GRANTS
We offer a variety of funding opportunities to encourage and promote the responsible stewardship of natural resources. Grants are available to landowners, nonprofit organizations, Native American tribes, educational institutes, and private businesses.
Our Goals
The goals of the Upper Willamette SWCD’s grant program are to:
- Create public conservation benefits that advance District’s mission.
- Use local revenue to leverage federal, state and private funds to amplify conservation efforts in our region.
- Make grant funding available in an equitable manner to a diverse range of applicant organizations.
- Support programs and projects that benefit District residents in both rural and urban areas of our geographic boundary.
- Communicate the impacts of the grant program to the general public in a transparent manner.
To learn more about applying for grants, subscribe to our email list at the bottom of our home page, or reach out to Jared Pruch at [email protected] to discuss your project. Click here for a list of grants awarded by the District in the 2024 fiscal year.
Translation Support
We are committed to working with applicants who wish to prepare their application in their primary language. If you require assistance to prepare a proposal in a language other than English, send an email to us at [email protected] and we will follow up with you to create a plan to prepare your proposal with translation assistance.
Apoyo de traducción para las personas hispanohablantes
Nos comprometemos a trabajar con las personas solicitantes que sean hispanohablantes y que deseen preparar su solicitud en su lengua materna. Si necesita ayuda para preparar una propuesta en español, envíenos un correo electrónico a [email protected] y nos pondremos en contacto con usted para crear un plan de preparación de su propuesta con ayuda de traducción.
Grant Programs
We currently have five grant programs.
Farmers Market Grant Program
Our Farmers Market Grant program awards grants up to $8,000 per market location for projects and events that promote conservation and support local food systems through community farmers markets in central and eastern Lane County. Successful project applications will encourage community and vendor participation in market events, educate the public on conservation or agricultural topics, and/or make local agricultural products accessible to diverse demographics.
Applications and guidelines for the Farmers Market grants will be posted here in November and are due on December 15th, 2024.
Small Conservation Grants
Our Small Conservation Grants program awards grants up to $5,000 for small-budget projects that align with one or more of our strategic plan priorities. These grants are available to nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, Native American tribes, and community organizations working with a qualified fiscal sponsor. Projects should have a total budget of under $20,000 and should be completed within 12 months of the award. Learn more by visiting our Small Conservation Grants Guidelines.
Applications for Small Conservation grants are reviewed on a quarterly basis. Application deadlines are October 1st, January 1st, April 1st and July 1st.
Conservation Impact Grants
Our Conservation Impact Grants program awards grants of between $10,000 and $70,000 to support projects or programs that create public conservation benefits and align with one or more of the District’s strategic priorities.
These grants are available to nonprofit organizations, Native American Tribes, and community organizations working with a qualified fiscal sponsor.
Applications for Conservation Impact Grants are due on Wednesday, February 19th by 11:59 PM.
Environmental Education Grants
Our Environmental Education Grants program awards grants up to $40,000 to support programs that create opportunities for youth and students to participate in environmental and natural resource education programs, develop community partnerships for education networks, support Indigenous and traditional ecological knowledge and education, and create opportunities for the advancement of conservation career technical education.
Applications and guidelines for the Environmental Education grants will be posted here in February 2025. Applications will be due April 30th 2025.
Land Steward Grants
Our Land Steward Grants are available to landowners, land tenants, and Native American tribes, to support conservation projects that create public benefits for water quality, water conservation, soil health, nutrient management, and wildlife habitat. Grants are for up to $5,000 and require a 10% match of cash or in-kind resources. Applicants should be able to complete their proposed projects within 18 months of receiving funding. To request funding, applicants should first register on our online grant portal and complete a letter of inquiry form. This grant program is administered in partnership with the Working Lands program.
Applications (letter of inquiry) are due January 31st, 2025.
OWEB Grant Programs
Upper Willamette SWCD technical staff utilizes the OWEB small and regular grant programs to provide funding assistance to small agricultural/rural residential landowners. Assistance includes project design, installation of conservation practices such as riparian and habitat enhancement, exclusion fencing for livestock from riparian areas, off-stream watering stations, livestock waste management structures, heavy use protection areas, cross fencing for rotational grazing, removal of invasive species, and restoration of native vegetation. OWEB grants help Oregonians restore and improve fish and wildlife habitat.
Federal Grant Programs
There are several popular USDA programs available for private landowners through the NRCS, including:
EWEB Healthy Farms, Clean Water Program
Provides financial assistance and incentives to farmers who implement water quality conservation practices on their land.
EQIP Organic Initiative
Special EQIP funding is available to organic growers that are certified organic or transitioning organic. Practices include nutrient management, cover crops, pest management and native tree planning.
EQIP Forest Initiative
Plan good forestry practices with the help of a certified consultant. Grant funds must be used to develop a Forest Stewardship Program.
Oregon DEQ Nonpoint Source 319 Grants
Provides funding for grantees to provide technical assistance and outreach services to effectively promote landowner installation of Conservation practices to address nonpoint source ground and surface water quality concerns. Water quality concerns that are specifically addressed include increased temperature, bacteria, e.coli, and other water contaminants.
Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP)
Provides assistance to growers and landowners who want to install measures to protect the soil, water, air and other natural resources on their working land. Conservation practices include tree planting, drip irrigation, soil moisture sensors, fish screens, pest consultants, no till and erosion control.