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Funding Opportunities

Sometimes funding a Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience can be outside of your classroom budget. If you are looking for a way to finance outdoor field experiences, buy supplies for an action project, or other expenses to support a MWEE, the list below will link you to relevant grant programs in your state.

For other ideas on funding the implementation of a MWEE, check out the Funding your MWEE page.

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When open, the National Earth Science Teachers Association Planet Stewards program is available to all formal and informal educators working with elementary through college-age students, as well as the general public. Up to 10 project will be awarded for stewardship projects. Up to $5000 is available for each project.

Who Should Apply
Formal and informal educators working with elementary through college-age students, as well as the general public
Amount
Up to $5,000
Deadline
Winter (annual)
State(s)
Contact

The Environmental Education Grant Program funds programs and initiatives that advance environmental literacy and result in students having the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and motivation to take informed and responsible actions to protect and improve the environment.

Who Should Apply
Maryland school districts, nonprofit organizations, public agencies, higher education institutions, community associations, and more.
Amount
MWEE Implementation: $40,000/year for up to 3 years; Environmental Literacy Capacity Building: $40,000 for the 2023 schoolyear
Deadline
December (Annual)
State(s)
Maryland
Contact

Funds offered by the Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE) to support students action projects that exemplify students' voices and have an environmental focus.


Organization
https://www.maeoe.org/
Who Should Apply
Any public or private Maryland school can apply.
Amount
Award amounts, up to $2000, are dependent upon the number of applications received. One per school
Deadline
Check the website for this year's timeline
State(s)
Maryland
Contact

Funds offered by the Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE) for any Maryland organization developing and facilitating environmental education professional development opportunities for formal and non-formal educators in Maryland. Professional development aims to build teacher capacity and comfort in leading environmentally-focused lessons, projects, and field experiences.

Organization
https://www.maeoe.org/
Who Should Apply
Any Maryland organization developing and facilitating environmental education professional development opportunities for formal and non-formal educators in Maryland.
Amount
Award amounts, up to $3000, are dependent upon the number of applications received.
Deadline
Check the website for this year's timeline.
State(s)
Maryland
Contact

Funds offered by the Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE) to support a teacher or staff member that leads a school club. Teacher or staff must meet with the Green Team or school club at least three times within the grant timeframe. A student-driven sustainability project must be submitted.

Organization
https://maeoe.org/
Who Should Apply
Teacher or staff member at any Maryland public or private school (your school does NOT have to be a current Green School to be eligible) that leads a youth Green Team or any school club.
Amount
$250
Deadline
Check the website for this year's timeline.
State(s)
Maryland
Contact

Funds offered by the Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE) to support field experience transportation.


Organization
https://www.maeoe.org/
Who Should Apply
Any public or private Maryland school can apply. Any non-profit organization working with a school can apply.
Amount
Award amounts, up to $1000, are dependent upon the number of applications received.
Deadline
Check the website for this year's timeline.
State(s)
Maryland
Contact

Maryland DNR grant program that supports outdoor education programming which aims to improve student and community ability to take action benefiting Chesapeake and coastal ecosystems through professional development and training, curriculum expansion, outdoor learning, and stewardship.

Who Should Apply
Government-affiliated: Local and state government agencies and affiliates, including local school systems and park services, are eligible to propose projects
Amount
Available funding changes each year, visit website for the current grant cycle
Deadline
Deadlines change each year, visit website for the current grant cycle
State(s)
Maryland

Administered through Department of Environmental Protection, funds are used for projects ranging from creative, hands-on lessons for students, teacher training programs, and outdoor learning resources to conservation education for adults. Funds can be used to provide education resources, materials, equipment, and transportation to support creative, hands-on environmental education lessons for students. Review the grant website to learn of priority areas for the current grant cycle.

Organization
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
Who Should Apply
Public schools and school districts (PreK-12) (including Intermediate Units and Charter Schools); Incorporated private schools; Incorporated conservation and education organizations and institutions; Universities and colleges; County conservation districts; Incorporated nonprofit organizations; Businesses (must be registered to conduct business in Pennsylvania)
Amount
Mini-Grants up to $5,000; Level I General Grants: from $5,001 up to $30,000; Level II General Grants: from $30,001 to $65,000 *funding levels may change each year
Deadline
November (Annual)
State(s)
Pennsylvania
Contact

The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) seeks qualified applicants to provide exemplary “meaningful watershed educational experiences” (MWEE) within Virginia’s Chesapeake Bay watershed. There is no minimum funding request required. The maximum request allowed is $45,000.

Organization
Office of Environmental Education at the VA DCR
Who Should Apply
Eligible applicants include, but are not limited to, school divisions, non-profit organizations, higher education institutions, state agencies, and soil and water conservation districts. Partnerships between school divisions or organizations (e.g., a non-profit and a school division) are permitted.
Amount
up to $45,000 per proposal
Deadline
Spring (Annual) - visit site for specific dates
State(s)
Virginia
Contact

This program will support schools in developing outdoor learning spaces that enrich students’ understanding of the environment.

