Welcome to Pennsylvania Environmental Council's Mini Grant Programs

The Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC) and our supporting organization the Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers (POWR) currently administer eight mini grant programs. Each program is unique with specific goals and objectives but all focus on one or more of the following areas of interest: land and water trails; outdoor recreation; resource protection and conservation; and community engagement.

Scroll to the bottom of this screen to view programs that are currently accepting applications and to apply. 

Mini grant and award programs administered by PEC include:

Circuit Trails Coalition Community Grant Program: Supported by funding from the William Penn Foundation, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, PEC administers the Circuit Trails Coalition Community Grant Program on behalf of the Circuit Trails Coalition and in collaboration with coalition member organizations.

Round 2, funded by the William Penn Foundation, is now open. The program provides one-year grants of $1,000-$12,000 for projects that increase a sense of welcome, belonging, and safety among under-represented groups on the Circuit Trails, a network of 400 miles of multi-use trails throughout nine counties in the Greater Philadelphia region (PA and NJ).

Priority is given to projects led by and engaging under-represented and marginalized groups; projects that promote equity and serve historically disinvested communities; and organizations with a budget of less than $250,000. Full guidelines and the application can be found at the bottom of this page. Applications are due by Monday, September 30, 2024 at 5pm.

Laurel Highlands Conservation Landscape Mini Grants: PEC administers the Laurel Highlands Conservation Landscape (LHCL) Mini-Grant Program with funding from Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Community Conservation Partnership Program. The mission of the LHCL is to facilitate collaboration and networking among diverse stakeholders to empower the region’s vibrancy by celebrating its natural resources, outdoor recreation opportunities, heritage assets, and thriving communities.

Projects must be within Cambria, Fayette, Somerset, and Westmoreland Counties and advance the priorities of the LHCL Conservation Landscape: Conservation, Outdoor Activities, Tourism / Visitor Experience, Sustainable Communities / Climate Resilience.  

Take a look at the Laurel Highland Mini-Grant Program Story Map for a view of what project this program has supported in the past. 

https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/3692ba8b14e043b39f27207e39f01a1b

Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations with tax-exempt status 501(c)(3), municipalities, counties, and educational institutions. Non-profit organizations must submit proof of non-profit status and be registered with the PA Department of State Bureau of Charitable Organizations. Applicants can request $1,000 - $10,000 and project proposals must include a 1:1 match (cash, in-kind, or a combination)

Northeast Environmental Partnership Awards: These awards are presented annually to recognize the achievements of individuals or organizations that, through partnerships, have achieved excellence in environmental protection or conservation. The event also showcases the recipients of the Thomas P. Shelburne Environmental Leadership Award and the Emerging Environmental Leader Award. 

The awards are open to any organization, individual, company, or project that has had a positive impact on the environment. Nominees must be located within Bradford, Carbon, Columbia, Lackawanna, Lehigh, Luzerne, Monroe, Montour, Northampton, Northumberland, Pike, Schuylkill, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Wayne, and Wyoming Counties.

*This is not a monetary grant program.

Pennsylvania River of the Year: POWR administers the River of the Year program with funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Pennsylvania’s River of the Year is an honor designed to elevate public awareness of specific waterways and recognize important conservation needs and achievements. Waterways selected through a nomination process go up for public vote on the POWR website (www.pawatersheds.org) Voting is restricted to one vote per email address.

Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations with tax-exempt status 501(c)(3), municipalities, counties, and educational institutions. Non-profit organizations must submit proof of non-profit status and be registered with the PA Department of State Bureau of Charitable Organizations.

Once a waterway is designated, the host organization plans a comprehensive series of events throughout the year to honor and highlight the waterway, including a kick-off sojourn. The host organization receives a $10,000 grant to support the events celebrating the River of the Year.

Pennsylvania Sojourn Mini Grants: POWR administers the PA Sojourn mini grant program with funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and support from the American Canoe Association.

This program provides mini grants on a competitive basis for single and multi-day paddling events on Pennsylvania’s waterways. Sojourns must incorporate educational programming and be open to the public (private trips are not eligible).

Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations with tax-exempt status 501(c)(3), municipalities, counties, and educational institutions. Non-profit organizations must submit proof of non-profit status and be registered with the PA Department of State Bureau of Charitable Organizations. Grants are $1,000 per on water day. A 1:1 match (cash, in-kind, or a combination) is required.

