Environment Grants

The Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office administers the Community Forests Program to help communities preserve working forest heritage while balancing economic, environmental, and recreational benefits. The program supports land acquisition and complementary restoration and recreation development to keep working forests intact. Typical projects acquire forestland and may include restoration of forest and habitat health and development of recreation facilities such as trails, trailheads, parking, restrooms, campgrounds, picnic and day use areas, challenge courses, and interpretive displays. Restoration activities may include removal of fish barriers and actions that restore forest health. Approximately 3,000,000 dollars is available for awards. Eligible applicants include cities, counties, and towns, Native American tribes, nonprofit nature conservancy organizations, special purpose districts and other political subdivisions, and state agencies in partnership with one or more of these groups. All projects must include acquisition; restoration and development cannot be stand alone activities. Applications are due May 1, 2024 through the state process. Grant size and duration beyond the available pool are not specified. Further information is provided by the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office.

The Wichita County Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Western Kansas Community Foundation, is a local grantmaker dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in Wichita County, Kansas. Its mission is to strengthen community well being by supporting charitable activities carried out by eligible organizations that serve residents of Wichita County. The program seeks proposals that address community issues, stimulate participation, leverage other support, and demonstrate broad impact, innovation, responsiveness to emerging needs, collaboration, and long term sustainability. Grants are intended to improve quality of life across the service area through new initiatives or enhancements to existing programs. Eligible applicants are 501(c)(3) public charities or other tax exempt entities and government equivalents such as public schools and city, county, or state entities, including churches for non religious activities, that serve Wichita County, Kansas. The board will not consider requests from individuals or for operating or maintenance expenses including salaries, medical or scholarly research, membership fees, banquets, ticket purchases, religious purposes, travel for groups, capital debt reduction, political lobbying or legislative activity, fiscal agent services, endowments, umbrella funding, marketing tchotchkes, or giveaway prizes or incentives. Applications are submitted through the foundation’s stated process by the deadline of May 1, 2024. Grant size and duration are not stated. Additional information and official details are available from the Wichita County Community Foundation.

The California Wildlands Grassroots Fund (Cal Wildlands), administered by the Rose Foundation for Communities and the Environment, aims to preserve California's wildlands by supporting the work of activists and organizations dedicated to their protection. This aligns directly with the Rose Foundation's broader mission for communities and the environment by fostering grassroots efforts that lead to permanent conservation, restoration, and stewardship of natural habitats. The program's core objective is to safeguard California's wilderness and native biological diversity through strategic, community-driven initiatives. The primary beneficiaries of Cal Wildlands are small nonprofit organizations with annual expenses and income of $200,000 or less, as well as individual activists with a proven track record in protecting California's natural landscapes, ecosystems, plants, and wildlife. The fund specifically targets geographic areas and advocacy efforts that have not traditionally received significant financial support, including rural communities. The impact goals are centered on achieving permanent protection for wildlands, which are defined as natural habitats capable of supporting significant native plant and animal life, through legislation or deed restrictions. The fund prioritizes discrete, project-specific support with concrete sites and strategies, particularly those in geographic or issue areas historically underserved by financial and political support. It strongly emphasizes community-based advocacy and organizing, where campaigns are steered by affected community members and largely driven by volunteers. Other key priorities include projects that establish or combat critical precedents, innovative strategies, and efforts to build diverse constituencies for wildlands protection, especially by engaging communities of color and non-traditional stakeholders. Cal Wildlands supports a broad range of strategies and activities to achieve its objectives. These include grassroots organizing, public education, legislative advocacy, media campaigns, lawsuits, scientific research (including citizen science), coalition building, and developing partnerships. Supported activities range from communications campaigns and strategic planning to hiring technical and legal experts, training, and restoration. The expected outcomes involve tangible advancements in wildlands and open space protection, increased community engagement in conservation efforts, and the establishment of critical precedents that can influence future protection initiatives, ultimately contributing to the long-term preservation of California's natural heritage and biodiversity.

The Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office administers additional Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program categories to conserve natural areas, critical habitat, riparian corridors, and urban wildlife habitat, and to restore and enhance state lands. The program aims to secure habitat before it is lost and to support restoration where needed. Funding parameters vary by category. Riparian Protection requires a minimum request of 25,000 dollars with no cap. State Lands Restoration and Enhancement requires a minimum of 25,000 dollars and allows up to 1,000,000 dollars for a single site and 500,000 dollars for multi site projects. Urban Wildlife Habitat, Critical Habitat, and Natural Areas follow category rules as published. Eligible work includes land acquisition through perpetual or long term interests and associated incidental costs, development of low impact facilities such as paths, viewing shelters, restrooms, and interpretive elements, and restoration activities such as ecological restoration, shoreline work, fish passage improvements, and native plantings. Some categories allow habitat creation and site stewardship planning. Eligible applicants include cities, counties, towns, federally recognized tribes, nonprofit nature conservancies, special purpose and port districts, and state agencies, as defined per category. Projects are expected to deliver durable conservation outcomes and public benefit consistent with category requirements. Applications are due May 1, 2024 through the state’s process. Grant duration is not stated. Official information is available from the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office.

The Judith Ann Mogan Foundation (JAMF) is offering its 2024 Grant Cycle, featuring two distinct grant programs: a Small Grant Program for requests of $25,000 or less, and a Large Grant Program for requests exceeding $25,000. JAMF's mission is to award grants to qualified organizations in Oregon that implement programs and projects benefiting communities in specific service areas. These service areas include Coastal Douglas County, Coos County, and Curry County, indicating a clear focus on supporting the well-being and development of these particular regions within Oregon. The foundation's overall strategy is rooted in fostering community health, economic development, and cultural enrichment within these designated geographic zones. JAMF primarily targets organizations serving communities within Coastal Douglas County, Coos County, and Curry County in Oregon. The grants are intended to create positive impacts by addressing critical needs within these areas, aligning with the foundation's goal of community betterment. While specific impact goals and measurable results are not explicitly detailed in terms of quantitative outcomes, the focus on various priority areas suggests a desire for broad community improvement. The foundation implicitly aims to improve the quality of life, strengthen local economies, and enhance access to resources for residents in these regions. The foundation's priority areas underscore its strategic focus and theory of change. These areas include Arts & Culture, Children & Youth, Community Health, Convening & Gathering Places, Economic Development, Environment & Natural Resources, and Poverty Alleviation. This multi-faceted approach suggests a theory of change where addressing a range of interconnected social, economic, and environmental factors will lead to holistic community development and resilience. By investing in these diverse areas, JAMF seeks to create a robust and supportive environment for the communities it serves, fostering long-term positive change rather than short-term fixes. Eligible organizations for JAMF grants must be Oregon-based and fall into categories such as 501(c)(3) charitable organizations, publicly supported organizations, governmental units (City, County, Tribal), schools, hospitals, or organizations with a qualified fiscal sponsor. Conversely, the foundation does not support requests related to endowments, individual requests, scholarships, political campaigns, legislative activities, promotion of any religious doctrine, or financing/lending. This clear delineation of eligibility and ineligibility criteria ensures that grants are directed towards initiatives that align with JAMF's strategic priorities and avoid activities that fall outside its philanthropic scope, thereby maximizing the intended impact of its funding.

