Stewardship Grants

If you are a public or private landowner, we can help fund improvements to your property that benefit water quality and natural resources.

If you are a public or private landowner, we can help fund improvements to your property that benefit water quality and natural resources.

If you are interested in applying for a grant, please complete these two steps first:

Funding Amounts

We offer grants of up to $15,000 for homeowners or $100,000 for commercial / church / school / association / government entities. Funding covers 50-100 percent of the project, depending on type and location. Requests over $5,000 must be approved by the District Board of Managers. Please refer to our Stewardship Grant Program Guide for more information.


Site Consultation Request

Considering a Stewardship Grant? Schedule a site consult with program staff to start the process.


Eligible Projects

We provide Stewardship Grants to install and maintain a variety of best management practices. These are designed to filter and reduce runoff, protect groundwater, restore native ecosystems, prevent flooding and lessen the effects of drought.

Common types of projects include:

  • Rain gardens
  • Native landscaping
  • Shoreland restoration
  • Pervious pavement

Please note: Practices required by any grading or building permit are not eligible for funding. Practices that go above and beyond all permit requirements may be eligible. For more information, please contact Watershed Project Manager Paige Ahlborg, paige.ahlborg@rwmwd.org, 651-792-7964.

Maintenance Grants

Routine maintenance of your project is essential, especially during the first 2 to 3 years after installation. Get up to 50 percent of your annual maintenance costs for a new project with a maximum of $7,500 over five years (not to exceed $1,500 per year). If you have completed a District grant-funded project within the last five years, you may be eligible for maintenance funding as well.

Community Art Grant

Grants are available for public art projects that support a water or natural resources project. Funding is available for up to 50% of $15,000 in expenditures. Contact Project Manager Paige Ahlborg (paige.ahlborg@rwmwd.org) to inquire further regarding the application process. For more information, review the District Art Policy.

Stewardship Grant Application

Please note that a site consultation must be completed before the grant application can be accepted.