new grants portal now open
Conservation grant LOI and convening grant application forms are available
The Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds (FPW) is excited to announce that our new grants portal is now open! The new system allows you to track applications and reports in one place and receive automatic deadline reminders.
Because this is a brand new portal, all current and future grantees will need to create a new account for their first login. Here are some details to help get started:
- Navigate to apply.fpwgrants.org and click “Create a New Account” to get started. (Note: All individuals should create their own account. These user accounts will be linked to organization profiles, and all users connected to the same organization can see the same information.)
- Current grantees with reports requirements will see reporting forms on their In Progress tab and will receive an email with more detailed instructions on completing these reports.
- Your organization’s past grants are still being added to the system by our data migration team. These will be available in the Submitted tab in a few weeks.
- For assistance navigating the new portal, access our user guide below.
We hosted a webinar on Wednesday, Feb. 18 at 2 p.m. to walk through the registration process. Click here to view the recording.
As always, if you have any questions, need technical assistance with the portal, or would like to discuss a grant proposal, please reach out to me at manderson@thefpw.org.
Thanks for your patience as we worked behind the scenes to create this new grantee experience!
CONSERVATION GRANTS
The grant-making program of the Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds (FPW) supports local efforts toward the protection and restoration of Pennsylvania’s water resources. It focuses on both protecting pristine waterways and rehabilitating those that are highly polluted. By offering private matching grant funds, the program aims to assist both small and large conservation groups through most of the Commonwealth. The grants target the enhancement of water quality and the conservation of water resources for the benefit of children, families and wildlife in the future, embodying the Foundation’s commitment to securing clean and healthy water resources for future generations.
GRANTMAKING GOALS
- Improve water quality and aquatic habitat in impaired watersheds.
- Strengthen community capacity for long-term watershed stewardship.
- Advance land conservation strategies that protect critical headwaters.
- Increase public access on streams as they rebound.
- Build organizational capacity to leverage available federal and state resources for increased conservation impact.
FUNDING PRIORITIES
- On-the-ground restoration/conservation projects that demonstrate measurable impact on water quality.
- Projects that leverage additional funding or involve strong collaboration.
- Applications that demonstrate increased or improved public access to recreational water resources.
REQUIREMENTS
- FPW awards grants to nonprofit organizations and government entities such as conservation districts. We will verify tax exempt status.
- FPW’s funding is available for projects within Pennsylvania. However, some restrictions may apply each grant cycle, making some funds only available for certain regions.
- Application must demonstrate some match (cash or in kind)
- Final reporting is mandatory for all grants
TIMELINE & PROCESS
- Letters of Intent due Friday, Sept. 18, 2026
- Full Proposals (if LOI is accepted) due Friday, Oct. 16, 2026
- Fall Board Meeting mid-December 2026
FPW conservation grant award amounts average $20,000. We typically award 15-30 grants per cycle.
If you have questions about Conservation Grants, please contact Grants Program Administrator Maggie Anderson. We welcome pre-application conversations (in-person or virtual) to gauge interest and alignment.
CONVENING GRANTS
The Convening Grants offered by the Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds are designed to facilitate project collaboration and support special needs within the realm of water conservation and restoration.
GRANTMAKING GOALS
- Foster collaboration between like-minded groups.
- Help develop plans for future efforts.
- Create space for innovative ideas.
- Enhance networking and partnership.
REQUIREMENTS
- FPW awards grants to nonprofit organizations and government entities such as conservation districts. We will verify tax exempt status.
- FPW’s funding is available for projects within Pennsylvania. However, some restrictions may apply each grant cycle, making some funds only available for certain regions.
- Application must demonstrate some match (cash or in kind)
- Final reporting is mandatory for all grants
TIMELINE & PROCESS
- Convening grants are accepted on a rolling basis. Submissions are reviewed monthly. We suggest submitting your request for a convening grant at least two months before the date your funds are required.
FPW convening grants are available for a maximum of $2,000. Organizations with active conservation grants are eligible to receive convening grants.
If you have questions about Convening Grants, please contact Grants Program Administrator Maggie Anderson.
Raccoon creek benefit fund
Funding through this grant program will support projects that promote the restoration, preservation, protection, or provide other beneficial impacts on water quality in the Raccoon Creek watershed. This Fund was established through a Consent Decree that resolved alleged unauthorized discharges of pollutants in the Raccoon Creek Watershed.
GRANTMAKING GOALS
- Improve water quality and aquatic habitat in Raccoon Creek and its tributaries.
- Address pollution sources, including legacy and ongoing impacts.
- Advance AMD/AML remediation, stream restoration, riparian buffers, and green infrastructure.
- Support monitoring, data collection, and evaluation tied to restoration outcomes.
- Strengthen local organizational capacity to deliver and sustain restoration work.
- Protect land for conservation or public access purposes through acquisitions or easements.
- Engage stakeholders through outreach, education, and communications that will help protect or improve the Raccoon Creek watershed.
REQUIREMENTS
- FPW awards grants to nonprofit organizations and government entities such as conservation districts. We will verify tax exempt status.
- To direct funds from the consent decree back into impacted communities, projects must occur in the Raccoon Creek watershed or proximate locations.
- Projects should benefit water quality in the Raccoon Creek and surrounding watersheds. Project types include, but are not limited to, riparian planting, stream restoration, land conservation, water quality monitoring, public education and outreach, and AMD treatment. Projects that require upfront monitoring or planning to leverage state or federal dollars are also eligible.
- Although no set amount of match is required, some form of match, whether cash or in kind, will improve your project application.
- We expect most projects to be completed within 12-18 months of award date. Some projects may take longer; include your project timeline in the application. Requests to extend the project period as stated in the application will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
- Final reporting is mandatory for all grants
TIMELINE & PROCESS
- Letters of intent (LOIs) will be reviewed on a rolling basis; however, full proposals will be reviewed twice a year, in the spring and fall. The full proposal schedule will follow the conservation grants program schedule.
This grant program currently has $475,000 available for projects. While there are no minimum and maximum award sizes, we anticipate funding projects in the $5,000 to $50,000 range. We welcome larger requests but encourage you to discuss the project with FPW before applying. Additional private funds may be available for match through FPW.
Download the full grant program guidelines: http://link.fpwgrants.org/raccoon-creek-guidelines-2026
If you have questions about the Raccoon Creek Benefit Fund or would like to discuss your project's fit before applying, please contact Executive Director Deborah Nardone.
