Water Grants

Last updated October 5, 2026

Grantable tracks 789 active water grants in its free grants database, drawn from state and foundation sources and updated daily. 16 of them have a verified open deadline or accept applications on a rolling basis. 346 list an award amount, with a median of $60K.

Grants tracked: 789; from 350 funders
Median award: $60K; middle half $13K–$400K
Total listed funding: $234.7M; across 346 grants that list an amount
Rolling deadlines: 13; 45 with a published date

On this page: State Foundation · Updated daily

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Grant	Deadline ▲	Amount
IAW: Environmental Grant Program Illinois American Water · Foundation Not published · Up to $5K The Illinois American Water Environmental Grant Program, established in 2005, supports innovative community-based environmental projects aimed at improving local watersheds and water supplies.	Not published	Up to $5K
The Safe and Affordable Funding for Equity and Resilience Program (SAFER) State Water Resources Control Board · State Not published · Varies The Safe and Affordable Funding for Equity and Resilience Program (SAFER) is a set of tools, funding sources, and regulatory authorities designed to ensure that one million Californians who currently lack safe drinking water receive safe &…	Not published	Varies
Chesapeake Bay Small Watershed Grants National Fish and Wildlife Foundation · Foundation Not published · $150K – $1M The Chesapeake Bay Small Watershed Grants, offered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) in collaboration with the EPA, aim to enhance water quality and restore vital habitats in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.	Not published	$150K – $1M
Hazen and Sawyer Scholarship Grant American Water Works Association · Foundation Not published · $10K The Hazen and Sawyer Scholarship, valued at $10,000, is awarded annually to a graduate-level candidate dedicated to addressing critical challenges in drinking water, water reuse, and water resources.	Not published	$10K
Lynches River Conservation Grant Central Carolina Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The Lynches River Conservation Grant supports land acquisition and conservation projects aimed at enhancing water quality and ecological integrity in the Lynches River watershed of South Carolina.	Not published	Varies
Proposition 68 – Water Recycling State Water Resources Control Board · State Not published · Varies The purpose of the funding is to provide technical and financial assistance to local agencies for the construction of water recycling projects that promote the beneficial use of treated municipal wastewater in order to augment fresh water…	Not published	Varies
WHOI Sea Grant Program: General Program Development Funds Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) · Foundation Not published · $1K – $5K The WHOI Sea Grant Program offers General Program Development Funds ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 annually to support small research projects, educational initiatives, and outreach efforts.	Not published	$1K – $5K
Recreation – Public Waterfront Access Improvement Projects Lake Champlain Basin Program · State Not published · Up to $10M Supports improving public access to waterfront recreation opportunities in the watershed to enhance the enjoyment, understanding, and appreciation of the Lake Champlain Basin’s natural and cultural resources.	Not published	Up to $10M
Nonpoint Source Pollution Management Program, Clean Water Act Section 319 Maryland Department of the Environment · State Not published · Varies For MD to assess NPS water quality problems, develop plans to control them, & implement those plans.	Not published	Varies
Biennial Research Competition Grant Hawai‘i Sea Grant · Foundation Not published · Up to $100K Hawai‘i Sea Grant, part of a national network established in 1966, promotes the understanding and stewardship of marine and coastal resources through applied research, outreach, and education.	Not published	Up to $100K
Water Resource Planning Assistance Maryland Department of Planning · State Not published · Varies Provide planning assistance in support of local Water Resource Elements and Growth Tier Maps (Septics Law).	Not published	Varies
Nisqually Watershed Small Grants Pierce County Planning and Public Works / Puyallup Watershed Initiative · Foundation Not published · Up to $3K The Nisqually Watershed Small Grants program, sponsored by Pierce County, aims to improve environmental literacy and enhance water quality in local watersheds.	Not published	Up to $3K
Albemarle-Pamlico National Estuary Engagement and Stewardship RFP Grant State of North Carolina · State Not published · Up to $40K The Albemarle-Pamlico National Estuary Partnership (APNEP) invites proposals for environmental projects aimed at enhancing citizen stewardship and literacy in the region.	Not published	Up to $40K
Ocean Acidification, Hypoxia, and Harmful Algal Bloom Solicitation Grant California Ocean Protection Council · Foundation Not published · $200K – $3M The Ocean Acidification, Hypoxia, and Harmful Algal Bloom Solicitation aims to enhance scientific understanding of critical water quality issues affecting California's coastal ecosystems.	Not published	$200K – $3M
OR Water Project Grants Oregon Water Resources Department · Foundation Not published · Varies The Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) offers Water Project Grants to support local governments, tribes, and individuals in developing water projects with economic, environmental, and social benefits.	Not published	Varies
Charlotte CF Water Quality/Environment Fund Charlotte Community Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies Giving back to the community through grant making is one way how we fulfill our mission of “Connecting People Who Care with Causes that Matter”.	Not published	Varies
Environmental Programs Grant The Bruce Krier Charitable Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The Environmental Programming Grant supports organizations in Cedar Grove, Belgium, Northern Ozaukee, Oostburg, and Random Lake, Wisconsin, focusing on water-related programs and animal rehabilitation.	Not published	Varies
Ground Water Research & Education Foundation Grant National Ground Water Association Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies The Ground Water Research & Education Foundation Grant, offered by the National Groundwater Association, supports innovative research and education initiatives aimed at groundwater protection and conservation.	Not published	Varies
Upper Connecticut River Mitigation and Enhancement Fund New Hampshire Charitable Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies A substantial fund providing grants to support restoration, protection, and enhancement of the upper Connecticut River watershed. Committee recommends grants from the fund.	Not published	Varies
Charles Hayward Foundation: Main Grant Programme - Overseas Charles Hayward Foundation · Foundation Not published · Up to £15,000 The Charles Hayward Foundation's Main Grant Programme supports projects aimed at enhancing the livelihoods of disadvantaged communities in Commonwealth countries in Africa.	Not published	Up to £15,000
CCCF: Common Ground Program - Recreation Impacts Planning and Monitoring Grants Chaffee County Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · $5K – $50K The CCCF: Common Ground Program offers Recreation Impacts Planning and Monitoring Grants to support projects aimed at mitigating the negative effects of outdoor recreation on landscape and watershed health.	Not published	$5K – $50K
Septic Environmental Program to Improve Cleanliness (SEPTIC) Grant Nassau County, New York · Foundation Not published · Up to $20K Nassau County has launched the Septic Environmental Program to Improve Cleanliness (SEPTIC) Grant, aimed at replacing outdated septic systems with innovative nitrogen-reducing technologies.	Not published	Up to $20K
Clean Vessel Assistance Program - Operation and Maintenance Grant New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation · Foundation Not published · Up to $5K The Clean Vessel Assistance Program's Operation and Maintenance Grant supports marinas in maintaining pumpout stations by covering up to 75% of eligible costs, with a maximum of $2,000 for land-based facilities and $5,000 for pumpout boats.	Not published	Up to $5K
HEP Action Agenda: NY/NJ Community Engagement Sessions Grant Hudson River Foundation for Science and Environmental Research Inc · Foundation Not published · $2K – $4K The HEP Action Agenda aims to engage communities in the NY/NJ Harbor & Estuary Program through in-person sessions this spring and summer.	Not published	$2K – $4K

