Environment Grants

FY 2024 Natural Gas Distribution Infrastructure Safety and Modernization Grant

This funding opportunity supports innovative research in microsystems technology, targeting a wide range of applicants including universities, small businesses, and minority institutions, to develop advanced microelectronic systems that enhance U.S. national security.

This grant provides funding for Fife residents to undertake community improvement projects that benefit their neighborhoods, such as cleanups, community gardens, and local events.

The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties is offering grants to libraries within Herkimer and Oneida counties. These grants are specifically designed to support program-related expenses, physical structure updates, or technology upgrades, all with the overarching goal of enhancing the services provided to patrons. This initiative aligns with the foundation's mission to strengthen community resources and improve the quality of life for residents by investing in vital local institutions like libraries. The grants aim to foster more dynamic and accessible library services, directly contributing to community enrichment and educational opportunities. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are libraries located in Herkimer and Oneida counties. Indirectly, the patrons of these libraries, including individuals and families seeking educational resources, technological access, and community programs, will also benefit significantly. The impact goals include improving the quality and accessibility of library services, fostering innovation in library programming, and ensuring that libraries can meet the evolving needs of their communities. By supporting these institutions, the foundation seeks to strengthen the educational and cultural infrastructure of the region. The grant program prioritizes new programs or projects that begin no earlier than June 2024, or existing/ongoing programs that incur expenses from June 2024 onwards. Emphasis is placed on projects with identifiable and measurable outcomes and a clear timeline for completion. This focus ensures that the funded initiatives are purposeful, accountable, and designed to achieve tangible results. The foundation's strategic priority is to invest in projects that demonstrate a clear potential for positive community impact and sustainable improvement in library services. Applicants can request a maximum of $2,500 in Community Foundation funding. Eligibility is restricted to libraries in Herkimer or Oneida counties that are 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organizations, organizations with a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor, or affiliated with a governmental institution. The expected outcomes include a measurable enhancement in library offerings, improved patron engagement, and modernized facilities or technology. Through this targeted funding, the Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties operates on a theory of change that posits that strategic investment in local libraries will directly lead to stronger, more resilient communities with increased access to knowledge and resources.

This grant provides funding to organizations working in Ecuador to promote sustainable land use practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support local livelihoods in areas affected by deforestation and land degradation.

The Monmouth County Community Grant, supported by the Community Foundation of New Jersey (CFNJ), welcomes proposals from nonprofit organizations addressing a diverse array of community needs. While the CFNJ's broader mission likely encompasses fostering philanthropy and addressing critical issues within New Jersey, this specific grant program aligns with a commitment to supporting local initiatives in Monmouth County. The grant program seeks to empower organizations that demonstrate a dedication to improving the lives of residents and strengthening the community as a whole. This grant primarily targets underserved populations within Monmouth County, aiming to benefit them directly through programs and services in critical areas such as education, healthcare, housing, food security, employment, and youth development. The expected outcomes include tangible improvements in these areas, leading to enhanced well-being, increased opportunities, and a more equitable community for these beneficiaries. A key priority for funding consideration is a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), evident in both the leadership and service delivery of applicant organizations. Furthermore, the grant emphasizes collaborative partnerships between nonprofit organizations, community groups, government agencies, and other stakeholders. This focus on collaboration aims to maximize impact and address systemic issues affecting underserved populations more effectively, reflecting a strategic approach to problem-solving. The program also offers general operating support, recognizing the importance of sustained funding for nonprofits to continue their vital missions. The grant amount is up to $10,000 per organization, with eligibility primarily extended to nonprofit organizations with less than a $1,000,000 operating budget serving Monmouth County. This demonstrates a strategic priority to support smaller to medium-sized local organizations, enabling them to achieve measurable results and contribute to the overall health and vitality of the community.

