Watershed Fund: Environmental Education Grant Programs

The Watershed Fund offers Environmental Education Grants to organizations focused on preserving water quality and enhancing community appreciation for environmental resources. Grants, typically not exceeding $10,000, support projects that educate the public on the significance of watershed land and its impact on local ecosystems. Eligible applicants include non-profits, municipalities, and educational institutions within the South Central Connecticut Regional Water District. The program emphasizes measurable outcomes and collaboration with existing environmental education initiatives.

The Claire C. Bennitt Watershed Fund, Inc. partners with local land trusts, municipalities, state agencies and others to protect threatened watershed lands. It is proud of its efforts to protect water quality while adding value to a community’s quality of life by protecting open spaces.
Purpose of Grants
To award grants for the acquisition of title, conservation easements, and/or development rights to watershed land for the purpose of protecting, preserving, and enhancing water quality now and for future generations throughout the region.
To award grants to organizations providing education in the appreciation of and preservation of our environment, with particular emphasis on the understanding of our water resources, the negative impacts of development and other activities on water quality, and the benefits to water quality and the environment of preserving watershed land as open space.
Funding
Such grants typically do not exceed $10,000.

Eligibility

Types of Organizations Eligible to Apply for Grants:Non-profit 501(c)(3) organizationsRegional health districtsMunicipalitiesPublic and private schools and collegesProjects must benefit or have a meaningful relation to the residents of the South Central Connecticut Regional Water District.The District is comprised of: Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Branford, Cheshire, Derby. East Haven, Guilford, Hamden, Killingworth, Madison, Milford, New Haven, North Branford, North Haven, Orange, Prospect, Seymour, West Haven and Woodbridge.Selection of environmental education programs for funding will be based on several factors, including:Program must complement the South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority’s environmental education program and be offered to citizens within the South Central Connecticut Regional Water District.Program must provide an educational experience that would enhance the Authority’s Source Water Protection Program or create opportunities to advance the mission of The Watershed Fund.Application must include quantifiable benchmarks to measure a project’s objectives.Applications to fund technology in an educational setting that advance the mission of The Claire C. Bennitt Watershed Fund, Inc. may be considered.Receipt of a grant does not guarantee future funding and, ordinarily, the Fund does not provide funds for more than two consecutive years.
Grants for environmental education programs require submission of an outcome report within three months of project completion, or as specified at the time of grant.