Rain gardens and stormwater projects · Missouri

MSD Project Clear Rainscaping Small Grants

Run by Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD) Project Clear, delivered by Missouri Botanical Garden

OpenPlan requiredLast checked October 17, 2026
What you get
Up to $4,000 for residential projects (up to $10,000 institutional), reimbursed after installation
Maximum
$4,000 per household
Who qualifies
Landowners in MSD's service area (check the map on the program page). Only one award per landowner from either the MSD or Deer Creek rainscaping programs.
Where
Landowners in the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District, covering the City of St. Louis and most of St. Louis County.
Status
Open. Rolling, no deadline; River des Peres area 2026 funds fully allocated (waitlist, next cycle opens July 2027); Mississippi and Stormwater Quality areas still have funds.
Type of payment
Grant
Official program page

What you do

Install rain gardens, native plantings, bioswales or similar rainscaping on your property after getting a Notice to Proceed, then submit a completion packet for reimbursement.

Requirements

  • Complete the orientation (video or in-person session) and the orientation survey
  • Read the Landowner Handbook in full
  • Do not start installation before receiving a Notice to Proceed
  • Site visit during review
  • Submit a Project Completion Packet after installation to be reimbursed
  • Paper application only; electronic applications not accepted
  • One award per landowner across MSD and Deer Creek programs

The plan or design it asks for

Rainscaping plan (sample plan and grid paper provided) plus an itemized budget, submitted with the application before approval.

Native plant lists for the area: St. Louis

Make the plan in Sow

Draw the layout and build the plant list

Sow places plants on a photo of your yard and keeps a list of everything you add. Check MSD's rules for exactly what to submit.

Start a plan in Sow

How to apply

  1. 1Check eligibility on the map
  2. 2Complete the orientation and survey
  3. 3Read the Landowner Handbook
  4. 4Download the application form
  5. 5Prepare plan and itemized budget
  6. 6Mail or hand-deliver to MSD Project Clear Rainscaping Small Grants, c/o Missouri Botanical Garden, Sustainability Division, 4651 Shaw Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63110
  7. 7Wait for review and site visit
  8. 8Install only after Notice to Proceed
  9. 9Submit Project Completion Packet for reimbursement

Timing and deadlines

Apply by January for spring installation or June for fall. Completion packet by mid-October gives reimbursement about 4 to 5 months later.

Rolling; see timeline

Combining it with other programs

Not with Deer Creek Rainscaping Cost-Share (one award per landowner)

Sources

Last checked October 17, 2026. See something out of date? Tell us.

Sow is not affiliated with any of these agencies or utilities. Amounts and rules change, often at the start of a fiscal year, so confirm the details on the official page before you start a project. How we research these programs

More programs near the same area