Michigan Clean Water Project

Michigan Clean Water Project is sponsored by Mott Foundation. This grant supports a nonpartisan education program led by the Michigan League of Conservation Voters Education Fund, aimed at ensuring that infrastructure, toxic contamination, affordability, and natural resource protection are treated as a unified “source to tap” challenge req…

One Water | Mott Foundation We work to promote clean, affordable, and accessible water — from source to tap — for all. People and nature need clean water. Ensuring that clean water is affordable and accessible helps address longstanding inequities.

And protecting the sources of our water is essential for ecological sustainability. What’s more, water is a great unifier. Americans overwhelmingly support the goal of clean water for all.

Conservation and restoration of the Great Lakes have been central to the work of Mott’s Environment program since the 1980s. The Flint water crisis marked a pivotal shift, revealing the need to focus not only on protecting natural water bodies, but also on ensuring safe, affordable drinking water for every community.

This led us to adopt a One Water framework — a holistic approach that recognizes all water as connected and calls for integrated, collaborative management across communities, geographies and natural systems. Our goal is to ensure that clean, ample freshwater is supplied to both people and nature.

By supporting high-leverage model projects and advocacy efforts, we advance ambitious, effective and durable water policy reforms at the local, state and federal levels. We have two strategies to achieve our goals: Promoting One Water in the Great Lakes. Our grant funding supports: Leadership development and capacity building of community-based organizations and networks to strengthen the One Water Movement.

The development and demonstration of model approaches, emphasizing nature-based solutions. Efforts to inform and strengthen One Water policies in the region. Promoting One Water in the U.S. Our grant funding supports: Networking and technical assistance for groups in the water policy and adjacent fields to build movement strength nationally.

Opinion research, message development and media to tell One Water success stories at the local, state, regional and national levels. Selected efforts outside the Great Lakes basin to build momentum for progress nationwide.

Restoring Muskegon Lake: A model for recovery Restoring Muskegon Lake: A model for recovery Once a toxic hotspot, Muskegon Lake is now restored — proving that long-term investment and local leadership can revive degraded waters.

A Flint River sturgeon netted in Saginaw Bay signals progress in restoring the prehistoric species A Flint River sturgeon netted in Saginaw Bay signals progress in restoring the prehistoric species Mott applauds federal rule requiring communities to remove lead water lines Mott applauds federal rule requiring communities to remove lead water lines Mott-funded effort to bolster Great Lakes news coverage expands into Canada Mott-funded effort to bolster Great Lakes news coverage expands into Canada Building Collective Power for Clean Water through Indigenous Leadership Native Americans in Philanthropy Washington, DC, United States Michigan Clean Water Corps Michigan State University East Lansing, MI, United States Michigan Clean Water Project Michigan League of Conservation Voters Education Fund Ann Arbor, MI, United States