The Community and Economic Enhancement Grant Program is designed to fund projects that address recreation and tourism, historic and cultural preservation, and environmental education in order to sustain the Delta's heritage and enhance the unique values of the Delta today. The solicitation is an ongoing noncompetitive process. Projects serving a Disadvantaged/Severely Disadvantaged Community will receive priority for funding consideration. The Conservancy will fund planning projects, which include pilot projects. Allowable activities for planning projects include, but are not limited to, project scoping (partnership development, outreach to impacted parties, stakeholder coordination, negotiation of site access or land tenure); planning and design (engineering design, identifying appropriate best management practices); and environmental compliance (permitting, California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) activities, Delta Plan consistency). The Conservancy will fund implementation projects, which include acquisition projects. Implementation projects are specific, bond-eligible, on-the-ground projects that result in the construction, improvement, or acquisition of a capital asset that will be maintained for a minimum of 15 years. Implementation projects are "shovel-ready" projects. Applicants must submit a concept proposal, as found on the Conservancy's website, to the Conservancy for assessment of project viability before submitting a full proposal. Partnerships are encouraged but not required. The Conservancy may provide technical assistance to facilitate the development of project proposals. There are no limitations on number of submissions by organizations. Applications are received via email for concept proposals and by uploading files to a designated site for full proposals. Awards are announced at a Board meeting and applicants are informed with a letter.
