Program Application

WaterNow Alliance's  Project Accelerator offers program assistance to advance innovative, equitable and sustainable water projects. This application cycles focuses specifically on projects supporting green stormwater infrastructure within Southwest Pennsylvania. The Accelerator is open to utilities, cities, towns, special districts, and other public entities with responsibility for drinking water, wastewater, and/or stormwater services. Selected projects receive approximately 250 hours of pro-bono assistance, typically over a 6-9 month period. 

The deadline to apply has been extended to August 11, 2023. 

For more information about the program, including eligibility, examples of past projects, and other FAQ, please visit our website. 

If you have any questions, please reach out to Amy Weinfurter (aw@waternow.org) and Emerson O'Donnell (eo@waternow.org).

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* 1. Please provide your contact information:

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* 2. Are you the correct contact for follow-up questions related to your application?  If not, please indicate the most appropriate individual and provide their email and phone number.

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* 3. Please briefly describe your sustainable water project, and indicate how the project would benefit from an infusion of approximately 6-9 months of outside program and technical support from WaterNow Alliance.

Suggested length: ~ 250-500 words.

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* 4. Does this project support under-resourced communities and/or advance water equity? If so, please describe this element of the project in greater detail. 

For more detailed descriptions and definitions of under-resourced communities and water equity, please see the FAQ section of WaterNow's Project Accelerator web page.

Suggested length: less than ~250 words.

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* 5. What are the specific outputs or deliverables you are seeking from working with WaterNow? 

Note: WaterNow uses the term “outputs” to refer to deliverables within the control of the project participants, such as assistance navigating new federal funding opportunities, drafting ordinance language, creating an outreach and communication plan, hosting stakeholder meetings, creating best management practices or policy recommendations, etc.

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* 6. What outcomes do you hope to achieve by working with WaterNow through the Project Accelerator program? Please be as specific as possible.

Note: WaterNow uses the term “outcomes” to refer to results that are aspirational but are outside of the direct control of the project participants, e.g., X number of applications participate in a specific program, X gallons of water are saved, engagement of X number of customers, etc.

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* 7. Which of the following Project Accelerator resources do you believe would best support your proposed project?  (Select UP TO THREE.)

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* 8. In addition to implementing projects, the Accelerator aims to create opportunities to support emerging leaders advancing innovative and sustainable solutions for their communities. WaterNow has found that Accelerator Projects often provide key opportunities for utility staff to develop and demonstrate various management and leadership skills. 

Would participation in the Accelerator support the development of emerging leaders within your organization? If so, how would the Accelerator elevate and/or support the professional development of participating staff member(s)?

Suggested length: less than ~250 words.

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* 9. What types of skills would the project lead(s) and/or emerging leaders on your team expect to build as part of the proposed project? Please check all that apply.

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* 10. Do you believe that approximately 250 hours of program and technical assistance, over a period of 6 - 9 months, will have a significant impact on moving your project forward?

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* 11. What is the anticipated start date when your Project Accelerator efforts can begin?

Date

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* 12. If accepted, launching a Project Accelerator project includes collaboratively developing a Project Brief that outlines the project roadmap, deliverables, and responsibilities. Both WaterNow and the participating organization also co-create and sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Does your organization have capacity to review and sign an MOU?

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* 13. Please note, to be selected for Project Accelerator, we require at least one WaterNow member that represents the city/water agency (e.g. elected official or senior management staff). Membership is free and it's easy to join. 

Are you or a representative of your city/water agency a member of the WaterNow Alliance?

Thank you for your Project Accelerator application! We anticipate notifying all applicants by early December.

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