Stewardship Grant Applications - Nine Mile Creek Watershed District

The grant application period is closed for 2023. Grants will be available again in 2024.

Stewardship Grants

Stewardship grants help residents and organizations install projects that prevent stormwater pollution to our lakes and Nine Mile Creek. Examples of projects include raingardens, shoreline buffers, and permeable pavers. If you are interested in a native habitat restoration grant, learn more and apply at: ninemilecreek.org/get-involved/grants/restoration-applications.

How to apply for a stewardship grant

There are four parts to an stewardship grant application:

Stewardship Grant Application
Project Form
Plant List Form (if applicable)
Project Budget Form

Follow the steps below to apply for a stewardship grant.

For questions, contact Lizzy at 952-248-0410 or eboor@ninemilecreek.org.

Step 1: Read the guidelines

Read the stewardship grant guidelines. The guidelines provide necessary information about the District’s grants.

Stewardship Grant Guidelines

Information on how the District reviews grants is also provided to assist in your application.

Stewardship Grant Application Review Summary (PDF)

Step 2: Fill out a stewardship grant application

Fill out the stewardship grant application (available as a PDF or Word document).

This form is required for all applications.

Stewardship Grant Application (WORD)

Stewardship Grant Application (PDF)

Step 3: Fill out a project form

Pick your project type below and fill out the project form in Word or PDF. If your project type is not listed, contact the District at least three weeks prior to the application deadline at 952-358-2276.

A project form is required for all applications.

Raingarden

What is a raingarden? A raingarden is a planted depressions that collects stormwater runoff. Plants with deep roots helps the runoff soak into the ground. As the water soaks into the ground, it becomes cleaner.

Raingarden Project Form (WORD)

Raingarden Project Form (PDF)

Raingarden Example Project Form (PDF)

Shoreline Buffer

What is a shoreline buffer? A shoreline buffer is a vegetated area of land adjacent to a water body, designed to intercept polluted runoff before it reaches the water body. This differs from a native habitat restoration which is not adjacent to a water body.

Shoreline Buffer Project Form (WORD)

Shoreline Buffer Project Form (PDF)

Shoreline Buffer Example Project Form (PDF)

Permeable Pavers

What is permeable pavement? Permeable pavements/pavers allow stormwater runoff to soak into the ground to an underlying stone reservoir for infiltration into native soils.

Permeable Paver Project Form (WORD)

Permeable Paver Project Form (PDF)

Pervious Paver Example Project Form (PDF)

Chloride Reduction

What is chloride reduction? A chloride reduction is a practice or project that reduces excess salt used on roads/parking lots/sidewalks.

Chloride Reduction Project Form (WORD)

Chloride Reduction Project Form (PDF)

Chloride Reduction Example Project Form (PDF)

Step 4: Fill out a plant list form (if applicable)

If your project type uses plants, fill out the applicable plant list. In order to receive reimbursement for plants, you must select plants from the District provided lists. If you choose to use other plants that you will pay for with match, fill out this form.

This form is required for projects that use plants.

Raingarden Plant List Form (PDF)

Shoreline Buffer Plant List Form (PDF)

Step 5: Fill out a budget form

Use the provided budget form to provide detail about the expected costs of your project. Refer to the Stewardship Grant Guidelines about eligible and ineligible expenses.

This form is required for all applications.

Cost Share Budget Worksheet (PDF)

Cost Share Budget Worksheet (Excel)

As a reminder, grants are awarded for 75% of eligible project costs up to a maximum of:

$5,000 for residential projects
$20,000 for townhome, condominium, or lake associations
$50,000 for commercial, government, or nonprofit projects

Step 6: Review your application

Check your application for completeness using the table below.

Step 7: Draft application review by Nine Mile Creek staff (optional)

Optional: Submit a draft application to esniegowski@ninemilecreek.org at least three weeks prior to the application deadline for review and feedback. Staff will provide brief comments on your application for your consideration before you submit your final application.

Step 8: Submit Completed Application

Submit your final application, project forms and budget by March 15th, 2024 by 4 PM.

By email (preferred) to: esniegowski@ninemilecreek.org
By mail to: Nine Mile Creek Watershed District, Attn: Erica, 12800 Gerard Dr, Eden Prairie, MN 55346

We only have one stewardship grant application deadline per year. We do not accept late or incomplete applications.