Earth Rising Foundation Grant Program
This funding opportunity supports grassroots initiatives that address climate change through community-driven projects focused on youth activism, Indigenous voices, sustainable visions, climate justice, and regenerative agriculture.
This grant opportunity is offered by Earth Rising Foundation, a privately funded 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to advancing climate justice through grassroots action and community-led initiatives. The foundation operates with a clear mission to support a people-powered approach to addressing the climate crisis, emphasizing systemic change rather than purely technical solutions. It seeks to amplify both emerging and established voices working toward a future grounded in cooperation, equity, and environmental stewardship. The organization explicitly avoids corporate funding, reinforcing its commitment to independent, values-driven philanthropy. The purpose of this funding program is to provide financial support for projects that promote bold, bottom-up responses to climate change. The foundation prioritizes initiatives that align with its core program areas, including youth activism, Indigenous voices, sustainable visions, climate intersections, and regenerative agriculture. These focus areas reflect an understanding that climate change intersects with broader social, economic, and environmental injustices. As such, funded projects are expected to not only address environmental concerns but also contribute to broader societal transformation and awareness. Grant awards range from 200 to 20000 dollars, making this opportunity accessible to small-scale initiatives as well as more developed community projects. The funding is flexible and can be used for a variety of purposes, including organizing campaigns, educational programming, advocacy efforts, storytelling, and pilot initiatives that demonstrate innovative approaches to climate action. While specific restrictions on allowable costs are not detailed, the emphasis on grassroots impact suggests that funds should be directed toward activities that directly advance project goals and community engagement. Eligibility for funding is broad but includes a critical structural requirement: all funds must be disbursed through an existing United States-based nonprofit organization. This means that individuals, informal groups, or unincorporated initiatives may apply as long as they secure a fiscal sponsor to manage the funds. This approach allows the foundation to maintain compliance with regulatory requirements while still supporting decentralized and community-driven efforts. There is no indication of a required cost share or matching contribution, lowering barriers to entry for applicants with limited financial resources. The application process is structured around a defined submission window and requires applicants to select the program area that best aligns with their proposed project. While detailed application components are not fully outlined, applicants are expected to submit original content and clearly articulate their project’s purpose, activities, and intended impact. The foundation explicitly prohibits plagiarism and the use of artificial intelligence tools to generate application responses, underscoring the importance of authenticity and personal voice in submissions. Applications translated using machine translation tools are permitted, provided this is disclosed. For the current funding cycle, applications open on June 12, 2026, and close on July 31, 2026. Due to the organization’s small staff and the high volume of applications received, the review process may take up to three months following the deadline. Applicants are advised to plan accordingly, particularly if their projects are time-sensitive. While specific evaluation criteria are not formally listed, the foundation’s mission and program areas suggest that proposals will be assessed based on alignment with climate justice principles, originality, feasibility, and potential for meaningful impact. Overall, this grant program represents an accessible and mission-driven funding opportunity for individuals and organizations committed to advancing climate justice through innovative, community-centered approaches. By supporting diverse voices and emphasizing systemic change, Earth Rising Foundation aims to catalyze transformative solutions that address both environmental challenges and the social inequities that accompany them.
Award Range
$200 - $20,000
Total Program Funding
Not specified
Number of Awards
Not specified
Matching Requirement
No
Additional Details
Grants range from 200 to 20000 dollars for climate action projects
Eligible Applicants
Additional Requirements
Applicants must ensure that all grant funds are disbursed through an existing United States based nonprofit organization. This allows individuals, grassroots groups, and informal collectives to apply by securing a fiscal sponsor. The nonprofit must be capable of receiving and managing funds in compliance with legal and financial requirements. There is no explicit restriction on project size or prior experience, but applicants must align with climate action themes and submit original work.
Geographic Eligibility
All
Avoid plagiarism and do not use AI generated text as this will result in disqualification
Application Opens
June 12, 2026
Application Closes
July 31, 2026
Grantor
Earth Rising Foundation
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