Mini-Grants

Notice

2024 Mini Grant Application Closed

Thank you for your interest in the Mini Grant Program, and we hope to see your application in 2025!

If you’re looking for a similar grant program, try Lawns to Legumes, a grant provided by the Board of Water and Soil Resources and Blue Thumb. Apply here: https://bluethumb.org/lawns-to-legumes/apply/ by May 15, 2024.

The Mini-Grants Program provides an exciting opportunity for individuals and organizations to make a difference in their local communities. It funds and supports projects that contribute to the improvement and protection of the watershed’s water resources, while also fostering community engagement and environmental education.

Below is information including eligibility criteria, application guidelines, and past project examples.

Program Details

Grants are awarded on a first come – first serve basis to eligible and complete applications. Funding is limited. Applying does not guarantee grant approval.

Do NOT start work until you have received a grant award letter.

Funding Details

This is a reimbursement grant. The amount of the grant cannot exceed the cost of the actual project and maximum $500 limit.

Applicant labor or time is not eligible for payment.

Projects must be completed no later than December 1, 2023. Receipts dated before the grant award is made will not be accepted or reimbursed.

Who is Eligible

All land or home owners in the district are eligible. This includes residents, churches, schools, communities, and businesses.

You are limited to one application per year. Single family landowners cannot receive funding in consecutive years. Applications from single family landowners who have received funds previously will not be considered until May 1st, 2023.

HOAs and other group organizations can apply for grants yearly, but funding is not guaranteed.

What Projects Are Eligible?

Native plants (including pollinator gardens)
Small buffer strips
Turf alternatives
Waterspout gardens
Rain barrels
Targeted water education, information, or outreach activities

What Projects Are Not Eligible?

Landscaping or purely decorative activities
Riprap
Retaining walls
Applicant labor or time
Projects that have received funding from other RCWD cost-share programs

Application Process

Identify a project (Contact the district if you need to discuss your project idea)
Complete the grant application
Submit the application by mail to
Rice Creek Watershed District
Attn: Mini Grants
4325 Pheasant Ridge Dr. #611
Blaine, MN, 55449
OR
by email to Molly Nelson at mnelson@ricecreek.org

Receive approval and grant agreement from RCWD
Make eligible purchases under the project in accordance with the grant agreement
Complete all work by the project deadline of December 1, 2023
Submit a cover letter describing the project including the requested amount of reimbursement, copies of (paid) receipts, and photos of the completed project
After completing the project and receiving mini-grant payment, maintain the project for a minimum of 5 years and participate in RCWD’s outreach and project sharing efforts