Pennsylvania Water Trails Program Mini Grants: PEC works in partnership with the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and the National Park Service to facilitate the PA Water Trails Program. With 28 designated trails across the Commonwealth, the Program brings technical and financial assistance and to the diverse network.

Grants are available on a competitive basis for projects that implement the PA Water Trail Program’s eight guiding principles: Partnership, Stewardship, Volunteerism, Education, Conservation, Community Vitality, Diversity, and Wellness & Well-being.

Proposed projects must demonstrate that they will advance program goals such as creating recreational opportunities for all Pennsylvanians on water trails; developing trails that support sustainable use of natural resources; increasing and improving inclusive access to Pennsylvania Water Trails for all; and connecting water trails to land trails or to other culturally significant community assets.

Eligible applicants include registered non-profit organizations and public entities (such as a county, municipality, or municipal agency). All projects must occur on or for a designated Pennsylvania Water Trail (view map here: https://www.pawatertrails.org/pa-water-trails). Applicants can request up to $7,000 and project proposals must include a 1:1 match (cash, in-kind, or a combination).

Urgent Issue on a Water Trail Mini Grant

A grant of $2000 is available for a project or solution that can quickly and efficiently address an ‘urgent’ issue on a designated PA Water Trail that is causing, or could reasonably be expected to cause, an unsafe or dangerous situation for those wishing to access the river for recreation or enjoyment. The situation must be caused by an “unanticipated” event, or one that could not be reasonably planned for. A known on-going situation that was simply not addressed in time would likely not qualify for funding. Grant must be matched 1:1 within a reasonable amount of time with cash or in-kind services related to the issue/solution. Eligible applicants include registered non-profit organizations and public entities (such as a county, municipality, or municipal agency). 

Pocono Forests & Waters Conservation Landscape Mini Grants: PEC administers the Pocono Forests and Waters Conservation Landscape (PFWCL) Mini Grant Program with funding from Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Community Conservation Partnership Program.

Projects must be within Carbon, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, and Wayne Counties and help protect and sustain the natural resources of the PFWCL in one or more of these topic areas Conservation, Community, Connection.

Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations with tax-exempt status 501(c)(3), municipalities, counties, and educational institutions. Non-profit organizations must submit proof of non-profit status and be registered with the PA Department of State Bureau of Charitable Organizations. Applicants can request $2,000 - $10,000 and project proposals must include a 1:1 match (cash, in-kind, or a combination).

Protect Your Drinking Water Grant Program: Supported by funding from Aqua, an Essential Utilities company, PEC administers the Protect Your Drinking Water grant program on behalf of and in collaboration with Aqua.

This program provides grants ranging from $2,500 to $10,000 for watershed protection projects that serve to protect the sources of public drinking water by addressing potential sources of contaminants (i.e., excess nutrients, sediment, road salts, pathogens, etc.) to our waterways. Grants may be used for a variety of projects that result in the protection or improvement of the community’s public drinking water supplies, such as green stormwater infrastructure, stream bank stabilization, agricultural best management practices, spill prevention planning, and educational programming.

Proposals selected will improve stream water quality and engage area residents in work to protect our watersheds. Outcomes could include on-the ground projects, as well as the development and delivery of citizen, municipal and student educational programs. 

Statewide Waterway Access Grant (SWAG): POWR administers the SWAG program with funding from the PA Fish and Boat Commission and the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Eligible projects include acquisition, design and engineering, construction, or upgrade and rehabilitation of non-motorized public access to Pennsylvania waterways. Priority will be given to projects that improve recreational access on rivers and streams as well as those that support and advance POWR’s mission, specifically the facilitation, stewardship, and enjoyment of Pennsylvania’s waterways.

Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations with tax-exempt status 501(c)(3), municipalities, counties, and educational institutions. Non-profit organizations must submit proof of non-profit status and be registered with the PA Department of State Bureau of Charitable Organizations. Applicants can request up to $30,000 and project proposals must include a 1:1 match (cash, in-kind, or a combination).

Programs that are currently accepting applications will be listed below.

Once you select a submission opportunity you must then create a free Submittable account to get started. Your account will allow you to save/review your work before submitting.