Our Program

Sweet Water's Mini-Grant program supports local, grassroots efforts to improve water quality, restore habitats, promote conservation and  advance public education concerning water issues in the Greater Milwaukee Watersheds.  A special focus is the use of green infrastructure practices.

The Mini-Grant Program not only supports local initiatives but also introduces residents to green infrastructure practices through community projects which in turn help build support for larger green infrastructure initiatives in our watersheds.

Community driven projects underscore the importance of local action as well as actions by individual to protect the waters in our communities.  It is through the combined efforts of individuals, families, neighborhoods, communities and municipalities that we can effect greater improvements in our waters.

Just as a river develops from the small tributaries and reaches that join together to create the main stem of a river, so too do our actions join together to build healthier rivers and habitats.

Holler Park Pond Restoration

Whitefish Bay Rain Barrel Street Art Project

Background of the Mini-Grant Program

The mini-grant program had its inception in 2006 during the planning process for the Urban Rivers Conference. The conference was held in 2007 with 8 mini-grants awarded.  This initial effort was organized by a coalition of local environmental leaders, with support from River Revitalization Foundation and the Milwaukee River Basin Partnership.

In 2008, Sweet Water and the Milwaukee River Basin Partnership co-sponsored the mini-grant program with awards announced early 2009.  Thirteen grants were dispersed to local organizations, neighborhood associations and schools. 

In 2009, Sweet Water became the lead organization for the mini-grant program assuming the responsibility to secure funding for the program.  Grants were announced in January of 2010 and awarded to eleven applicants.

Sweet Water more than doubled the funding for the 2011 grant cycle raising $50,000. The Mini-Grant Program received support from the Fund for Lake Michigan, MMSD, and WE Energies Foundation.

For a complete list of mini-grant recipients, follow this link to the Mini-Grant Project History.

Washington High School Rain Garden Project

Menomonee Valley Partners' volunteers working on

access to Menomonee River

Support for the Mini-Grant Program

Sweet Water and its partner organizations appreciate the support of the following foundations and organizations that has enabled the mini-grant program to continue to fund local, grassroots efforts to improve our rivers and Lake Michigan.

2011 -- $52,000   Fund for Lake Michigan, MMSD, Wisconsin Energy  

                             Foundation, CH2M HILL

2010 -- $15,000   MMSD, Wisconsin Energy Foundation, Sweet Water,

                             The Joyce Foundation

2009 -- $17,000   MMSD, Milwaukee River Basin Partnership

2008 --                 No awards were made

2007 -- $8400      Clean Water Act settlement with funds made available

                             through Coalition to Restore Urban Watersheds.   The 

                             program received additional support from MMSD,

                             Wisconsin Energy Foundation, United Water and

                             Michael Best.

2011 Mini-Grant Program Supporters

Thank you!

Press Releases and Announcements of Awards

Sweet Water Announces the Award of $29,000 to Local Groups (December 14, 2011)

2011 Mini-Grant Request for Proposal and Application (July 19, 2011)

The following links will take you to information about prior awardees.

2010 Mini-Grant Awards Announcement (September 15, 2010)

2010 Mini-Grant Program RFP (Request for Proposals) and Application (June 1, 2010)

Mini-Grant Program: Awardees Announced (February 3, 2009)