Green Streets, Green Jobs, Green Towns (G3) Grant Program

The Green Streets, Green Jobs, Green Towns Grant Program, administered by the Chesapeake Bay Trust and funded through a partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region III, the Chesapeake Bay Program, and the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, aims to advance sustainable urban greening initiatives. Since its inception, the Chesapeake Bay Trust has provided over $190 million in funding to a wide range of entities across the Chesapeake Bay watershed, reinforcing its commitment to restoring and protecting the region’s environmental health. This particular grant program serves as a vital tool for fostering environmentally resilient urban areas through green stormwater infrastructure and community-centered green space improvements. The grant program supports six distinct project tracks: Conceptual Plans (up to $20,000), Engineered Designs (up to $35,000), Implementation/Construction (up to $175,000), Community Greening (up to $50,000), White Papers and Tool Development (up to $20,000), and Charrettes/Technical Planning Assistance (no direct funding). These tracks are designed to accommodate a range of project readiness levels, from initial planning to fully developed implementation efforts. Funding is focused on projects that treat over one inch of runoff using practices like bioretention cells, green roofs, permeable pavement, urban tree planting, and conservation landscaping. Each track has specific output expectations, such as final engineered designs ready for permitting or measurable metrics like impervious acres treated and pollutant load reductions. Applications are open to local governments, nonprofit organizations, faith-based entities, and community or homeowner associations operating within the Chesapeake Bay watershed in Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Washington D.C., Virginia, West Virginia, and New York. While match funding is encouraged to increase cost-effectiveness, it is not a requirement. The grant particularly emphasizes inclusivity by supporting organizations serving historically underserved communities, and encourages applications from those new to the Trust or with limited grant-writing capacity. Technical support, including one-on-one consultations, application tutorials, and weekly virtual office hours, are made available to prospective applicants. To apply, applicants must use the Chesapeake Bay Trust’s online submission portal. A complete application includes organization information, project abstract, detailed timeline, budget justification, partner commitments, required narrative responses, and supporting documentation. Projects must be completed within 12 to 16 months from the date of award. Evaluation is conducted by a Technical Review Committee using a 100-point scoring rubric that examines justification, project success likelihood, budget and cost-effectiveness, sustainability, infrastructure integration, resiliency, audience need, and demonstration value. The most competitive proposals include clear maintenance strategies, integration with broader infrastructure planning, and leverage of additional funding sources. The deadline to apply is March 13, 2026, at 4:00 PM ET. Awards will be announced in June 2026, with initial payments released upon execution of the grant agreement and fulfillment of any initial contingencies. Final reports, including receipts, invoices, and personnel documentation, must be submitted upon project completion for the final payment disbursement. A 10% holdback is enforced until final report approval. The program is currently open and does not have a rolling deadline. The program operates on an annual cycle and has historically awarded approximately 44% of applicants either full or partial funding. It is important to note that Track 6, involving charrettes and technical planning, does not provide direct funding but instead offers in-kind services coordinated by the Chesapeake Bay Trust and its partners. The Trust’s goal through this initiative is not only environmental enhancement but also job creation, community revitalization, and strengthened local capacity to address stormwater and environmental resilience challenges.

Prioritize cost-effective runoff treatment; include maintenance and community involvement plans; leverage co-funding and partnerships.