Showing 145–168 of 784

About water grants

Water grants fund drinking water, wastewater, watershed protection, and water quality work across the country. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administers programs such as the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and Nonpoint Source (Section 319) grants, while USDA supports rural water infrastructure and NOAA and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation fund coastal and watershed resilience. Eligible recipients range from municipalities and utilities to nonprofits and tribes.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much money do water grants award?

Of the 789 water grants Grantable lists as of October 5, 2026, 346 publish an award amount. The median listed award is $60K, and the middle half fall between $13K and $400K. The largest is $10M. Amounts are each grant's stated maximum, so a typical award can be smaller.

Which funders offer the most water grants?

By number of active listings, the leading funders are Natural Resources (22), Chesapeake Bay Trust (19), Maryland Department of the Environment (18), Lake Champlain Basin Program (16), and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (16). In all, 350 funders have at least one active grant in this category.

When are water grants due?

Of 789 grants listed, 13 accept applications on a rolling basis, 45 have a published upcoming deadline, 39 run on a stated cycle (such as annual or quarterly) without a published date, and 692 don't publish a deadline, so check the funder's site. Among dated deadlines, 51% fall in October–December.

What grants are available for water projects?

Funding covers drinking water and wastewater infrastructure, watershed and source water protection, nonpoint source pollution control, and habitat and resilience work. The EPA's Clean Water State Revolving Fund and Section 319 grants are major federal mechanisms, alongside USDA rural water programs and NOAA coastal funding. Some assistance comes as low-interest loans rather than outright grants.

Does the EPA fund water quality work?

Yes. The EPA funds water quality through programs like the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, which supports wastewater treatment, nonpoint source control, and watershed management, and through Section 319 nonpoint source grants administered with states. Eligible recipients can include municipalities, nonprofits, and citizens' groups, though much CWSRF assistance is delivered as loans.

Who else funds watershed and water nonprofits?

Beyond the EPA, USDA funds rural water and wastewater systems, NOAA supports coastal and estuary work, and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation funds watershed and resilience projects, often with required match. Regional programs like Chesapeake Bay and Great Lakes initiatives, plus state agencies and private foundations, round out the landscape. Many water projects braid several of these sources together.

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