting, improving, restoring waterways in Carolinas and promoting environmental education and conservation | NA | Non-profit 501(c)(3) and local government organizations |
| Resilient Communities Program NFWF | Help communities prepare for future impacts associated with sea level rise, water quantity and quality and forest conservation | 1:1 | Non-profit 501(c) and local government organizations and Indian tribes |
| Flood Mitigation Assistance Grant Program | Help communities fund projects and planning that reduces or eliminates long-term risk to flood damage to structures insured under National Flood Insurance Program | varies | Most state, local governmental entities, nonprofits, federally recognized tribes, academic institutions |
| USDA Solid Waste Management Grant Program | Help communities evaluate current landfill conditions to identify threats to water resources and provide technical assistance or training for other landfill related issues | varies | Individual homeowners, businesses, and private nonprofits may apply through eligible subapplicants: federally recognized tribes, state agencies, private nonprofits (HMGP only), Tribal Agencies, Local Governments/Communities |
| State and Local Governments | |||
| State of NC - Attorney General's Office - Environmental Enhancement Grant Program | Immediate or long term environmental enhancement projects that improve air, water, and/or land quality of NC. | Varies | (1) Nonprofit organization or institution with documented 501(c)(3) status whose primary purpose is conservation, preservation, and restoration of NC's environmental and natural resources or; (2) Part of federal, state, or local government |
| Agriculture and Forestry | |||
| Conservation Reserve Program USDA | Convert highly erodible cropland and other environmentally sensitive acreage to vegetative cover | Cost Sharing | Farmers and Ranchers |
| Environmental Quality Incentive Program USDA | Technical and financial assistance to install or implement structural and/or management practices on eligible agricultural land | Up to 75% Cost Share |
Farmers and Ranchers |
| Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program NCDSWC | Seeks to protect land along water sources that are in agricultural production | 75 - 100% Cost Share | Landowners of agricultural land in Neuse, Tar-Pamlico, Chowan, Lumber Basins and Jordan Lake Watershed |
| Agriculture Cost Share Program NCDSWC | Funds agricultural management measures | 10 - 25% | Farmers |
| Agriculture Water Resources Assistance Program NCDSWC | Identify opportunities to increase water use efficiency, availability and storage. Implement management measures to conserve and protect water resources | 10 - 25% | Farmers |
| Farm Bill Programs | Funds agricultural management and grassland, wetlands and wildlife preserve programs | Varies | Farmers and Ranchers |
| NC Agricultural Development and Farmland preservation Trust Fund | Supports purchase of agricultural conservation easements (on farm, forest, and horticulture lands), including transaction costs. Funds public and private enterprise programs that will promote profitable and sustainable family farms through assistance to farmers in developing and implementing plans for the production of food, fiber, and value-added products, agritourism activities, marketing and sales of agricultural products produced on the farm, and other agriculturally related business activities. Funds conservation agreements (on farm, forest, and horticulture lands) targeted at the active production of food, fiber and other agricultural products. | Varies | Public and private |
| Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program | Projects which lead to a more effective and efficient management of urban and community forests, and improve public understanding of the benefits of preserving existing tree cover in communities | 50% | Local, state government, public educational institutions, 501(c)(3) organizations |
| NC Forest Legacy Program | Supports purchase of agricultural conservation easements (on farm, forest, and horticulture lands), including transaction costs. Funds public and private enterprise programs that will promote profitable and sustainable family farms through assistance to farmers in developing and implementing plans for the production of food, fiber, and value-added products, agritourism activities, marketing and sales of agricultural products produced on the farm, and other agriculturally related business activities. Funds conservation agreements (on farm, forest, and horticulture lands) targeted at the active production of food, fiber and other agricultural products. | NA | Private landowners |
| Coastal | |||
| Planning and Management Grants NC DCM | Fund local planning and management projects in 20 coastal counties | Varies | Local governments |
| Education | |||
| Environmental Education GrantsNCOEE&PA | Variety of different projects | NA | Entities who can register with Environmental Ed affiliates |
| Recreation | |||
| Recreation Trails Program NC Div of Parks and Recreation | Trail construction and maintenance projects, trail side facilities, and land acquisition projects | 25% | Government agencies and non-profits |
| Wastewater Infrastructure | |||
| NC Clean Water State Revolving Fund USEPA and NCDWR | Congress provides states with grant funds to establish revolving load programs to assist funding of wastewater treatment facilities and estuary and nonpoint programs. | N/A | Local Governments |
| Clean Water Partners Infrastructure Program NC Rural Center | Planning, design, and construction for water and wastewater infrastructure | Varies | Local governments in rural counties including water/sewer districts and authorities |
| Wetlands | |||
| Wetland Program Development Grant USEPA | -Develop comprehensive monitoring and assessment programs -Improve compensatory mitigation effectiveness -Refurbish wetland, aquatic resources, protection |
25% | States, tribes, local governments, non governmental organizations (NGOs), nonprofits |
| Wildlife | |||
| Partners for Fish and Wildlife USFWS | Technical and financial assistance to landowners to restore and enhance fish and wildlife habitats on their property. Projects must benefit migratory birds, T & E species, anadromous, or migratory fish | 30 - 60% | Private landowners, businesses, NGOs, nonprofits, and schools |
| Bring Back the Natives - Fish | conservation activities that restore, protect and enhance native populations of sensitive or listed fish species across US | 1:1 | Local, state, federal, and tribal governments and agencies, special districts, non-profit 501(c) organizations, schools and universities |
| Conservation Lands Program NC WRC | Wildlife conservation designated land assessed for taxation same as agricultural land. Acreage and land use requirements. | NA | Landowner who is individual, family business entity, or family trust |
| National Wildlife Refuge Friends NFWF | Non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations | 1:1 (encouraged) | Landowner who is individual, family business entity, or family trust |
| Other Funding Databases/Resources | |||
| APNEP Funding Resources Page | |||
| EPA Watershed Funding Resources |
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| Land and Water Conservation Fund |
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| Southeast Aquatic Resources Partnership (SARP) |
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| USDA-NRCS Other Programs |
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| National Fish and Wildlife Grants |
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| EPA Environmental Education Grants |
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| US Fish and Wildlife Grants |
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| Wells Fargo Community Giving Grants |
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