This Question-and-Answer section is intended to assist applicants in understanding the key elements of the Clean Water Legacy Partners Request for Proposal (RFP) and contains common questions that have been asked by previous grant applicants. BWSR staff will update the list as new questions are received. You may submit questions at cwfquestions@state.mn.us.
Last updated: 5/6/26
1. Q: Who is eligible for funding?
A: Nonprofit organizations, Tribal Governments, the 1854 Treaty Authority, and the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission.
2. Q: Where can I find resources on how to submit the RFP?
A: Guidance on submitting a funding request can be found by watching the video eLINK Guidance: Creating and Submitting a Funding Request in eLINK. Guidance about Activities can be found on the eLINK Guidance: Managing Activities page. An Application Guide is located along with the RFP on the Apply for BWSR Grants webpage. Guidance about eLINK can be found on the eLINK homepage.
3. Q: How much are grant requests?
A: Grant requests can be between $50,000 and $250,000.
4. Q: Can organizations submit more than one application, or more than one application for the maximum amount?
A: Yes
5. Q: When does the RFP open and close?
A: The RFP period is from February 18 until May 19, 2026. Applications must be submitted by 4:30 p.m. on May 19, 2026, to be considered for funding.
6. Q: What Activities can the grant funds be used for?
A: Eligible activities can include, but are not limited to, structural practices and projects, non-structural practices, education and information, project development, grant administration and coordination, and project support. Technical and engineering assistance necessary to implement these activities are considered essential and are to be included in the total project or practice cost. Questions about eligible activities can be directed to cwfquestions@state.mn.us.
7. Q: Do Tribal governments have to submit financial information to BWSR?
A: Tribal governments do not need to provide financial information to BWSR.
8. Q: What financial documents need to be submitted by Nonprofits?
A: Nonprofit applicants must submit a completed “Pre-Award Nonprofit Form” available on the Apply for BWSR Grants webpage. Related documentation requested may include but is not limited to a copy of the nonprofit’s most recent Form 990 or Form 990-EZ, most recent certified financial audit, and confirmation of good standing with the Office of the Secretary of State.
9. Q: When is the Pre-Award Financial Capacity Review form required to be submitted by Nonprofit applicants?
A: Completed Pre-Award Nonprofit Forms and related documentation must be submitted to BWSR.grants@state.mn.us prior to the application deadline of May 19, 2026.
10: Q: Can financial documents be submitted on eLink?
A: No. Nonprofit financial documents cannot be attached using eLINK. They must be sent via email to BWSR.grants@state.mn.us.
11. Q: The RFP stipulates that nonprofits are eligible. Does this apply to 501c4 organizations or only 501c3 organizations?
A: Nonprofits are one of the eligible applicant types for this grant. A 501c4 is a type of NGO, so are eligible to apply. Non-governmental/nonprofit organizations and tribal organizations are eligible for this funding.
12. Q: Can an NGO/Nonprofit apply for a grant and have a LGU be the fiscal agent?
A: Yes, we suggest that a subcontract/sub-agreement be used, and the ultimate fiscal responsibility lies with the grantee.
13. Q: What can be used for in-kind cash value as match?
A: Match includes the services, materials, or cash contributed to the accomplishment of grant objectives. In-kind cash value must be directly attributed to the project or activity accomplishments and account for the same as items charged directly to the grant. Activities listed as ineligible activities in the RFP may not be counted towards match.
14. Q: Would payment to farmers to incentivize adoption of agricultural practices that improve water quality (i.e. cover crops) be an eligible expense for the program?
A: Cost sharing or incentive programs for agricultural practices (such as cover crops) are eligible under this program, and payments should be based on rates set by local policy.
15. Q: Does technical assistance from programs under this grant have to follow NRCS Conservation Practice Standards? Specifically, would differences from the Cover Crop standard (code 340) require a variance?
A: Requirements for practice standards are on page 5 of the RFP. There is flexibility to use a different source of practice standard than NRCS, but it does need to be a reputable, professionally accepted source. In your proposal, you would need to include this information. You’ll also need to have access to a technical assistance provider with appropriate credentials to work with landowners on cover crop establishment
16. Q: Is there a recording of the Introductory Webinar?
A: This is where you will find the Clean Water Legacy Partners RFP Webinar.
17. Q: Would CWLP funds be eligible to support mapping and identification work within priority subwatersheds if the purpose is to identify and rank sediment sources to guide future installation of eligible structural sediment-reduction practices?
A: Developing a GIS-based prioritization tool would be eligible.
18. Q: Would CWLP grant funds be eligible to cover the landowner-required portion of project cost for eligible practices, provided that total reimbursement does not exceed 100% of documented project cost and the proposal demonstrates that CWLP funding would accelerate implementation that might otherwise be delayed due to the landowner cost-share requirement?
A: Clean Water Legacy Partners funds can be used to fund up to 100% of a practice, so using them to cover the landowner portion of a SWCD cost share program could be possible.
19. Our organization is exempt from filing IRS Form 990 per Minnesota statute. How should we indicate this status within the application?
A: If you are exempt from filing an IRS form 990, you can check the box at the top of p. 2 of the form to indicate that. MN Section 309.53 Subd. 3 (i) describes when organizations require a certified financial audit,
“A financial statement of a charitable organization which has received total revenue in excess of $750,000 for the 12 months of operation covered by the statement shall be accompanied by an audited financial statement prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles that has been examined by an independent certified public accountant for the purpose of expressing an opinion. In preparing the audit the certified public accountant shall take into consideration capital, endowment or other reserve funds, if any, controlled by the charitable organization. For purposes of calculating the $750,000 total revenue threshold provided by this subdivision, the value of donated food to a nonprofit food shelf may not be included if the food is donated for subsequent distribution at no charge, and not for resale.”
20. Would submission of Minnesota Certificate of Exemption (Form ST3) be sufficient documentation of nonprofit status, or is a 501(c)(3) determination letter preferred or advised?
A: Submitting Form ST3 is a suitable way of demonstrating proof of tax-exempt status.
21. Would our most recent board reviewed financial statements satisfy the requirement for a Statement of Financial Position and Statement of Activities?
A: These statements will satisfy the Statement of Financial Position and Statement of Activities documentation. They should be submitted with your other documents.
22. Our organization follows internal controls using guidance from our board. How can we show that they satisfy the guidelines in the Pre-Award Financial Capacity Form?
A: The internal controls documentation should address the bulleted list in the Pre-Award Financial Capacity Form. It can be submitted with the form.
23. The proposal is not in an Environmental Justice Area. Is our community programming serving lower-income populations relevant to the Environmental Justice scoring criteria?
A: If applicable, you may describe how your proposed project benefits an Environmental Justice area.
Contact
To submit questions please email us at cwfquestions@state.mn.us.
For Further Information Contact BWSR NGO/Tribal Grants Specialists
Melissa Sjolund at melissa.sjolund@state.mn.us or Ara Gallo at ara.gallo@state.mn.us