Feature image: Jeremy Gasowski
Launching Project Builder
PREP is excited to announce the launch of Project Builder, a brand-new program designed to help communities in the Great Bay Watershed turn their climate resilience ideas into strong, fundable proposals.
If you’ve ever thought, “We want to do something about flooding or heat, but we don’t know where to start,” this program is for you. Applications are now open are due July 1, 2025.
What is Project Builder
Project Builder is a grant proposal incubator focused on climate resilience. Specifically, it supports applicants with their ideas in addressing this year's theme, extreme heat and/or flooding in the Great Bay Watershed.
It offers a mix of mentorship, strategy-building, and creative problem-solving to help shape your ideas into compelling project proposals.
Project Builder helps participants connect with collaborators, sharpen goals, and identify the right funding opportunities, including through the Adapting Together: Climate Impact Grant.
While Project Builder doesn't fund projects directly, it fills the critical gaps that often hold great ideas back:
- Uncertainty about where to begin
- Limited access to potential partners
- Lack of grant-writing experience
Image: Scott Ripley
How Project Builder Came about
As part of New Hampshire Charitable Foundation’s Great Bay 2030 initiative, Annie Cox of PREP, in partnership with Roca Communications and New Hampshire Coastal Adaptation Workgroup, launched the 2024 Adapting Together pilot program to better understand how communities across the Great Bay Watershed want to make a difference.
Through a series of listening sessions held across the watershed, they met with local leaders, volunteers, and residents to hear firsthand about each community’s challenges, goals, and capacity needs. "At each event," Annie tells us, "people shared that they have project ideas they would like to fund, but they hesitate to apply because grant applications are overly complicated, the odds aren’t great, and they don’t know what a budget should look like, especially if they’ve never applied before."
After compiling the feedback, two themes rose to the top: communities need more support applying for grants, and they are especially eager to address the growing threats of extreme heat and flooding. Annie says, "Support isn't just technical. People want to connect with to other concerned community members or professionals working on these issues, so they can work together and learn from each other." These insights directly shaped the launch of the Project Builder Program.
With additional funding through Great Bay 2030, Adapting Together launches two programs in 2025: Project Builder (launching now in May 2025) and Climate Impact Grants (to be released in fall of 2025).
Meet the Project Builder Support Team
From left to right: Lindsey Williams, Annie Cox, Abigail Lyon, and Lisa Wise.
Led by Annie Cox of PREP, the Project Builder Support Team is here to guides teams every step the of the way. Four different partner organizations join her on the team, bringing together a diverse mix of skills, networks, and deep local knowledge to support each Project Builder group. This collaborative approach ensures participants benefit from a wide range of expertise in climate resilience, community engagement, and practical, on-the-ground problem-solving. The team includes:
- Lindsey Williams, NH Sea Grant
- Annie Cox, PREP (Project Builder Program Manager)
- Abigail Lyon, PREP
- Lisa Wise, NH Sea Grant & UNH Extension
"We are thrilled to launch Project Builder!" Annie says. "This program allows us to slow down and work one-on-one with groups to develop their ideas, demystify the grant application process, and provide opportunities for people to build relationships with each other."
Throughout the program, Project Builder teams will have access to facilitated group sessions, networking opportunities, and expert guidance tailored to each project.
“It’s not just about securing one grant or pulling off one project,” Annie explains. “It’s about laying the groundwork for something bigger. By focusing on relationships, over time, we can build a network of supportive volunteers and professionals who are comfortable going after grants. Maybe big grants! And our region can shine for community-built resilience-building activities."
Who Can apply?
The Project Builder program welcomes a wide range of community members from the Great Bay Watershed to apply, from conservation commission members and town planners to artists, educators, and community volunteers.
If you have a vision (or even a rough idea) for a climate resilience project that supports your community, this program will help you bring it to life.
To learn more about Project Builder, explore the FAQ, confirm eligibility, or start your application, visit our program page at the blue button below.