Clean Water Montgomery Grant Program

The Clean Water Montgomery Grant Program is a joint initiative of the Montgomery County Government and the Chesapeake Bay Trust, designed to support watershed restoration, public outreach, and environmental stewardship across Montgomery County, Maryland. Funded through the county’s Water Quality Protection Charge, the program is managed by the Chesapeake Bay Trust, a nonprofit organization with a mission to improve local natural resources across the Chesapeake Bay region. Since its inception, the Trust has awarded over $210 million in grants to various entities. Montgomery County's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) collaborates with the Trust to increase community engagement in restoration practices, behavior change, and litter reduction, with a focus on inclusivity and outreach to historically underrepresented communities. This grant program specifically supports four project categories: Public Outreach and Stewardship, Community-Based Restoration, Water Quality Monitoring, and Litter Reduction in the Anacostia River Watershed. Each track has its own funding ceiling and expectations. Outreach and Stewardship projects are funded up to $40,000 for knowledge-building efforts and up to $60,000 for behavior change initiatives. Community-Based Restoration and Water Quality Monitoring projects may be awarded up to $100,000 and $75,000 respectively. Litter Reduction efforts in the Anacostia River Watershed are funded up to $50,000. The total anticipated funding pool for this round is $900,000. While matching funds are not required for most projects, a 20% match is mandatory for any permeable paver installation projects. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, such as environmental and watershed groups, civic and service organizations, private schools, and faith-based organizations. Projects must occur in Montgomery County, outside the boundaries of Gaithersburg, Rockville, and Takoma Park. Organizations without 501(c)(3) status may apply through a fiscal sponsor. Applicants not based in Montgomery County must partner with a Montgomery-based entity. Special emphasis is placed on engaging communities in Highly or Moderately Disproportionate – Disadvantaged areas as defined by the Montgomery Planning’s Community Equity Index. The application process is conducted online through the Chesapeake Bay Trust’s portal. Applicants must complete an eligibility quiz, provide project and organization information, a timeline, metrics, volunteer involvement, and narrative responses specific to their project type. Required supporting documents include letters of commitment, planting and maintenance plans, percolation test results, outreach strategies, and evaluation methodologies, depending on the project type. The application deadline is 2025-11-13 at 4:00 PM EST. For restoration projects, a pre-application site visit must be scheduled by 2025-10-17. An information session will be held on 2025-09-10 at 6:00 PM. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered. Evaluation criteria include alignment with equity priorities, project justification, cost-effectiveness, sustainability, partnerships, and ability to serve as a replicable model. Review is conducted by a Technical Review Committee comprised of subject matter experts. Notifications of award decisions are expected by March 2026. Awardees must comply with reporting requirements and financial documentation protocols, and final payment is contingent upon submission of an approved final report. Incomplete or late submissions may result in termination and fund recovery. For questions or assistance, applicants may contact Kathy Somoza at ksomoza@cbtrust.org or 410-974-2941 x120, or Grace Dho at gdho@cbtrust.org or 410-974-2941 x145. The application portal and full RFP are available at cbtrust.org/grants/cleanwatermontgomery/.

Schedule site visit by 2025-10-17; attend info session on 2025-09-10; projects in equity-priority areas receive higher scores; include detailed letters of commitment; contact Trust staff early.