Grants available for communities where environmental violations have occurred

Grants are available through the Community Environmental Project Fund for projects that restore or provide environmental benefits to communities where civil or administrative environmental violations have occurred. Projects that meet funding criteria include those that reduce pollution, enhance natural resources, or create recreational opportunities for Delawareans.

The Community Environmental Project Fund, created by House Bill 192 in February 2004, consists of 25 percent of all civil or administrative penalties collected by the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control. Currently, the fund has approximately $129,000 available for projects in the state.

Eligibility has been expanded for the 2014 funding cycle. Traditional nonprofit 501c3 organizations are eligible for grants up to $20,000, while nonprofit organizations which do not have tax-exempt status but have established a fiscal sponsor agreement with an IRS tax-exempt organization, are eligible to apply for a maximum grant amount of $10,000.

The application deadline is 4:30 p.m., Friday, June 13. Grant requirements and the application form can be found at www.dnrec.delaware.gov/CIAC.