California Watershed Protection Fund

The California Watershed Protection Fund, administered by the Rose Foundation for Communities and the Environment, supports initiatives that aim to enhance water quality and protect critical watersheds throughout California. Originating from a Clean Water Act enforcement case that resulted in a $50,000 mitigation payment by San Francisco Baykeeper, the fund has evolved into a robust vehicle for funding local environmental initiatives. It is bolstered by numerous citizen enforcement settlements channeled through organizations such as the California Sportfishing Protection Alliance and Los Angeles Waterkeeper, which have chosen to direct mitigation payments to the fund. These efforts reflect a broader goal of restoring and protecting surface waters impacted by environmental violations. The fund offers grants of up to $40,000, with most awards expected to fall between $10,000 and $30,000. Grant-supported activities must directly benefit surface water quality and may include water stewardship, restoration projects, conservation efforts, community education with tangible impacts, and public participation in regulatory processes affecting water quality. Special emphasis is placed on projects that involve and benefit vulnerable populations and are rooted in principles of environmental justice. While groundwater-focused projects are generally excluded, exceptions may be made when strong interconnectivity to surface water can be demonstrated. Similarly, educational projects are only considered if they incorporate hands-on or action-oriented components with measurable environmental impact. Eligibility is limited to 501(c)(3) organizations, those fiscally sponsored by a 501(c)(3), or governmental or tribal entities. Small grassroots organizations are especially encouraged to apply, and those without nonprofit status may explore fiscal sponsorship by the Rose Foundation itself. Universities and colleges, including their clinics and graduate programs, are eligible with the caveat that indirect costs must be limited to 5% of the award. Applicants must have a strong record of community-based environmental stewardship, and those with an active grant under this fund are not eligible to reapply until the current grant has been closed out through final reporting. For the Fall 2025 cycle, eligible geographic areas include several key watersheds: the San Francisco Bay Delta, Tomales Bay and its tributaries, the Santa Ynez River watershed (including San Miguelito Creek), watersheds in Los Angeles (including the LA River and coastal watersheds), and Orange County areas such as the San Gabriel River and Santa Ana River watershed. The fund gives priority to projects that are clearly located within these watersheds, even if the applicant’s organizational address is not. The application period for the Fall 2025 cycle opens on August 6, 2025, and closes at 5 PM Pacific Time on October 9, 2025. Applications are submitted directly without a preliminary Letter of Intent, and final funding decisions are expected by early December 2025. All grants typically cover a one-year period, though longer or shorter project durations may be proposed based on the needs of the applicant. Funded projects must acknowledge support from the Rose Foundation and relevant settlement partners in all public-facing materials. Questions regarding the application process may be directed to the Rose Foundation at grants@rosefdn.org or by calling (510) 658-0702. Applicants are encouraged to review the online application instructions and consult with Foundation staff as needed during the proposal preparation phase.

Projects should demonstrate measurable water quality benefits, especially through direct action components. Hands-on or restoration activities strengthen applications. Education-only proposals must include strong impact components.