Grants for Nonprofits - Natural Resources

Introduction EEM projects must contribute to mitigation of the environmental effects of transportation facilities. The California Natural Resources Agency (Agency) prescribes procedures and criteria to evaluate grant project proposals and submits a list of projects recommended for funding to the California Transportation Commission (CTC). The CTC awards grants to projects from Agency’s list. Related Transportation Facility EEM projects must mitigate, either directly or indirectly, the environmental impacts of a) the modification of an existing Transportation Facility or b) the construction of a new Transportation Facility (hereafter Related Transportation Facility or RTF). The EEM project can be the required mitigation for the RTF or enhancement to mitigation required for the RTF. Statewide Project Goals Agency grant programs assist state and local entities to develop more sustainable communities, increase adaptability to climate change using nature-based strategies, and protect biodiversity in compliance with Executive Order N-82-20, the Pathways to 30 x 30 California, and the Natural and Working Lands Climate Smart Strategy. Projects that demonstrate the following multiple benefits will be more competitive: • Improved air and/or water quality. • Reduced consumption of natural resources and energy. • Increased reliability of local water supplies. • Increased adaptability to climate change. • Increased protection and restoration of biodiversity Eligible Projects Examples The list below isn't comprehensive, but provides examples of project elements that meet statutory conditions. Urban Forestry: • Planting of trees and plants along urban streets and medians. • Greening existing public lands and structures, including school campuses and urban parks. • Greening vacant lots and abandoned sites. • Restoration of urban creeks. Resource Lands: • Removal of invasive and restoration of natural plant species. • Enhancement or restoration of natural areas such as inland wetlands, forests, oak woodlands, mountain meadows, creeks, and streams with riparian or riverine fish or wildlife habitat, wildlife corridors and fish passages, coastal estuaries, grazing land and grasslands. • Acquisitions in fee title or through conservation easements to safeguard regional water supplies, protect riparian and wildlife habitats, conserve agricultural lands for secure wildlife migration corridors, and provide public access for compatible wildlife/nature-oriented recreation by the wider community. • Acquisitions to preserve in perpetuity Resource Lands for agricultural uses, open space, wetlands, biodiversity, etc. Mitigation Projects Beyond the Scope of the Lead Agency: Project examples listed under Urban Forestry and Resource Lands categories may be eligible for the Mitigation Projects Beyond the Scope of the Lead Agency category, if the mitigation or enhancement measures for the RTF were infeasible or beyond the jurisdiction and/or authority of the Lead Agency for the RTF. Project Criteria Questions Applicants must choose only one project category and respond to all questions in the selected category. If a question doesn't apply to the project, indicate Not Applicable with a brief explanation.

This grant provides funding for community organizations and local governments to engage in environmental outreach, education, and restoration projects aimed at improving water quality and ecological health in the Jones Falls watershed of Maryland.

Funding and Duration: Grant amounts for the conventional program range from $100,000 to $500,000. The maximum grant duration is two (2) years, eight (8) months, and grant funds cannot be expended before November 1, 2025, or after June 30, 2028.   Projects submitted through the Additional Assistance for Historically Underrepresented Organizations (Additional Assistance) Program will range from $100,000 to $250,000. Program requirements and submission deadlines differ for Additional Assistance Program applicants. Please reference the 2025 Request for Concept Proposals - Additional Assistance Program or email grants@cdfa.ca.gov for more information.   CDFA reserves the right to offer an award amount different than the amount requested.    

This funding opportunity provides financial support for projects that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency in Maui County, with a focus on initiatives led by women, youth, and traditional native Hawaiian practices.

This funding opportunity is designed to support research initiatives that enhance the understanding and management of Atlantic bluefin tuna populations, particularly through collaboration with international partners involved in their conservation.

