The Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) is helping to fund a Chesapeake Bay Trust grant opportunity for projects that improve communities, reduce polluted runoff, and promote natural resources like green spaces, parks, and water bodies.

Funding for projects in Baltimore comes from the stormwater fee paid by property owners. By investing revenue from the stormwater fee back into the community, DPW is carrying out its mission to support the health, environment, and economy of the City and its residents.

“We are always happy to help citizens and community groups join the effort to clean our City,” said DPW Director Rudolph S. Chow, P.E. “This is a great use of the stormwater fee revenue.”

The Outreach and Restoration Grant Program will fund a variety project types, including but not limited to:

Outreach and Education Projects

• Stormwater Best Management Practices (BMP) maintenance training for practices located on private residential or community properties targeting private property owners and community groups who want to maintain small-scale practices;
• Stormwater management education and awareness programs that focus on specific audiences, including faith based communities, Spanish-speaking communities, and communities identified in Baltimore City’s MS4 Watershed Implementation Plan;
• Green workforce development;
• Pet waste removal campaigns; and
• Litter reduction campaigns.

Restoration Projects

• Bioretention cells, bioswales, rain gardens, rain barrels, and other low impact development techniques; and
• Urban tree canopy expansion.

To apply for Baltimore funds, community partners must apply to the Trust’s Outreach and Restoration Grant Program. The grant program is now accepting proposals through September 11, 2017 within three funding tracks:

Track 1: Outreach: $5,001 - $30,000 for projects focused on education and awareness as project outcomes and $5,001 - $50,000 for behavior change projects.

Track 2: Restoration: $5,001 - $50,000 for restoration implementation projects.

Track 3: Outreach and Restoration: $5,001 - $75,000 for projects that combine outreach projects with restoration projects to achieve meaningful and measurable outcomes.

Please note that proposed restoration projects proposed may require as-built drawings to be included in the proposal budget. Please discuss this requirement with the Trust prior to applying.

To assist potential grant applicants, the Trust and DPW will be hosting FREE informational workshops this summer:

July 11th, 6:00-8:00pm at Parks & People (2100 Liberty Heights Ave, Baltimore, MD 21217)

July 13th, 5:30-7:30pm at Second Chance (1700 Ridgely St, Baltimore, MD 21230)

July 20th, 5:30-7:30pm at Central Baltimore Partnership (25 E 20th St, Baltimore, MD 21218)

August 2nd, 6:00-8:00pm at Humanim (1701 N Gay St, Baltimore, MD 21213)

Visit https://cbtrust.org/outreach-and-restoration/ or contact Kacey Wetzel at 410-974-2941, x104 to learn more about the grant program and workshops.