Overview of Water Management District cost-share funding.

The Water Management Districts offer various funding and grant opportunities for a wide variety of project types. This document gives a high-level overview and links to the Districts respective webpages. Each District program is unique, so the first step is determining which District you are located in.

Map of District boundaries –

https://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/about/floridas-water-management-district

St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD)

https://www.sjrwmd.com/localgovernments/funding/districtwide/#gsc.tab=0

The St. Johns River Water Management District accepts applications for cost-share funding for projects that benefit the District’s core missions from Dec. 1, through Jan. 31.

• The level of funding will be determined by the Governing Board at its April meeting.
• Projects are eligible for a maximum district cost-share of $3 million per project or per applicant.
• Funding is limited exclusively to construction-related costs.
• Projects should be completed within two years and must start no later than June 30, of the year following approval.
• Projects that are permitted and ready to begin construction will receive a higher score during the review process.
• The district will fund up to 25 percent of the construction costs for selected alternative water supply, water quality, flood protection, and natural systems projects and up to 50 percent for water conservation projects.

Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD)

https://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/business/finance/cooperative-funding-initiative

A key program for building partnerships is the District’s Cooperative Funding Initiative (CFI) program. The CFI covers up to 50 percent of the cost of projects that help create sustainable water resources, enhance conservation efforts, restore natural systems and provide flood protection. All CFI funding decisions are made by volunteer Governing Board members who are well informed on the specific resources and challenges within their areas.

In August there is a CFI workshop, and the application period opens. Applications are due the first week of October. Preliminary project scores are presented in February to the governing board. If selected for funding, projects can start as soon as October (1 year from the time of submittal).

The CFI guidelines contain many important points about the grants and application process. It is updated each year and is available on the website. Please review the guidelines closely, including the area specific to golf courses in the water conservation section.

Also available, the WISE Program accepts applications year-round and offers to fund 50% of project costs up to $20,000.  This is a great option for weather stations and smaller irrigation system enhancements that reduce water use. Watermatters.org/WISE. Or contact Josh Madden at josh.madden@swfwmd.state.fl.us

South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD)

The objective of the Cooperative Funding Program (CFP) is to assist local governments, public and private water providers, and other entities with construction and/or implementation of alternative water supply (AWS) and water conservation (WC) projects that support or complement the District’s mission.

The Governor and Florida Legislature review and provide program funding assistance on an annual basis at their discretion. In anticipation of legislative appropriations being allocated, the District has historically accepted applications for funding consideration in Mid-December through early March with two workshops held in January. Project applications are then evaluated, and a list of projects is provided by the District to the FDEP for funding consideration by May 31^st  with projects beginning work in October of that year.

The CFP is a reimbursement program. Funding generally can be up to 50% of the project’s construction or implementation cost. However, funds allocated specifically from the Water Protection and Sustainability Trust Fund are eligible for up to 40% of the project’s construction or implementation cost.

The CFP guidelines contain many important points about the grants and application process. It is updated each year and is made available on the website (https://www.sfwmd.gov/doing-business-with-us/coop-funding ) prior to the application period. Please review the guidelines closely, including the area specific to golf courses in the water conservation section. To be included on the email notification of future cooperative funding grant opportunities please click https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/FLSFWMD/subscriber/new to subscribe.