Applying for a Grant
In the 2020 grant cycle, the Puget Sound Stewardship & Mitigation 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 $100,000 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 with strong community involvement and participation are especially encouraged to apply.
Eligibility and Priorities
To be eligible for a Puget Sound Stewardship & Mitigation Fund Grant, the applicant and project must meet the following criteria:
- The project must be designed to improve (or prevent degradation of) the water quality of Puget Sound and its watershed. We particularly encourage proposals that will benefit water quality in the following areas:
- The waters of central Puget Sound, especially
- Elliott Bay
- Duwamish River Watershed, with a preference to projects that relate to the intersection of water quality and human health, including aerial deposition of pollutants, in the Duwamish River watershed and associated food chains
- Commencement Bay in the Tacoma area
- The waters of South Sound, especially Budd Inlet
- There are limited funds for the Eastern shore of Puget Sound from Mt. Vernon to the Canadian border, including the eastern part of the Salish Sea.
- 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.
- Environmental Justice: Supporting environmental and social justice is a core organizational value that guides the Puget Sound Stewardship & Mitigation Fund and the Rose Foundation’s programs. Applications from environmental justice and equity centered organizations are strongly encouraged, and projects that benefit underserved communities will receive 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. However, even if you are asking for multi-year support, the maximum request cannot exceed $40,000. We ask groups to step back and wait two years before reapplying – this creates space for new applicants to have the opportunity to share in the funding.
- Frequency of Applying: Organizations that have been funded may re-apply after their grant report has been submitted and approved.
- 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 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.
Read more about eligibility and examples of allowable projects here.
For Further Information:
Kevin Hendrick, Grants Manager
khendrick@rosefdn.org
Tim Little, Executive Director
tlittle@rosefdn.org or 510-658-0702 x 301