Source Water Protection Mini-grant Program

Joining Forces for Cleaner Sources

Tampa Bay Water is dedicated to protecting our region’s drinking water sources and we need your help. Communities and individual citizens have an important role in keeping our drinking water sources clean and safe.

In the Tampa Bay area, our drinking water comes from groundwater, river water and Tampa Bay. Protecting these sources from pollution safeguards the environment where we live and helps save money too. The cleaner the source water, the less energy and fewer chemicals are needed to treat the water before it gets to you.

That’s why Tampa Bay Water offers the Source Water Protection Mini-grant Program with $30,000 in grant money available to help fund projects and events by local community groups, nonprofit groups, schools and universities. Grants range from $2,000 to $10,000 for activities that help protect regional drinking water sources and the ecosystem.

The Source Water Protection Mini-grant Program is a great way for the community to get involved in keeping our environment and drinking water supplies safe for years to come.

The application period for the 2024 grant cycle is closed. The 2025 application period opens August 2024.

Application Process

  1. Read the Source Water Protection Mini-grant Program Guide
  2. Complete and submit the application form online, or download the form and email it to mchristopher@tampabaywater.org. If downloading the application, complete the budget worksheet and email it to mchristopher@tampabaywater.org.
  3. Sample application
  4. Sample budget worksheet
  5. Attach the W-9 Form
  6. If applicable, attach a letter of commitment from partners

Application Process

  1. Read the Source Water Protection Mini-grant Program Guide
  2. Complete and submit the application form and budget worksheet
  3. Sample application
  4. Sample budget worksheet
  5. Attach the W-9 Form
  6. If applicable, attach a letter of commitment from partners

Supplemental Materials

Evaluation Criteria

Final Report Framework

Applications for the 2024 grant cycle are due by 5 p.m. on November 10, 2023.

Examples of Qualifying Projects

  • River and stream cleanups
  • Restoration and stabilization of riverbanks
  • Protection and preservation of the region's watersheds and aquifer recharge zones
  • Innovative solutions to reduce pollution in wetlands, rivers and coastal areas
  • Educational resources such as trainings, workshops, signage or exhibits, and the development of Florida-standards-based curriculum about drinking water and the environment
  • Public outreach and educational events

Past Grant Awardees

THE FLORIDA AQUARIUM
Amount: $8,000
From Drops to Drink: Protecting Tampa Bay’s Drinking Water

THE FLORIDA BOTANICAL GARDENS FOUNDATION
Amount: $3,000
Wetlands Walkway Interpretive Signage

THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY COUNCIL PTA/PTSA
Amount: $2,250
Water Protection Art Competition

TAMPA BAY KAYAK ANGLERS
Amount: $8,000
Hispanics for Our Environment

THE TAMPA BAY TIMES NEWSPAPER IN EDUCATION
Amount: $2,700
Source Water Protection NIE Teacher Guide/Workshop Series

YearRecipientAmountProject
2022COFFEEPOT BAYOU WATERSHED ALLIANCE$3,500Ramon Creek Invasive Plant Removal and Restoration Project
2022THE FLORIDA AQUARIUM$7,400From Drops to Drink: Protecting Tampa Bay’s Drinking Water
2022KEEP PASCO BEAUTIFUL$10,000Fertilizer Education and Outreach Program
2022TAMPA BAY REFORESTATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL EFFORT$2,000Hillsborough Community College (HCC) Plant City Campus Wetland and Stormwater Enhancement Program
2021KEEP TAMPA BAY BEAUTIFUL$10,000Source Water Protection Education Initiatives
2021KEEP PINELLAS BEAUTIFUL$10,000Crafting a Resilient Environmental Education Program in a COVID Time and Beyond
2021FLORIDA BOTANICAL GARDENS FOUNDATION$5,500Aquatic Demonstration Area Sign Replacement
2021BOYD HILL NATURE PRESERVE (PINELLAS COUNTY SCHOOLS)$3,400Water Efficient Pollinator Garden and Water Cycle Education Program
2020COFFEEPOT BAYOU WATERSHED ALLIANCE$2,000Cleanups, Invasive Plant Removals and Water Sampling
2020KEEP TAMPA BAY BEAUTIFUL$10,000Environmental Education Program and Enviroscape Watershed Model
2020GIRL SCOUTS OF WEST CENTRAL FLORIDA$8,000New Water Fountain, Filling Stations and Signage at Camps
2020GLAZER CHILDREN'S MUSEUM$4,000Water Conservation Education Program and Interactive Exhibits
2019KEEP PINELLAS BEAUTIFUL$10,000K-12 Educational Curriculum and Summer Workshops
2019KEEP TAMPA BAY BEAUTIFUL$10,000Environmental Education Program
2019PASCO EDUCATION FOUNDATION$5,000Wendell Krinn Technical High School Aquaponics Farm Project
2019SICKLES HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER$2,000Relocate and Expand Hydroponic Learning Garden
2018KEEP PINELLAS BEAUTIFUL$10,000K-12 Educational Curriculum and Summer Workshops
2018KEEP TAMPA BAY BEAUTIFUL$10,000Environmental Education Program
2018MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY$10,000Marine Explorers Program for Hillsborough County Public Schools
2017KEEP PINELLAS BEAUTIFUL$10,000We all Live Downstream Watershed Education Program
2017KEEP TAMPA BAY BEAUTIFUL$10,000Environmental Education Program and Florida Learning Garden
2017FLORIDA SOUTHERN COLLEGE$3,300Water Stewardship Curriculum Development and Volunteer Activities
2016KEEP PINELLAS BEAUTIFUL$5,300Education and Outreach Programs
2016 KEEP TAMPA BAY BEAUTIFUL$10,000Environmental Education Program and Enviroscape Watershed Model
2016 GIRL SCOUTS OF WEST CENTRAL FLORIDA$8,000New Water Fountain, Filling Stations and Signage at Camps
2016GLAZER CHILDREN'S MUSEUM$4,000Water Conservation Education Program and Interactive Exhibits

Learn more about our source water protection efforts and steps you can take:

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