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) Urban Forestry Division (UFD) is offering grants to promote urban forestry activities in disadvantaged communities within the District of Columbia. This program aligns with the broader mission of enhancing urban environments and improving community well-being through nature-based solutions. The grants are designed to support a wide range of activities authorized by the USFS Urban and Community Forestry Program, ensuring a comprehensive approach to urban forest development and stewardship. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are disadvantaged communities within the District of Columbia. The program specifically targets areas that have been historically overburdened and under-resourced, aiming to address environmental inequities. The impact goals include promoting urban wood utilization, establishing urban food forests, mitigating extreme heat, fostering urban forest stewardship, improving access to green spaces, and developing a skilled workforce in urban forestry. Additionally, the program seeks to deliver nature-based interventions such as forest therapy, urban forest interpretation, and environmental education to these communities. The priorities and focuses of this grant include supporting activities that promote urban forestry through various means. This encompasses physical interventions like creating urban food forests and mitigating heat, as well as educational and engagement initiatives such as environmental education and forest therapy. The program emphasizes workforce development within urban forestry, aiming to build local capacity and create economic opportunities in disadvantaged areas. Eligible applicants include local government, non-governmental, and community-based organizations, highlighting a collaborative approach to achieving the program's objectives. Expected outcomes of this grant program include a noticeable increase in urban forestry activities and green infrastructure within disadvantaged communities. Measurable results will include the number of urban wood utilization projects, the establishment of new urban food forests, the extent of extreme heat mitigation achieved, the level of community engagement in urban forest stewardship, and the number of individuals trained through workforce development programs. Ultimately, the program aims to improve environmental quality, enhance community health and well-being, and foster a greater connection to nature in areas that need it most.

Value: The Highland Area Community Foundation (H.A.C.F.) appears to be offering a grant for community-related projects. Applicants are required to submit a proposal narrative that includes a description of the organization's general purpose, objectives, and operational scope; a statement of the problem addressed; details on the purpose and expectations of the specific project for which funding is sought, including its relevance to community needs; a proposed program design; and a detailed project budget including other funding sources. Funds must be used specifically for the purpose stated in the grant award, and a progress report with photos is required within 12 months of receiving the award.

This funding opportunity supports small-scale research projects at undergraduate-focused institutions to enhance research capabilities and engage students in biomedical research.

The Youngstown Foundation offers various grant programs designed to be innovative, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of the local community in Youngstown and vicinity (Mahoning and Trumbull Counties). The foundation's mission is deeply rooted in supporting effective 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organizations that do not discriminate. Each year, approximately 500 grants, ranging from $1,000 to $300,000, are awarded across several program areas including Health, Environment, Education and Youth, Community Development, Arts and Culture, Social/Family Services, Women, and Seniors. This broad scope reflects the foundation's commitment to addressing diverse community needs and aligning its resources with key areas for local impact. The target beneficiaries of The Youngstown Foundation's grants are the people of Youngstown and vicinity, specifically residents of Mahoning and Trumbull Counties. The foundation aims for significant impact by supporting projects and organizations that strengthen the community's ability to respond effectively to needs, promote collaboration, and reduce duplication of services. Expected outcomes include improved health, environmental quality, educational opportunities, youth development, community infrastructure, arts and culture, social and family well-being, and support for women and seniors. The Crisis Assistance Program, for example, specifically targets agencies needing emergency funding to ensure continuity of essential, direct services to clients, with a clear outcome of maintaining critical community support during times of crisis. The foundation's strategic priorities and theory of change are evident in its preference for innovative proposals that originate from local organizations, target local populations, demonstrate strong volunteer leadership, and build on community strengths. The foundation seeks to apply its resources optimally and confirms an agency's sustainability/strategic plan, with no expectation of annual funding, thereby fostering long-term impact and self-sufficiency. Its theory of change appears to be that by strategically investing in local, well-led, and collaborative initiatives, it can create a resilient community that effectively addresses its own needs. The types of grants offered further illustrate these priorities. Program Grants support specific, time-bound projects with explicit objectives and predetermined costs, focusing on measurable results within defined program areas. Operational Grants support an organization's overall activities and overhead, allowing grantees discretion to use funds where most needed, particularly for organizations consistently serving Mahoning and/or Trumbull county residents, thus ensuring ongoing vital services. Capital Investment Grants are specifically for improving physical spaces within the designated counties, contributing to the community's infrastructure. The Crisis Assistance Program and Support Fund Grants, including the Williamson Fund, highlight the foundation's responsiveness to immediate needs and its strategy to amplify individual contributions to small and midsize charities.

