Request For Community Stewardship Mini-Grant Proposals

The Maryland Coastal Bays Program, working in partnership with the Chesapeake Bay Trust, is pleased to announce that we are currently accepting Community Stewardship Mini-Grant proposals.

The goal of the Community Stewardship Mini-Grants Program is to increase public awareness and public involvement in restoring and protecting Maryland's Coastal Bays and its tributaries. This program is made possible through private contributions made to MCBP and CBT.

To guide its grant making, MCBP and CBT aligned its priorities with the goals set forth in the management plan for the Coastal Bays. This plan works to improve water quality, restore and improve fish and wildlife populations and habitat, improve navigation and recreation, and insure sound development and planning for our community.

MCBP welcomes requests from the following organizations:
501(c)3 Private Nonprofit Organizations
Faith-based organizations
Community Associations
Service, Youth, and Civic Groups
Municipal, County, Regional, State, Federal Public Agencies
Public and Independent Higher Educational Institutions
Individuals
Examples of projects include, but are not limited to, rain gardens and rain barrels, wetland and tree buffer plantings, oyster and fish habitat creation, stream clean-ups, storm drain stenciling, workshops promoting restoration or best management practices, teacher trainings, forums, projects, training programs, and materials that expand the dialogue between leaders in minority and environmental communities, outdoor field experiences, materials promoting Coastal Bays awareness, schoolyard habitats, stream assessments and water quality monitoring that lead to community-based restoration.

Priority will be given to those proposals which adhere to the management plan for Maryland's Coastal Bays, which offer match monies or in-kind services, and show committed partnerships.

The deadline for submission is July 1, 2009. Applicants may request up to $5,000 and will be notified of the Program's decision by letter in early August. All selected projects should begin immediately and must be completed by August 6, 2010.

Contact Kate Diffenderfer at MCBP for more information 410-213-BAYS.