Local groups can now apply for awards ranging from $40,000 to $100,000 to improve water quality
The Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), in partnership with the Chesapeake Bay Trust, announced $900,000 in funding for local, community-driven initiatives to enhance water quality. Through the Clean Water Montgomery Grant Program, Montgomery County nonprofit organizations, including local watershed groups, homeowner and community associations, faith-based organizations, and service and civic groups, may be eligible for grants ranging from $40,000 to $100,000 to support their projects to improve stream health and water quality.
Eligible projects located throughout Montgomery County will be considered, excluding those within the municipalities of Rockville, Gaithersburg and Takoma Park, as these jurisdictions manage their own stormwater systems. Applications must be submitted by 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 13, 2025.
To learn more, register for the pre-application workshop, or review the request for proposals, click here.
DEP and the Chesapeake Bay Trust partner to administer this program, now in its 11th year. The program is made possible through the County’s Water Quality Protection Fund.
“Last year, we awarded nearly $750,000 in Clean Water Montgomery grants. This year, we are increasing this fund to $900,000, “said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. “Protecting our streams and waterways takes partnerships. These organizations are on the frontlines of conservation, yet many environmental nonprofits are facing increased challenges because the Trump Administration has turned its back on providing resources needed for a cleaner environment. That makes our local investments even more important. By working together at the community level, we can keep moving forward on clean water and environmental protection, event when the federal government refuses to lead.”
The grant program seeks to increase the diversity of individuals and groups involved in watershed restoration to support these objectives. We are now inviting proposals for projects that enhance and protect local waterways, such as environmental workshops, community water quality monitoring and rain garden installations.
The grant program will be accepting applications in the following categories:
- Project Type 1: Public outreach and stewardship projects such as knowledge building, up to $40,000, and behavior change, up to $60,000.
- Project Type 2: Community-based restoration projects such as parking lot replacement with permeable pavement, up to $100,000.
- Project Type 3: Water quality monitoring projects, up to $75,000.
- Project Type 4: Litter-reduction projects in the Anacostia River Watershed, up to $50,000.
“Montgomery County’s important work on watershed restoration and water quality improvement can’t be done alone,” said DEP Director Jon Monger. “With most of the land in the County privately owned, the involvement of individuals and community-based organizations is essential. The Clean Water Montgomery Grant Program is designed to expand participation and bring more diverse voices into this crucial work to protect and restore our local watersheds.”
The grant program empowers communities to lead and implement their own projects to reduce stormwater runoff and pollutants affecting water quality. Community-inspired projects will also focus on education, outreach and stewardship.
“Empowering everyday people and local organizations to own conservation projects for their communities leads to lasting change,” said Dr. Jana Davis, president of the Chesapeake Bay Trust. “With Montgomery County, we are equipping a wide variety of groups to take action for our waterways, becoming lifelong stewards for their communities and creating ripple effects to ensure clean waters flow throughout the entire County and greater Chesapeake Bay region.”
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