GSI Mini-Grant Application

Green Stormwater Infrastructure Mini-Grants | Program Introduction

Green Stormwater Infrastructure Mini-Grants Program (GSI Mini-Grants)

Tucson Clean & Beautiful (TCB) by formal agreement with the City of Tucson Water Department invites neighborhood associations, community groups, non-profit organizations within the Tucson City limits to submit proposals for the Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) Mini-Grants program.

Tucson Clean & Beautiful (TCB)

Funding Available

The GSI Mini-Grants Program is funded through the Water Conservation Fund which was established by the Mayor & Council through adoption of ordinance 10555 on May 20, 2008. Approximately $50,000 is available for projects annually within each of the City Wards.

GSI Benefits

Green Stormwater Infrastructure projects are an efficient and effective way to provide environmental, social, and economic benefits to the Tucson community. GSI projects that incorporate passive stormwater harvesting, trees and other native vegetation provide many benefits including the following:

Cooler neighborhoods

Reduce flooding

Filter stormwater and air

Wildlife habitat

Traffic calming

Neighborhood beautification

Project Evaluation/Selection

Projects will be selected based on the following criteria with a total possible point value of 30 (Project feasibility is also taken into account as there can be conflicts with utilities, excessive flooding, historic/cultural preservation designations etc. that impact project feasibility and prevent GSI implementation):

human health: (1-10 points)
Average (pre-existing) tree canopy of proposed GSI project sites, number of trees and plants proposed, average Heat Vulnerability Index and Neighborhood Vulnerability Index scores, increased access to quality outdoor space
environmental health: (1-10 points)
stormwater management (water harvesting, erosion control, flood mitigation), restore and increase urban environmental habitat, water conservation, square footage of newly proposed GSI project sites
community welfare: (1-10 points)
neighborhood beautification, traffic calming for safety of pedestrians and bicyclists, neighborhood pride, neighborhood participation, number of citizen-initiated applications/inquiries from Ward Offices, expected citizen participation in monitoring activities

Ways to Apply

There are multiple ways to apply for the GSI Mini Grants program. For applicants in Wards that are highly competitive in submitting grant applications, it is recommended that you utilize one of the three full application formats. Grant applicants must contact TCB GSIMG program staff prior to submitting your application.

Need Help Getting Started? (follow these steps)

Contact GSI MG program staff by email or phone to discuss your project or interest in the program.
Attend a virtual GSI MG information presentation, or request a presentation for your neighborhood group.
Send photos and/or a project description to a GSI Program Manager by text or email.
Find at least 3 other people in your neighborhood to participate in the design/planning/application/ neighborhood outreach process.
Determine the most appropriate application method for your project proposal.
Compile the required Application Documents and sign the Project Agreement Form, contact program staff for any assistance needed.
Submit the application by email, mail, phone or deliver hardcopy to TCB office.

Project Proposal Required Documents

Complete Green Stormwater Infrastructure Mini Grant Application
Letter of support from governing jurisdiction (HOA, Parks and Rec, School, Neighborhood Association)
Complete TCB Adopt-a-Place project application for project area
Letter of support from City Council Ward Office (should project be accepted by Tucson Clean & Beautiful)

Proposal Deadlines

Application review cycles occur 3 times a year.

March 1st
July 1st
November 1st

Applications must be completed and submitted to [email protected], in person or via mail. Contact by email prior to dropping off application in person.

Mail to:
Tucson Clean & Beautiful
c/o GSI Mini Grants Program
P.O. Box 27210
Tucson, AZ 85726

Deliver in person to:
Tucson Clean & Beautiful
c/o GSI Mini Grants Program
1360 E. Irvington Rd.
Tucson AZ 85714

Green Stormwater Infrastructure Mini-Grants | Application

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Applicant Information

Project Name

Ward/Neighborhood

Applicant Name(s)

Phone

Organization

Project Address/Intersection

Project Description

Describe the project site and existing conditions that your proposal seeks to address and improve. Attach a Google map as separate file, screenshot, or insert a google map link here.

(Note: the project can NOT be on private property).

Give a detailed description of the project design.

Include information about proposed GSI features, earthworks (berms, basins, swales etc.), curb cuts, vegetation.

Explain the value of the project to your neighborhood.

What problems / issues might the project solve if it were to be built?

(i.e. traffic calming, pedestrian safety, erosion, flooding, activate public space, shade in an urban heat island).

Project Maintenance

It is required that there be buy-in from multiple residents. List at least 3 other community members / neighbors that support this project being built.

(They should be residents that live adjacent to the project site).

Watering and follow-up monitoring will be required for two (2) years. List at least 3 people that have committed to assist in the watering and/or monitoring of the project.

Project Agreement

If your project is awarded funding, you agree to the following:

I accept full responsibility as the project contact.
I will submit reports via the City of Tucson Community GIS website’s TCB Volunteer HUB at a minimum 4 times a year.
I will provide site photo updates from a consistent photo point monitoring location with each report.
I will work with neighborhood volunteers through TCB’s Adopt a Public Site program for ongoing site stewardship.
I will agree to make my application package for public review.

By typing my name, I acknowledge and agree to the conditions above.

Project Lead

Date