The Community Foundation of Louisville's Vogt Invention & Innovation Awards offers a significant opportunity for early-stage entrepreneurs in the Louisville metropolitan area. This program provides awards and prizes ranging from $10,000 to $100,000, with up to six businesses each receiving $25,000 annually. The initiative aims to propel businesses to the next level by fostering innovation and economic growth within the region. While the grant duration is not explicitly mentioned, the focus is on supporting businesses that are past the conceptual stage and have an early prototype of their technology. The primary beneficiaries are for-profit entities headquartered in the 13-county Louisville Metro area, encompassing specific counties in Indiana (Clark, Floyd, Washington, Scott, Harrison) and Kentucky (Bullitt, Henry, Jefferson, Nelson, Oldham, Shelby, Spencer, Trimble). Eligibility criteria also require businesses to be registered with either the Indiana or Kentucky Secretary of State and in good standing. The program targets businesses in their early stages, with customer revenue less than $250,000/year to date and a lifetime funding maximum of $500,000 (excluding founders' personal investments). The overarching impact goal is to stimulate innovation-led product and service development, creating customer demand and contributing to the economic vitality of the region. The Vogt Awards define innovation as a new idea or the invention of a new product or service that creates customer demand, aligning with the foundation's strategic priority to support groundbreaking advancements. Stronger consideration is given to applications that demonstrate leveraging technology for customer service, competitive advantage, or market evolution, and those that utilize technology in new or unique ways. This focus on technological advancement is a core tenet of the program's theory of change, believing that such innovation is key to sustainable business growth and regional prosperity. Additionally, the program prioritizes businesses with a protectable advantage (intellectual asset) in the market and a scalable business model that promises quick revenue growth and improving profitability. The exclusion of businesses requiring long regulatory approval cycles, such as new drug companies, further refines the focus to innovations that can more rapidly enter and impact the market. Expected outcomes include the successful development and scaling of innovative products and services, leading to increased customer demand and economic benefits within the Louisville Metro area. Measurable results would likely include the number of businesses successfully launched or expanded, job creation, and revenue generation by award recipients.

The Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office administers the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program to acquire recreation and habitat lands and to develop recreation areas for the state’s growing population. The program supports local and state parks, trails, water access, and restoration on state lands to enhance public outdoor recreation. Funding is available across categories such as Local Parks acquisition and development, State Lands development and renovation, and Water Access and Trails in accordance with program rules. Typical projects include buying land for parks, developing athletic complexes, renovating community parks, building regional trails and waterfront facilities, and developing state lands. Local Parks awards may reach 1,000,000 dollars for acquisition or combination projects, with up to 500,000 dollars for development costs, and 500,000 dollars for development only. State Lands development and renovation awards range from 25,000 to 325,000 dollars. Eligible applicants vary by category and include cities, counties, towns, federally recognized tribes, special purpose and port districts, and state agencies as specified in the program guidance. Eligible costs include land acquisition through perpetual or long term interests and a wide range of development features such as buildings, campgrounds, play areas, restrooms, roads and paths, and interpretive elements, subject to category rules. Applications are submitted through the state’s process by May 1, 2024. Grant duration is not stated. Proposals are assessed for alignment with category requirements and public benefit. Official information is available from the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office.

The California Energy Commission (CEC) is offering a grant to evaluate the feasibility of using existing underground gas storage facilities to store clean renewable hydrogen in California. This project aligns with the CEC's mission to advance California's clean energy goals by exploring innovative solutions for energy storage. The overarching goal is to assess the technical and economic viability of converting these facilities for hydrogen storage, contributing to the state's renewable energy infrastructure. The grant specifically targets projects that will benefit California Gas Investor Owned Utility (IOU) ratepayers. The project focuses on developing comprehensive technical and economic assessments of storing and retrieving hydrogen blends and/or pure hydrogen. Key priorities include engaging with local communities and Community Based Organizations (CBOs) around selected sites to assess awareness and support for underground hydrogen storage, and leveraging this feedback to inform experimental design. The project also emphasizes studying the characteristics of at least two existing underground gas storage facilities, conducting experiments to assess the impacts of hydrogen introduction on well integrity and reservoir dynamics, and proposing necessary mitigation measures for safety and reliability. Expected outcomes include quantitative risk assessments and techno-economic analyses for converting selected facilities, comparing costs and risks of various use cases, and estimating levelized costs of hydrogen storage, capital costs, and operations and maintenance costs. The project will also develop recommendations for Gas IOUs, CBOs, policymakers, and relevant stakeholders to guide decision-making on the future role of underground hydrogen storage in California. Optional but desired elements include comparing the levelized cost of hydrogen storage and life-cycle emissions with alternative storage options and examining the potential of storing hydrogen in saline aquifers. The CEC's strategic priority in offering this grant is to support the integration of clean renewable hydrogen into California's energy mix. The theory of change is that by thoroughly assessing the feasibility, risks, and economic implications of underground hydrogen storage, the state can make informed decisions about deploying this technology, thereby accelerating the transition to a cleaner, more resilient energy system. The grant, with a funding range of $2.5 million to $3 million and a duration of three years (November 1, 2024 – September 30, 2027), aims to produce actionable insights that can directly influence future policy and infrastructure development in California's hydrogen economy.

The Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office administers the Farmland Preservation Grant program to purchase development rights on farmland so that it remains available for agriculture into the future. The program is part of the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program and was expanded by the Legislature in 2005 to include significant farmland preservation. Funding supports acquisition of conservation easements and related incidental costs, along with eligible enhancement and restoration that improve agricultural viability, and stewardship planning. Typical projects acquire easements on farmland threatened by development. Enhancement and restoration elements may not exceed one half of total acquisition costs including match, and farm stewardship plans may not exceed 10,000 dollars. Eligible applicants include cities, counties, nonprofit nature conservancy corporations or associations, and the State Conservation Commission. Ineligible activities include short term rights under 25 years, acquisition of land already owned by government, property obtained through condemnation, consumable supplies except for a one time application as part of restoration, elements not considered fixtures or capital items, cleanup of illegal activities, indoor facilities, operating or overhead expenses, purchase of maintenance equipment or supplies, restoration conducted before grant agreement, and transfer of development rights. Applications are due May 1, 2024 through the state’s process. Grant limits are not otherwise specified. Further details are available from the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office.

The Franklin County Community Foundation, a regional foundation of The Foundation for Enhancing Communities, conducts an annual competitive grant program to benefit nonprofits serving Franklin County, Pennsylvania. The foundation’s purpose is to invest in programs and services that produce positive outcomes for residents and families. The program prioritizes innovative and collaborative approaches that demonstrate achievable outcomes, potential for replication, and sustainability beyond the grant term. Funding aligns with arts and culture, community development, education, environment, and health and human services. Additional areas of interest include music and the arts, cancer related health services, services for people in need or with special needs, programs for children with special or accessibility needs, and access to early childhood education. Eligible applicants are 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations or projects using a qualified fiscal sponsor that serve Franklin County. Grants do not fund advertising, capital campaigns, direct lobbying, individuals, umbrella organizations without a local presence, new staff roles without a sustainability plan, religious purposes, or retroactive projects. Awards are typically up to 7,000 dollars, with an overall stated range from 1,000 to 10,000 dollars, for projects occurring between September 1, 2024 and August 31, 2025. Applications are submitted through TFEC’s process by May 1, 2024. Proposals are assessed for community impact, collaboration, and alignment with stated priorities. Official details are provided by The Foundation for Enhancing Communities.

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection administers the Community Based Deer Management Grant Program to assist local communities and nonprofits in addressing overabundant deer in urban landscapes. Funding supports planning, implementation, and support activities that facilitate safe and effective deer management. Eligible initiatives include signage for community based hunting programs, deer population density estimates or surveys, forest health surveys, and support for venison donation programs. For signage, the department contracts for production and delivery rather than providing direct financial awards. Deer must be processed at health inspected facilities and donated to New Jersey food banks in the venison donation initiative. Eligible applicants include county and local government units within New Jersey, including municipal park systems, and local nonprofit organizations recognized under Section 501(c)(3) that are authorized to operate in the state. Applicants may seek support for one or more initiatives, and awards are subject to department discretion and available funds. Applications are due May 3, 2024. Grant duration is not stated. Additional information is available from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

The Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office manages the Land and Water Conservation Fund in Washington to preserve and develop public outdoor recreation resources. The federal program, created by Congress in 1965, provides financial assistance for acquisition and development of parks, trails, and wildlife lands. Typical projects renovate community parks and build facilities such as skate parks, tennis courts, swimming pools, trails, and athletic fields, while protecting habitat where appropriate. Eligible activities include land acquisition and development or renovation of outdoor recreation areas. Grant limits range from 200,000 to 2,000,000 dollars. Eligible applicants include local agencies, special purpose districts such as park and recreation districts, Native American tribes, and state agencies. All communities may compete for funding. Applications are due May 1, 2024 through the state’s process. Grant duration is not stated. Official program details are available from the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office.

The CLMP Capacity-Building Grant Program offers financial support to nonprofit literary magazines and presses. This program is aligned with CLMP's mission to foster a sustainable and effective literary community by providing resources for organizational development. Grants range from $1,000 to $10,000, specifically $5,000 or $10,000, and are designed to bolster various aspects of these organizations. The target beneficiaries are nonprofit literary magazines and presses based in the United States or U.S. Territories, holding 501(c)3 status or having a fiscal sponsor. A key eligibility criterion is that applicants must primarily publish literary works—over 50% fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, drama, and/or literary reviews—and have published at least one title or issue within the past 18 months. Those primarily publishing children's literature, self-publishers, and "hybrid" publishers are not eligible. The program prioritizes projects that enhance organizational capacity and sustainability. This includes initiatives related to fundraising, marketing, distribution, and web development. Furthermore, it supports skill-building opportunities for staff and board members, strategic and succession planning, diversity and equity initiatives, and leadership development and management training. These focus areas reflect CLMP's strategic goal of strengthening the operational foundations of literary organizations. Expected outcomes include the creation of more sustainable and effective literary organizations, improved staff and board capabilities, robust strategic planning, and enhanced diversity and equity within the literary publishing landscape. The impact is measured through the feasibility of the proposed capacity-building project, its potential impact on organizational capacity and/or sustainability, and the clarity of the application and proposal. Previous funding from the Academy of American Poets and CLMP, as well as the Hawthornden Foundation, will also be considered during the review process, demonstrating a theory of change that values continuous improvement and strategic investment in the literary field.

The Transportation Alternative and Recreational Use FY25 Grant, administered by the Maryland State Highway Administration, aims to fund transportation alternative and recreational use projects within the state. This federal grant offers 80% reimbursable funds, requiring a 20% match from project sponsors. Projects should enhance the intermodal transportation system or support recreational trails and amenities. Approximately 60% of the funds are allocated to projects within the jurisdictions of three Maryland Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs): The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board, National Capitol Region Transportation Planning Board, and Wilmington Area Planning Council. Eligible sponsors include local governments, regional transportation authorities, transit agencies, natural resource and public land agencies, school districts, tribal governments, and 501c(3) non-profit agencies. Project sponsors are responsible for all aspects of their project, including design, management, construction, and maintenance.

Aimed at supporting the acquisition, development, and maintenance of carry-in boat launches, this grant opportunity is offered by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, Bureau of Parks and Lands. It seeks to enhance public access to Maine's waterways for carry-in recreational boating. A key requirement for project eligibility is a pre-approval site inspection by state staff. The funding cap for eligible carry-in project costs is $25,000.

