The Claire C. Bennitt Watershed Fund Grant Program

The Claire C. Bennitt Watershed Fund Grant Program provides financial support for land acquisition and environmental education initiatives with the aim of protecting water quality across the South Central Connecticut Regional Water District. The program is administered by the Claire C. Bennitt Watershed Fund through its Board of Directors and a designated Distribution Committee. This committee is responsible for promoting grant availability, reviewing applications, and recommending awards based on alignment with the fund’s objectives and adherence to established guidelines. The grants are designed to ensure long-term conservation of water resources and to educate the public about environmental protection, particularly concerning the impact of land development on water quality. Grants under this program are awarded for the acquisition of land title, conservation easements, or development rights specifically for watershed protection. These acquisitions must serve the purpose of maintaining or enhancing water quality within public drinking water supply watersheds or aquifer protection areas in the region. Projects that expand protected open space or improve access to watershed land are prioritized. Only land purchase costs are eligible—associated transactional costs are excluded. Additionally, the land acquired must either be classifiable as Class I or II watershed land under Connecticut law or subject to a permanent conservation easement approved by the fund. In addition to land acquisition, the fund supports environmental education programs that contribute to public awareness and conservation efforts. Educational programs must align with and complement the South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority’s environmental education objectives. They should offer measurable benchmarks for success and enhance source water protection efforts. Applications may include technology purchases if they support the fund’s mission, although funding typically does not extend beyond two consecutive years for any single initiative. Most grants for educational programming do not exceed $10,000. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations with current IRS 501(c)(3) status, regional health districts, municipalities, and both public and private schools and colleges. All projects must demonstrate a clear benefit to residents within the South Central Connecticut Regional Water District, which encompasses a defined list of municipalities. A copy of a nonprofit’s tax-exempt letter must accompany the application. Distinct application forms are used depending on the grant type: Application A for land acquisition and Application B for environmental education. Applications are reviewed biannually, with deadlines of April 1 for the May board meeting and October 1 for the November board meeting. Although applicants may proceed with land acquisition activities after submitting a grant application, they do so at their own risk until official grant approval. Each awarded grant requires outcome reporting—within three months for education programs or as specified upon award. Applicants are encouraged to consult with the fund in advance of submission. All decisions are communicated by mail following board or committee meetings. The fund maintains thorough records on all grants, including application materials, decisions, award amounts, and outcome assessments.

Applicants are encouraged to consult with the fund prior to submission. Proceeding with land acquisition before grant approval is at the applicant’s risk. Public acknowledgment of the fund is requested in all publicity.