Virginia American Water announced today that applications are now being accepted for the company’s 2022 Environmental Grant Program. The program offers funding of up to $7,500 for innovative, community-based environmental projects that improve, restore or protect the watersheds, surface water and groundwater supplies in local communities. Diverse activities like watershed cleanups, water quality monitoring, biodiversity projects, surface or groundwater protection education, wellhead protection initiatives and hazardous waste collection efforts are examples of projects supported through this grant program.
“Since the founding of our Environmental Grant program, we have supported dozens of organizations rooted in the communities we serve,” said Barry Suits, president of Virginia American Water. “These organizations, such as James River Association, Colonial Beach Community Foundation and Friends of the Lower Appomattox River, have leveraged our program to make a positive impact on our local watersheds. As a leader in environmental stewardship in the Commonwealth, this annual program continues to showcase our commitment to protecting our most precious natural resource while promoting water conservation and education for generations to come.”
To qualify, proposed projects must be:
- Located within the Virginia American Water service area
- Completed between May and November of the grant funding year
- Be a new, innovative community initiative or serve as a significant expansion to an existing program
- Be carried out by a formal or informal partnership between two or more organizations
- Provide evidence of sustainability (continued existence after the grant monies are utilized)
A panel of judges will evaluate the applications based on various criteria including goals, impact, innovation, design and sustainability. The nature of the project’s collaboration with other community organizations as well as its overall community engagement will also be considered. All applicants are expected to outline specific, measurable goals for projects in their proposals. Additional details and the application form are available online. For additional information, please contact Marybeth.Leongini@amwater.com.
Applications must be postmarked by March 31, 2022 and recipients will be notified in May.
