Grants for Nonprofits - Natural Resources

This funding opportunity supports partnerships that include domestic academic institutions to develop innovative technologies for extracting and refining rare earth elements from unconventional sources, enhancing the U.S. supply chain and reducing environmental impact.

This funding opportunity supports North Carolina nonprofit organizations in addressing community-defined oral health needs and reducing disparities through advocacy and educational outreach.

This funding opportunity provides financial and technical assistance to partners for projects that restore aquatic connectivity and improve fish passage in rivers, floodplains, and coastal habitats, benefiting ecosystems and local communities.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations, public agencies, and tribal governments managing boating facilities in California to enhance their efforts in preventing the spread of invasive mussels and protecting water resources.

The FY25 Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant Program is a $5 million fund aimed at helping fire departments across the Commonwealth purchase essential safety equipment that meets NFPA and OSHA standards, with applications open from September 19 to October 17, 2024.

This program provides funding for tree planting projects in Vermont to improve urban green spaces, manage stormwater, and promote public health, targeting municipalities, non-profits, and educational institutions.

This program provides financial and technical support to private landowners and communities for restoring and conserving fish and wildlife habitats on private lands, benefiting endangered species and promoting biodiversity.

The Alabama RC&D Grants program focuses on enhancing human and natural resources to improve the quality of life for citizens across all counties in Alabama. This initiative, supported by the Alabama Association of RC&D Councils, provides grants ranging from $10,000 to $100,000, with funding information specifying awards between $5,000.00 and $25,000.00. The program aims to align with a mission of fostering community well-being through strategic project investments. The target beneficiaries of this grant program are local Alabama citizens, with a broad impact goal of improving their overall quality of life. The program achieves this by supporting projects in various key areas, including natural resources conservation, community facilities and services, tourism, and economic development. These projects are intended to create tangible benefits that directly address community needs and promote sustainable growth. The program's priorities for FY 2024-2025 are structured into three main categories: General Funds, Education Funds, and Workforce/Community Training. General Funds prioritize projects related to natural resources conservation, community facilities and services, and tourism and economic development. Education Funds focus on K-12 outdoor education, education benefiting small farmers and community gardens, and K-12 technology. Workforce/Community Training emphasizes projects covering multiple council regions, with a preference for those submitted by RC&D councils or partnering organizations. Expected outcomes include enhanced natural environments, improved community infrastructure, stimulated local economies, and increased educational opportunities. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed beyond the broad impact goals, the focus on distinct project categories suggests that success will be measured by the successful implementation and observable benefits within these areas. Eligibility requires applicants to be registered 501c3 non-profits or governmental units/sub-units, ensuring that funded projects are implemented by established and accountable entities. The program has clear restrictions, disallowing funding for operational/administration phases, salaries, endowment campaigns, religious purposes, individuals, development/public relations activities, land/property purchases, or post-event situations. These restrictions help ensure that grant funds are directed towards new, impactful projects rather than ongoing operational costs or activities outside the program's core mission. This strategic allocation of resources reflects the foundation's theory of change, which posits that targeted project funding in these key areas will lead to a better quality of life for Alabama citizens.

