California Watershed Protection Fund
Forecasted
California Watershed Protection Fund supports community-based groups with monitoring, restoration, advocacy, and stewardship projects to improve surface water quality and protect California watersheds.
This grant was recently updated
Applications are now closed for 2026, replacing the October 15, 2026 deadline notice; the fund will reopen in Q1 2027. Listed dates and eligible watersheds apply only to Fall 2026; new geographic priorities will be announced in 2027, though some locations may remain eligible.
Funder: Rose Foundation For Communities and The Environment
Due Dates (Anticipated): October 2027 (Application due)
Funding Amounts: Up to $40,000; most grants $10,000–$30,000, typically for one year
Summary: Supports community-based projects that improve surface water quality in eligible California watersheds.
Key Information: Applicants must demonstrate a strong track record of community-based water quality stewardship.
Description
The California Watershed Protection Fund, administered by the Rose Foundation, supports projects that improve surface water quality and protect California watersheds. Funded through settlements from Clean Water Act citizen enforcement cases, it directs support toward watersheds affected by those actions. Eligible watersheds change by funding cycle.
Supported work includes water quality monitoring, restoration, conservation, advocacy, outreach, green stormwater infrastructure, and community-led stewardship. The fund also considers projects addressing emerging toxic and chemical threats. Priority goes to community-oriented grassroots groups and organizations with strong community-based water quality experience, especially projects involving impacted communities, benefiting vulnerable populations, and advancing equity and environmental justice. Education and capacity-building activities must lead to identifiable actions or tangible water quality benefits.
