SMALL CONSERVATION GRANT PROGRAM

The Upper Willamette Soil & Water Conservation District is offering grants of up to $5,000 to support community-based conservation projects and programs with a total budget of under $20,000. Project activities should take not more than 12 months to implement. Funding requests should align with one or more of the following District strategic priorities:

• Food, farms and soil
• Neighborhood sustainability
• Forest health & resilience
• Watershed restoration & conservation
• Environmental education

You can read more about these strategies in our 2020-2025 Strategic Plan. Funding requests are reviewed quarterly on the following deadlines until the funds are expended: October 1 2024, January 1 2025, April 1 2025, and July 1 2025. Priority will be given to organizations with annual operating budgets of under $250,000, and to organizations led by or primarily serving historically marginalized or underserved populations. Interested applicants are encouraged but not required to contact District Grant Management Specialist Jared Pruch at [email protected] to discuss project concepts before applying.

Eligible uses of grant funds include:

• “Seed funding” to pilot new programs or projects related to District conservation priorities
• Supplies or materials for conservation-related projects
• Educational workshops or events to raise awareness or provide skills training to District residents

Ineligible uses of grant funds are:

• Operational costs for ongoing programming
• Funds cannot be applied to a single equipment item costing more than $5,000
• Professional development or conference attendance for applicant organization staff
• Technology and office equipment

We have a total pool of approximately $85,000 for this funding opportunity and anticipate being able to make approximately 15-20 grant awards in 2025. Grant funds will be provided as a lump sum. There is no “match” required. Grant recipients will be required to complete a report documenting the use of funds and project completion within 60 days.

Requests will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Meeting the criteria for this funding opportunity: 1) Total project cost of under $20,000, 2) Project can be completed in under 12 months, and 3) Alignment with District conservation priorities.
• Clear and specific description of how grant funds will be used.
• Project is achievable with the funds requested.

To apply for a grant, register at: https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=uwswcd and use the application template included below to prepare responses. With questions, contact Jared Pruch at [email protected].

Registration & Application

Applicants will need to create an account at https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=uwswcd prior to submitting an application.

Click here to view Application & Registration Form PDF.

Once you have completed your online application, you will receive an email confirmation notifying you that the proposal has been successfully completed.

If you encounter challenges or have questions with the application process, contact Grant Management Specialist Jared Pruch at [email protected].