2017-2018 Mini-Grant Application (.doc)
2017-2018 Mini-Grant Application (fillable .pdf)
2017-2018 Mini-Grant Application (non-fillable .pdf)

Columbia, SC—Faculty and staff members of public, private, and alternative schools in Richland County are eligible to apply for grants in the amounts of $500 or $1,000 to support campus conservation projects and youth environmental education initiatives through Conservation Education Mini-Grants and Clean Stream Columbia Awards.

All schools located in Richland County (including the City of Columbia) are eligible to compete for Conservation Education Mini-Grants. Mini-Grants may be used to support conservation-related student projects including, but not limited to, outdoor classrooms, school gardens, nature trails, wildlife habitats, rain barrels, composting initiatives, air quality campaigns, litter clean-ups, rain gardens, erosion control, and stream bank restoration. Awards are competitive and proposals will be evaluated on the project’s conservation impact, feasibility, student and community involvement, and educational outcomes. Three $500 mini-grants and one $1,000 mini-grant are available in each award cycle. Applicants should design a budget based on what is most appropriate for their project

Additionally, schools located in the City of Columbia are eligible to compete for Clean Stream Columbia Awards. These awards provide funding for projects that promote, protect, or improve water quality such as rain gardens, rain barrels, erosion control, pet waste programs, stream monitoring, composting, etc. One $500 Clean Stream Award is available in each award cycle.

Two award cycles are available: applications received by September 29, 2017 will be considered for fall 2017 funding; applications received by February 2, 2018 will be considered for spring 2018 funding. Funding is issued as a reimbursement for project expenses. Project work and the expenditure of funds must be completed by June 15, 2018. Funding for these awards is provided by the Richland Soil and Water Conservation District and the City of Columbia. For more information, contact Chanda Cooper at (803) 576-2084 or cooperc@rcgov.us.

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Conservation Districts are political subdivisions of state government under the local direction of five-member Boards of Commissioners. The Richland Soil and Water Conservation District promotes the wise use of natural resources for the benefit of the citizens of Richland County.

Contact
Richland Soil and Water Conservation District
2020 Hampton Street, Room 3063A
Columbia, SC 29204
Phone (803) 576-2080
Fax (803) 576-2088
E-mail soilandwater@rcgov.us
Facebook www.facebook.com/rswcd