The Lancaster Clean Water Fund
About the Lancaster Clean Water Fund
The Lancaster Clean Water Fund serves as a catalyst for increased collaboration to efficiently achieve clean and clear water in Lancaster County by 2040. It provides a unique opportunity to work with landowners, leaders, and communities across the county on education, restoration, and protection projects to improve water quality. Across Lancaster County, clean water is a priority. With the majority of Lancaster County streams and much of our groundwater unhealthy, our community is a priority area for reducing specific pollutants (nutrient and sediment) by 2025 in accordance with Lancaster’s Countywide Action Plan (CAP).
Grants of $1,000 – $20,000
To view past project examples, click here.
APPLICATIONS OPEN MARCH 3
Grant Specifics
Some project categories include, but are not limited to:
- Art installations that educate the public about water pollution and opportunities
- Water quality monitoring (must include an educational component too)
- Community-led implementation of conservation practices
- Watershed educational campaigns or student projects that involve the community
- Public/private collaboration to encourage students or adults to consider conservation and water-related careers.
A match is not required. Awarded funds will be released to grantees after signing a Grantee Partner Agreement. Grantees will be responsible for submitting one report at the end of the grant period which includes a financial report.
Grant Timeline
Application opens: March 3, 2026
Draft applications due for feedback (optional): June 1, 2026
Final applications due: July 1, 2026
Award notifications: August 31, 2026
Grant funding period: September 1, 2026 – September 1, 2027
Completion report due: October 1, 2026
Questions?
Contact Alex Cooper, Program Coordinator for Lancaster Clean Water Partners, at [email protected] to receive access to the application.
Images credited to Michelle Johnsen Photography. Courtesy of the Lancaster Conservancy’s Water Week 2019 album.
