New Jersey American Water Proudly Recognizes American Water Charitable Foundation 2025 Water and Environment Grantees
Over $209,000 to nine nonprofit organizations across New Jersey
CAMDEN, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
The American Water Charitable Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization established by American Water, the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the U.S., recently awarded Water and Environment grants to nine organizations totaling $209,674, supporting communities served by New Jersey American Water.
“Clean water is a resource we all take for granted and forget that we all play a role in maintaining it,” said Jaclyn Rhoads, Executive Director of Pinelands Preservation Alliance, one of the 2025 Water and Environment grantees. “The American Water Charitable Foundation’s Water and Environment Grant will help Pinelands Preservation Alliance remind people of how to care for our water resources by implementing water and nature-friendly landscaping practices through our Landscape Makeover Program. Hainesport Township will serve as a model in the region, and we appreciate our great partners in the town and the American Water Charitable Foundation for supporting this effort.”
“At New Jersey American Water, we believe that protecting our water resources starts with empowering the communities we serve,” said Mark McDonough, president, New Jersey American Water, and board member, American Water Charitable Foundation. “These grantees exemplify the passion and innovation needed to address local water and environmental challenges head-on. We are proud to see their work supported through the American Water Charitable Foundation’s grant program and look forward to the lasting impact these projects will have across our state.”
The Water and Environment grant is part of the American Water Charitable Foundation’s Keep Communities Flowing Grant Program, focusing on three pillars of giving: Water, People and Communities. Below is a list of 2025 grantees in New Jersey:
Clean Ocean Action
Clean Ocean Action was awarded $23,231 to support its award-winning Rally for Two Rivers program which finds, fixes, and eliminates sources of pollution in the Navesink and Shrewsbury Rivers (Two Rivers Watershed) in Monmouth County. The grant will fund analytical costs to increase upstream monitoring and launch nutrient assessments, helping restore water quality through collaborative, no-blame engagement.
Great Swamp Watershed Association
Great Swamp Watershed Association was awarded $22,463 to expand its water quality monitoring efforts to the lower Passaic River in New Jersey, focusing on areas downstream from the Dundee Dam to Newark Bay. The grant will fund new sampling sites and equipment to test for pollutants in the river and provide communities with actionable data for improving local water quality and environmental health.
Monmouth Conservation Foundation
Monmouth Conservation Foundation was awarded $29,310 for the installation of three bioswales at Scudder Preserve in Middletown, NJ to reduce runoff pollution, improve water infiltration, and ultimately recharge the local aquifer. The initiative also includes educational programming for the surrounding watershed community, promoting awareness of green infrastructure, and is part of a larger ecological restoration plan for the 90-acre preserve.
Musconetcong Watershed Association
Musconetcong Watershed Association was awarded $45,370 to investigate the source of PFAS in the Musconetcong River by collecting and analyzing surface water samples during the agricultural season. As part of the project, the association will collaborate with the US EPA and the NJ DEP to share findings via public meetings and pamphlets and eventually provide science-based data to support remediation.
New Jersey Audubon
New Jersey Audubon was awarded $10,000 to enhance its environmental education and conservation programs, focusing on clean water protection and habitat restoration across New Jersey. The funds will support staff and materials to deliver nature-based, hands-on learning to schools and communities, especially at their Scherman Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary. These programs aim to cultivate environmental stewardship and raise awareness of local water and habitat issues.
New Jersey Tree Foundation
New Jersey Tree Foundation was awarded $15,000 to revitalize a green space with new trees along the Newton Creek watershed in Oaklyn, which will help improve water quality and provide habitat for local wildlife. The grant will also help fund training for its TreeKeepers program which helps educate the community about long-term care of trees.
Pinelands Preservation Alliance
Pinelands Preservation Alliance was awarded $18,800 for its Landscape Makeover Program which will transform part of a public park in Hainesport, NJ into a sustainable green space featuring a micro-forest and rain garden. It will promote regenerative landscaping practices to improve stormwater absorption and will serve as an educational resource for the community. The project also involves public workshops for the local community to learn how to implement these practices at home.
The Somerset County Chapter of the Native Plant Society of New Jersey
The Somerset County Chapter of the Native Plant Society of New Jersey was awarded $12,500 for its reforestation project along Royce Brook in Manville, a flood-prone area. The project will help mitigate stormwater runoff, improve water quality, and reduce local flooding while enhancing community awareness through signage and educational outreach.
The Watershed Institute
The Watershed Institute was awarded $33,000 to expand its StreamWatch Schools, a water quality monitoring program that works to protect streams and rivers in central New Jersey. Grant funding will provide teacher training, lesson plans, and classroom support to engage students statewide in water quality monitoring and help build long-term program sustainability.
“The American Water Charitable Foundation is proud to support projects and programs focused on clean water, conservation, environmental education and water-based recreation across American Water’s national footprint,” said Carrie Williams, President, American Water Charitable Foundation. “The Water and Environment Grant Program allows us to continue focusing on our core passion of water while engaging community members in learning how every drop counts.”
Due to the volume of grant applications received, each application was evaluated on a competitive basis. The Foundation strives to fund programs with a strong impact and measurable outcomes within its funding priorities. Learn more about New Jersey American Water’s community impact at www.newjerseyamwater.com under News & Community/Community Involvement.
About American Water
American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886, We Keep Life Flowing® by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to more than 14 million people with regulated operations in 14 states and on 18 military installations. American Water’s 6,500 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company’s national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders.
For more information, visit amwater.com and join American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram.
About New Jersey American Water
New Jersey American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, is the largest regulated water utility in the state, providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable water and wastewater services to approximately 2.9 million people. For more information, visit www.newjerseyamwater.com and follow New Jersey American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, X, and Instagram.
About American Water Charitable Foundation
The American Water Charitable Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides a formal way to demonstrate the company’s ongoing commitment to be a good neighbor, citizen, and contributor to the communities where American Water and its employees live, work and operate. For more information, visit amwater.com/awcf.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250429213186/en/
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Erin Banes
Sr. External Affairs Specialist
New Jersey American Water
[email protected]
KEYWORDS: United States North America New Jersey
INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Other Philanthropy Utilities Natural Resources Environment Energy Philanthropy Other Natural Resources Foundation
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