Community Stormwater Partnership Grant | Howard County Stormwater

The Office of Community Sustainability's Community Stormwater Partnership grant program offers funds to implement on-the-ground stormwater practices on nonprofit and HOA properties. Howard County recognizes the unique challenges nonprofits and HOA's have that may impact access to stormwater treatment and resources. The grant program is offered yearly. Howard County strives to reduce stormwater runoff and improve access to stormwater treatment practices. This program is only available to Howard County nonprofits and HOA's. Below are frequently asked questions about the grant program.

2023 Community Stormwater Partnership Grant opportunity is currently CLOSED. 2024 RFP will be available in May. Awards to be made no sooner than October 1.

2023 Application HERE. Check out what 2022 grantees are doing HERE.

Why should you apply?

If you are a nonprofit or HOA looking to improve stormwater quality and/or quantity on you should apply for this grant opportunity. Howard County may fund up to $50,000 for your project ideas. Eligible projects include tree plantings, Best Management Practices installations, conservation landscaping, and more. For nonprofits, applying for this grant is an opportunity to get stormwater treatment in the ground for your nonprofit to reach the Maximum Extent Practicable

What is the difference between the Community Stormwater Partnership Grant program and the Nonprofit Watershed Protection Partnership?

The Partnership is entirely different than the grant program. The grant program provides funding to nonprofits and HOA’s for implementation of practices that improve water quality and quantity. The Nonprofit Watershed Protection Partnership is for nonprofits, HOA’s are not eligible for the Nonprofit Watershed Protection Partnership (“the Partnership”) described below because they do not receive a Watershed Protection Fee and the Partnership below provides a credit toward the Fee.  Without a Fee, we cannot provide a credit to HOAs. 

Who is eligible for the Community Stormwater Partnership grant?

Nonprofits who are in the Nonprofit Watershed Protection Partnership
HOA's

Is this grant competitive?

Yes

Are you a nonprofit not in the Partnership but are interested in applying for the grant?

You may still apply, but you will be asked to join the partnership.

Are you unsure if you are in the Partnership?

If you received an email directly from Avery announcing the grant, you are in the Partnership.  If it was forwarded to you or you saw it online, then you are likely not yet a Partner.  Still unsure?  Just check "unsure" on the grant application and we will check as we review your application. You may also reach out to Avery to check.

Who should you contact for more information?

Contact Avery's email afarrell@howardcountymd.gov

Watershed Protection Fee

The Watershed Protection Fee aims to improve the water quality of streams and rivers in your neighborhood and the Chesapeake Bay by funding projects that treat Howard County stormwater runoff. All property owners are charged a fee based on the size of their property or the amount of impervious area on their property that allows untreated stormwater to flow off. All non-residential properties, including nonprofits, are charged at a rate of $15 per 500 square feet of impervious surface based on aerial photography. However, the Watershed Protection Fee legislation established a unique partnership program option for nonprofit properties that reduces the financial impact to the organization while also improving stormwater runoff controls on the property.

More information about the protection fee can be found here.