To be eligible for a grant from the Puget Sound/Salish Sea Watershed Fund (the Fund), the applicant and project must meet all of the following criteria:
- Project must be located in Whatcom, Skagit or San Juan Counties. Preference will be given to applicants who demonstrate significant past experience operating in these counties and/or are based in these counties.
- The project must be designed to improve (or prevent degradation) of the water quality of coastal wetlands, shorelines and nearshore waters associated with the Samish River, Nooksack River and other coastal watersheds within Whatcom, Skagit or San Juan Counties.
- The applicant must demonstrate the capacity to complete the proposed project, including experience in successfully conducting similar or otherwise related work in the past. Preference will be extended to projects that can demonstrate a long-term management and/or stewardship plan to preserve the project extending well beyond the end of the grant period.
- Preference will be given to projects that demonstrate matching funds. Applicants seeking funding for more than $50,000 must be prepared to demonstrate a 1:1 match. If such a proposal is selected for funding, the applicant will be required to provide written documentation of the committed matching funds before the grant would be paid.
- The proposed project must be designed to make a meaningful contribution to coastal ecosystem restoration or enhancement in the Puget Sound/Salish Sea watershed, especially the coastal wetlands of Whatcom, Skagit or San Juan Counties. Preference shall be extended to projects that fit into existing plans, such as the Dept. of Ecology Watershed Characterization and Puget Sound Nearshore Ecosystem Restoration Project. Preference shall also be extended to projects that can be completed within two years of the grant award.
- The applicant must be a 501(c)(3) non-profit, or fiscally sponsored by a 501(c)(3) non-profit; or a governmental or tribal entity.
Examples of Allowable Projects and Activities
These are the types of projects and activities that are eligible for funding:
- Enhancement or restoration of fish and wildlife habitat, including spawning habitat, in riparian, wetland or shoreline areas. Preference will be given to projects related to improving Pacific herring and other forage fish habitat.
- Restoration of historical or highly-degraded coastal wetlands areas or other aquatic resources that particularly relate to improving water quality.
- Removal of physical barriers such as bulkheads, culverts or dams and associated restoration activities.
- Land acquisition and associated planning, permitting, monitoring and management.
- Acquisition, restoration and enhancement projects may include educational and interpretive elements (such as sign and brochures) to educate the public.
- Reasonable organizational expenses, including staff, related to watershed improvement projects.
Examples of Projects that are Not Allowable
The following activities or types of projects will not be funded:
- Endowment, capital improvement or other similar projects (unless the proposed project directly involves watershed habitat acquisition or restoration).
- Engineering projects that do not directly enhance natural ecosystem processes.
- Policy advocacy, litigation, community organizing or general public outreach.
- Grants to individuals.
- Grants to for-profit businesses.
- Grants for general operating support.
- Grants for projects that are not Puget Sound/Salish Sea Watershed related, or are not in Whatcom, Skagit or San Juan Counties.
- No electoral involvement.
- No lobbying.
For More Information
Kevin Hendrick, Grant Manager
Email: khendrick[AT]rosefdn.org (please replace [AT] with @) or call (707) 951-1734
To download a copy of the Request for Proposals, please click here.