The Mini Grants program, offered by the Arts Council of Anne Arundel County, is designed to bolster arts programming delivered by nonprofits or community organizations. This initiative directly aligns with the foundation's mission to support the arts by addressing community needs and benefiting underserved audiences within Anne Arundel County, Maryland. The program acts as a critical resource for local organizations, fostering cultural engagement and artistic expression across the region. The primary target beneficiaries of this grant are underserved audiences and communities within Anne Arundel County who will benefit from increased access to arts programming. The program aims to empower local nonprofits and community organizations to produce or present public arts programming that might otherwise be unfeasible due to funding constraints. The impact goal is to enrich the cultural landscape of Anne Arundel County by ensuring a diverse range of artistic activities are available and accessible to its residents, particularly those who are often overlooked. A key priority of the Mini Grants program is to encourage partnerships among organizations, with a 1:1 cash match requirement underscoring the importance of collaborative efforts and shared investment in arts initiatives. The program focuses on organizations incorporated as 501(c)(3) nonprofits or those with a significant physical presence in Anne Arundel County, ensuring that funding directly supports local entities dedicated to the arts. Eligibility criteria further emphasize a history of operation and a clear focus on arts activities within the county, ensuring that grant funds are allocated to established and committed organizations. The expected outcomes of the Mini Grants program include an increase in the quantity and quality of arts programming available to Anne Arundel County residents, particularly for underserved groups. Measurable results could include the number of unique arts programs supported, the size of the audiences reached, and the number of organizational partnerships fostered. The foundation's strategic priorities are clearly centered on local impact and community engagement through the arts. The underlying theory of change is that by providing targeted financial support and encouraging partnerships, the Arts Council of Anne Arundel County can stimulate a more vibrant, inclusive, and accessible arts ecosystem that benefits the entire community.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment's (CPDHE) Office of Gun Violence Prevention (OGVP) has established a grant program to support community-based initiatives aimed at interrupting cycles of gun violence, trauma, and retaliation. This program aligns with the OGVP's mission to address disparities in communities at the highest risk by focusing on firearm suicide prevention and community violence intervention. The program targets communities and individuals most impacted by firearm homicides and suicides, including Black, Latino, Indigenous, and other People of Color communities; LGBTQIA+ communities; youth and young adults; veterans; middle-aged men; and isolated rural communities. The overarching impact goal is to reduce firearm-related harm and death, fostering safer and more resilient communities. The grant funding is structured around two primary paths. Path 1 focuses on the prevention of unintentional and intentional firearm-related harm through strategies like promoting safe storage, lethal means counseling, and educating the public on Extreme Risk Protection Orders. Path 2 is dedicated to Community Violence Intervention or Interruption, utilizing strategies such as Hospital-Based Violence Intervention Programs (HVIPs), Community-Based Intervention Programs (CVIPs) with "credible messenger" models, and Violence Interruption Programs that provide immediate responses to shootings and promote non-violence. Expected outcomes include a reduction in unauthorized firearm access, increased education on temporary out-of-home gun storage, decreased firearm suicides, and a decrease in community violence through intervention and interruption strategies. Measurable results will likely involve tracking participation in safe storage programs, knowledge of ERPOs, engagement in violence intervention programs, and ultimately, a reduction in firearm-related incidents and deaths in targeted communities. The OGVP's strategic priority is to address disparities in high-risk communities, and its theory of change posits that by investing in community-led initiatives focused on prevention and intervention, it can effectively break cycles of violence and trauma. Total available funding is approximately $500,000 each fiscal year, with up to 10 grant awards ranging from $50,000 to $100,000 per awardee. The initial funding period runs from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2026, with a potential for renewal through 2027. Eligible applicants include Colorado-based community and grassroots nonprofit organizations, nonprofit educational institutions, nonprofit healthcare organizations, and nonprofit organizations serving reservations or Tribal land. The program particularly encourages applications from organizations advocating for or serving the identified priority communities.

