Valley Water Standard Grants - Planning Grants

The Valley Water Standard Grants - Planning Grants program supports projects that enhance safe drinking water and environmental stewardship in Santa Clara County. With $1.87 million available, it funds planning activities like feasibility studies and environmental planning. Eligible applicants include local governments, nonprofits, and educational institutions. This initiative promotes community engagement and empowers local entities to address water-related challenges effectively, ensuring projects align with Valley Water's mission.

Standard Grants Program
The Standard Grants Program supports projects that promote safe, clean drinking water, water conservation, flood protection, and environmental stewardship in Santa Clara County. This program offers $1.87 million in funding for diverse project types that serve residents, empowering communities to address local water and environmental challenges through education, planning, and stewardship.
Whether you are a public agency, government entity, nonprofit organization, or educational institution, this program provides the financial resources needed to create meaningful impacts.
Planning grants fund the planning or design activities needed to complete large-scale implementation projects to advance Safe, Clean Water Program priorities and support Valley Water’s mission.
Activities could include environmental planning, feasibility studies, academic research, and/or design activities supporting later capital project implementation. Projects should result in a detailed analysis and evaluation of the implementation project's impact and all reasonable alternatives.
Eligible Applicants may seek grant funding for more than one project; however, Valley Water will only award one grant per project. Projects must also directly benefit Santa Clara County residents and align with Valley Water’s mission.
Planning Grant Description
The goal of the Planning Grant is to provide funding for planning or design activities needed to complete large-scale implementation project that will advance Safe, Clean Water Program priorities and support Valley Water’s mission.The Planning Grant opportunity is available for environmental planning, feasibility studies, academic research, and/or design activities supporting later capital project implementation. Projects should result in a detailed analysis and evaluation of the implementation project's impact and all reasonable alternatives. Proposed Planning Grant projects must demonstrate a strong connection to Valley Water’s mission. Examples include planning or studies related to water conservation, habitat restoration or protection, creek stewardship, and wildlife crossings.Grantees awarded a Planning Grant may apply for a subsequent Implementation Grant to complete all phases of the Grantee’s project; however, Implementation Grant funding is not guaranteed.

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants:Local cities, towns, and county agencies.Local nonprofit organizations with a 501(c)(3) tax exempt statusWater agencies/districts (public, not-for-profit).Open space, resource conservation, and special districts.Schools, community colleges, and colleges/universities (public, not-for-profit).Eligible Projects:Planning Grants are for projects that consist solely of activities related to planning, design, environmental resource investigations, academic research, or feasibility studies.Planning Grant project activities must not result in direct or foreseeable physical changes to the environment, such as soil removal, construction activities, and plantings unless those activities involve minor physical changes associated with investigative sampling, surveying, and testing activities.Projects must be located within Santa Clara County7 and benefit residents of Santa Clara County.Demonstrate a strong focus on at least one of the following Safe, Clean Water Program priorities: Safe, clean drinking water and water conservation.Flood risk reduction.Environmental stewardship.

Ineligibility

The following projects will not be considered for funding under the Planning Grant category:Projects that do not have a planning, study, or design focus.Projects with activities involving direct or foreseeable physical changes to the environment, such as soil removal, gardening, digging, planting, construction activities, etc. unless those activities would involve minor physical changes associated with investigative sampling, surveying, and testing activities. If your project includes ground-disturbing activities, consider whether you should apply under a Stewardship Grant. Contact Grants Program staff if you have questions or need assistance.Projects with advocacy or political components, including political endorsements, petitions, fundraising, or any other activity directed toward the success or failure of a political party, candidate, political office, or political group. Project deliverables that are inaccessible to the general public or that require mandatory payment or fees to access the deliverables. Mitigation projects.Projects designed to meet regulatory or permit obligations (unless grant funding is for project activities above and beyond required activities).Operations and maintenance of existing mitigation or enhancement projects.Operations and maintenance of existing projects, programs, or Applicant’s general ongoing and day-to-day operations.Land acquisition, unless parcel(s) or title acquired will be specifically deemed for use in habitat or species restoration or protection.