Community Engagement and Restoration Mini Grant is a grant from the Chesapeake Bay Trust that funds grassroots environmental projects focused on community engagement, ecological restoration, and watershed stewardship in the Chesapeake Bay region. The program supports activities such as community tree planting, stormwater management, litter reduction, and outdoor environmental education.

Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, community associations, and faith-based organizations located in Maryland and the Chesapeake Bay watershed portion of West Virginia. Priority is given to organizations that are traditionally under-engaged with environmental issues. Awards are up to $5,000, making this an accessible entry-point grant for smaller community groups pursuing local environmental impact.

Community Engagement - Chesapeake Bay Trust Positions on Global Issues Standing Strong Against Acts of Racism Stream Restoration Practices Investment and Gift Acceptance Policies Grants and Opportunities Overview Chesapeake Conservation and Climate Corps Become a Host Organization Corps Mini Grant (12-mo Only) District of Columbia Community Stormwater Solutions Anne Arundel County Community Tree Planting Anne Arundel County Watershed Restoration and Forestry City of Annapolis Electric Leaf Blower Rebate Charles County Tree Planting City of Rockville Flood Mitigation Assistance Program City of Rockville RainScapes Rebate City of Gaithersburg Rainscapes Reward Program Prince George’s County Community Gardens Mini Grant Prince George’s County Community Resilience Hub Grant Program Prince George’s County Rain Check Rebate Prince George’s Stormwater Stewardship Grant Program Outdoor Learning Network Initiative Youth Environmental Education Grant Program Mid-Atlantic Community Forestry Fund Community Forestry Catalyst Fund Community Engagement & Restoration Mini Grants Veteran’s Engagement Mini Grant Program Healthy Environment, Healthy Communities Grant Program Jones Falls- Healthy Environment, Healthy Communities Grant Program Chesapeake Oyster Innovation Goal Implementation Team Funding Program Green Streets, Green Jobs, Green Towns Maintenance Small Grants Program Pooled Monitoring Initiative’s Restoration Research Award Program Healthy Environment, Healthy Communities Grant Program Jones Falls- Healthy Environment, Healthy Communities Grant Program Applicant Resources, Forms, & Policies Awardee Resources, Forms, & Policies Gifts in Honor, Memory, or Tribute Thomas V.

Mike Miller, Jr. Education Fund Angler, Boater, or Hunter Support Maryland Outdoor Recreation and Clean Water Fund Healing, Hunting, and Fishing Fund Chesapeake Bay Merchandise Treasure the Chesapeake 2026 Plate Perks Program: Discounts for Bay Plate Owners x-twitter facebook youtube flickr Community Engagement and Restoration Mini Grant The Community Engagement and Restoration Mini Grant Program is designed to support activities that enhance communities, engage residents, and improve natural resources.

This program runs annually; we typically begin accepting applications at the start of July every year. What this funds: Activities such as tree plantings, rain gardens, stream cleanups, and storm drain stenciling. To see a longer list of potential projects, read the full Request for Proposals (RFP).

Please note the RFP is updated every year. Who can apply: Nonprofit organizations, community associations, faith-based organizations and more. The Trust seeks to engage groups that have traditionally been under-engaged with environmental issues but also new applicants and organizations from a diverse array of communities.

Only applicants who have received three grants or fewer from the Trust in the past are eligible to apply. See RFP for full list of organizations and details. Eligible Locations: Maryland and the Chesapeake Bay Watershed portion of West Virginia How much can be awarded: Up to $5,000.

Is match required? Match is encouraged, but not required. Grant Application Process: The Chesapeake Bay Trust’s grant applications are all submitted through an online system, using the “Start a New Application” button below.

If you have questions regarding the application process, please contact this program’s grant manager, Sadie Friesen, at sfriesen@cbtrust. org or 410-974-2941 ext. 150.

Resources to assist first-time applicants in compiling the required project documentation are below. To view more resources available to applicants, visit the Resources page.

Native Plant Species Selection Guide – A downloadable PDF guide produced by the Chesapeake Bay Trust that walks through the importance of using native plants, when and how to use them in projects, and other resources available to find and purchase native plants in the Chesapeake Bay region. How to Make a Planting Plan – A guide produced by the Montgomery County RainScapes Rewards Program on how to create a site plan and plant list.

Plant Calculator – This spreadsheet is designed to assist applicants in determining the quantity of plant material required for restoration projects. Maintenance Template – A downloadable Word maintenance template from the Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional “ Sustainable Landscape Maintenance Manual for the Chesapeake Bay Watershed . The links below can provide direction and guidance when creating project signage.

