Sustainable Communities Grant Program

Sustainable Communities Grant Program

Funder: Delmarva Power (administered by Delaware Nature Society)

Status: Active and ongoing since November 2019

Geographic Scope: Delmarva Power's Delaware and Maryland service area

Overview:
A grant program providing up to $75,000 in annual funding to support open space preservation, environmental conservation, and community resiliency projects across Delaware and Maryland.

Funding Breakdown

Open Space & Environmental Conservation Grants:

Amount: $50,000 annually

Per-project range: $1,000 - $10,000

Number of grants: Multiple grants available

Community Resiliency Grants:

Amount: $25,000 annually

Number of grants: 1-2 grants per year

Focus: Innovation in providing safe and reliable resources during emergencies

Eligible Activities

Open Space, Environmental & Conservation Projects:

Development of recreation trails

Purchase and preservation of open space

Improvements to parks and recreation resources

Planting of trees and other vegetation

Reforestation projects

Pollinator habitat development and restoration

Wetlands and forest protection

Wildlife habitat restoration

Land acquisition for conservation

Community Resiliency Projects:

Community engagement and education regarding resiliency

Purchase of energy storage systems

Solar installation (including mobile solar units)

Photovoltaic (PV) solar array installations

Weather preparedness and climate adaptation initiatives

Eligible Applicants

• Municipalities
• Recreational authorities
• Nonprofit organizations
• Universities (demonstrated by Delaware State University award)
• Conservation organizations
• Organizations serving underrepresented communities are strongly encouraged to apply

Geographic Focus

• Delaware (all areas within Delmarva Power service territory)
• Maryland (all areas within Delmarva Power service territory)

Award Examples (2020-2021 Cycles)

Notable 2020 Recipients:

Children's Beach House: $25,000 (PV Solar Array installation)

Center for Inland Bays: $10,000 (James Farm Ecological Preserve improvements)

Delaware Wildlands: $10,000 (Reforestation)

Lower Shore Land Trust: $8,700 (Pollinator habitat)

City of Rehoboth: $7,500 (Boardwalk recycling program)

Notable 2021 Recipients:

Delaware State University: $25,000 (25-kilowatt solar array)

Delaware Center for Horticulture: $10,000 (Pollinator habitat gardens)

Delaware Wild Lands: $10,000 (Wetland and forest protection)

Town of Newark: $10,000 (Reforestation)

Review Process

Grant applications are reviewed by a committee including representatives from:

Delmarva Power

Delaware Nature Society

County agencies

Local conservation organizations

Contact Information

Program Administrator: Delaware Nature Society (DelNature)

Phone: 302.239.2334

Address: 3511 Barley Mill Rd, Hockessin, DE 19707

Website: delnature.org/sustainablecommunitiesgrant

Director of Advocacy: Mark Nardone

Phone: 302.413.5057