The Clean Water Fund: Community Conservation Grant

The Clean Water Fund

Lancaster Clean Water Fund serves as a catalyst for increased collaboration to efficiently achieve clean and clear water in Lancaster County by 2040. It provides a unique opportunity to work with landowners, leaders, and communities across the county on education, restoration, and protection projects to improve water quality. Across Lancaster County, clean water is a priority. With the majority of Lancaster County streams and much of our groundwater unhealthy, our community is a priority area for reducing specific pollutants (nutrient and sediment) by 2025 in accordance with Lancaster’s Countywide Action Plan (CAP).

This grant is created and managed with the Lancaster Clean Water Partners to achieve clean and clear local waterways by 2040.

Community Conservation Grant

The Community Conservation Grant supports education, outreach, and regional engagement projects that improve Lancaster’s water quality through collaboration and creativity. This grant does not fund implementation projects. Projects can range from educational campaigns to art installations to water quality monitoring equipment.

Grant Specifics

• Some project categories include, but are not limited to:
• Art installations that educate the public about water pollution and opportunities
• Water quality monitoring (must include an educational component too)
• Community-led implementation of conservation practices
• Watershed educational campaigns or student projects that involve the community
• Public/private collaboration to encourage students or adults to consider conservation and water-related careers.Projects can range from educational campaigns to art installations to water quality monitoring equipment.
• Match is not required.
• Use the Collaborative Watershed Mapping Tool when applicable to assist with answering application questions.
• Awarded funds will be released to grantees after signing a Grantee Partner Agreement.
• Grantees will be responsible for submitting one report at the end of the grant period which includes a financial report.

Eligibility

_You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website._

• Eligibility for funding is determined based on due diligence and assessment of the following:
  • Serve Lancaster County\* residents without discrimination
  • Current 501(c)(3)\\ designation from the IRS
  • Registered with the Pennsylvania Bureau of Charitable Organizations unless otherwise exempt per the Institutions of Purely Public Charity Act
  • Complete IRS Form 990 Annually
  • Annual Audit or a financial review by an independent CPA within the last 12 months
  • In good standing with all existing awards and contracts with the Lancaster County Community Foundation
  • May not receive grants from the same fund for more than 3 consecutive years
  • Provide organizational Non-Discrimination Policy meeting all federal requirements as it applies to your type of organization (FAQs)
  • Be aware of the Community Foundation’s Anti-Hate policy.

Ineligibility

• Please note the Community Foundation will not typically fund:
  • Creation of a new organization
  • Schools
  • Capital campaigns/capital costs (equipment, building costs, maintenance)
  • Political campaigns
  • Expenses incurred before the grant is awarded
  • Cemetery associations
  • Religious causes that further a specific belief/agenda