Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund
The Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund supports science-based watershed restoration and habitat conservation projects to improve water quality and ecological health in the Chesapeake Bay region.
Funder: National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
Due Dates (Anticipated): February 2027 (Innovative Nutrient and Sediment Reduction pre-proposal) | April 2027 (Small Watershed Grants full application) | April 2027 (Chesapeake WILD Grants application)
Funding Amounts: $40–$60 million awarded annually across programs; individual grant sizes and durations vary by program.
Summary: Supports local watershed restoration and conservation projects to protect the Chesapeake Bay’s ecological health and key species.
Key Information: All due dates are projected; verify dates and requirements on the program page before applying.
Description
The Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund, administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), is dedicated to protecting and restoring the Chesapeake Bay by supporting local watershed restoration projects. The Fund operates in partnership with federal and state agencies, private corporations, and the Chesapeake Bay Program. It finances efforts that clean up polluted rivers and streams, restore and protect habitats and species, and enhance the ecological health of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The Fund invests in a range of activities, including innovative nutrient and sediment reduction, small watershed restoration, habitat protection, and technical assistance and capacity-building for local partners. Since 1999, the Fund has invested in thousands of projects, resulting in measurable improvements to water quality, habitat restoration, and species recovery throughout the region.
