Community Environmental Project Fund
Forecasted
Community Environmental Project Fund supports organizations serving pollution-affected Delaware communities with projects to reduce pollution, restore the environment, and improve outdoor recreation.
Funder: Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control
Due Dates: Due Dates (Anticipated): Not yet announced
Funding Amounts: $523,000 awarded across projects for calendar year 2027
Summary: Supports community projects in pollution-affected Delaware communities that reduce pollution, enhance the environment, or improve outdoor recreation.
Key Information: Priority goes to organizations in Equity Focus Areas or within two miles of an environmental violation.
Description
The Community Environmental Project Fund (CEPF) supports environmental restoration in Delaware communities damaged by pollution. Administered by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) and managed by its Community Ombudsman, the program returns environmental enforcement penalties to affected communities through competitive grants. The Delaware General Assembly created the fund in 2004 and authorized DNREC to withhold 40% of collected environmental penalties for this purpose.
CEPF supports pollution mitigation, environmental enhancement, and outdoor recreational opportunities. Projects may reduce pollution and risks to human health, improve natural resources and indigenous habitats, strengthen ecosystem functions, or improve access to outdoor recreation. The program seeks to improve environmental conditions and quality of life while creating opportunities for collaborative problem solving and advancing Delaware’s environmental justice goals.
