Stewardship Grant
The Stewardship Grant program offers financial support for clean water projects to property owners in the watershed district. Project examples include native plantings, habitat restorations, shoreline restorations, raingardens, and tree trenches.
Overview
Program Status
We have a new online portal for submitting site visit requests and applications! Please let us know if you run into any issues.
February 15-May 15, 2025: We are accepting applications from new applicants only. You are considered a "new applicant" if you have never received a Stewardship Grant.
Beginning May 16th, anyone including previous grant recipients may submit an application. Returning grantees may use the online portal to request and schedule a site visit anytime (no need to wait until May 16th).
Deadlines
- SITE VISIT: You can submit a a site visit request at any time. Most site visits will be scheduled between spring thaw and first hard freeze.
- APPLICATION DEADLINE: Applications are accepted through October 31 or until funds are committed.
- PROJECT DEADLINE: Once awarded a grant, you have 12 months to install your project.
Highlights
- The grant project must be located within the watershed district.
- You must own the property on which you want to do a project.
- Grant funds work like a rebate – the grantee pays all costs up front and is reimbursed per the grant agreement.
- You may not begin your project until you know the status of your grant application. Work done before a grant is awarded are not eligible for reimbursement (consultant design fee is the only exception).
- A grant award has a percent cost share award and a not-to-exceed dollar amount. If your final project cost is greater than expected, you will have to pay for the overage out of pocket.
- If awarded a grant, your project plan may not change unless approved in advance by the grant coordinator.
Read these IMPORTANT MESSAGES before you apply for a Stewardship Grant!
Policies
The Stewardship Grant Program Policies document is the governing document for the program, and this document is updated every year. Any contradictory information found on program webpages, handouts, or other materials is overridden by the policies document. Please notify the grant coordinator is you find contradictory information.
Download the DRAFT 2025 Stewardship Grant Program Policies** The policy document is a draft until approved by the Board of Managers. The document goes before the managers for consideration at their 3/5/2025 meeting.
Privacy Notice
All information, including but not limited to applications, conceptual designs, contractor bids, cost estimates, final decisions and specifications, copies of permits, and proof of expenditures is subject to disclosure to the public when submitted to the Riley Purgatory Bluff Creek Watershed District except where specifically protected as non-public by state law.
Eligible Project Types and Grant Maximums
Applicants must be the owner of the property for which a Stewardship Grant is sought. We have five applicant categories. Click an applicant category below to see what project types and maximum grant awards are available.
Who Qualifies as a Residential Applicant?
To qualify for the residential applicant category, you must OWN and RESIDE upon the residential-zoned property for which a Stewardship Grant is sought. If you reside in a multi-unit development (e.g. townhomes), you and not the homeowner's association must own the property for which a grant is sought.
A residential property owner must fill out and submit their own grant application. A consultant may not submit an application for the resident.
View your property online through the Hennepin County Online Property Map or the Carver County Online Property Information GIS App.
Eligible Projects
Residential property owners are eligible for the project types listed below. The maximum grant award for residential property owners is listed in parentheses.
- Native Plant Project (up to 75% cost not to exceed $500)
- Turf Alternative Project (up to 75% cost not to exceed $500)
- Rain Barrel Project (up to 75% cost not to exceed $100)
- Habitat Restoration Project (up to 75% cost not to exceed $5,000)
- Lake Shoreline Restoration Project (up to 75% cost not to exceed $5,000) *
- Waterbody Buffer Project (up to 75% cost not to exceed $5,000)
- Stormwater Best Management Practice (up to 75% cost not to exceed $5,000)
- Shoreland Health Project (up to 75% cost not to exceed $1,500) *
*Only residential properties on major lakes are eligible. The watershed district's major lakes are: Ann, Duck, Hyland, Lotus, Lucy, Mitchell, Red Rock, Rice Marsh, Riley, Round, Silver, Staring, Susan
What if I want to apply for more than one project in a year?
An applicant may choose to apply for more than one project a year. If so, the total award limit per calendar year for a residential applicant is $5,000.
Who Qualifies as a Non-Profit Applicant?
To qualify for the non-profit applicant category, you must be a representative of an organization classified as a non-profit in Minnesota. The non-profit organization must OWN the property for which a Stewardship Grant is sought. Examples: homeowners associations, lake associations, churches, charities.
A non-profit must have someone from the organization fill out and submit a grant application. A consultant may not submit an application on behalf of the non-profit.
View your property online through the Hennepin County Online Property Map or the Carver County Online Property Information GIS App.
Eligible Projects
Non-profit property owners are eligible for the project types listed below. The maximum grant award for non-profits is listed in parentheses.
