Champions of the Environment
By doing your part for the environment, you could win $2000 and a 30-second TV commercial!
- Up to 10 Champions of the Environment grants are rewarded each school year. Grant winners are selected based on the quality of their environmental projects.
- Projects must address one or more of the following: prevention or reduction of pollution in the air, water or land; waste reduction; restoration, preservation or enhancement of natural areas; water or energy efficiency. Projects must also educate the community and make a lasting difference to the environment.
- In April, all Champions compete to be named the Overall Champions of the Environment.
- K-12 students, their teachers and environmental educators carrying out an environmental project in South Carolina.
- One student or a student group of any size.
- A cash award of $2000 to use for their project
- A 30-second TV commercial about the project
- Their project highlighted on the Champions’ Web site
- Champions of the Environment T-shirts and giveaways
- A chance to win more money in the Overall Awards
- A cash award of $400 to use for their project
Note: no additional application is needed to be considered for a merit award
- Download the Champions Grant Information Sheet (pdf) to review the details about the grant. Then download the Champions of the Environment Grant Award Application (doc). You might also want to view the Champions of the Environment Grant Application Help Sheet to help you prepare your application.
- If you have any questions or have trouble accessing the Information Sheet or Grant Award Application email the Champions’ coordinator or call 803-898-4394.
Application deadlines: |
Notification of winners |
| September 15 | October 1 |
| January 15 | February 1 |
- Fill out the application and tell us about your environmental project. Be sure to supply all the requested information. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
- Send the application so that it will be received by September 15 for an October award or January 15 for a February award.
- If your application reaches us after the posted deadline you will be notified and you will be considered during the next award cycle.
- Applicants who are not chosen to receive a grant award are encouraged to revise their application and apply to Champions of the Environment again.
Projects seeking funding through a Champions’ grant are evaluated on the degree to which they satisfy the following criteria.
- Benefits to the environment – positive outcomes for the environment through one issue or cumulatively through multiple issues
- Sustainability / long-term environmental benefits – ability to sustain the project and/or sustain the environmental benefit or education gained through the project
- Student education – learning opportunities
- Student involvement – as appropriate for the age, skill level of the students
- Outreach – education (and involvement) of those involved with and outside the project - including students, school, parents or the community
- Realization factor – likelihood of completion
- Suitable Use of Funds – funds used on items that support the goal(s) of the project
- Consideration is also given to innovation and creativity, and partnerships
The Champions Partnership awards grants to environmental projects that are logical, well-planned and that have the potential to be implemented to meet the project goals.
The Champions of the Environment program is a competitive grant program. A limited number of projects will receive funding.
Based on the quality of the applications received, the Champions’ selection committee reserves the right to award fewer than 10 grants on an annual basis.
You must have a project to apply, but if you need an idea:
- Visit the Grant Award winner’s page to see what others have done, and
- Visit "Doing Your Part!" for some project ideas and steps for a successful environmental project.
Bureau of Water . Phone: (803) 898-4300 . Fax: (803) 898-4215 . Contact Us