[Rose Foundation For Communities and The Environment](https://rosefdn.org)

October 2026 (Full application deadline, projected)

Up to $40,000 per project; typical awards $10,000–$30,000; most grants for 1 year but flexible durations allowed.

Supports community-driven projects across California to improve surface water quality and protect watersheds, emphasizing equity, restoration, and environmental justice.

--- ## Description The California Watershed Protection Fund, managed by the Rose Foundation for Communities and The Environment, provides grants for projects that improve water quality and protect watersheds throughout California. The fund prioritizes community-based stewardship, especially efforts that engage impacted communities, benefit vulnerable populations, and advance equity and environmental justice. Eligible projects include water quality monitoring, watershed restoration, green stormwater infrastructure, addressing emerging toxic threats, and building community leadership capacity. Funding is sourced from Clean Water Act enforcement settlements, and the eligible geographic scope and specific watersheds may vary each cycle depending on available settlement funds. --- ## Due Dates - October 2026 (Full application deadline, anticipated/projected; submit by 5PM PT) *All dates are projected based on the annual cycle; check the program page for updates.* --- ## Funding Amount - Maximum grant request: $40,000 per project - Typical grant size: $10,000–$30,000 - Most grants are for a one-year period, but shorter or longer durations may be requested depending on project needs --- ## Eligibility - Applicants must be: - A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, or - Fiscally sponsored by a 501(c)(3), or - A governmental or tribal entity - Nonprofit colleges, universities, university clinics, and graduate programs are eligible (university overhead limited to 5% of grant award) - Organizations without nonprofit status may be eligible for fiscal sponsorship by the Rose Foundation for this grant - Applicants must demonstrate a strong track record of community-based water quality stewardship and capacity to complete the proposed project - Organizations with an active grant from this fund are not eligible to reapply until their final grant report is submitted and approved - Projects must directly benefit the surface water quality of an eligible watershed (eligible watersheds vary by cycle; check the program page for updated lists) - Projects focused exclusively on groundwater are only eligible if there is known interconnectivity to surface waters --- ## Application Process - Review the current eligibility criteria and eligible watersheds on the [program page](https://rosefdn.org/environmental-grants/california-watershed-protection-fund/) - Create an account in the [online grants portal](https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=rosefdn&) - Complete and submit the application online by the deadline (5PM PT) - No LOI (Letter of Inquiry) is required - Required attachments and application questions can be previewed and downloaded as a PDF from the application portal - Save your application as you work; applications must be submitted online, but accommodations may be made if you are unable to use the system (contact the foundation for alternatives) - Notification of receipt will be sent within 3 days of submission --- ## Additional Information - Priority is given to grassroots, community-oriented groups and projects with tangible, near-term water quality benefits - Projects must include direct water quality improvements; education-only projects are less competitive unless they include hands-on stewardship components - Ineligible projects: endowments, land acquisition, capital improvements (unless directly improving water quality), litigation, lobbying, general operating support, projects outside eligible watersheds, grants to individuals or for-profit businesses - Grantees must acknowledge the Rose Foundation and relevant partners in all project signage and materials --- ## External Links - [Program Page: California Watershed Protection Fund](https://rosefdn.org/environmental-grants/california-watershed-protection-fund/) - [Online Application Portal](https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=rosefdn&) - [Online Application Instructions](https://rosefdn.org/granting/online-instructions/) - [FAQ and Eligibility](https://rosefdn.org/environmental-grants/california-watershed-protection-fund/#faq) - [Contact Rose Foundation](https://rosefdn.org/contact/) --- ## Contact Information | Purpose | Contact | |------------------------|-------------------------------------------| | General inquiries | [grants@rosefdn.org](mailto:grants@rosefdn.org) | | Phone | (510) 658-0702 | | Online contact form | [Contact Rose Foundation](https://rosefdn.org/contact/) | ---

California Watershed Protection Fund

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