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The Community Environmental Project Fund (CEPF) provides money to support the restoration of the environment in communities that were damaged by environmental pollution.
Applications are now open for the 2027 Community Environmental Project Fund grants. CEPF Applications will be accepted through Aug. 31, 2026.
The fund was created by the Delaware General Assembly in 2004 (7 Del. Code §6042). The General Assembly has authorized the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control to establish a grant fund by withholding 40% of funds collected as penalties for violations of environmental regulations.
These funds are returned to the communities where the violations occurred as competitive grants to support community environmental projects. Priority is given to organizations in equity focus areas or within two miles of a violation.
The CEPF uses a searchable mapping tool to ensure that funding supports the state’s environmental justice goals. Delaware has identified Equity Focus Areas to direct investment to address existing inequities. These areas are shown on the map, along with locations of past CEPF investments and of facilities that have had penalty assessments.
Designation as an Equity Focus Area does not guarantee a CEPF grant award. But prioritizing investment in impacted communities that are also Equity Focus Areas can, potentially, have a positive impact on quality of life.
Eligible community environmental projects must mitigate pollution, enhance the environment or create recreational opportunities. The funds are provided to improve overall conditions within the environment, while providing outcomes targeted to improve quality of life, and develop opportunities for collaborative problem solving.
Eliminate, minimize, or reduce environmental pollution and reduce the risks to human health and the environment.
Enhance natural resources, improve indigenous habitats and improve the quality of habitats and ecosystem functions.
Improve access to, and the quality of, outdoor recreation opportunities.
DNREC will accept applications from nonprofit organizations for grants under the Community Environmental Project Fund program from Aug. 1 through Aug. 31, 2026.
To apply, use the CEPF mapping tool to match proposed projects to areas where past environmental violations have occurred. Then complete the online CEPF application.
Applicants should use the templates for a scope of work and a project budget to provide detailed information about their projects. For more information, a hard copy of the application, or for assistance with the application, please contact the Environmental Justice Office Community Ombudsman, Antonio Bivins, at Antonio.Bivins@delaware.gov or 302-739-9040.
Applications will be reviewed against a CEPF scoring rubric. Grantees will be notified in early October. Approved projects will run January through December of 2027.
The following organizations have had projects approved to run during calendar year 2026.
For more information, please contact the Environmental Justice Office Community Ombudsman, Antonio Bivins, at antonio.bivins@delaware.gov or 302-739-9040.
Learn more about some of the past projects funded via the Community Environmental Project Fund. A summary of all awarded projects can be found on the CEPF searchable mapping tool.
Related Topics: assistance, communities, environmental justice, finance, funds, grants, loans, public involvement
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