The following is a general list of funding opportunities through the State of Massachusetts that have been used by PIE-Rivers partners to support local and regional activities, but is by no means a definitive list of all resources that may be available for a proposed project. If you would like assistance in evaluating funding opportunities and/or in choosing a project for your town, please contact Erin Bonney Casey: ebcasey@pie-rivers.org.
MA Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM)
Coastal Pollutant Remediation Grant Program
The Coastal Pollutant Remediation (CPR) Grant Program was established in 1994 by the Massachusetts Legislature to help communities identify and improve water quality impaired by nonpoint source (NPS) pollution. The goal of the CPR program—which is administered by CZM—is to provide funding to Massachusetts municipalities to assess and treat stormwater pollution from impervious surfaces and to design and construct commercial boat waste pumpout facilities.
Coastal Habitat and Water Quality Grants
The new Coastal Habitat and Water Quality (CHWQ) Grants provide financial resources for projects that assess and treat stormwater impacts and support comprehensive habitat restoration planning and implementation activities. Municipalities within the Massachusetts coastal watershed are eligible to apply, along with certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, regional planning agencies, and stormwater collaboratives in partnership with municipalities.
Update: CZM anticipates the release of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Request for Responses (RFR) this spring. From 10:00-11:00 a.m. on April 10, CZM will host an informational webinar, which will provide an opportunity to ask questions and discuss project ideas. More details located on the mass.gov.
For more information about other funding that may be available for stormwater and water quality projects in Massachusetts, please visit this link.
Executive Office of Energy & Environmental Affairs
Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Program
The Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness grant program (MVP) provides support for cities and towns to begin the process of planning for climate change resiliency and implementing priority projects. The state awards communities with funding for Planning Grants to complete vulnerability assessments and develop action-oriented resiliency plans. Communities who complete the MVP program become certified as an MVP community and are then eligible for MVP Action Grant funding and other opportunities.
Division of Conservation Services
Drinking Water Supply Protection Grant
The DWSP grant program provides financial assistance to public water systems and municipal water departments for the purchase of land or interests in land for the following purposes: 1) protection of existing DEP-approved public drinking water supplies; 2) protection of planned future public drinking water supplies; or 3) groundwater recharge. This is a reimbursement based grant program with a maximum award of $350,000 and reimbursement rate of 60%.
Local Acquisitions for Natural Diversity (LAND) Grant Program
The LAND Grant Program helps cities and towns acquire land for conservation and passive recreation purposes. The grants reimburse a portion of the cost for cities and towns for the acquisition of land in fee or for a conservation restriction. There is a maximum grant award amount of $500,000 and the reimbursement rate is between 52-70%. Municipal conservation and agricultural commission with an up-to-date Open Space and Recreation Plan are eligible to apply.
Massachusetts Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant Program
The Land & Water Conservation Fund provides up to 50% of the total project cost for the acquisition, development, and renovation of parks, trails and conservation areas. Eligible applicants include municipalities that have an up-to-date Open Space and Recreation Plan.
Division of Ecological Restoration
Culvert Replacement Municipal Grant Program
DER Culvert Replacement Grants provide financial support to Massachusetts towns for culvert replacement funding to support advancement of one culvert project per municipality. The purpose of this funding is to encourage municipalities to replace culverts located in high ecological value areas with better designed crossings that meet improved structural and environmental design standards and flood resiliency criteria. Only projects that meet the goals of the Massachusetts Stream Crossing Standards are considered for funding.
Department of Transportation
Municipal Small Bridge Program
The Municipal Small Bridge Program provides financial support to cities and towns for small bridge replacement, preservation and rehabilitation projects. To be considered for funding, bridges must be on a local public way and must be on the State Bridge Inventory with a span between 10 and 20 feet. The program provides grants in two phases for the design and construction of bridge projects. Selection is based on need and merit.
FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grants
Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC)
Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA)
The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) offers funding for these Federal Emergency Management Agency grant opportunities through two hazard mitigation assistance grant programs. Email mitigation@mass.gov with questions.
MA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
Section 604(b) Water Quality Management Planning Grant Program
Section 604(b) of the Clean Water Act provides grants to determine the nature, extent, and causes of water quality issues and to develop plans to restore or protect water quality pursuant to the Clean Water Act and Massachusetts Surface Water Quality Standards. This year’s round of funding will focus on nonpoint source assessment and planning projects. Eligible entities include regional planning agencies, councils of governments, conservation districts, counties, cities and towns, federally and state recognized tribes, and other substate public planning agencies and interstate agencies.
Key dates:
- Deadline for submission of written questions from applicants: Friday, March 20, 2024
- Answers to questions posted on MassDEP website: Friday, March 27, 2024
- Grant Application Deadline: Friday, May 8, 2024, at 5 PM
Additional information on the 604(b) grant program, and other MassDEP watershed and water quality funding, can be found on MassDEP’s website.
Other Funders
National Fish & Wildlife Foundation
National Coastal Resilience Fund
The National Coastal Resilience Fund restores, increases and strengthens natural infrastructure to protect coastal communities while also enhancing habitats for fish and wildlife. Funded projects will restore, increase, and strengthen natural infrastructure—the landscapes that help absorb the impacts of storms and floods—to ultimately protect coastal communities and enhance fish and wildlife habitat. Pre-proposals are due April 10, 2024.
NOAA