This initiative provides microgrants to empower youth-led climate action projects in Hoboken, targeting individuals aged 15 to 24 who are engaged in environmental initiatives.

The Arts & Culture Capacity Building Grant Program, offered by the City of Dubuque, is designed to support initiatives that foster more sustainable and effective arts and culture organizations within the city. This program aligns with a mission to strengthen the operational capacity of local arts and culture entities, ensuring their long-term viability and ability to contribute to the community. Funding is available for fiscal year 2025, from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025, with a total of $35,000 allocated for grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000, although eligible organizations can apply for up to $8,000. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are arts and culture organizations that are nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, have at least two years of programming documentation and two Form 990s, and are officially located within the city limits of Dubuque. These organizations must serve residents of Dubuque and conduct programming within the city. The program aims to impact these organizations by enhancing their capacity in various key areas, ultimately leading to improved organizational health and effectiveness. The program prioritizes a range of capacity-building initiatives. These include strategic planning, creating development plans and/or fundraising strategies, improving donor experience, providing nonprofit 101 training for staff and board members, leadership development, project or program development, program management, volunteer management, and Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion (DEAI) training. These focus areas are intended to address common challenges faced by arts and culture organizations and equip them with the tools and knowledge needed to thrive. Expected outcomes include organizations with stronger strategic frameworks, enhanced fundraising capabilities, improved donor engagement, more skilled staff and board members, and more effectively managed projects and programs. Measurable results would involve the successful implementation of these capacity-building initiatives, which could be tracked through reports detailing new strategic plans, implemented fundraising strategies, attendance at training sessions, and improved operational metrics. The City of Dubuque's strategic priorities for this grant program appear to be rooted in a theory of change that by investing in the foundational and operational strength of its arts and culture sector, it will foster a more vibrant, resilient, and inclusive cultural landscape for its residents.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in Oakland County, Michigan, for impactful projects in areas such as arts, education, environment, family, and health, with awards ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 over a three-year period.

This program provides matching funds to eligible farmers in New Jersey for building wildlife fences to protect their crops from deer, bear, and other wildlife, with support available until the budget is exhausted.

The Monona County Community Partners Foundation (MCCPF) grant program aims to address present and emerging needs within Monona County, Iowa, by awarding grants in areas such as Arts & Culture, Civic, Education, Environment, Health, and Human Services. The grants are available to nonprofit organizations, units of local government, and public education institutions that serve Monona County and are tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The application process opens on December 1, and the deadline is March 1, with final determinations made in the first week of April. Grants typically range from $250 to $15,000, focusing on projects with potential for long-term impact and collaboration with other community groups. The MCCPF provides funding every other year. Applicants funded in 2024 are not eligible for the 2025 cycle. Priority is given to projects that collaborate with other nonprofits and have potential for long-term community impact.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for assessing and revitalizing contaminated properties in Minnesota to promote community development and essential services while preventing gentrification.

The OSU Extension Service Outdoor School provides funding for outdoor educational programs in Oregon that last between three to six days during the school year. Eligible programs must be educational experiences occurring during school hours and cater to Oregon students, typically in 5th or 6th grade. The funding supports programs aiming to enhance outdoor learning, and may include additional support such as indirect cost reimbursements if reports are submitted by certain deadlines. The program stresses the importance of including all students and provides alternatives for those who opt-out, ensuring inclusive access to outdoor education.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to federally recognized Tribal governments, Alaska Native Villages, and government agencies in U.S. territories to upgrade or replace old diesel engines and equipment, improving air quality and reducing emissions.