Southeast Michigan Resilience Fund

The Southeast Michigan Resilience Fund (SMRF) is a public-private partnership led by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) and a consortium of federal, foundation, and corporate funders. These include Cleveland-Cliffs, the Fred A. and Barbara M. Erb Family Foundation, the Kresge Foundation, the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the USDA Forest Service. The fund aims to enhance community and ecosystem resilience throughout seven counties in Southeast Michigan by supporting nature-based infrastructure, habitat restoration, and equitable access to natural areas. The program awards grants for projects that reduce the impact of stormwater, improve water quality, enhance habitat quality and connectivity, and increase public access and usability of natural spaces. Funding will be awarded in three major categories: expanding nature-based solutions and access to nature; improving habitat quality and connectivity; and activating restored habitats and natural areas. Projects should incorporate both environmental and social benefits, including flood reduction, wildlife protection, and community engagement. Grants typically range from $150,000 to $400,000 and must apply at least 70 percent of requested funds to on-the-ground work. The remainder may be used for related activities such as education, monitoring, community engagement, or operations and maintenance. While there is no mandatory match requirement, providing non-federal and federal match—whether in cash or in-kind—is encouraged and positively factored into the evaluation process. All projects must demonstrate measurable outcomes aligned with specific program metrics, including stormwater storage capacity, habitat acreage, and community participation. Applicants must submit proposals through NFWF’s Easygrants system. The application period for this cycle closes on October 16, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Central Time. The award review process will occur from November 2025 through March 2026, with grant announcements expected between March and April 2026. Project start dates must not precede March 30, 2026. Typical grant durations are two years, but up to three years may be requested with justification. To be eligible, projects must be located within one or more of the seven counties served by the fund: Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St. Clair, Washtenaw, and Wayne. Eligible applicants include nonprofit 501(c) organizations, state and local governments, municipal agencies, tribal governments and organizations, and educational institutions. Federal agencies, for-profit businesses, and unincorporated individuals are not eligible to apply but may serve as partners or contractors. Competitive applications will be evaluated on several criteria including alignment with program goals, technical merit, community partnerships, cost-effectiveness, sustainability, and alignment with existing regional plans. Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate how their projects connect to local, state, or federal resilience strategies. A webinar and technical assistance workshop are scheduled for September 18 and September 29, 2025, respectively, to assist applicants in preparing their submissions. Applicants should be prepared to provide spatial data, performance metrics, and a detailed budget. For assistance, applicants may contact Aislinn Gauchay or Traci Giefer at NFWF.

Attend both webinars on September 18 and 29, 2025. Use EPA stormwater calculator and i-Tree for stormwater metrics. Reach out to NFWF staff early for technical guidance.