Columbia River Fund Grant

The Columbia River Fund Grant supports projects aimed at improving and protecting clean water and aquatic habitats in the Columbia River Basin. With over $1 million awarded since 2014, the fund prioritizes legal advocacy, community organization, and environmental education. Eligible projects must be located in designated areas of the watershed and demonstrate a focus on benefiting impacted communities. The grant encourages applications from equity-centered organizations, fostering environmental justice and sustainable practices.

Since 2014, the Columbia River Fund, funded through settlements of legal actions as part of the Columbia Riverkeeper’s Clean Water Act enforcement program, has awarded over $1 million in grants to support community-based water quality stewardship projects along the Columbia River.
Examples of Allowable Projects and Activities
Here are some examples of the types of projects and activities that are eligible for funding.

• Legal strategies, policy development, and associated public outreach and education directed towards protecting the watershed and impacted communities.
• Community organizing , public/environmental education to protect water quality and prevent degradation of the watershed.

Eligibility

The Columbia River Fund supports projects designed to improve, protect, and benefit clean water and aquatic habitat in the Columbia River Basin.To be eligible for a grant, the projects must be located in:the main stem of the Columbia River from Richland downstream to its mouth at Astoria; and inthe reaches upstream from Richland in the general vicinity of Malaga in Chelan County, and tributaries north of Wentachee including the Wentachee River, Entiat River, the Chelan River, the Methow River, and the Okanogan River.To be eligible for a 2023 grant, the applicant and project must meet the following criteria:Geographic Focus: Projects designed to improve and protect clean water and aquatic habitat in the Columbia River Basin. To be eligible for a grant, the projects must benefit:
the main stem of the Columbia River from Richland downstream to its mouth at Astoria; andthe reaches upstream from Richland in the general vicinity of Malaga in Chelan County, and tributaries north of Wentachee including the Wentachee River, Entiat River, the Chelan River, the Methow River, and the Okanogan River.Types of Projects Supported: Water stewardship, legal advocacy, outreach and education. We are specially encouraging projects that involve impacted communities, benefit vulnerable populations, and are centered around principles of equity and environmental justice.Applicant requirements: The applicant must demonstrate the capacity to complete the proposed project, including experience in successfully conducting similar or otherwise related work in the past.Environmental Justice: Supporting environmental and social justice is a core organizational value that guides the Columbia River Fund and the Rose Foundation’s programs. Duration of Support: Many applicants seek a one-year grant; however, you do not have to ask for a one-year grant. It is permitted to request a shorter or longer grant period if that is what you need. Even if you are asking for multi-year support, the maximum request cannot exceed $40,000.Frequency of Applying: Organizations that have been funded may only re-apply in the next cycle after their grant report has been submitted and approved. Non-profit Status: The applicant must be a 501(c)3 organization, fiscally-sponsored by a 501(c)3, or a governmental or tribal entity. Note: the Rose Foundation strictly limits university overhead to 5% of the total requested amount.

Ineligibility

Organizations with an active grant from this Fund are not eligible to reapply.
Examples of projects that are not allowableEndowment, capital improvement or other similar projects.Grants to individuals.Grants to for-profit businesses.Grants for general operating support.Grants for projects that are not primarily related to the Columbia River Watershed.Grants for electoral involvement.Grants for lobbying.Grants for Columbia Riverkeeper.