Q1: The Request for Proposals (RFP) lists Public and Independent Higher Educational Institutions as eligible applicants. Can you please elaborate on this?

A1: Yes, public and independent higher educational institutions are eligible to apply to this program. That typically includes community colleges, public universities, and similar entities. If you have a question on whether your organization is eligible, we encourage you to reach out Kathy and/or Delaney.

Q2: Does it typically take more than one person or a larger group of people to support and complete a project?

A2: For all award programs at the Trust, we require a Project Lead and an Executive Officer. The Project Lead will be the leader of the project and the Executive Officer is typically the leader of the organization. Depending on the size of the project, you may need or want to bring in other members of your organization or community. You can use grant funding, categorized as personnel, to support the work of your organization’s staff members brought in to support the project. You may also form partnerships with other organizations and build those partnerships into the budget.

Q3: The RFP notes there will be preference for larger-scale restoration projects through the funding source for the Patapsco River and Back River Watersheds Can you elaborate on this?

A3: Yes, there will be preference placed on larger-scale restoration projects through the Patapsco and Back River Watersheds funding source. This ties into the environmental incident that took place, which had a direct negative impact on the water quality of these two rivers. This funding source is looking for projects that will significantly improve water quality of these two rivers.

Q4: Can individuals apply to have a rain garden or other Best Management Practices (BMPs) installed on individual/residential properties?  

A4:  Although individuals cannot directly apply to install BMPs on their residential properties, we encourage applications from eligible organizations that seek to install small-scale BMPs, such as rain gardens, on residential properties. Please reach out to the Trust for more information on how to get connected to local organizations that may already be doing or would be interested in this kind of work.

Q5: Can we apply for design funding through this program to support a phase of the design for a larger project?

A5: Larger-scale restoration projects that have already completed the design phase and are ready to enter the construction phase are preferred in this grant program. However, all phases of restoration projects leading up to implementation are supported and we encourage you to reach out to Trust staff to discuss your specific project idea. In addition, we have a grant program at the Trust specifically for design phase projects – the Watershed Assistance Grant Program. This program focuses on funding design phase projects, and you can find more information on the program website: https://cbtrust.org/grants/watershed-assistance/.

Q6: The RFP states that projects are typically completed within a year to 18 months. Can you please elaborate on this?

A6: Yes, typically projects are completed within a year of being awarded through the Trust. We recognize that some larger-scale projects require a longer timeline, such as 18 months to two years. If awarded, we will take into account the scope and size of your project.

Q7: The RFP contains an Appendix checklist for each project type. Is everything in these checklists required, i.e., if we are applying for larger-scale restoration, are we required to submit everything listed in the larger-scale restoration checklist?

A7: We highly encourage you to submit as much relevant information as possible, to help reviewers make the best evaluation of your application. However, we recognize the challenges of putting together a robust application, so if your project idea aligns with the RFP and helps to advance community/natural resource improvement goals, we can work with you, if awarded, to get the required information down the road.

Q8: Can you explain the amount funding available to each community and will there only be one round of grants for this new program?

A8: The available funding for the Curtis Bay and surrounding communities for this round of the grant program is up to $225,000. The total amount available to the Curtis Bay and surrounding communities is up to $750,000, and we anticipate distributing the rest of the available funding through additional rounds of the program, until all funds are expended. The available funding for the Patapsco and Back River Watersheds for this round of the grant program is up to $1.1 million. The total amount available to the Patapsco and Back River Watersheds is up to $1.9 million, and we anticipate distributing the rest of the available funding in additional rounds, until all funds are expended.

Q9: Is there a preference for environmental outreach, environmental action, or larger-scale restoration projects? Could a project be a combination of all three project categories?

A9: Projects can be a combination of one or more of the higher-level project categories. If you have a project that includes components of each project category, we recommend applying for the project type that is the best fit – the Trust can help you identify the best fit. You may submit two or more applications if each can be considered two distinct projects.

Q10: If larger-scale restoration projects are currently in the design-phase and the design is expected to be completed by April or May of 2025, could this affect the likelihood of being awarded implementation funding through this program?

Q10: We encourage you to submit an application if the project meets the goals of the program. In your application, explain that you are in the design phase and include when the design is expected to be completed.

Q11: The anticipated project start date is April to May of 2025. Are we required to begin our projects in April-May once we receive funding, or is there space to begin the project later in the year (around August or September)?

A11: No, you are not required to begin the project in the April to May timeline – this is the earliest an awarded applicant could begin their project. You may plan to start your project a few months later if necessary, though we highly encourage projects that are ready to begin as soon as awarded. In your application, you should include the anticipated project timeline, including the expected start date and end date.

Q12: Can you clarify the completion of a design versus the permitting process for that design?

A12: Larger-scale restoration projects may have multiple phases of design, and once a design is complete it must be submitted and receive permits before moving into the construction phase. Projects may have a completed engineered design and request funding to submit for and obtain permits before moving into the construction phase.

