Grant Programs

VEE currently administers the following grant programs:  

• Virginia Program:  Grant-making priorities in the Virginia Program are focused on water quality, Chesapeake Bay, land conservation and use, environmental education and awareness, climate adaptation, and other emerging issues.  See the Virginia Program page for details, and the Proposal Submission page for application instructions.
• James River Water Quality Improvement Program: Funds from this program are available solely for the purpose of improving the water quality of the James River and its tributaries in Virginia. VEE has established several strategic investment priorities for the current grant cycle: riparian buffers, accelerating agricultural pollution reduction practices including enhanced technical assistance, living shorelines, and stream restoration.  In the Jamestown region, VEE is also prioritizing illicit sewage discharges (“straight pipes”) and failing septic systems as well as a limited number of cost-effective stormwater management initiatives. Proposals which differ from the initial funding priorities must demonstrate the significance and cost effectiveness of the proposal in improving the water quality of the James River. See the James River Water Quality Improvement Program page and the associated documents for additional information and application instructions.
• Community Conservation Program: The Community Conservation Program provides funds for conservation initiatives located within the counties of Craig, Franklin, Giles, Montgomery, Pittsylvania and Roanoke, and the cities of Salem and Roanoke. The Program focuses on water quality protection, restoration, and improvement; land conservation support; and environmental literacy and awareness within the listed jurisdictions. During the initial 2019 to 2020 offering, VEE will be soliciting proposals by invitation only and will be considering proposals of no less than $50,000.  See the Community Conservation Program page for additional information and application instructions.
• Kanawha and Ohio River Valleys Program:  Currently limited to the Kanawha and Ohio River Valleys of Kentucky and West Virginia, this grant program supports research, education, and community action on water quality and the effects of water pollution on public health and the environment.  See the Kanawha and Ohio River Valleys Program page for details. “IMPORTANT NOTE: This grant program is closed to new applications.”

The Endowment’s annual reports include a list of grants made during the fiscal year. Check the Annual Reports section of this site for VEE’s most recent annual reports.