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The Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), in partnership with the Chesapeake Bay Trust, announces $962,741 in Clean Water Montgomery Grant Program funding for 21 community-driven initiatives across Montgomery County to improve water quality and neighborhoods. The projects, funded through the County’s Water Quality Protection Fund, provide grants ranging from $18,000 to $100,000 to local watershed groups, faith-based organizations, and other community-based nonprofits to design and make improvements across the County to reduce stormwater pollution and achieve healthier streams for a better quality of life.
“Protecting our streams requires work throughout the entire watershed, including the large amount of land that isn’t owned by the County,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “These grants give community organizations the resources to tackle pollution where it starts and help us protect the waterways that eventually flow into the Chesapeake Bay. Congratulations to the recipients and thanks for your partnership and commitment to our environment.”
Montgomery County Government is responsible for meeting regulatory watershed restoration and water quality improvement goals throughout most of the County. However, the amount of privately owned land far exceeds County-owned property, making this collaboration between the County and the public crucial to restoring the stormwater system.
The Clean Water Montgomery Grant Program allows more people and local groups to get involved and take meaningful steps in their own communities to ensure the entire County meets these water quality goals.
The 21 projects awarded are located throughout Montgomery County, outside of the municipalities of Rockville, Gaithersburg, and Takoma Park, as these jurisdictions manage their stormwater separately.
Each award will help reduce stormwater runoff and pollutants that can affect water quality. Recipients will also use the award funds to support education, outreach, and stewardship. Projects include planting native gardens, engaging faith-based organizations in environmental stewardship, educating the public about road salt application, and engaging community members in litter cleanups and water-quality sampling.
“This program empowers everyday people to restore nature, bringing to life our mission,” said Dr. Jana Davis, president of the Chesapeake Bay Trust. “These new projects will have a lasting impact, improving the health of our local waterways and communities throughout Montgomery County and the entire Chesapeake Bay watershed.”
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The Clean Water Montgomery grant program is now accepting proposals for new projects, such as planting trees, installing permeable pavers, and building rain gardens, to help improve and protect local waterways. Applications are due no later than 4 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 13, 2026.
Applicants are encouraged to contact the Chesapeake Bay Trust to discuss their eligible project ideas prior to applying to ensure the best proposals are submitted.
Clean Water Montgomery 2026 Awarded Projects:
African Digital Wisdom Academy: to engage the Ethiopian and broader African immigrant community through bilingual clean-water education and community cleanups.
Alice Ferguson Foundation: to engage school communities in interactive environmental education and community-led cleanups.
Anacostia Riverkeeper: for a water quality monitoring program.
Centro de Apoyo Familiar: for a train-the-trainer model to engage Latine faith-based organizations in bilingual workshops and the co-development of a children’s book.
Chinese American Parent Association of Montgomery County (CAPA-MC): for the “Be a Zero Hero” campaign about plastic bag and film recycling.
Community Design Lab: for a community-led art and conservation landscaping design program.
Defensores de la Cuenca: to support litter reduction led by the Latine immigrant and Spanish-speaking communities.
EcoLatinos, Inc.: for permeable pavers at the Shrine of St. Jude Church and training for Latine landscapers.
Grupo Mulheres do Brasil: Washington, DC Chapter: for two in-person environmental education workshops to engage the Brazilian and broader Latine immigrant community.
Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake (IPC): for an educational campaign to support faith-based organizations in adopting stormwater practices on their properties.
Islamic Community Center of Potomac: for a waste reduction program to reduce the use of single-use plastic, increase composting, and implement a waste management plan.
Izaak Walton League of America, Inc.: for education on winter salting best practices with residential and commercial audiences.
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Latino Economic Development Corporation of Washington, D.C.: for eight workshops to integrate Rainscape Rewards Rebates and clean water initiatives into existing housing education.
Live Peace Tech Corporation: to engage the South Asian American community in stormwater management workshops and support RainScapes Rebate program participation.
Maryland Latinos Unidos (Maryland Nonprofits): for a water quality campaign to engage Latine communities.
National Wildlife Federation: for a campaign to engage faith-based organizations and individual members in education and hands-on native plant installations.
Nature Forward, Inc.: for a volunteer-driven water quality monitoring program.
North Chevy Chase Christian Church: for conservation landscaping to capture and filter stormwater.
Potomac Riverkeeper Network: for a volunteer-driven water quality monitoring program.
St. Mark Orthodox Church: for permeable pavers and conservation landscaping to transform an existing courtyard and church entrance.
Vietnamese American Services: for an educational campaign to engage the Vietnamese American community in adopting sustainable behaviors.
To learn more or review the request for proposals, visit the Chesapeake Bay Trust Clean Water Montgomery website.
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Media Contacts: Cindy Peña, Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection, 202-875-1563, celinda.pena@montgomerycountymd.gov or Celia Parker, Chesapeake Bay Trust, 410-974-2941 ext. 142, cparker@cbtrust.org.
Read the original article at mcgov
