Funding Sources
One of the biggest frustrations for a watershed group can be funding. Locating and securing funding from outside sources can be tedious and time consuming.
Agencies or organizations offering funding will focus on one or two aspects of watershed management making it nearly impossible to write a watershed plan that would qualify to be funded entirely by one entity. Typically, funding for a watershed group will come from a variety of sources and will vary in denomination and length of contract. For example, 319 money, distributed through the Illinois Environment Protection Agency, is used to fund projects that create awareness and/or demonstrate cost-effective solutions for non-point source pollution.
When funds are needed for smaller projects, some groups will host membership drives or plan special events.
Resources
- American Heritage Rivers Services
From:
Catalog of services available to those working to improve the health of rivers across the nation.
www.epa.gov/rivers/services/ - C2000 Online Grant Application
From:
Ecosystem Partnership information, on-line application and links to completed grant applications.
dnr.state.il.us/orep/c2000/ecosystem/ - Catalog of Federal Funding Sources for Watershed Protection
From:
Searchable database of financial assistance sources (grants, loans, cost-sharing) available to fund a variety of watershed protection projects.
cfpub.epa.gov/fedfund/ - Grant Proposals
From:
Illinois Water Resources Center has provided seed money for many water projects. Site provides links to other grant information.
www.environ.uiuc.edu/iwrc/research.htm - IEPA Funding Sources
From:
Information on financial assistance and Section 319 Application Forms.
www.epa.state.il.us/water/financial-assistance - Illinois Clean Energy Grants
From:
The Illinois Clean Energy provides support to local communities working to improve environmental quality in Illinois.
www.illinoiscleanenergy.org/programs/natural.htm - Landowners Guide
From:
Publication on available cost-share programs and technical assistance for landowners was updated July 2002.
dnr.state.il.us/OREP/C2000/Incentives.htm - Natural Resource Grants
From:
Web Site
dnr.state.il.us/orep/c2000/grants/grants_links.htm - Watershed Funding Resources
From:
Useful information on locating federal, state and private funding sources.
sspa.boisestate.edu/efc/Tools&Services/watershed_funding_resources.htm