The Headwaters to Coast Initiative (H2C) is a Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). The program was initiated in 2022 to develop a partner driven, watershed-wide conservation blueprint for the Lake Superior basin of Wisconsin. Funding for this program is available for communities in Northern Wisconsin and includes Ashland, Bayfield, Douglas and Iron counties. Projects seeking approximately $200,000 will be prioritized under this program but applicants can apply for up to $500,000.
Click through the sections below to learn more about this funding opportunity.
Grant priorities for this funding opportunity include:
Click on the next section to learn more about this funding opportunity’s eligibility requirements.
The H2c program is an “invitation only” grant. The program administrators invite potential grant recipients to participate in “pitch parties” where the potential grantees propose their projects. The H2C program hosts two virtual pitch parties per year. Invitations to pitch meetings must be obtained from the Lake Superior Collaborative. To get invited to a pitch party, interested applicants need to sign up for Lake Superior Collaborative’s Newsletter and contact the program administrator, Catie Geib via email at catie.geib@wisc.edu or by phone at (715) 577-1361 for the most up-to-date information on eligibility as this program is actively evolving.
Click on the next section to learn more about the matching requirements for this funding opportunity.
Cost sharing is not required, although it is highly encouraged. Cost share may be monetary or in-kind contributions and will vary from project to project.
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Funding for projects that support multi-partner, collaborative teams will be prioritized. Projects should address restoration and habitat resiliency projects identified by partners and fall within the Wisconsin, Lake Superior basin area. Eligible costs are determined on a per-project basis but must be related to restoration or habitat resilience. Contact program administrator Catie Geib at catie.geib@wisc.edu for more information.
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Projects under this program are typically completed in 12 months or less. If a project takes longer than 12 months to complete, recipients are required to submit interim performance reports on the frequency established in the Notice of Award.
Click on the next section for this funding opportunity’s application deadline and forms.
There is n o official application deadline or application from for this program. Grants awarded in 2026 will be the final grants available under this program. All projects must be approved through biannual pitch meeting mentioned above.
For more information regarding the timing of future pitch meetings, applicants should reach out to the Lake Superior Collaborative and sign up for their quarterly newsletter or reach out to the program administrator, Catie Geib at catie.geib@wisc.edu.
Click on the next section to access the Contact Information for this funding opportunity.
A WaterNow Alliance Initiative
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