Supporting Communities Across the Chesapeake and Coastal Bays Watershed
The Storm Smart Chesapeake Grant Program supports the planning, design, and implementation of projects that reduce stormwater runoff, improve water quality, and enhance community resilience across the Chesapeake Bay, Coastal Bays, and Youghiogheny watershed regions. Storm Smart Chesapeake takes a comprehensive approach to stormwater management implementation in urban, suburban, and rural communities. The program funds projects that improve local waterways and enhance quality of life, while also supporting innovative planning efforts and technical assistance that advance sustainable, nature-based solutions.
PROGRAM STATUS: CLOSED
Learn More about this Funding Opportunity
What the Storm Smart Chesapeake Grant Program Funds:
This program can support projects within the Chesapeake Bay watershed portion of Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Washington D.C., West Virginia, Virginia, and (new to this year!) New York. Use the map below of the Chesapeake Bay watershed boundary to determine if your project location is eligible, or contact us for assistance.
Applicants can request funds from the following project tracks. (view the RFP for updated information)
- Track 1: Conceptual Plans for Projects (up to $20,000)
- Track 2: Engineered Designs for Stormwater Management Projects (up to $35,000)
- Track 3: Construction/Implementation of Stormwater Management Projects (up to $175,000)
- Track 4: Community Restoration (up to $50,000)
- Track 5: White Papers (up to $20,000)
- Track 6: Charrette/Technical Planning Assistance (no direct funding)
Storm Smart Chesapeake Implementation Project Calculator:
Applicants applying for stormwater management implementation/construction projects will be asked to use the Storm Smart Chesapeake Implementation Project Calculator spreadsheet to show the breakdown of the costs.
Pollutant Load Reduction Calculator:
The SIMPLE Pollutant Load Reduction Calculator was developed to help applicants more easily and consistently estimate the water quality benefits of proposed stormwater management implementation projects. The tool is an easy-to-use spreadsheet that is consistent with the pollutant loading rates and load reduction efficiencies used in the Chesapeake Bay Model. You can easily estimate pollutant load reductions from individual projects as well as to compare a suite of candidate projects based on factors such as pollutant load reduction, maintenance expectations, constructibility, and cost-effectiveness.
Questions?
Contact Megan Diehl, Senior Program Officer by emailing mdiehl@cbtrust.org or calling 410-974-2941 x139
Who Can Apply?
Local governments such as municipalities, non-profit organizations, neighborhood/community associations, and other nonprofit entities.
Is Match Required?
Match is encouraged, but not required.
Review Process
All applications go through a Technical Review Committee composed of external subject matter experts. The technical team reviews the proposals based on the evaluation criteria outlined in the RFP.
Application Process
Grant applications are submitted through an online system. Visit www.cbtrust.org/login to get started.
FAQ’s
Is this grant only for urban projects or could projects in small towns and/or rural areas qualify?
The Storm Smart Chesapeake Grant Program is not limited to urban projects; it is also available to small towns and rural areas within the Chesapeake Bay watershed portions of Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C., West Virginia, Virginia and New York.
Does track 6 result in concept plan?
Yes, the objective of Track 6 is to facilitate charrettes or technical planning assistance that culminate in the development of a concept plan and/or an engineered design.
Do the funds apply just for planting or could it be sidewalks/bridges?
The Storm Smart Chesapeake Grant Program focuses on green infrastructure projects, which aim to reduce stormwater runoff and enhance environmental quality. Sidewalks and bridges are typically considered gray infrastructure and are not eligible for funding.
Can we only apply for one project and one track? Or multiple projects/tracks?
Yes, organizations are permitted to submit applications for multiple projects, with each project potentially falling under a different track.
Is $175,000 the absolute max for projects? Also can you partner with state agencies on public lands? i.e Wvdnr on WMA. Or is this specifically for local govs?
The recommended funding limit per project is $175,000. However, applicants may request additional funding with strong justification. We recommend speaking with Trust staff before submitting a request that exceeds the typical funding cap. Partnerships with state agencies on public lands may be eligible, provided the project aligns with the program’s goals and eligibility criteria.
Do all tracks have to do stormwater calculations?
No, not all tracks require stormwater calculations. Specifically, Track 1 (Concept Plans), Track 5 (White Papers), and Track 6 (Charrettes/Technical Assistance) do not necessitate stormwater calculations.
Awarded Projects
To learn more about awarded projects, check out our interactive Impact Map. It shows awarded projects over time and the cumulative impact of the Chesapeake Bay Trust, our funding partners, and the tens of thousands of people who have been empowered to restore our treasured natural resources!
Chesapeake Bay Trust’s Online Awards Portal
The Chesapeake Bay Trust’s Awards Portal was built to make managing your grant easier from start to finish. After logging in, you can apply for a grant, submit a report, or manage your existing award.
Accessibility Statement
View the Trust's Statement about Accessibility and Our Applications
The Chesapeake Bay Trust’s (Trust) mission is to engage and empower diverse groups to take actions that enrich natural resources and local communities of the Chesapeake Bay region. Our position is that all residents benefit from healthy natural resources, and, in turn, all residents have the opportunity to benefit natural resources. To achieve our mission and fully perform as an organization, the Trust commits to fostering the inclusion of individuals and groups from diverse backgrounds. The Trust does not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, race, creed, ethnicity, national origin, religious beliefs, physical abilities, sexual orientation, military status, citizenship, or socioeconomic status in matters affecting employment or in providing access to any of its programs, services, or activities. The Trust complies with all state and federal laws, including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and regulations promulgated by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
The Trust will generally provide reasonable and accessible accommodations to those that need it, upon request. If you are in need of assistance in filling out any of our applications, reach out to the support team at least 48 hours before the application deadline. We can be reached by email at grantadmin@cbtrust.org or by phone at 410-974-2941, menu option two.
To view the Trust’s statement on Diversity & Inclusion visit cbtrust.org/diversity-inclusion.
To view this statement as a PDF document click here.
How to Submit a Discrimination Complaint
Individuals may submit a complaint of discrimination regarding Trust services, programs, and activities by completing and submitting complaints in writing by postal mail or electronic mail as follows:
Vice President of Finance and Administration
Non-Discrimination Coordinator
108 Severn Avenue
Annapolis, Maryland 21403
Email: NonDiscrimination@cbtrust.org
Phone: 410-974-2941 x108
For questions on how to file a complaint, please contact the Trust’s Non-Discrimination Coordinator.
All discrimination complaints should be submitted no more than 90 days after the alleged discriminatory service, program, or activity took place.
Note: Submission of the discrimination complaint only initiates an investigation by the Trust of alleged discrimination by the organization.
The complaint should include the following:
- Your information including name, address, phone and email
- Complaint information including service/program/activity name, personnel involved and their position(s), if known, location, and date(s)
- Reason for the complaint including age, gender, race, creed, ethnicity, national origin, religious beliefs, physical abilities, sexual orientation, military status, citizenship, or socioeconomic status
- A detailed narrative of the complaint
- Affirmation that the information provided is true and complete to the best of your knowledge
- Signature and date
Disposition of Complaints
Within 90 days of receiving a written complaint, the Trust will respond in writing to the complainant with the findings and recommendations, if any, made in the investigative report, based upon a preponderance of the evidence. The Trust will implement the recommendations as approved by the President with a resolution.
