The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency seeks applications from eligible recipients to support Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP) efforts to connect with diverse and underserved audiences throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed through public forums, targeted outreach campaigns, conferences, social media, and other methods that will accelerate conservation action through local efforts informed and supported by Bay program information and partner resources.
Donor Name: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
State: Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and District of Columbia
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 10/09/2023
Size of the Grant: $200,000
Grant Duration: 5 years
Details:
The Chesapeake Bay is North America’s largest and most biologically diverse estuary. A resource of extraordinary productivity, it is worthy of the highest levels of protection and restoration. Authorized by Clean Water Act (CWA) , the Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP) is responsible for supporting the Chesapeake Bay Executive Council (Executive Council) through a number of actions, including the coordination of federal, state, and local efforts to restore and protect living resources and water quality of the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed. CWA also authorizes EPA to provide grants to support the goals of the program.
The CBP is a unique regional partnership that has led and directed the restoration of the Chesapeake Bay since 1983. Today, the CBP partners include the states of Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia; the District of Columbia; the Chesapeake Bay Commission (a tri-state legislative body); and EPA, representing the federal government.
The CBP was bolstered by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, allowing for increased investment in traditional, nature-based, and green infrastructure. The Chesapeake Bay Program is committed to increasing diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in its grant programs, projects, and associated community engagement efforts.
Outputs
The term “output” means an environmental activity, effort, and/or associated work product related to an environmental goal and objective that will be produced or provided over a period of time or by a specified date. Outputs may be quantitative or qualitative but must be measurable during an assistance agreement funding period. Examples of potential outputs under the Scope of Work of this announcement may include but are not limited to the following:
- Develop and submit an initial draft of the comprehensive outreach and engagement strategy to be completed within the first 6 months of the award.
- Finalize an outreach and engagement strategy after incorporating edits and comments from the Strategic Engagement Team and EPA Project Officer (PO).
- Organize, lead, and participate in outreach events in support of CBP goals.
- Develop written materials and activities that support outreach and engagement efforts as directed by the CBP partnership.
- Participate on teams and workgroups related to the scope of this RFA, and support outreach and engagement needs of the CBP as needed and as coordinated with the PO. Progress reports and a final report will also be required outputs for all activities, as specified in Section VI.C., Reporting, of this announcement.
Outcomes
The term “outcome” means the result, effect, or consequence that will occur from carrying out an environmental program or activity that is related to an environmental or programmatic goal or objective. Outcomes may be qualitative and environmental, behavioral, health-related, or programmatic in nature but must also be quantitative. They may not necessarily be achievable within an assistance agreement funding period. Examples of outcomes under the Scope of Work of this announcement will include but are not limited to:
- Increased awareness in underserved and disadvantaged communities of environmental issues affecting local waterways within the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
- Increased knowledge in underserved and disadvantaged communities of funding opportunities to support Chesapeake Bay watershed restoration activities.
- Greater participation by diverse individuals and individuals from underserved and disadvantaged communities in the CBP partnership.
- Increased number of communities undertaking conservation actions within the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
Funding Information
- The total estimated federal funding under this solicitation is approximately $1,000,000 for one cooperative agreement. Funding will be awarded incrementally in the amount of $200,000 per year for five years depending on funding availability, satisfactory performance, Agency priorities, and other applicable considerations.
Project Period
The expected project period for the cooperative agreement is five years, with funding provided on an annual basis.
Eligibility Criteria
- Consistent with Assistance Listing and CWA, competition under this solicitation is available for technical and general assistance grants to nonprofit organizations, state, tribal (federallyrecognized) and local governments, colleges, universities, and interstate agencies. For-profit organizations are not eligible to submit applications in response to this RFA.
- Consistent with the definition of Nonprofit organization at, the term nonprofit organization means any corporation, trust, association, cooperative, or other organization that is operated mainly for scientific, educational, service, charitable, or similar purpose in the public interest and is not organized primarily for profit; and uses net proceeds to maintain, improve, or expand the operation of the organization. The term includes tax-exempt nonprofit neighborhood and labor organizations. Note that specifically excludes Institutions of Higher Education from the definition of non-profit organization because they are separately defined in the regulation. While not considered to be a nonprofit organization(s) as define, public or nonprofit Institutions of Higher Education are, nevertheless, eligible to submit applications under this RFA. Hospitals operated by state, tribal, or local governments or that meet the definition of nonprofit are also eligible to apply as nonprofits or as instrumentalities of the unit of government depending on the applicable law. For-profit colleges, universities, trade schools, and hospitals are ineligible.
- Nonprofit organizations that are not exempt from taxation under section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code must submit other forms of documentation of nonprofit status; such as certificates of incorporation as nonprofit under state or tribal law. Nonprofit organizations exempt from taxation under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code that lobby are not eligible for EPA funding as provided in the Lobbying Disclosure Act.
For more information, visit Grants.gov.
