The Fund is open to organizations of any size. Grants will be awarded up to a maximum of $40,000. If your organization has an annual budget of $150,000 or less, we recommend applying for a grant of $10,000 or less.
In addition to anticipating proposals from larger organizations, we’ve specifically reserved some of the grant funds for smaller grassroots organizations and we encourage proposals from local, volunteer-based groups and environmental justice oriented organizations. Project proposals centered around equity and with strong community involvement and participation are especially encouraged to apply.
We welcome 1st-time grant seekers and want to help new applicants and emerging organizations navigate the grant application process. Please contact us if you have any questions or need help navigating the application.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
For the current grant cycle, the applicant and project must meet the following criteria:
- Types of Projects Supported: Projects designed to improve (or prevent degradation of) the water quality of Puget Sound and its watershed. Project activities include water stewardship, advocacy, outreach and education, restoration, and watershed protection. Project proposals with strong community involvement and participation are especially encouraged.
- Geographic Focus:
- South Sound, especially Budd Inlet, Muck Creek, Nisqually River, and Commencement Bay, including Hylebos Waterway
- Skagit River watershed, and associated reaches of Puget Sound in the Mt. Vernon area
- Duamish River, Green River, and Snoqualmie River watershed
- Applicant requirements: The applicant must demonstrate the capacity to complete the proposed project, including experience in successfully conducting similar or otherwise related work in the past.
- Local Community Focus: The Rose Foundation has a strong preference towards supporting locally-based, community-led projects. If your organization is statewide or national in scope, or has a large multi-million dollar budget, we encourage you to partner with a locally-based group in your proposal.
- Environmental Justice: Supporting environmental and social justice is a core organizational value that guides the Fund and the Rose Foundation. Applications from environmental justice-oriented organizations are highly encouraged. Projects that involve impacted communities and are centered around principles of equity will be given preference.
- Duration of Support: Most grants are for a one-year period; however, you do not have to ask for a one-year grant. It is permitted to request a shorter or longer grant period if that is what you need.
- Grant size: Maximum $40,000 (even if requesting asking for multi-year support). We’ve specifically reserved some of the grant funds for smaller grassroots organizations, and we encourage proposals from local, volunteer-based groups and environmental justice-oriented organizations. If your organization has an annual budget of $150,000 or less, we recommend applying for a grant of $10,000 or less.
- Frequency of Applying: Organizations that have been funded may re-apply in the next cycle after their grant report has been submitted. After three consecutive years of funding, groups must wait two years before reapplying.
- Non-profit Status: The applicant must be a 501(c)3 organization, fiscally sponsored by a 501(c)3, or a governmental or tribal entity. If your small neighborhood-based organization is not a 501(c)3 or already has a fiscal sponsor, but has a compelling project, the Rose Foundation may be willing to act as your fiscal sponsor for this grant proposal. Please contact us for details. Nonprofit colleges, universities, university clinics, and graduate programs are eligible to apply, but university overhead is limited to 5% of grant award.
EXAMPLES OF ALLOWABLE PROJECTS AND PROPOSALS
Here are some examples of the types of projects that are eligible for funding. These are only examples. A project does not have to cover all of the topics or activities listed. Successful projects incorporate community leadership and capacity building.
- Water Quality Monitoring & Testing
- Community science or monitoring programs where data will be used to update an agency’s dataset, help guide water-related policy decisions, or inform a community or neighborhood plan.
- There should be a clear purpose for the data collection and a plan for how it will be used.
- Innovative Green Stormwater Infrastructure Projects
- Multi-purpose projects that reduce stormwater pollution and provide community benefits like water for community gardens, workforce development, or improve public/open space
- Becomes a springboard for community-driven programs that benefit both people and the Sound.
- Policy Development & Legal Services
- Community oriented water quality-related policy development and associated public outreach.
- Funds cannot be used to support litigation.
- Environmental Education
- Projects that include an element to mobilize community members and/or students around specific actions to protect water quality
- Community Leadership & Capacity Building
- Develop capacity for advocacy and/or stewardship related to improving the water quality of Puget Sound and its watersheds
EXAMPLES OF PROJECTS THAT ARE NOT ALLOWABLE
The following activities or types of projects will not be funded:
- Endowment, land acquisition, capital improvement (unless proposed project directly improves water quality) or other similar projects.
- Grants to individuals.
- Grants to for-profit businesses.
- Grants for general operating support.
- Grants for projects that are not Puget Sound or Salish Sea-related
Click here to begin your Application
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Jodene Isaacs, Mitigation Funds Director
jisaacs@rosefdn.org
Tim Bell, PNW Program Officer
tbell@rosefdn.org
