The Mississippi Watershed Management Organization (MWMO) offers Community Grants to support short-term or small-scale projects aimed at improving water quality and environmental stewardship within the MWMO watershed. Grants are available for up to $5,000, with no matching funds required. The program is intended to encourage community engagement and creative solutions to local environmental challenges. Eligible project examples include community clean-ups, habitat restoration, educational programs, technical workshops, art projects focused on water issues, installation of small Best Management Practices (BMPs) such as rain gardens or pervious pavers, and the development of educational materials like signs or brochures. Applications will compete with others, and applicants are encouraged to discuss their ideas with MWMO staff before submitting their proposals.

Eligible applicants include registered non-profits, neighborhood groups, business and professional associations, schools, and local government units. Individuals and private businesses are not eligible to apply directly but can partner with eligible entities. Projects should benefit the MWMO watershed area, which covers approximately 40 square miles in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Physical projects must be located within this watershed or have stormwater connectivity to it. While projects on private lands are allowed, proposals with ongoing public benefits such as accessibility or educational components will receive higher consideration during the evaluation process.

The application process involves submitting a preliminary proposal by December 13, 2024, at 4:30 p.m. MWMO staff will review the applications, and selected candidates will be invited to a meeting to discuss their project ideas. Based on feedback from this meeting, applicants will submit a final proposal by January 10, 2025. Funding decisions will be made shortly thereafter, and grant contracts will be executed approximately one to two months later. The grant funds can only be used for activities occurring after the contract is signed.

The MWMO prioritizes projects that engage underserved populations or address issues in environmentally sensitive areas identified by the organization's Watershed Management Plan. Eligible expenses include staff time for project management, consultant or contractor costs, materials, supplies, printing, facility rental, and other expenses directly related to the project’s implementation. Ineligible expenses include general overhead, lobbying activities, building plumbing, aesthetic-only features, and projects that fulfill regulatory requirements without additional innovative benefits.

Grant funds will be disbursed in two installments: 50% at the start and 50% upon project completion and approval by MWMO. Grantees are expected to participate in an orientation, maintain regular communication with MWMO, promote the project, stay within budget, and document all project-related expenses. The program does not currently offer another grant cycle, and future application rounds will be announced at a later date.