For an abbreviated list of sign vendors in the region, visit the Resources page. Water Words That Work, LLC Awardee: Tuscany Lombardy Community Corporation Project Title: Sustainable Landscape Enhancements along Linkwood Road The purpose of this project was to establish plantings of native trees, shrubs, and groundcovers along the western edge of the property along Linkwood Road.

The new plantings will serve as a model of ecological and landscape design and habitat enrichment for the cooperative members of this community and for the immediate neighborhood and city. Approximately 25 volunteers from Tuscany Lombardy Community Corporation participated in planting day, as well as three students and two faculty from Baltimore Polytechnic Institute.

Volunteer roles varied from supervision of the planting operation, to planting and mulching, to videography. Volunteers continue their involvement in the ongoing watering of the newly installed materials.

Awardee: Tanglewood Homeowners Association Project Title: Replace Invasive Bradford Pear Trees with Native trees The goals of this project were to beautify the Homeowner Association’s (HOA) open space along Sunny Spring Road through tree plantings, educate residents about invasive species, and the convey the importance of native plants to the local ecosystem.

A total of 18 trees, three shrubs and five pollinator plants were installed by 25 volunteers; 17 of the volunteers (including 5 children) attended a tree planting workshop beforehand to learn about proper tree planting techniques. Securing strong partnerships with trusted organizations such as the Columbia Association helped boost the overall success of this project.

In the future, the Tanglewood HOA plans to pursue a conservation landscaping project in an area with existing drainage issues. Click Here to View the Request for Proposals (RFP) Download our Narrative Questions Deadline: Rolling basis. Requests are accepted on an on-going basis until funds are fully expended for the fiscal year.

Available to new applicants to provide support during project development and application submission. Learn more about previously awarded projects on our interactive map! Questions & Technical Support kkatzenberger@cbtrust.

org View the Trust’s Application Accessibility Statement Click Here to View the Trust's Accessibility Statement “ The CMBC Greening project allowed our congregation to learn about the impact of planting native trees on our land. The tree planting process allowed us to participate in an outdoor project that will have a positive impact on water management, air quality improvement and community engagement.

By participating in tree planting in teams, we created a bonding experience for church and community members. This was as valuable to us as the positive impact this project has on the physical environment.

” Sister Delmarie Hines Administrative Assistant, Carolina Missionary Baptist Church “ “ Bloom the Boulevard is an interactive community greening day that educates and engages Pigtown residents on the impacts their actions have on the health of the Bay.

Support from the Chesapeake Bay Trust has enabled us to rent tools to contribute to our cleanup, donate supplies to residents who clean their blocks throughout the year and has allowed us to host two Bloom the Boulevards each year. ” Ben Hyman Executive Director, Pigtown Main Street Follow Us to Stay Informed © 2026 Chesapeake Bay Trust.

Positions on Global Issues Standing Strong Against Acts of Racism Stream Restoration Practices Investment and Gift Acceptance Policies Grants and Opportunities Overview Chesapeake Conservation and Climate Corps Become a Host Organization Corps Mini Grant (12-mo Only) District of Columbia Community Stormwater Solutions Anne Arundel County Community Tree Planting Anne Arundel County Watershed Restoration and Forestry City of Annapolis Electric Leaf Blower Rebate Charles County Tree Planting City of Rockville Flood Mitigation Assistance Program City of Rockville RainScapes Rebate City of Gaithersburg Rainscapes Reward Program Prince George’s County Community Gardens Mini Grant Prince George’s County Community Resilience Hub Grant Program Prince George’s County Rain Check Rebate Prince George’s Stormwater Stewardship Grant Program Outdoor Learning Network Initiative Youth Environmental Education Grant Program Mid-Atlantic Community Forestry Fund Community Forestry Catalyst Fund Community Engagement & Restoration Mini Grants Veteran’s Engagement Mini Grant Program Healthy Environment, Healthy Communities Grant Program Jones Falls- Healthy Environment, Healthy Communities Grant Program Chesapeake Oyster Innovation Goal Implementation Team Funding Program Green Streets, Green Jobs, Green Towns Maintenance Small Grants Program Pooled Monitoring Initiative’s Restoration Research Award Program Healthy Environment, Healthy Communities Grant Program Jones Falls- Healthy Environment, Healthy Communities Grant Program Applicant Resources, Forms, & Policies Awardee Resources, Forms, & Policies Gifts in Honor, Memory, or Tribute Thomas V.

Mike Miller, Jr. Education Fund Angler, Boater, or Hunter Support Maryland Outdoor Recreation and Clean Water Fund Healing, Hunting, and Fishing Fund Chesapeake Bay Merchandise Treasure the Chesapeake 2026 Plate Perks Program: Discounts for Bay Plate Owners