The City of St. Petersburg is offering Social Action Funding grants of up to $100,000 to social service agencies providing homeless services and/or homeless prevention services. This grant program aims to offer financial support for initiatives that positively influence the lives of homeless individuals and those at risk of homelessness within the city. The program aligns with a broader mission to advance the health, economic, or social well-being of persons in need. The target beneficiaries include a wide range of vulnerable populations. Priority is given to agencies serving families with children (ages 0-5 and 6-17 years), elderly individuals over 62, unaccompanied youth, youth aging out of foster care, chronically homeless individuals (as defined by HUD), veterans, and victims of domestic violence. The overarching impact goal is to reduce and prevent homelessness in St. Petersburg by supporting comprehensive social service programs. The program prioritizes agencies that utilize a "housing first" and low-barrier approach. Specific critical services, such as storage units for personal items, call centers for homelessness prevention and assistance, and discretionary funds for street outreach, are also encouraged, allowing agencies to submit additional applications for these services. While there are no bonus points for matching funds or sole source proposals, all agencies are required to enter client data into the Pinellas Homeless Management Information System, with domestic violence providers being the sole exception. Expected outcomes include improved well-being for residents who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Measurable results will likely involve tracking the number of individuals and families served, successful housing placements, and the overall impact on reducing homelessness within the city. The grant period for projects is from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025, allowing for a one-year duration of funded services. This strategic approach emphasizes direct intervention and support for those most in need, with a clear focus on actionable and impactful services.

Quagga and Zebra Mussels are aquatic invasive species that are rapidly expanding their range in the Western United States. Popular recreational reservoirs on or connected to the lower Colorado River are one major source of invasive mussels, which are easily transported via trailered watercraft to areas that have not yet been invaded. This Request For Proposals (RFP) will fund proposals in the listed principal areas towards the fulfillment of the top priorities in the Quagga/Zebra Mussel Action Plan for Western U.S. Waters (QZAP 2.0) and will be limited to states within the boundaries of the Western Regional Panel within the United States, not including Canada and Mexico (see map): Limiting the spread of invasive mussels through containment, especially by inspection and decontamination of watercraft moving from invaded water bodies to jurisdictions currently free of dreissenid mussels, and the coordination between states or other jurisdictions to this end;1. Protecting western ecosystems through support and/or establishment of prevention programs for invasive mussels at identified high risk control points. 2. Limiting the spread of invasive mussels through containment by increasing compliance with federal, state, local and tribal laws; 3. Increasing the effectiveness of outreach and education efforts to help advance prevention efforts; 4. Building capacity to detect and respond to new invasive mussel infestations;5. Conducting Research that benefits the priorities listed above, including (but not limited to) social science research to evaluate the effectiveness of invasive species prevention messaging, and research on non- target species impacts of invasive mussel control treatments (See Research Priorities: https://www.reabic.net/journals/mbi/2023/Accepted/MBI_2023_Counihan_et al_correctedproof.pdf) Efforts to address the risks and impacts of these invasive species are on-going. They include development of QZAP, and funding by the U.S. Fish Wildlife Service (Service) to address waters at highest risk for spreading invasive mussels. In fiscal year 2024 the Service plans to allocate approximately $2,200,000 to projects that will reduce or minimize the threat of quagga and zebra mussels to Western U.S. waters. Funding is available for a limited number of projects that target the priories listed above.

The Arts Operating Grant provides financial support to arts organizations in Vermont, aimed at those offering year-round, high-quality arts programs and services that align with the mission of advancing arts and creativity throughout the state. This initiative supports Outcome Three of the Arts Council's Strategic Framework, focusing on building vibrant and creative communities through organizations and artists. For FY2025, the grant offers one-year operating funds to eligible organizations demonstrating significant community involvement and partnerships with civic, non-arts, and educational entities to ensure broad access to arts and creativity. Applicants must choose between applying for an Arts Operating Grant or an Arts Project Grant and cannot be current three-year operating grantees. Grant renewed every year.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for young residents and organizations in the Tri-City area to undertake educational and aesthetic environmental projects.

This grant focuses on renovating existing trailered boat launches to improve public recreational boating access. Administered by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, Bureau of Parks and Lands, the grant aims to support the development and maintenance of facilities that provide primary recreational boating access to the general public. Projects must undergo a pre-approval site inspection to confirm eligibility. Available funding for trailered launch renovation projects is up to $75,000.