Eligible applicants include all Virginia public schools, full-time regional public schools, and programs governed by a local or regional school board. Awards of up to $10,000 will be distributed, with priority given to proposals that build on existing environmental education initiatives, partnerships with environmental education providers, and plans for long-term sustainability of the space.

Organization
Virginia Department of Education
Who Should Apply
Eligible applicants include all Virginia public schools, full-time regional public schools, and programs governed by a local or regional school board.
Amount
Awards of up to $10,000.
Deadline
Fall (Annual). Check the website for this year's deadline.
State(s)
Virginia
Contact

In 2022, the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation awarded more than $1 million in environmental grants through its competitive Environmental Education and Stewardship grants program. Eligible organizations include nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and public and private K-12 schools in communities served by Dominion Energy companies.

Organization
Dominion Energy
Who Should Apply
Non profit organizations and K-12 schools in communities served by Dominion Energy companies
Amount
The maximum grant award is $50,000 for nonprofit organizations in areas where Dominion Energy has significant assets or customer base. The maximum grant for K-12 schools is $5,000 for environmental education programs.
Deadline
Visit the website to learn about the current grant cycle
State(s)
Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia
Contact

The Youth Environmental Education Grant Program (Mini Pre-K-12 Environmental Education Grant Program) was established to provide accessible funds to schools, organizations, and agencies for youth environmental education opportunities and educator support. To accomplish this goal the program funds projects that involve youth and students investigating a local environmental issue, problem, or phenomenon through indoor and outdoor research culminating in developing solutions and taking action in their school or community – also known as the MWEE model.

Organization
Chesapeake Bay Trust
Who Should Apply
Schools, nonprofit organizations, community associations, faith-based organizations and more in Maryland and the Chesapeake Bay watershed portions of D.C., Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Amount
Up to $5,000 or $10,000 depending on the type of project
Deadline
January (Annual), and June (Annual)
State(s)
Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, DC, West Virginia, Delaware
Contact

The NOAA Chesapeake Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET Chesapeake) grant supports programs that provide hands-on environmental education about issues affecting the Chesapeake Bay watershed for students through “meaningful watershed educational experiences” (MWEEs) and related professional development for educators who serve formal K-12 audiences. It encourages capacity building and partnership development for environmental education programs throughout the entire Chesapeake Bay watershed.

Organization
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Who Should Apply
K-12 public and independent schools and school systems, institutions of higher education, community-based and nonprofit organizations, state or local government agencies, interstate agencies, and Indian tribal governments
Amount
up to $100,000 annually (regional) up to $100,000 annually (statewide)
Deadline
March (annual)
State(s)
Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, DC, West Virginia, Delaware, New York
Contact

Clif Family Foundation Grants support general operating costs or specific projects that fall within one of the following categories: Regenerative and Organic Farming, Food Production Workers’ Health and Safety, Climate Justice, Healthy Food Access, Inclusive Outdoor Access, and Indoors an Outdoors Safe from Pollution.

Who Should Apply
Innovative small and mid-sized 501c3s in the US.
Amount
Typical grants range from $5,000 - $50,000 and last for one year.
Deadline
The Foundation reviews applications twice a year; the deadlines are March 1 and August 3.
State(s)
Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, DC, West Virginia, Delaware, New York
Contact

EPA Environmental Education Grants support environmental education projects that promote environmental awareness and stewardship and help provide people with the skills to take responsible actions to protect the environment. This grant program provides financial support for projects that design, demonstrate, and/or disseminate environmental education practices, methods, or techniques.

Organization
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Who Should Apply
Schools and school systems, colleges and universities, nonprofit organizations and state and local government agencies. (A teacher's school district, an educator's not-for-profit organization, or a faculty member's college or university may apply, but an individual teacher is not eligible)
Amount
Available funding changes each year, visit website for the current grant cycle
Deadline
Available funding changes each year, visit website for the current grant cycle
State(s)
Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, DC, West Virginia, Delaware, New York
Contact

The National Environmental Education Foundation offers a variety of grants and awards to help organizations engage their local community to improve the environment, increase diversity, and expand their work locally. We routinely highlight individual and group commitment to nature through education and service.

Organization
National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF)
Who Should Apply
Nonprofits
Amount
Funding Opportunities vary each year, check the website for this current grant cycle
Deadline
Varies based on available funding opportunities
State(s)
Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, DC, West Virginia, Delaware, New York
Contact

YLACES makes grants of equipment, materials, and supplies that enable student participation in taking environmental measurements and contributing their data to citizen science programs. Grants are also available for systemic initiatives, development of educational materials, and creative ideas that support students doing research and learning to think scientifically.

Organization
YLACES (Youth Learning as Citizen Environmental Scientists)
Who Should Apply
Environmental Educators and Organizations. Options available for International educators.
Amount
Educators in the US may apply for grants of up to $1,500 for instruments and supplies to facilitate youth environmental research and data collection.US environmental educators and organizations may apply for grants of up to $5,000 for local student research symposia.
Deadline
Spring (annual)
State(s)
Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, DC, West Virginia, Delaware, New York
Contact

Sorry, but currently there are no funding opportunities in this location.