Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund Grant

The Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund Grant supports projects aimed at enhancing environmental education and conservation efforts in the Chesapeake Bay area. Funded activities include educational training for educators, increasing public involvement in restoration activities, and projects that mitigate pollution and restore habitats. The grant favors proposals that demonstrate clear objectives, community engagement, and practical benefits to the Bay, ensuring a positive impact on local environmental challenges.

Background
In 1995, legislation was passed creating the Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund Advisory Committee. The Advisory Committee was given the responsibility of developing goals and guidelines for the use of the moneys collected from the sale of the special Chesapeake Bay license plates. By December 1 of each year, the Advisory Committee is to present to the Governor and the General Assembly a plan for expending these funds. The Advisory Committee will recommend that such expenditures be in the form of financial grants for the support of specific Chesapeake Bay projects.
Priority Areas
Each year the Advisory Committee will establish specific priorities for funding. This year under the subjects of environmental education, and restoration and conservation of the Chesapeake Bay, applicants are encouraged to submit proposals in the following areas:

• Environmental Education Priorities

The goal of environmental education is to increase public awareness and  knowledge about the Bay, resulting in behavioral change. The Committee invites proposals that:

• Supplement and enhance environmental training for educators.

Expand environmental educational opportunities and the use of existing educational resources (curricula, publications, and field studies) in schools and community programs for students, teachers, and adults.
Increase the involvement of students and the public in Bay restoration activities.
Conservation and Restoration Priorities
The Committee invites proposals for:
Activities that contribute to meeting tributary strategy nutrient reduction goals. Practices that protect water quality from nonpoint sources of water pollution resulting from the use of land.
Projects that enhance and protect tidal fishery habitats.
Projects that seek to restore tidal fisheries (finfish, crabs, clams, and oysters).
Projects that focus on the prevention of toxic substances entering the Bay and its tributaries.
Activities that restore important Bay wetlands and habitat.

Eligibility

Applications will be accepted from state agencies, local governments, and tax-exempt nonprofit organizations

Ineligibility

Grants are not awarded to companies, other private organizations, or individuals.Activities which are not eligible for funding include:

• Capital construction.
• Endowments, annual giving, or fund raising.
• Salaries or benefits (unless compensating the direct performance of a specific project activity).
• Indirect costs.
• Food items.
• Lawsuits or litigation.
• Political action programs or lobbying.
• General operating budget.
• Supplanting an existing state or local general fund appropriation.