Fresno Will Open Stormwater Grant Applications Thursday

The local flood control district is offering $40,000 in funding for educational grants starting October 1.

Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Financial Aid

Screen-print poster illustration showing yellow boots and a lens on a wooden dock by a waterway, evoking educational field trips. — The Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District is launching its 2027 Clean Stormwater Grant Program on October 1 to fund school field trips. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you believe local schools in your area have adequate funding for student field trips?

The Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District will begin accepting applications for its 2027 Clean Stormwater Grant Program on October 1, 2026. This initiative provides funding for local educational activities.

Why it matters

The program aims to support school field trips following a $2.2 million budget cut to elementary school excursions within the Fresno Unified School District. By funding these activities, the district hopes to maintain student engagement with local water resources.

The program offers up to $2,000 per Water Resources grant and $4,000 for General Grants. Total funding for the 2027 cycle is capped at $40,000.

The players

Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District

This agency manages regional stormwater infrastructure and facilitates local educational grants.

Fresno Unified School District

This is the primary public school system serving the Fresno area.

Foundation for Fresno Unified Students

This non-profit organization provides financial support for school-related costs and student programs.

The details

To simplify the process, the district now pays vendors directly for transportation and field trip costs rather than reimbursing school districts. Participating schools must choose activities at Scout Island that include at least two water resource-focused lessons.

The grant program was originally established in 1997.
Applications open on Thursday, October 1, 2026.
The application window closes on December 18, 2026.

Roadmap

This program aligns with the 1997 establishment of the Clean Stormwater Grant Program, which has consistently funded local water education. It reflects a shift toward direct vendor management to ensure schools can sustain essential field trips despite regional budget constraints.

Local schools can apply for these grants to mitigate the financial burden of field trip costs following recent budget reductions. Administrators must ensure their chosen Scout Island activities meet the mandatory water resource curriculum requirements.

The takeaway

Schools should prioritize water-focused learning activities at Scout Island to ensure their applications align with the grant requirements. Applicants must submit their proposals by the December 18 deadline to be considered for the 2027 funding cycle.