Capitol Region Watershed District (CRWD) Partner Grants fund programs and projects led by community, arts and environmental organizations, schools, faith-based groups and cities that increase clean water knowledge and actions. All proposed projects must serve residents within CRWD’s boundaries. Visit the About CRWD page and scroll down to view a map of the District. Grants are awarded once per year in December and awards range from $5,000 to $20,000.
Above photo credit: Caroline Yang
CRWD is committed to engaging new and historically underrepresented groups and believes we can achieve cleaner waters through engagement across all communities. All proposed projects must serve residents within CRWD’s boundaries. Visit the About CRWD page and scroll down to view a map of the District. Proposals that take place in or serve residents from the Trout Brook, Phalen Creek, Saint Anthony Hill, Como Lake or Lake McCarrons watersheds will be given additional consideration. Organizations serving other areas in the District are still eligible to apply.
Review the following regarding CRWD’s Partner Grant application and review process. This information is also noted throughout the online application.
Grants are funded on a reimbursement basis upon project completion and receipt of a report no later than the end of the calendar year. Liability insurance is required for all grantees. Please review our Partner Grant Agreement PDF and terms before applying.
Proposals will be accepted using CRWD’s Partner Grant online application through 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 31, 2023.
You can reference the Partner Grant Application Template PDF to review the application questions before beginning the online application.
All prospective grantees are strongly encouraged to attend a Partner Grant Information Session on Friday, October 6, from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Please register if you plan to attend.
Applicants will be notified of the Board’s 2024 Partner Grant funding decision by January 1, 2024. A final scope of work and executed Partner Grant agreement will be required prior to beginning work.
If you need files in alternative formats or have any questions, please contact Lindsay Schwantes.
Lindsay Schwantes
Community Engagement Program Manager
lschwantes@capitolregionwd.org
651-644-8888 Ext. 105
Grants are funded on a reimbursement basis upon project completion and receipt of a report no later than the end of the calendar year.
Grant funding can be used to reimburse staff time and supplies for a program or project. A final report must be submitted by year-end, and include receipts or invoices for funded tasks, photography and a written report describing project or program outcomes prior to reimbursement.
All grantees must report general information about program outcomes and deliverables. Priority is given to applicants who propose ways to measure program impacts. These metrics may include actions taken, educational outcomes and changes in water quality protection behaviors.
| Organization | Project name | Approved Funding |
|---|---|---|
| African Economic Development Solutions (AEDS) | 2023 Little Africa Festival “Celebrating the Mississippi River” | $12,000 |
| Como Community Council D10 | Como Lake Clean-up and Educational Awareness | $8,360 |
| Friends of the Mississippi River | Water Knowledge Network: Youth Stewards | $6,000 |
| Frogtown Green | Water Stewardship Outreach and Education in Frogtown | $15,000 |
| Minnesota State Horticultural Society | MN SEED Project | $10,500 |
| Northern Lights MN | Watershed Whisperers – Embody The Source | $10,000 |
| Parkview Center School | Parkview Water Project 2023 | $13,800 |
| Public Art Saint Paul | eARTh Lab workshops | $13,000 |
| Saint Paul Parks and Recreation | BIPOC Parks Ambassadors | $10,000 |
| Science Museum of Minnesota | School Water Programs in CRWD | $9,600 |
| Springboard for the Arts | Planting Seeds: Supporting Watershed Health | $20,000 |
| Urban Roots | Conservation Program | $20,000 |
| YMCA of the North | Day Camps at Hidden Falls | $15,100 |
In Progress presents Our Sacred Water, a digital storytelling project supported by a CRWD 2019 Partner Grant.
The project entailed mentoring, public education, and creative art-making activities that raised participant and audience understandings of environmentalism from an Indigenous perspective. Six youth and their families developed a series of photo and video works designed to raise awareness about the sacred nature of water.
Statement from In Progress Artists: Indigenous people represent the oldest nations in the world. We have learned from our elders, our parents and our mentors that we must all work together to care and maintain our water resources for the generations yet to come. As Indigenous youth, we stand together in reminding us all that water is everything.
Created by Tiana Bluebird, Azalea Erickson, Alexander Erickson, Rocky Erickson, XIcintli Quiroz, and Kimimila Wahpepah, with support and guidance from Tiana LaPointe and Wakinyan LaPointe.
Check out some of the many programs CRWD's Partner Grants support.
