Community Environmental Project Fund (CEPF)

Community Environmental Project Fund (CEPF) is sponsored by Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC). The CEPF provides competitive grants to support community environmental projects that mitigate pollution, enhance the environment, or create recreational opportunities in communities where environmental violations occurred.

Community Environmental Project Fund - DNREC Div. of Climate, Coastal and Energy Div. of Waste and Hazardous Substances Div.

of Fish and Wildlife Div. of Parks and Recreation Div.

of Watershed Stewardship Environmental Justice at DNREC Environmental Appeals Board Coastal Zone Industrial Control Board Environmental Finance Office Delaware Clean Water Initiative Water Infrastructure Advisory Council Delaware Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund Administrative Law Section Regulatory Advisory Service Public Meetings and Events Outdoor Delaware Magazine Brand and Visual Identity: Vibrant Delaware The Environmental Justice Office Environmental Justice at DNREC Delaware Natural Resources Police Environmental Crimes Unit Police Accountability Committee Delaware Natural Resources Police 411 Natural Resources Police Recruitment The Community Environmental Project Fund (CEPF) provides money to support the restoration of the environment in communities that were damaged by environmental pollution.

In 2013, Cornerstone West CDC received a grant to improve recreational green space in Wilmington’s west side. Three playgrounds were renovated. The fund was created by the Delaware General Assembly in 2004 ( 7 Del.

Code §6042 ). The General Assembly has authorized the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control to establish a grant fund by withholding 40% of funds collected as penalties for violations of environmental regulations . These funds are returned to the communities where the violations occurred as competitive grants to support community environmental projects.

Priority is given to organizations in equity focus areas or within two miles of a violation. Supporting Environmental Justice Goals The CEPF uses a searchable mapping tool to ensure that funding supports the state’s environmental justice goals . Delaware has identified Equity Focus Areas to direct investment to address existing inequities.

These areas are shown on the map, along with locations of past CEPF investments and of facilities that have had penalty assessments. Designation as an Equity Focus Area does not guarantee a CEPF grant award. But prioritizing investment in impacted communities that are also Equity Focus Areas can, potentially, have a positive impact on quality of life.

Eligible community environmental projects must mitigate pollution, enhance the environment or create recreational opportunities. The funds are provided to improve overall conditions within the environment, while providing outcomes targeted to improve quality of life, and develop opportunities for collaborative problem solving.

Eliminate, minimize, or reduce environmental pollution and reduce the risks to human health and the environment. Environmental Enhancement Enhance natural resources, improve indigenous habitats and improve the quality of habitats and ecosystem functions. Recreational Opportunities Improve access to, and the quality of, outdoor recreation opportunities.

Community Environmental Project Fund Applications The application period for the current round of grants under the Community Environmental Project Fund program is now closed. The following organizations have had projects approved to run during calendar year 2026.

Claymont Coalition for Environmental Justice (New Castle County) Elsmere Volunteer Cleanup Crew (New Castle County) End Community Violence Now (Sussex County) Green Building United (New Castle County) Jubilee Community Development Corporation (New Castle County) Odyssey Charter School (New Castle County) Route 9 Community Development Corporation (New Castle County) Residential Community Monitor Advocates (New Castle County) Sussex Health and Environmental Network (Sussex County) West End Neighborhood House (Kent County and New Castle County) For more information, please contact the Environmental Justice Office Community Ombudsman , Antonio Bivins, at antonio.

bivins@delaware. gov or 302-739-9040. Learn more about some of the past projects funded via the Community Environmental Project Fund.

A summary of all awarded projects can be found on the CEPF searchable mapping tool .

Related Topics: assistance , communities , environmental justice , finance , funds , grants , loans , public involvement Division of Waste and Hazardous Substances Division of Climate, Coastal and Energy Division of Fish and Wildlife Division of Parks and Recreation Division of Watershed Stewardship Non-Discrimination Notice Built by the Government Information Center