Pennsylvania Environment Grants

The Vision Partnership Program (VPP) – Cash Grant is offered by Chester County to its municipalities and multi-municipal groups. Established in 1996, and revised in 2010 and 2019 to align with Landscapes and then Landscapes2 and Landscapes3, the program aims to improve planning efforts at the local level. This grant program is deeply aligned with Chester County's comprehensive plan, Landscapes3, by promoting consistency and implementation of its goals, objectives, recommendations, and map. The core mission of the VPP is to foster cooperation between local governments and the County to achieve impactful, lasting, and positive benefits through innovative municipal and multi-municipal planning. The VPP targets all Chester County municipalities that have endorsed or acknowledged Landscapes3, including single municipalities or multi-municipal groups. The program aims to achieve a variety of impact goals, such as advancing consistency with the county comprehensive plan, accomplishing positive benefits for municipalities through innovative planning, and addressing community concerns through new and revised municipal plans, ordinances, and planning studies. The program prioritizes projects enabled by the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (MPC), Act 247, and also includes "Planning Studies" for projects not adopted under the MPC. The VPP focuses on a broad range of eligible projects. These include comprehensive plans, open space, park, and recreation plans, zoning and subdivision ordinances and amendments (covering topics like agriculture, historic resources, natural resources, housing, and traditional neighborhood development), official maps and ordinances, urban center revitalization plans, resource protection/stewardship plans, environmental and community sustainability/resilience plans, community design guides, village master plans, heritage interpretation plans, historic resource surveys, housing plans/studies, economic development studies, transportation corridor plans/studies, streetscape master plans, multimodal plans/studies, trail feasibility studies, and plans/ordinances that support the transition to renewable or alternative energy, as well as agricultural economic development plans. Expected outcomes of the VPP include the successful adoption of plans or ordinances, for which grants of $50,000 are provided, with an additional $10,000 for each additional municipality involved. For planning studies, the expected outcome is acceptance, with grants of $30,000 plus $5,000 for each additional municipality. The strategic priorities of Chester County, as evidenced by the VPP, are to support local governments in developing robust planning programs that align with the county's comprehensive vision, ultimately leading to well-planned, sustainable communities. The theory of change is that by providing financial incentives and guidance, municipalities will be empowered to implement the principles of Landscapes3, resulting in tangible community improvements and a coordinated approach to regional development.

This program provides financial support to grassroots watershed organizations in Western Pennsylvania for projects focused on water quality monitoring, habitat restoration, and community outreach to protect and restore local watersheds.

This grant provides funding to government agencies and nonprofit organizations to improve aquatic habitats and recreational access in the Tulpehocken and Quittapahilla Creek watersheds in Pennsylvania.

This program provides free technical assistance to small Pennsylvania businesses to help them improve their operations and competitiveness by connecting them with expert resources and solutions for specific technical challenges.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for projects aimed at reducing nonpoint source pollution in Pennsylvania's waterways, targeting organizations like watershed associations, municipalities, and conservation districts to implement effective water quality improvement strategies.

This grant provides financial assistance to Pennsylvania municipalities and counties to develop and implement effective recycling programs that improve local recycling efforts and infrastructure.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for the development, maintenance, and educational initiatives related to motorized trails in Pennsylvania, targeting a wide range of applicants including government agencies, nonprofits, and for-profit entities.

This program provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, for projects that address community needs in areas such as human services, environmental protection, arts and culture, and social justice.

This funding opportunity supports Philadelphia-based organizations and community groups with innovative strategies to protect urban gardens from development, particularly in neighborhoods facing poverty and racial inequity.

This program provides funding to municipalities, nonprofits, educational institutions, and other organizations in Pennsylvania for the development and improvement of parks, trails, and recreational spaces to enhance community livability and promote conservation.

This funding program provides financial support to local governments and nonprofit organizations in southeastern Pennsylvania for projects that promote conservation, outdoor recreation, and community engagement within the Schuylkill Highlands region.

This program provides Pennsylvania state income tax credits to farmers, landowners, and businesses for implementing conservation practices that improve water quality and enhance agricultural productivity.

This program provides financial assistance to municipalities in Chester County, Pennsylvania, for improving and developing public parks and recreational trails.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations involved in the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission's Cooperative Nursery Program for improving fish-rearing facilities and purchasing necessary equipment.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to Pennsylvania municipalities, nonprofit organizations, and educational institutions for improving sewage and water infrastructure projects that promote public health and environmental conservation.

This funding opportunity supports Pennsylvania municipalities and planning organizations in creating active transportation plans to improve walkability, accessibility, and health outcomes in their communities.

This program provides financial assistance to nonprofit organizations, municipalities, and educational institutions in northeastern Pennsylvania for projects that promote heritage tourism, environmental conservation, and community engagement.

This program provides funding to local governments, schools, transit authorities, and nonprofits for projects that improve pedestrian and bicycle facilities, enhance community spaces, and support safe routes to school initiatives across Pennsylvania.

This program provides funding for small-scale projects that celebrate and preserve the lumber heritage and natural beauty of 15 counties in Pennsylvania, targeting nonprofits, municipalities, and educational institutions.

This program provides reimbursement-based funding to farmers and nonprofit educational institutions in Pennsylvania to support sustainable farming practices that improve soil and water quality while reducing operating costs.