The Pensacola and Perdido Bays Estuary Program (PPBEP) announced today the launch of its 2025-2026 Community Grant Program, offering $250,000 in funding for environmental restoration and education projects across Northwest Florida.
The competitive grant program will award between $10,000 and $75,000 to qualified projects that restore, preserve, and educate communities about local waterways. Eligible applicants include local governments, educational institutions, and 501(c)(3) organizations working within the Perdido and Pensacola watersheds in Escambia, Santa Rosa, and Okaloosa counties.
Funding Categories and Priorities
Seven project categories align with PPBEP’s Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan: Water Quality, Sedimentation, Habitat Restoration, Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Watershed Awareness and Education, Resilience, and Participatory Science. Priority consideration will be given to “shovel ready” action projects and initiatives that engage and educate the community. Projects leveraging matching funds, including volunteer efforts, will also receive preferential review.
Extended Timeline and Future Cycles
This year’s program features an extended 15-month implementation period, running from October 1, 2025, through December 31, 2026. Due to the longer timeframe, PPBEP will transition to biennial funding cycles, with the next application period scheduled for 2027-2028.
Track Record of Success
Over the past five years, PPBEP has invested more than $1 million across 41 community projects, demonstrating significant local impact in environmental conservation and education efforts.
The application deadline is 11:59 PM CT on July 31, 2025. Complete program details and application materials are available at https://www.ppbep.org/what-we-do/communitygrants.
PPBEP serves as a stakeholder-driven, science-based organization dedicated to restoring and preserving the Pensacola and Perdido Bay systems and their watersheds, working toward a healthy and sustainable environment, economy, and community.