1

News Release
For Immediate Releases
September 15, 2014
Contact: 414-382-1766 or herriges@swwtwater.org

Sweet Water Announces Request for Proposals for 2014 Water Quality Mini-Grant Program

Sweet Water the Southeastern Wisconsin Watersheds Trust, Inc. - is requesting proposals for its 2014
Water Quality Mini-Grant Program, with a grant request deadline of November 14, 2014. Sweet
Water expects to provide grants of $1,000 - $5,000 to established non-profits, youth organizations,
community and civic groups for projects or activities which advance the objectives of Sweet Water
to achieve healthy and sustainable water resources in the five watersheds of greater Milwaukee.

Funding will be awarded to eligible projects located in the Kinnickinnic, Menomonee, Milwaukee, and
Root Rivers and Oak Creek watersheds. Given the limited funds available, private businesses and units
of government are not eligible for 2014 mini-grant funding, however, non-profit groups can apply as
partners with local governments or businesses.

The aim of the Sweet Water Mini-Grant Program is to support local, grassroots efforts that employ
green infrastructure practices and water quality-related activities that will improve water quality,
enhance conservation, restore habitat or educate people about water quality issues and associated
stewardship actions.

Mini-grants may be used for a single project or for an on-going program, but preference will be given
to projects with the potential to make a direct impact on water quality and to offer a long-lasting
impact to the community. Every project should include an education component which can be
accomplished through signage, public events, project publicity, or volunteer involvement. Requests
intended for general budget operations will not be considered. Mini-grant award winners will be
announced by January 30, 2015 and featured at Sweet Waters spring Clean Rivers, Clean Lake
Conference.

Examples of projects that may be submitted to this RFP include, but are not limited to, the following
(successful applicants may combine several of these elements in a single project):
Rain barrel, rain garden, and native landscaping installations
Riparian buffer or shoreline restoration efforts
Planting of trees and other vegetation to reduce stormwater runoff
Replacement of asphalt, concrete and conventional lawns with trees, plantings and gardens
Educating the public about storm water pollution prevention options
Engaging in activities which protect the rivers and lakes from pollution and habitat destruction
Create a citizen education program about residential water quality and conservation measures
2

Sweet Waters Water Quality Mini-grant Program 2014 Timeline
Promote Sweet Waters mini-grant opportunity to community groups: September-October, 2014
Mini-grant project submission deadline: November 14, 2014
Grant review, ranking and selection: November and December, 2014
Grant winners notified: January 30, 2014
Feature winners at Sweet Waters Clean Rivers, Clean Lake Conference: Spring, 2015
2014 mini-grant final reports due: December 31, 2015

For the complete request for proposal announcement and application, visit www.swwtwater.org.
Emailed applications are preferred. Please send to herriges@swwtwater.org with Mini-Grant
Application in the subject line. If it is not possible to email your application and materials, send
completed applications to:

Sweet Water
600 E. Greenfield Ave.
Milwaukee, WI 53204

Please call Sweet Water with any questions at (414) 382-1766 or via email at herriges@swwtwater.org.

###

Sweet Water, the Southeastern Wisconsin Watersheds Trust, Inc., is a nonprofit organization created in
2008 as a partnership of local governments, nonprofit organizations, businesses, academia, and
individuals working collectively to improve the water resources in the 1,100 square miles of the
Greater Milwaukee watersheds.

For more information on Sweet Water, visit www.swwtwater.org or contact Joan Herriges, Project
Specialist, at 414-382-1766 or by email at herriges@swwtwater.org .

###