Delaware non-profit organizations, conservation districts, community organizations and homeowner’s associations are eligible to submit project proposals to be considered for matching grant funds from DNREC’s Community Water Quality Improvement Grants program. Proposals must be received by 4:30 p.m. Nov. 4.

The grant program assists in implementing projects or programs to improve water quality on developed lands with specific watershed improvement plans and strategies. Eligible projects may include:

• Enhancement or restoration of water quality within an impaired watershed
• Community stormwater management improvements in existing developments in partnership with municipalities
• Non‐regulatory or voluntary plans involving pollution control strategies, watershed-based restoration plans, whole basin management preliminary assessments, or community‐based stormwater permits.

Programs and projects selected must demonstrate innovative and sustainable methods, techniques, and/or practices for water quality improvements, with cost effective and measurable results. Projects will be recommended for funding by the Delaware Water Infrastructure Advisory Council through a competitive grant process.

Past projects that received funding included: a green roof installation; exploring use of freshwater mussels in stormwater management ponds; a stormwater retrofit project featuring a wetland and bioswale to manage stormwater runoff from impervious surfaces; and floating wetlands in dead end canals to improve water quality.

Funding for projects receiving a grant award in this cycle is expected to range from $25,000 to $75,000. The grant requires a 25% cash match, which may be federal, state or local cash. Applicants may submit up to two project proposals per grant cycle.

Proposals should be submitted to the Division of Watershed Stewardship by email to NPS.grants@delaware.gov, subject line: Community Water Quality Improvement Grant. Proposals submitted by email must be less than 10MB. Project guidelines and the application is available at the DNREC Environmental Finance webpage.

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. The Division of Watershed Stewardship develops and implements innovative watershed assessment, monitoring and implementation activities. For more information, visit the website and connect with DNREC on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media Contacts: Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov, or Joanna Wilson, joanna.wilson@delaware.gov

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Eligible applicants include those that received General Operating Support from FY 18/19/20 or Project Support from FY20

Wilmington, DE (April 30, 2020) – The Delaware Division of the Arts, with support from the National Endowment for the Arts through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, has developed a program to help secure jobs and support Delaware’s nonprofit arts organizations that add value to the state’s economy and bolster the creative life of our communities.

CARES Organization Relief grant guidelines and application are now available. You should download and review the CARES Organization Relief Guidelines in advance to review eligibility and parameters for funding.

Per the guidelines: To be eligible to apply for a CARES Organization Relief Grant, applicants must: a) Be a recipient of General Operating Support in the past three years (FY18, FY19, FY20) or Project Support in the current fiscal year (FY20); AND b) Be in good standing with all reporting requirements to the Division

Please note the following restriction: No individual may compile or submit an Addendum on behalf of an organization if that individual is a member or relative of a member of the Delaware State Arts Council or Division staff

If you are eligible and wish to apply, you can access the grant application in smARTDE. To do so, log in, click on “Opportunities” and locate “CARES Organization Relief.” Select “Apply Now” to begin the application.

If you need assistance logging into smARTDE, download the instructions here.

The deadline for submission is May 15, 2020 at 4:30 p.m. The goal is to review applications expeditiously so that funding can be announced and awarded in early June.

Please note: Because the CARES Organization Relief grants are made possible with federal funds through the National Endowment for the Arts, they cannot be co-mingled with funds you receive through the US Small Business Administration. In short, if you receive PPP money for specific salaries, contractual expenses, or facility-related expenses, you may not use CARES Organization Relief funds for those same expenses covering the same time period.

For a list of additional COVID-19 resources, please visit: https://arts.delaware.gov/resources/covid-19/

Image: The Biggs Museum of American Art, Dover; artwork: Thomas del Porte

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Contact: Leeann Wallett, Program Officer, Communications and Marketing
302-577-8280, leeann.wallett@delaware.gov

The Delaware Division of the Arts, a branch of the Delaware Department of State, is dedicated to cultivating and supporting the arts to enhance the quality of life for all Delawareans. Together with its advisory body, the Delaware State Arts Council, the Division administers grants and programs that support arts programming, educate the public, increase awareness of the arts, and integrate the arts into all facets of Delaware life. For more information about the Delaware Division of the Arts, visit arts.delaware.gov or call 302-577-8278.

DOVER – The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, along with the Delaware Division of Public Health, are now accepting project proposals from state, county and municipal governments, and conservation districts for matching grants for wastewater, surface water, and drinking water project planning. Proposals must be received by 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 22.

Eligible projects include planning, preliminary engineering, and feasibility analysis of wastewater and/or drinking water projects; stormwater retrofits; green technology practices; stream and wetland restoration projects; small watershed studies; master surface water and drainage plans; and other source water pollution control projects.

Wastewater Planning Grants assist with wastewater infrastructure project planning and design necessary to submit a loan application for funding consideration. Surface Water Planning Grants support projects and activities that focus on reducing surface water runoff and improving water quality in impaired watersheds. Drinking Water Planning Grants help municipal water systems prepare for large, often-costly projects such as troubleshooting source water quality and proposing solutions, reconfiguring water plants to optimize treatment, and determining water main size and locations, among other activities.

Grant applications of up to $50,000 will be considered with a one-to-one cash match requirement. Up to 10 percent of the grant funds may be used for administrative costs. There is an annual cumulative grant award cap of $100,000 per successful applicant per fiscal year for wastewater and surface water planning grants. Drinking water planning grants can be for any amount, provided funds are available.

The Wastewater, Drinking Water, and Surface Water Matching Planning Grant programs are set-asides in the state’s Clean Water and Drinking Water Revolving Funds. Projects will be recommended for funding by the Delaware Water Infrastructure Advisory Council (WIAC) through a competitive grant process.

For a Wastewater Matching Planning Grant, the project guidelines and the application can be found online at Wastewater Matching Planning Grant. For a Surface Water Matching Planning Grant, the project guidelines and the application can be found online at Surface Water Matching Planning Grant. Proposals must be submitted by email, sized less than 10 MB, to James.Sullivan@delaware.gov.

For a Drinking Water Matching Planning Grant, the project guidelines and the application can be found online at Drinking Water Matching Planning Grant. Proposals must be submitted by email, sized less than 10 MB, to Heather.Warren@delaware.gov.

Media contact: Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

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