Grant priorities include:

• Projects that expand Green Stormwater Infrastructure and Enhancing Public Space
• Projects that improve Habitat Quality and Connectivity and Enhancing Public Space
• Projects that directly benefit and engage low-income communities and communities of color
• Projects that meaningfully and directly engage communities in their ideation, design, implementation, and/or long-term maintenance and sustainability

Click on the section below to learn more about this funding opportunity’s eligibility requirements.

The following threshold requirements must be met to be eligible for this funding opportunity:

• Projects must be located in the seven-county region of Southeast Michigan, including St. Clair, Macomb, Oakland, Wayne, Washtenaw, Livingston, and Monroe counties.
• Grantees are required to present or develop plans that clearly address the project site’s operation and management for at least five (5) years after project completion. If applicable, the plan should also describe long-term invasive species management and early detection rapid response (EDRR) protocol. Types of relevant plans or strategies may include, but are not limited to:
  • watershed plans
  • municipal or regional domestic action plans
  • climate action plans
  • sustainability plans
  • green stormwater infrastructure strategies, such as the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments Green Infrastructure Vision for Southeast Michigan
  • the Michigan Environmental Justice Plan
  • state wildlife action plans
  • federal or regional wildlife or natural resource strategies, such as Lakewide Action and Management Plans
  • Michigan’s Forest Action Plan
  • Joint Venture plans
  • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Midwest Region Coastal Program Strategic Work Plan
  • Great Lakes Business Plan
  • other existing local strategies

Click on the next section to learn more about this funding opportunity’s matching requirements.

Match for this grant is not required; however, the ratio of matching contributions offered to grant funding requested is one criterion considered during the review process. Providing some match (non-federal and federal) is encouraged to demonstrate broad support for the project and overall impact of the work.

Match can be any combination of in cash and/or in-kind goods and services (for example external/partner services, volunteers or grantee in-kind, materials and services donated, etc.) or other tangible contributions to the project objectives and outcomes.

No priority will be given to higher cash percentages versus other sources of match. In addition, eligible indirect costs (that would not be paid with requested grant funding) may be applied as match. More information about using indirect costs as match can be found by clicking here. Full information on how to document match, including a description of acceptable sources of match, is available here.

Click on the next section to learn more about the eligible costs for this funding opportunity.

Eligible Costs include:

• Expanding green stormwater infrastructure while enhancing the quality of, access to, and/or use of community green space or natural areas
• Habitat restoration projects that improve the quality and connectivity of habitats

Ineligible Costs include:

• Equipment
• Political advocacy
• Fundraising
• Lobbying
• Litigation
• Compliance with legal requirements, e.g., permit conditions, mitigation, and settlement agreements.

For additional details, please click here.

Click on the next section to learn more about this funding opportunity’s project timeline.

Anticipated completion time for funded projects will typically be two years following finalization of a grant agreement. The standard grant period may include a third year in cases with a demonstrated need for additional time to complete critical project activities including but not limited to, final design or engineering, project establishment or maintenance, community engagement/outreach, or monitoring.

Click on the next section to learn more about this funding opportunity’s application deadline and forms.

Full proposals must be submitted online on EasyGrants by September 28, 2023, 11:59 PM Eastern Time.

A Tip Sheet is available for quick reference while you are working through your application.

Click on the “Contact Information” section below to get in touch with the program officers for this funding opportunity.

Aislinn Gauchay, Program Director, Great Lakes
Phone: (612) 564-7284

Traci Giefer, Senior Program Manager, Great Lakes
Phone: (612) 564-7296

Naomi Attaway, Coordinator, Regional Programs
Phone: (202) 595-2657