Apply for a Grant

The Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds (FPW) awards grants to citizens groups that have IRS 501(c)3 nonprofit status. Individuals, businesses and government agencies are not eligible for Foundation grants. Our primary service area is from the Ohio border to the Susquehanna River’s main stem.

 

BEFORE APPLYING PLEASE READ INFORMATION BELOW. For our current grant schedule and to submit your application please click here.

All grant interactions, including Convening Grants and reports must be submitted digitally. You will need to set-up a FPW Grantee Profile prior to submitting you request. There is no longer a requirement to provide hard copies of LOIs, grants or final reports. Studies and deliverables of a grant still should be submitted–digital files are preferred over hard copies. 

Convening Grants: These small grants are intended to support project collaboration, and special needs. Convening grants are not subject to LOIs, are accepted on a revolving basis, and cannot exceed $2,000. Note: organizations with out of state IRS determination letters must provide a valid certificate of good standing with the Pennsylvania Bureau Of Charitable Giving.

Project Grants:

Step One: Letter of Inquiry– Letters of Inquiry (LOI) are intended to inform Foundation staff about your grant. The LOI provides a brief framework for evaluating your project, and determining if it fits with the Foundation’s funding objectives. Full proposals are not due with your LOI.  Note: organizations with out of state IRS determination letters must provide a valid certificate of good standing with the Pennsylvania Bureau Of Charitable Giving.

Step Two: Application– If your LOI is approved, you may formally apply for a grant (unsolicited grants will not be reviewed).  FPW is only accepting online grant submittals. To complete your proposal utilize the username and password you created in the previous step, and follow any directions provided by FPW staff.

NOTE: AMD projects will be required to upload a copy of their Datashed Account registration (attach proof by uploading a .jpg file). Organizations with out of state IRS determination letters must provide a valid certificate of good standing with the Pennsylvania Bureau Of Charitable Giving (attach proof by uploading a .jpg file).

Policy related projects will now be asked to explain the following in the grant narrative:

• Understanding of policy supporters,
• Understanding of policy detractors,
• Strategy for how the work will address concerns of detractors, and
• How will the grant leverage supporters to achieve success.

Step Three: Approval- The Foundation Board meets to review grant applications twice a year, in the spring and in the fall (see above schedule). Upon selection, applicants will be notified and funds will be transferred. By cashing your award check you agree to the terms and conditions of the award, and are bound to complying with any grant conditions specified in your award letter. Your submitted scope of work serves as your grant contract. Final reporting is mandatory for all grants.

Step Four: Final Report- All grantees must submit a final report to be eligible for future grants.  Final reports are due within 30 days of project completion. Projects not completed at the end of a year must provide an interim report following the same reporting criterion. No new grants will be awarded to a grantee until their project reporting is up to date.

Note: Failure to follow the grant procedures will result in the disqualification of your proposal. Final reports must be completed prior to requesting any additional funds, except for Convening Grants. To ensure funds are spent in a timely manner, please ensure you have your matching funds. FPW only provides one grant to an organization per funding round.