- Native Plant Project (up to 75% cost not to exceed $1,500)
- Turf Alternative Project (up to 75% cost not to exceed $1,500)
- Habitat Restoration Project (up to 75% cost not to exceed $20,000)
- Lake Shoreline Restoration Project (up to 75% cost not to exceed $20,000)*
- Waterbody Buffer Project (up to 75% cost not to exceed $20,000)
- Stormwater Best Management Practice (up to 75% cost not to exceed $20,000)
*Only properties on major lakes are eligible. The watershed district's major lakes are: Ann, Duck, Hyland, Lotus, Lucy, Mitchell, Red Rock, Rice Marsh, Riley, Round, Silver, Staring, Susan
What if I want to apply for more than one project in a year?
An applicant may choose to apply for more than one project a year. If so, the total award limit per calendar year for a non-profit organization is $20,000.
A grant award of greater than $5,000 requires the applicant to file a maintenance declaration for the project with your county land records office. The maintenance declaration is a legal document that states you will maintain the project for a length of time ranging from 10 years to the life expectancy of the installed practice. RPBCWD offers funds to help offset cost including legal and surveying fees (once per grantee).
Learn more about real estate recording of a maintenance declaration.
Who Qualifies as a Business?
To qualify as a business, you must be the owner of a legal entity organized for profit. The business owner must also be owner of the property for which a Stewardship Grant is sought, though exceptions may be made.
The business owner or staff must fill out and submit a grant application. A consultant may not submit an application on behalf of the business.
View your property online through the Hennepin County Online Property Map or the Carver County Online Property Information GIS App.
Eligible Projects
Business applicants are eligible for the project types listed below. The maximum grant award for non-profits is listed in parentheses.
- Native Plant Project (up to 50% cost not to exceed $1,500)
- Turf Alternative Project (up to 50% cost not to exceed $1,500)
- Habitat Restoration Project (up to 50% cost not to exceed $50,000)
- Lake Shoreline Restoration Project (up to 50% cost not to exceed $50,000)*
- Waterbody Buffer Project (up to 50% cost not to exceed $50,000)
- Stormwater Best Management Practice (up to 50% cost not to exceed $50,000)
*Only properties on major lakes are eligible. The watershed district's major lakes are: Ann, Duck, Hyland, Lotus, Lucy, Mitchell, Red Rock, Rice Marsh, Riley, Round, Silver, Staring, Susan.
What if I want to apply for more than one project in a year?
An applicant may choose to apply for more than one project a year. If so, the total award limit per calendar year for a business is $50,000.
A grant award of greater than $5,000 requires the applicant to file a maintenance declaration for the project with your county land records office. The maintenance declaration is a legal document that states you will maintain the project for a length of time ranging from 10 years to the life expectancy of the installed practice. RPBCWD offers funds to help offset cost including legal and surveying fees (once per grantee).
Learn more about real estate recording of a maintenance declaration.
Who Qualifies as a School?
To qualify as a school, you must be a representative of a state-recognized public or private school; the school (e.g. school district) must own the property for which a Stewardship Grant is sought. A homeschool does not qualify as a school for the purposes of the grant program.
Staff, board/committee member, or other official representative of the school must fill out and submit a grant application. A consultant may not submit an application on behalf of the school.
View your property online through the Hennepin County Online Property Map or the Carver County Online Property Information GIS App.
Eligible Projects
Schools are eligible for the project types listed below. The maximum grant award for non-profits is listed in parentheses.
- Native Plant Project (up to 50% cost not to exceed $1,500)
- Turf Alternative Project (up to 50% cost not to exceed $1,500)
- Habitat Restoration Project (up to 50% cost not to exceed $50,000)
- Lake Shoreline Restoration Project (up to 50% cost not to exceed $50,000)*
- Waterbody Buffer Project (up to 50% cost not to exceed $50,000)
- Stormwater Best Management Practice (up to 50% cost not to exceed $50,000)
*Only properties on major lakes are eligible. The watershed district's major lakes are: Ann, Duck, Hyland, Lotus, Lucy, Mitchell, Red Rock, Rice Marsh, Riley, Round, Silver, Staring, Susan.
What if I want to apply for more than one project in a year?
An applicant may choose to apply for more than one project a year. If so, the total award limit per calendar year for a school is $50,000.
A grant award of greater than $5,000 requires the applicant to file a maintenance declaration for the project with your county land records office. The maintenance declaration is a legal document that states you will maintain the project for a length of time ranging from 10 years to the life expectancy of the installed practice. RPBCWD offers funds to help offset cost including legal and surveying fees (once per grantee).
Learn more about real estate recording of a maintenance declaration.
Who Qualifies as Local Government?
To qualify as local government, you must be an employee or official representative of a local unit of government (LGU), such as a city, located within RPBCWD. The LGU must own the property for which a Stewardship Grant is being sought.
