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Water Quality Education Grant Program

MARC, on behalf of the regional Water Quality Education Committee, requests proposals from individuals and community groups to implement education activities, events or projects designed to promote actions that will improve water quality in the Kansas City area.

Grant program overview

This grant program is designed to improve public understanding about the negative impact that stormwater runoff has on our local rivers and streams by providing funding to individuals and community groups to utilize in developing their own educational activities, events and projects.

Individuals, non-profit organizations and community groups are eligible to apply for grant funding under this program. Government entities and religious organizations are not eligible to apply for funding.

Grant funds must be used to support activity and/or event planning, project implementation and associated costs. Selected proposals must address at least one of the water quality education goals set out below.

Grant program goals

This grant program funds educational events, activities and projects (collectively called "projects") related to reducing stormwater runoff and decreasing pollution of area creeks and streams. These projects should promote behavior changes that will lead to decreased stormwater runoff and improved water quality in area creeks and streams. Projects should address at least one of the following goals:

• Provide public education about the adverse impacts of stormwater runoff and water pollution
• Promote policies and management practices that individuals or communities should implement to reduce stormwater runoff and water pollution
• Implement on-the-ground projects designed to reduce stormwater runoff and water pollution in area creeks and streams

Program funders

Grant funds are administered by Mid-America Regional Council. The program is funded by local municipal contributions.

2010 grant recipients

• Blue River Watershed Association ($2,000)
  BRWA was awarded funding for its 10th Annual KC Clean Streams Litter Pick up for area students. This month-long event is anticipated to bring over 5,000 students to area creeks and streams.
• Bridging the Gap ($2,000)
  Keep Kansas City Beautiful, a partnership of local residents and community organizations and project of Bridging the Gap, was awarded funding for its building green infrastructure training program among residential groups in the urban core. The variety of training opportunities focuses on urban gardening, using rain barrels and native landscaping.
• Stone Lion Puppet Theatre ($3,500)
  Through the art of puppetry, the theatre was awarded funding to provide environmental education opportunities for families to learn about the hazards of stormwater at community events, festivals and school assembly shows. Most performances are targeted to low-income students in Jackson and Wyandotte County.
• Cass County Sustainability Committee ($2,000)
  The Cass County Sustainability Committee was awarded funding to install a rain garden at Pleasant Hill Intermediate School.
• KU Center for Research ($2,000)
  The KU Talent Search program was awarded funding for transportation, food and student supplies to assist in its environmental education program that focuses on water quality for urban students in Wyandotte County. Reaching a significant number of students in an area of the city that has historically been underserved will inevitably create a positive impact within the community.
• Little Blue River Watershed Coalition ($1,500)
  LBRWC was awarded funding to host three rain garden workshops in 2010 at Lakeside Nature Center. Three rain gardens will be installed in conjunction with the trainings. The visible location, adult training component and commitment from KCMO Parks Department are great added incentives to the project.
• Friends of Lakeside Nature Center ($1,500)
  Sponsorship of the 20th Annual Blue River Clean up was awarded to cover the cost of equipment and food.
• West Branch Sni-A-Bar Creek Watershed Consortium ($500)
  The consortium was awarded funding for a water quality monitoring course at a local elementary school, a water festival and publication costs for a newspaper layout informing the public about the organization and the hazards of non-point source pollution. 

For additional information regarding this Grant Program please contact Kassie Shelton at kshelton@marc.org or (816) 701-8280.