Bay Mini-Grant Program

The Bay Mini-Grant Program, managed by the Tampa Bay Estuary Program (TBEP), supports community-led environmental restoration and education projects in the Tampa Bay watershed. Eligible applicants include nonprofits, businesses, and educational institutions, with a focus on initiatives that serve underserved communities. The program emphasizes collaboration, scientific integrity, and aims to enhance water quality and wildlife habitats. Grants foster environmental stewardship and promote science literacy among residents, ensuring a sustainable future for Tampa Bay.

About TBEP
Tampa Bay was designated an “estuary of national significance” by Congress in 1990, laying the foundation for the creation of the Tampa Bay Estuary Program (TBEP) in 1991.
Vision & Values
The Tampa Bay Estuary Program is a national leader in applying robust, reproducible science and compelling storytelling to drive community decisions and individual behaviors for the benefit of cleaner waters, thriving habitats and abundant wildlife—all of which sustain our economy and way of life in the Tampa Bay region.
To realize this vision and guide our work, the Tampa Bay Estuary Program is committed to the following core values:

• Scientific IntegrityCollaboration, Communication, and Partnership
• Programmatic Continuity and Stability
• Program Priorities
• Informed, Engaged & Responsible Community

Clean Waters and Sediments
Improve water quality by managing nutrient loads from urban, agricultural, and atmospheric sources and by reducing contaminants from spills and discharges.
Thriving Habitats & Abundant Wildlife
Increase the number and diversity of healthy bay habitats through restoration and protection to support thriving fisheries and wildlife resilient to a changing climate.
Bay Mini-Grants
Bay Mini-Grants are competitive awards that fund environmental restoration and education projects in the Tampa Bay watershed with a focus on community-led initiatives. This funding program stimulates environmental stewardship and science literacy among those who live, work, and play around Tampa Bay.

Eligibility

Applicant EligibilityAny nonprofit organization, business, or educational institution that has a tax identification number (EIN or FEID) or state tax exemption documentation is eligible to receive grant funds.Government agencies may apply if a project has strong volunteer or community involvement. Past award recipients have included nonprofits, educators, filmmakers, neighborhood associations, artists, and researchers.Projects that are led by, empower, benefit, or engage communities that are underserved and/or overburdened are encouraged to apply.Additional potential awardees include chambers of commerce, professional associations, and other affinity groups.Project EligibilityProjects must be within the Tampa Bay watershed, which includes parts of Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Manatee, and Sarasota counties.Applicants may submit multiple applications, but only one grant per organization may be awarded.Projects must address one or more of the priorities listed in the Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan for Tampa Bay (CCMP).CCMP Goals:Water and Sediment QualityBay HabitatsDredging and Dredged Material ManagementFish and WildlifeSpill Prevention and ResponseInvasive SpeciesPublic SccessPublic Education and InvolvementLocal ImplementationClimate ChangeHow the project will address the CCMP goals that are listed in the application must be clearly laid out in the scope of work.Projects that support the following actions are strongly encouraged to apply for the 2024 Bay Mini-Grant:Mangrove planting (BH-X)Promote public involvement in bay restoration and protection (PE-1)Promote public education about key issues affecting Tampa Bay (PE-2)Budget EligibilityThe application must include a detailed budget. A template and an example will be available in the “Helpful Links” section below. Each item in the budget must be related to the project.Food cost shall not exceed 10% of total budget. Food costs are only allowed for scheduled volunteer events. Reimbursement limits: $6/per person for breakfast; $11/per person for lunch. Reusable packaging is strongly encouraged.Mileage may be reimbursed at $.445/per mile and should not exceed 10% of total budget. Salary costs should not exceed 10% of the total budget.Matching funds are not required, but applications showing matching fund commitment through in-kind services such as volunteer hours are encouraged.

Ineligibility

Funds will not be awarded to individuals.
Proposals seeking funds for ongoing administrative support of established programs will not receive consideration.Activities that exclusively benefit a single class will not be funded.  Budget Restrictions- Costs not allowed include: ongoing administrative support of established programs, reimbursement for costs outside the grant’s scope of work, purchase of commercial software and hardware, contingency funds, depreciation, entertainment, purchase or printing of T-shirts or other clothing, fines and penalties, bad debts, interest and financial costs of borrowing, attendance at conferences and meetings, lobbying expenses.