Q13: Is there a way for a school to partner up with a nonprofit to do a larger-scale restoration of a stream on the school campus? Could the project include educational outreach and student-based water monitoring?

A13: Yes, a school may partner up with a nonprofit to conduct a larger-scale restoration project of a stream on the campus. The project can include aspects of a large-scale restoration as well as education outreach and student-led water monitoring of the stream. Higher education institutions such as community colleges or universities may apply to this program as well.

Q14: Is this a reimbursement grant or are funds provided upfront when the award is announced?

A14: Our grants are typically structured such that a portion of the funding will be provided upfront, typically 90%, and the remaining 10% of the funding is typically disbursed after the Trust receives and approves the final project report.

Q15: Are stream and stream valley restoration projects eligible? Can we apply for a stream clean-up project to reduce the impacts of litter in streams, and can the funding be used to hire a contractor to assist with the stream cleanup?

A15: Yes, stream and stream valley restoration projects are eligible for this funding. You may apply for stream clean-up projects that have direct impacts to reduce pollution in streams. This funding can be used to hire a contractor to assist with the stream clean-ups.

Q16: What are the maintenance requirements for environmental action and larger-scale restoration projects?

A16: Larger-scale restoration projects and environmental action projects will require a long-term maintenance plan. Additional information on a maintenance plan can be found in the Request for Proposals (RFP), Appendix A. A maintenance template can also be downloaded here: https://cbtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/Annual-Landscape-Maintenance-Plan.docx.

Q17: Can these funds be used to set up maintenance programs?

A17: This funding could potentially be used to set up a maintenance program. The RFP calls for workforce development programs that will create sustainable jobs and improve the environment, which could be accomplished through the creation of a long-term maintenance program. Please reach out to the Trust if you are interested in creating a maintenance program through this funding.

Q18: If our project will take place over multiple years, should we factor that into our application?

A18: Yes, you should include an overall timeline of your project in your application and include additional justification if the project will span across multiple years. Typically, projects are awarded for 18 months to 2 years, depending on the project type.

Q19: Are partnerships required for these grants?

A19: Partnerships are not required to apply for this grant program, though they are recommended as a way to leverage expertise and resources from multiple organizations. You may partner up with an organization (s) or you may complete the project as a single organization. If you are completing work in an area where other organizations are doing similar work and/or the community members share the same goals, forming a partnership may help to align your goals and amplify your work.

Q20: Is there a minimum dollar amount for requests?

A20: No, there is no minimum or maximum dollar amount for requests. The Request for Proposals states that requests for larger-scale restoration projects are typically between $30,000 and $100,000. If you anticipate requesting more than $100,000, please reach out to the Trust to discuss your project prior to applying.

Q21: Can you explain the difference between Letters of Support and Letters of Commitment?

A21: A Letter of Commitment is a signed letter that details the specific role and/or resource commitment from a project partner or other stakeholder for the project. A Letter of Support is a signed letter from an individual or community that states general endorsement of the proposed project. The Trust will only consider letters of commitment in the review process. Read more about our policy here: https://cbtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/Chesapeake-Bay-Trust-Letter-of-Commitment-Policy_072422.pdf.

Q22: Are there any ineligible costs?

A22: Yes, there are ineligible costs through this funding. As stated in the RFP, the program cannot support projects or costs involving or supporting advocacy against persons, businesses, or projects; political candidates or positions; or litigation. More generally, costs may be considered unreasonable if the request does not directly support the success of the project. If you have any questions on what are considered reasonable or unreasonable costs, we ask you to reach out to the Trust with questions.

Q23: Are homeowners eligible to apply to this grant program?

A23: No, homeowners are not eligible to directly apply to this grant program. However, Homeowner’s Associations may apply to the grant program. A nonprofit may also apply to the grant program on behalf of multiple residents or homeowners to install projects on residential properties. Please reach out to the Trust if you are a homeowner interested in installing a project on your property.

Q24: Will funding allocations be public knowledge?

A24: Yes. The Trust releases an annual report each year which contains each award made in the past fiscal year. We have also in the past published a list of awards made on a quarterly basis and can look into doing that for this program.

Q25: Is the work being completed on a good-faith basis? Will there be any reporting done to the Trust or to the community to ensure that projects are being completed properly?

A25: Yes, the Trust requires progress reports, status reports, and final reports for all projects. The awarded projects will be required to submit reports to the Trust to ensure that the project is being completed based on the application that was submitted and approved for funding.

Q26: Can this funding be used for rebranding and/or advertisement on a larger scale? For example, can we use this funding to create a commercial or advertisement for important information related to our project?

A26: This funding can be used to create educational environmental advertisement, coupled with an outreach or restoration project, to share knowledge about the project and/or environmental initiatives. This funding cannot be used for rebranding purposes alone that do not advance an environmental goal.