Standard Grants Program

Valley Water helps make a difference through our Standard Grants Program

2025 Standard Grant Cycle

The 2025 standard grant application cycle is now closed. Subscribe to our mailing list to stay updated and learn about the FY26 Standard Grant Program. 

Standard Grants Program

The Standard Grants Program supports projects that promote safe, clean drinking water, water conservation, flood protection, and environmental stewardship in Santa Clara County. This program offers $1.87 million in funding for diverse project types that serve residents, empowering communities to address local water and environmental challenges through education, planning, and stewardship.

Whether you are a public agency, government entity, nonprofit organization, or educational institution, this program provides the financial resources needed to create meaningful impacts.

Program Highlights

The Standard Grants Program is designed to provide flexibility and support for various project types. Key details include:

• Funding Amounts: Grant requests can be up to $150,000 per project.
• Funding Categories: Projects can focus on Education, Planning, or Stewardship activities.
• Project Timeline: Projects must be completed within three years for Education and Planning Grants and five years for Stewardship Grants.
• Reimbursement-Based: Up to 90% of costs reimbursed during the project, with 10% reimbursed upon completion.
• Match Funding Requirement:
  • No match is required for Education or Planning Grants.
  • Stewardship Grants require a 15% match.

Eligible Applicants

The following entities are eligible to apply for funding:

• Local cities, towns, and county agencies
• Local nonprofit organizations with a 501(c)(3) tax exempt status
• Water agencies/districts (public, not-for-profit)
• Open space, resource conservation, and special districts
• Schools, community colleges, and colleges/universities (public, not-for-profit)

Eligible Applicants may seek grant funding for more than one project; however, Valley Water will only award one grant per project. Projects must also directly benefit Santa Clara County residents and align with Valley Water’s mission.

Funding Categories Available in 2025

Education Grants

Education grants support curriculum and community learning to spread awareness of the importance of safe, clean water, water conservation, flood preparedness, environmental stewardship, and other water-related topics. Valley Water seeks projects that provide the public with high-quality learning experiences that empower participants to engage in water-focused solutions within their communities.

Activities could include presentations, curriculum or material development, classroom activities, educational videos, field trips or tours, etc.

For more information on education grants, please see the 2025 Standard Grant Guidelines (PDF).

Planning Grants

Planning grants fund the planning or design activities needed to complete large-scale implementation projects to advance Safe, Clean Water Program priorities and support Valley Water’s mission.

Activities could include environmental planning, feasibility studies, academic research, and/or design activities supporting later capital project implementation. Projects should result in a detailed analysis and evaluation of the implementation project's impact and all reasonable alternatives.

For more information on planning grants, please see the 2025 Standard Grant Guidelines (PDF).

Stewardship Grants

Stewardship grants provide funds for a wide variety of projects that will advance Safe, Clean Water Program priorities and support Valley Water’s mission. The Stewardship Grant opportunity is Valley Water’s broadest grant category and can encompass many different activities and multi-benefit elements related to Valley Water’s mission. These projects must demonstrate public benefits and require a 15% funding match.

Activities could include smaller-scale implementation projects such as litter/pollution cleanups, community gardens, minor habitat restoration (under 5 acres), minor construction of structures/facilities, or alteration/improvement to existing facilities (such as structures, walls, small park amenities, museum exhibits, etc.).

For more information on stewardship grants, please see the 2025 Standard Grant Guidelines (PDF).

Key Application Dates and Deadlines*

*The above dates are subject to change.

What can we do for you?

We are eager to partner with you to help create meaningful change. Even small changes can ripple out to a much bigger impact, and combining our resources can help us work together to create the change that improves our community and environment.

Learn more!

Have questions? Visit our grant success stories to see what kinds of projects have received grant funding in the past, or contact us at [email protected] or (408) 630-2080 to learn more.

Are you interested in staying in touch? Sign up for our mailing list to receive emails on future funding opportunities.

You can also schedule a meeting with staff using the following link:

• Schedule a 30-minute meeting

Valley Water also offers other grant opportunities, such as the Mini-Grant Program and Refill Station Grant Program.