The 2025 State Fire Capacity (SFC) Grant Program is a federal funding opportunity administered by the California Fire Safe Council (CFSC) with financial support from the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), Department of Agriculture, Pacific Southwest Region. Funding is issued through the Cooperative Fire Program under Federal Assistance Listing number 10.698. A total of $702,474 is available to eligible entities across California for the 2025 cycle. The program is designed to support wildfire risk reduction initiatives at the community level through strategic planning, hazardous fuels reduction, and education efforts. This grant program supports efforts that help California communities become more fire-adapted and resilient in the face of increasing wildfire threats. Funded activities may include hazardous fuels reduction and maintenance projects on non-federal lands, development or updating of Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPPs), and wildfire prevention education and outreach. Projects that develop community capacity for wildfire resilience, prioritize mitigation planning, and engage the public are also strongly encouraged. Prescribed burning activities that involve environmental impacts or ground disturbance are not eligible, though planning or training components related to prescribed fire may be supported. Eligible applicants include a wide range of organizational types: nonprofit organizations, Homeowner or Property Owner Associations, Native American tribes, Resource Conservation Districts, municipalities (cities, counties, towns), institutions of higher education, school districts, Joint Powers Authorities, special districts, and state agencies. Individuals are not eligible. Entities without legal standing must partner with a fiscal sponsor that meets legal and incorporation standards in California or Nevada and has a Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN). All applicants must also register for a Unique Entity ID (UEI) to receive federal assistance. Applications open on July 11, 2025, and must be submitted through ZoomGrants by 11:59 p.m. PDT on August 31, 2025. A complete application includes several key components: an Application Summary, Organization Information, Project Information, Work Plan and Budget Tables, and all Required Document Uploads. Applicants are strongly encouraged to consult the Application Guide and Application Planning Tool, which are available in advance of the open date to assist with project development and submission. ZoomGrants support is available for technical issues, but CFSC staff cannot recover login credentials. Award notifications are expected in late fall 2025. The grant period is fixed at 24 months, beginning December 1, 2025, and ending November 30, 2027, with no extensions allowed. The maximum federal award per applicant is $225,000. A matching requirement of 1.5 times the awarded amount must be met using non-federal funds. For example, an applicant seeking the full award must contribute $337,500 in matching funds, totaling $562,500 in overall project cost. This cost-share is a strict requirement of the program. For questions related to the application process, applicants may contact Christopher Lozano, Senior Grant Specialist at CFSC, via email at clozano@cafiresafecouncil.org. For ZoomGrants technical assistance, the support team is available Monday through Friday at 866-323-5404 or via email at questions@zoomgrants.com. Additional program contacts include Jared Peri, Program Manager at jperi@cafiresafecouncil.org. The CFSC encourages all eligible California organizations to apply and join the effort to reduce wildfire risk and improve community preparedness statewide.

The Philadelphia City Fund is offering a one-year grant of $15,000 to Philadelphia-based organizations working towards long-term environmental justice and community resilience, with activities including community organizing, education, youth leadership, and project implementation, to be used within 12 months of being awarded.

This grant provides funding for nonprofit organizations to undertake projects that conserve, preserve, or restore the environment in specific regions of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for state and local governments, educational institutions, tribal governments, and nonprofit organizations to enhance wildlife habitat protection and biodiversity on public lands in New Mexico.

The Regional Site Readiness Program’s Planning Grant, funded by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, offers $100,000 to $500,000 to local governments, economic development organizations, nonprofits, for-profit organizations, and private landowners for planning and due diligence activities aimed at preparing industrial and manufacturing sites for future development across all counties in Illinois.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for state and local governments, tribal entities, educational institutions, and nonprofit organizations to protect and restore aquatic resources on public lands in Colorado, focusing on conservation, climate change adaptation, and community engagement.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for projects that protect and restore aquatic ecosystems in Alaska, targeting state and local governments, tribal organizations, educational institutions, and nonprofits.

This funding opportunity supports collaborative projects that restore rural forest landscapes in the Northeast and Midwest, aiming for significant environmental impact and alignment with state forest management priorities.

This grant seeks innovative commercial solutions from a wide range of organizations to enhance military and civilian infrastructure, focusing on sustainability, energy efficiency, and advanced construction technologies.

This grant provides financial support to organizations in Fernley, Nevada, to initiate or expand tourism-related projects and activities that promote the city’s attractions and resources.

This funding opportunity supports state and local governments, Native American tribes, educational institutions, and non-profits in Idaho to conserve and restore rangelands, improve land health, and combat climate change through collaborative projects.

This funding opportunity provides $5 million each to two eligible regions in New York State to improve school food infrastructure, promote local farm products in school meals, and support workforce development in related fields.