new grants portal coming soon
All applications are closed until the new site opens in February
Early this year, the Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds will be switching to a new grants portal. We have been working hard behind the scenes to find the right fit that will make things easier for grantees while allowing for all the data collection and reporting required on our end.
Our old grants portal is now closed. Conservation and convening grant applications cannot be created until the spring cycle opens in February 2026 in the new system.
Our new portal will be through AkoyaGO – if you’ve used GOApply with other foundations, it may be familiar. But even if you haven’t, it’s quite an intuitive platform and we’ll have materials to support you.
Stay tuned for more information about the new portal!
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.
- 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
- Letter of Intent due Friday, March 20, 2026
- Full Proposals (if LOI is accepted) due Friday, April 17, 2026
- Fall Board Meeting mid-May 2026
FPW conservation grant award amounts average $20,000-$25,000. 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.