[C. E. and S. Foundation](https://www.cesfoundation.com)

January 23, 2026 (Cycle 1, 2026) | July 31, 2026 (Cycle 2, 2026)

Maximum $25,000 per award; typical range $1,000–$25,000; one-year grant period.

Supports advocacy and stewardship projects advancing watershed health, with a focus on empowering marginalized communities.

Only organizations that have never previously received a Campbell Foundation grant are eligible to apply for unsolicited grants.

--- ## Description The Watershed Advocacy program funds projects that improve the health and water quality of local streams and rivers, emphasizing support for marginalized communities most impacted by insufficient water regulations. The program seeks to empower overlooked and underrepresented groups to participate in water policy-making and advocacy, ensuring clean, swimmable, and drinkable water in their regions. Funding is available for innovative initiatives, capacity-building for watershed stewards, and collaborative partnerships that advance watershed health. Projects may address general support within priority areas such as watershed advocacy, agriculture, water management, clean water access, and community engagement. --- ## Due Dates - January 23, 2026: Unsolicited grant proposal deadline — Cycle 1, 2026 (full proposal due by 5 pm Pacific Time) - July 31, 2026: Unsolicited grant proposal deadline — Cycle 2, 2026 (full proposal due by 5 pm Pacific Time) No late submissions or extensions are allowed. Funding decisions are typically made within 6–10 weeks after each deadline. --- ## Funding Amount - Maximum request: $25,000 per unsolicited grant - Typical awards: Range from $1,000 to $25,000; in 2025, most grants were at the $25,000 level - Grant period: Funds are expected to be expended within 12 months - Awards may differ from the requested amount, based on proposal and Foundation priorities --- ## Eligibility - Open to US-registered 501(c)(3) public charitable organizations, educational institutions [170(b)(1)(A)(ii)], government agencies [170(c)(1)], and fiscally sponsored projects - Only organizations that have never previously received a grant from The Campbell Foundation are eligible for unsolicited grants - Organizations must have: - At least five years of operation - Operating budgets between $1 million and $12 million - At least five funders of $5,000 or more - At least five board members - Priority given to organizations with programming focused on racial equity and/or serving Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color, and with leadership reflective of the communities served - Geographic focus: Open to US and international work, with special interest in certain counties in California, Maryland, and Pennsylvania (see below) - Ineligible projects/areas for unsolicited grants: Academic/medical research, animal rescue, disease research, ecosystem restoration, films, hospitals, individuals, marine protected areas (outside CA), non-community-based fisheries/ocean management, plastic pollution, and single species management/conservation --- ## Application Process 1. **Eligibility Check:** Complete the [eligibility checklist](https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/unsoleligibilitychecklist) to confirm your organization’s eligibility. 2. **Prescreen Tool:** (Recommended) Use the [Prescreen Tool](https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/8TZ32SV) to assess fit with Foundation priorities. 3. **Proposal Submission:** Submit a full proposal through the Foundation’s [grants management system](https://www.campbellfoundation.org/how-to-apply/). Only one proposal per cycle is allowed. 4. **No LOI Required:** Do not send a letter of inquiry or hard copy materials. 5. **Decision Notification:** Funding decisions are made by the published decision date for each cycle. 6. **If Declined:** Organizations must wait two years before reapplying for an unsolicited grant. --- ## Additional Information - **Geographic Areas of Special Interest:** - California: Fresno, Kern, Kings, San Francisco, Tulare counties - Maryland: Dorchester, Wicomico, Worcester, Somerset counties - Pennsylvania: Lancaster and York counties - **Grant Focus:** General support only (not capacity building or capital campaigns) - **Renewals:** Most unsolicited grants are one-time awards; renewals are rare and decided case-by-case - **Contact:** Foundation staff do not meet with applicants prior to submission; questions can be directed to the grants management contact via email --- ## External Links - [Program Overview](https://www.campbellfoundation.org/programs/watershed-advocacy/) - [How to Apply](https://www.campbellfoundation.org/how-to-apply/) - [Eligibility Checklist](https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/unsoleligibilitychecklist) - [Prescreen Tool](https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/8TZ32SV) - [Recent Unsolicited Grant Recipients](https://www.campbellfoundation.org/unsolicited-grant-recipients/) - [All Grant Recipients](https://www.campbellfoundation.org/grants-awarded/) - [Funder Home Page](https://www.cesfoundation.com) --- ## Contact Information | Name/Role | Email | Phone | Web Contact | |---------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------|------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------| | Khloe Graczyk, Grants Management Associate | [kgraczyk@campbellfoundation.org](mailto:kgraczyk@campbellfoundation.org) | Not listed | [Contact Form](https://www.cesfoundation.com/contact.html) | | General Inquiries | techsupport@campbellfoundation.org | (502) 583-0546 | [Contact Form](https://www.cesfoundation.com/contact.html) | ---

Watershed Advocacy

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