Chesapeake Bay

Partnerships and Funding

Partnerships

Chesapeake Covenant Community a movement of congregations dedicated to caring for God's Creation in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. For more information on past, recent or upcoming gatherings, contact Executive Director, Bill Breakey at breakeys@comcast.net.
Local Watershed Groups - these organizations make great partners for churches who want to make their church grounds more Bay friendly. They can provide technical support and can work with congregations to secure grants from some of the funders listed below. Click here to find a local watershed group near you.
Greater Washington Interfaith Power and Light. (For Prince George and Montgomery Counties)

Funding

Denominational Funding - many denominations offer grants or loans to congregations who invest in energy efficiency or renewable energy.
Chesapeake Bay Trust - Apply for a grant to make your church grounds Bay friendly by implementing a low impact design project. .
Maryland Energy Administration - Apply for wind, solar and geothermal clean energy grants.
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) - Chesapeake Bay Small Watershed Grants Program: Apply for a grant to make your church grounds Bay friendly by implementing a low impact design project.
PLANT and BE COUNTED is a call to Marylanders to plant trees and register them online. This State program offers a $25 coupon to purchase any native tree costing $50 or more from participating nurseries throughout the state. There is no limit on how many coupons can be used and they can be printed directly from the web site. This site also has guidance for selecting and planting trees for your location as well as a tool to calculate the benefit of the trees planted. Once you've planted your tree register it online at www.trees.maryland.gov. The goal is to have Marylanders plant and register 50,000 trees a year to help with improving air and water quality. Click here for more information.
Montgomery County Rainscapes Rewards - get a rebate for installing, rain gardens, rain barrels, permeable pavers and green roofs.

Fundraising within your congregation

This process will be easier if your congregation has made stewardship of God’s Creation a church wide priority. Consider becoming a Stewards of the Bay congregation by signing the Stewards of the Bay Affirmation of Eco-Justice. Download it here.