View your property online through the Hennepin County Online Property Map or the Carver County Online Property Information GIS App.
Eligible Projects
Schools are eligible for the project types listed below. The maximum grant award for non-profits is listed in parentheses.
- Native Plant Project (up to 50% cost not to exceed $1,500)
- Turf Alternative Project (up to 50% cost not to exceed $1,500)
- Habitat Restoration Project (up to 50% cost not to exceed $50,000)
- Lake Shoreline Restoration Project (up to 50% cost not to exceed $50,000)*
- Waterbody Buffer Project (up to 50% cost not to exceed $50,000)
- Stormwater Best Management Practice (up to 50% cost not to exceed $50,000)
*Only properties on major lakes are eligible. The watershed district's major lakes are: Ann, Duck, Hyland, Lotus, Lucy, Mitchell, Red Rock, Rice Marsh, Riley, Round, Silver, Staring, Susan.
What if I want to apply for more than one project in a year?
An applicant may choose to apply for more than one project a year. If so, the total award limit per calendar year for an LGU is $50,000.
See the full list of eligible project types.
** A Note About Maximum Awards **
The maximum award for a project is based upon the applicant category, project type, and the benefit of the project toward meeting District goals. A grant offer will include a percent award (most range from 25% to 75% of eligible project costs) and a not-to-exceed amount. The not-to-exceed amount is the maximum dollar amount that will be reimbursed to the grantee after the project is complete. If your final project cost exceeds the estimate in your application, you will be responsible for this overage and your grant award dollar amount will not be adjusted.
Begin Your Application
We have a new online application system! Please let us know if you run into any issues. The benefits of this system include automated email notifications to confirm your site visit request and other stages of your application/grant process.
The first step in the grant application process is to request a site visit to evaluate your site and discuss your idea for a project.
Open the online portal.
Instructions
Click below for instructions for each step of the grant process.
Request a Site Visit
The first step in the application process is to request a site visit. Site visits are scheduled Monday-Friday during regular business hours. A representative of RPBCWD will meet you at the potential project site to discuss your idea, offer advice, and answer questions.
To request a site visit, enter your information into our online application system. The application will open in a new window. Please read the instructions found in "1:Instructions." Next, click on "2:Site Visit Request" to fill out and submit a site visit request. The other steps will be unlocked after your site visit has occurred.
Request a site visit using the online portal.
Complete your Application
After your site visit has been completed, you'll receive notification by email that you can proceed with the next steps in the application process. The email will also include a link to open your application, which will now have items 3 through 9 unlocked for you to fill out and submit. Click on each item to add information to your application. Please take note of required items marked with an asterisk (*).
Once you've completed and submitted your application, you'll receive an email confirmation about your submission. Staff will review your application and reach out with questions and/or to notify of your application status.
Grant Offer
If you are offered a grant for your project, you will be sent a grant agreement for review. If you agree with the terms, sign the grant agreement to formally accept the grant offer. A fully executed copy of the grant agreement, meaning all parties have signed including the district administrator, will be sent to you for your records.
Once you have received this executed grant agreement, you have 12 months to build your project!
Build Your Project
You need to complete your project before the end date listed on your grant agreement. We understand that issues arise than can impact the installation schedule, but please reach out as soon as possible if this occurs.
A few things to keep in mind:
- Keep track of your expenses including all receipts related to the project. You’ll need receipts in order to get reimbursed later.
- Issues come up. If you think you need to make a change to your project plan, contact the grant coordinator for review as soon as possible.
- Take photos before, during, and after your project. You’ll need photos to submit in with your project close-out report.
- You have ONE YEAR (12 months) to complete your project once the grant agreement is signed. Reach out to the grant coordinator if you think you can’t make the 12-month deadline.
- When your project is nearing completion, request a project inspection through the grant coordinator.
Close out your Project
When your project is nearing completion, reach out to the grant coordinator to request a close-out inspection.
Once the project is complete and you have all your receipts, the next step is to submit the closeout report in your application (10: Closeout Report). You can find a link to your application in your email notifications.
Grant Reimbursement
Reimbursement of your grant award occurs after your project has passed inspection and you've submitted your project report including all receipts. The grant coordinator will email you directly to follow up about your reimbursement status.
The timing of your reimbursement will depend upon when in the district's financial cycle you schedule the inspection and submit a close-out report. The average time to receive a reimbursement check is about a month.
Annual Maintenance Report
Once a year, you'll receive an email reminding you to fill out a brief annual maintenance update. The email will include a link to open your application, where item 11 (Annual Maintenance) will be unlocked. Fill out the required information and submit.
The number of times you need to submit an annual maintenance report will be outlined in your grant agreement. Most resident grantees will have to submit a brief report once a year for 5 years. Others will have a longer maintenance term.
Resources
