Chesapeake Bay Trust Announces Almost $1 Million in
Grants to Improve Local Communities
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Molly Alton Mullins
410.974.2941, Ext. 107
(Annapolis, MD) September 26, 2014 – Today the Chesapeake Bay Trust announced almost $1
million in grants to be awarded to more than 60 nonprofit organizations, municipalities and
local schools throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed. These awards, approved by the Trust’s
board of trustees, will be made through the Trust’s competitive grant programs and range from
smaller education and outreach grants to large scale restoration and stormwater management efforts.
Each quarter the Chesapeake Bay Trust announces its grant award amounts which in 2014 have
totaled more than $6.5 million to date. The grants announced today will fund projects that restore
area shorelines and increase habitat, advance green infrastructure and community green spaces,
promote public outreach and education, and engage students in outdoor learning activities.
“This grants cycle included some really interesting and groundbreaking projects that will not only
benefit local communities, but will also engage both adults and young people alike in efforts to
improve local water quality and protect our natural resources,” said Jana Davis, executive director
of the Chesapeake Bay Trust. “We are pleased to work with our dedicated partners and grantees
who are implementing exceptional projects that are improving our local neighborhoods and
waterways.”
Today’s announcement of almost $1 million in grants will advance K-12 environmental education
efforts; create living shorelines in Maryland; transform vacant lots in Baltimore City into green
spaces; and fund neighborhood clean-ups, tree plantings and other community-based initiatives. The
grants funded today include “mini grants” (grants less than $5,000); as well as grants through the
Trust’s Living Shoreline grant program, Growing Green Design Competition and one of the Trust’s
brand new initiatives, the Prince George’s County Rain Check Rebate Program. These grant dollars
can be attributed in large part to strong partnerships with Baltimore City, the U.S. Environment
Protection Agency, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Maryland
Department of Natural Resources, and Prince George’s County Department of the Environment.
In addition to private and public partnerships, the Chesapeake Bay Trust’s funding comes from two
other major sources: the Treasure the Chesapeake license plate program and donations the Bay
Fund on the Maryland state income tax form. For every dollar the Trust receives, 90 percent is
directed to support projects and programs that benefit the environment. For eleven consecutive
years, the Trust has received a “Four-Star Rating” from Charity Navigator, the nation’s leading
independent evaluator of non-profits organizations, placing the organization in the top 1 percent of
charities nationwide.
“The Chesapeake Bay Trust carefully evaluates each and every grant request we receive to ensure
the projects we fund meet our criteria: a valuable impact on improving water quality and
engagement and education of the public,” continued Davis. “We take our role as fiscal manager
very seriously and work hands-on with our grantees to get as many valuable projects as possible in
the ground and moving forward.”
September 2014 Chesapeake Bay Trust Grant Program Awards:
Living Shorelines Grant Program: Provides grants up to $100,000 to design, implement and
promote living shorelines in Maryland. Seven grants totaling $590,000 were awarded the
Annapolis Maritime Museum, St. Mary’s Parish and Trinity Episcopal Church, Environmental
Concern, West/Rhode Riverkeeper, Turkey Point Property Owners Association, Londontowne
Property Owners Association, and Cloverlea Boat Club, LLC
Growing Green Design Competition: This new competition provided $292,350 in funding to
seven partnerships between nonprofit community organizations and design firms to transform
vacant lots in Baltimore City into green spaces. The selected organizations include Civic Works
(two grants), Jane’s House of Inspiration, Hollins Roundhouse Association, Chesapeake Bay
Foundation, Real Food Farm, and Druid Heights Community Development Corporation. The
design firms participating include Baltimore Orchard, Biohabitats, Brent Figlestahler, Ecological
Restoration and Management (ER&M), Floura Teeter Landscape Architects, Morgan State
University, Neighborhood Design Center, Mahan Rykiel Associates, TDH Landscaping, and URS
Corporation.
Mini Grants Programs: Provides grants not to exceed $5,000 that advance environmental
education, promote community outreach and engagement, and advance stormwater best
management practices. A total of 47 grants for $127,398 were funded though the Trust’s K-12
Environmental Education Mini Grant Program, Community and Outreach Mini Grant Program,
Chesapeake Conservation Corps Mini Grant Program and Prince’s George’s County Rain Check
Rebate Program with rebate awards available up to $2,000 for residential property owners.
About the Chesapeake Bay Trust:
The Chesapeake Bay Trust is a nonprofit, grant-making organization dedicated to
improving the Chesapeake Bay and its rivers through environmental education,
community outreach, and local watershed restoration. Since its inception in 1985,
the Trust has awarded $65 million in grants and engaged hundreds of thousands of citizen stewards in
projects that have a measurable impact on the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. The Trust is supported by
the sale of the Maryland Treasure the Chesapeake license plate, donations to the Chesapeake Bay and
Endangered Species Fund on the Maryland State income tax form, donations from individuals and
corporations, and partnerships with private foundations and federal and state agencies.