Clean Water Legacy Partners Grant Program

The Clean Water Legacy Partners Grant Program is administered by the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) to expand partnerships that protect, restore, and enhance Minnesota water resources. The program is funded through the Minnesota Clean Water Fund established under Minnesota Statutes 114D.50 and supported by Article XI, Section 15 of the Minnesota Constitution. The program is designed to support projects that improve water quality in lakes, rivers, streams, groundwater, and drinking water sources across Minnesota. The FY 2027 program emphasizes collaboration, environmental justice, and community-centered approaches while ensuring grant-funded activities supplement rather than replace traditional funding sources. A total of $1,155,434 is available through this funding opportunity. Of that amount, $655,434 is designated for Tribal entities and $500,000 is designated for nongovernmental organizations. Individual awards may range from $50,000 to $250,000, and applicants may receive partial funding depending on project eligibility and funding availability. A non-state match equal to at least 10 percent of the grant award is required. Match contributions may come from landowners, Tribal governments, local governments, federal sources, private organizations, or other non-state sources and may include cash, services, or materials. Funds used as match cannot be used for other state grant programs, and activities completed before execution of the grant agreement are not eligible as match contributions. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, Tribal governments, the 1854 Treaty Authority, and the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission. Applicants must operate within Minnesota and conduct activities benefiting Minnesota resources. Organizations must possess state or federal recognition such as a Minnesota Tax ID or Unique Entity Identifier. Organizations without formal recognition may apply through a fiscal agent. Applicants suspended or debarred by the State of Minnesota or federal government are not eligible. The program encourages multi-organization collaboration and partnership-based proposals, and collaborative structures are incorporated into the scoring criteria during application review. Eligible activities must primarily protect, enhance, or restore water quality or protect groundwater and drinking water sources. Allowable activities include structural and non-structural conservation practices, wetland restoration, streambank stabilization, stormwater management, environmental education and outreach, technical and engineering services, project development, grant administration, equipment purchases, and land management activities. The solicitation also permits financial assistance to land occupiers for implementing conservation practices. Several activities are specifically prohibited, including projects without a primary water quality benefit, routine water quality monitoring, feedlot-related activities, routine maintenance of existing infrastructure, and activities required solely to satisfy existing legal obligations. All funded practices must comply with technical quality standards and operation and maintenance requirements established by BWSR and applicable conservation guidance. Applications must be submitted electronically through BWSR’s eLINK grants management system. Applicants without an existing eLINK account are instructed to establish one no later than seven days before the proposal deadline. Nonprofit organizations requesting $50,000 or more must complete a financial review under Minnesota Office of Grants Management Policy 08-06. Required documentation includes a completed Pre-Award Nonprofit Form, recent IRS Form 990 filings, financial audits if available, and proof of good standing with the Minnesota Secretary of State. These materials must be emailed separately to BWSR by the application deadline. Applicants must answer eight narrative questions in eLINK addressing project goals, water resource priorities, organizational readiness, project activities, plan alignment, intended outcomes, environmental justice considerations, public benefit, and partnerships. Responses are limited to 2,000 characters each. Applications opened on February 18, 2026, and must be submitted no later than 4:30 PM on May 19, 2026. Questions regarding the solicitation must be submitted by May 15, 2026, to cwfquestions@state.mn.us with “Clean Water Legacy Partners Grant” in the subject line. BWSR also offered an optional informational webinar on March 19, 2026, and provides supplemental resources including an application guide, training materials, frequently asked questions, and a webinar recording. Anticipated awards are expected in July 2026, with grant agreements distributed in August 2026. Work plans are due by August 31, 2026, grant agreements must be executed by September 30, 2026, and grant agreements expire on December 31, 2029. Applications are evaluated by BWSR staff and external reviewers using a 100-point scoring framework. Review criteria include project abstract quality, identification of priority water resources, feasibility of activities and budgets, organizational readiness, alignment with water management plans, measurable outcomes, environmental justice impacts, public benefit, and partnerships or collaborations. Successful applicants must comply with BWSR reporting requirements, maintain project documentation, acknowledge Clean Water Fund support publicly where practicable, and follow all applicable state and federal requirements related to prevailing wage, permitting, technical standards, and grant management. The program is part of an ongoing statewide effort to improve Minnesota water quality through locally driven and Tribal-led partnerships.

Emphasize measurable water quality outcomes and realistic pollutant reduction estimates. Clearly align the proposal with local state or Tribal water management plans. Demonstrate organizational readiness and explain how the required 10% match and reimbursement structure will be managed. Strong collaborative partnerships and environmental justice impacts improve competitiveness.