ADVS is the state agency responsible for the 600,000 service members, Veterans, and family members that call Arizona home. To that end, ADVS collaborates with public and private stakeholders to implement initiatives that positively influence the lives of Arizona’s military, Veteran, and family population.  ADVS is supporting the ongoing statewide collective impact efforts and implementation of three (3) Veteran initiatives focused on ending Veteran homelessness, assisting with Veteran employment barriers, and providing a pathway to providing Veterans with a higher level of care. ADVS is committed to the implementation of these Veteran Initiatives, which includes providing programs and services focusing on a community-based Veteran Homeless Action Plan to meet the needs of Veterans and their families through outreach, housing services, employment barriers, connection to VA community resources, and facilitating Veterans transition into a higher level of care.   AZ Action Plan to End Homeless Veterans Introduction: ADVS provides critical, statewide coordination and technical assistance to services and organizations serving Veterans. This includes activities such as the Arizona Veteran StandDowns, outreach events that support homeless and at-risk military Veterans in Coconino, Graham, Greenlee, La Paz, Maricopa, Mohave, Pima, Pinal, Santa Cruz, Yavapai and Yuma Counties. This solicitation looks to expand the reach and capacity of Arizona Department of Veterans' Services to serve Arizona Veterans. AZHC is a statewide organization and have served Veterans and their families for many years. Project Objectives: Host the Maricopa County StandDown, the largest serving StandDown in the nation. The event serves over 2,000 homeless and at-risk Veterans each year.  Provide leadership, coordination, technical assistance, and bridge funding  throughout the year. Foster collaborations with new partners to serve  Veterans in need. Seek to prioritize the Maricopa County StandDown efforts towards  Veterans who  are street-living homeless without jeopardizing the accuracy of the      data of  Veterans' housing status. Provide financial assistance to Veterans in need in the form of bridge housing or mitigation assistance throughout the year in Maricopa County. Provide financial and technical assistance to the 11 StandDowns throughout the state. Collect accurate information of how many Veterans are experiencing homelessness or housing instability. Outreach to other communities currently hosting or considering hosting   StandDown or at-risk Veteran resource events. Develop relationships and provide assistance to foster future collaborations under the Arizona Veteran StandDown Alliance. Provide After-Action reports for each event, shared with the Arizona Department  of Veterans' Services, and accessible to the community on our website. Veteran Toolkit  Introduction: ADVS with the help of the Arizona Coalition for Military Families has launched the  roadmap to Veterans Employment. This strategy outlines various initiatives to assist Veterans with obtaining employment. As often is the case, the veteran has been unemployed or under employed, and may not have the funds to buy the required protective  equipment, tools, or supplies needed for work. Project Objectives: The purpose of this section is to outline the scope of work of the grantee and   deliverables due to ADVS. Grantee will receive referrals from employment service providers (DVOP, LVER, Community workforce development services etc.) and provide identified          veteran recipients with an intervention that enables gainful employment. Grantee will ensure that the intervention occurs within 48 hours of a regular workweek. All monetary interventions must be receipted and submitted monthly for ADVS reporting. Financial assistance may not be given directly to the veteran; equipment, tools, and supplies must be acquired for them. Veteran must sign and acknowledge they have received assistance, to include any items purchased for obtaining gainful employment. Hero’s Pathway to Hope The Arizona Department of Veterans' Services (ADVS) is the State agency responsible for the 600,000-service member, veterans and family members that call Arizona home. The ADVS mission is to be the catalyst in response to the evolving needs if Arizona’s veterans and their families. To that end, ADVS partners with public and private stakeholders and community partners to implement initiative that positively impact the lives of Arizona's military, veteran and family population. The State of Arizona is seeing increasingly high numbers of homeless veterans who cannot be housed due to a combination of financial difficulties and high acuity needs. Project Objectives: Lead a multi-agency team of public and private partners to ensure programmatic goals are met tee will be responsible for facilitating communication through email and virtual  meetings throughout the duration of the Pilot. Grantee will give a complete overview of Pilot during the briefing process where the Veteran will sign and Inter-Agency ROI, Acknowledgment of Program      Guidelines and data collection. During briefing process Grantee will provide clear and concise information that the Veteran in entering into a voluntary Pilot Program, which includes the possibility of denial of applications and termination of funding within the three (3) month bridge of placement. Collect pilot data to inform program needs beyond the pilot. Provide Promise to Pay letter to be sent to Placement Facility, Veteran and assigned VA Social Worker. Notice of Funds ending letter will be sent to Facility and Partnering Agencies; notifying Facility of thirty (30) day end of funds date. Grantee will provide a report of monthly expenses for each Veteran participating in the Pilot and a report of data findings within ninety (90) days of conclusion of the  Pilot. Financial Notes: The State of Arizona is seeing increasingly high numbers of homeless veterans who cannot be housed due to a combination of financial difficulties and high acuity needs. Provide financial assistance to Veterans in need in the form of bridge housing or mitigation assistance throughout the year in Maricopa County. Provide financial and technical assistance to the 11 StandDowns throughout the state. Collect accurate information on how many Veterans are experiencing homelessness or housing instability. Advocate for additional financial resources at the federal, state, and local levels to support housing and homelessness services, including advocating for the restoration of the state housing trust fund. Financial assistance may not be given directly to the veteran; equipment, tools, and supplies must be acquired for them.

The Connecticut Land Conservation Council (CLCC) is offering Climate Smart Land Stewardship Grants to increase the number of acres in Connecticut managed with climate smart practices. This initiative directly aligns with the CLCC's mission, which is dedicated to land conservation and stewardship of conserved lands within Connecticut. The grant program seeks to encourage land trusts to adopt practices that enhance the land's ability to sequester carbon, provide ecosystem services, and adapt to changing environmental conditions, thereby contributing to broader environmental resilience goals. The primary target beneficiaries for these grants are tax-exempt organizations under Section 501(c)3 whose mission is dedicated to land conservation and/or stewardship of conserved lands, operating within or including the State of Connecticut, and are current members of CLCC. The impact goals are to significantly expand the use of climate smart land stewardship practices across Connecticut, fostering a more resilient and sustainable landscape. The program prioritizes projects that develop climate smart land stewardship plans, establish pollinator habitats, manage invasive species followed by native plantings, manage forests for improved wildlife habitat and oak regeneration, establish wildlife corridors, increase riparian forest buffers, and implement agricultural practices that enhance water quality and soil health. These focuses are designed to achieve tangible environmental improvements and promote long-term ecological health. Expected outcomes include an increase in the number of acres managed using climate smart practices, improved carbon sequestration and storage, enhanced ecosystem services, and greater resilience of land to environmental disturbances. Measurable results will be tracked through the successful completion of planning grants within 12 months and the implementation of funded projects. The program's theory of change posits that by providing financial support and encouraging best practices, CLCC can significantly accelerate the adoption of climate-smart strategies, leading to a healthier and more sustainable Connecticut landscape. Funding is available for two types of grants: Planning Grants with a maximum award of $8,000, and Implementation Grants with a maximum award of $50,000. Planning Grants must be completed within 12 months, emphasizing a timely progression from planning to action. This structured approach ensures that the grants translate into concrete, on-the-ground changes that align with the CLCC's strategic priorities for land conservation and climate resilience.

The FY25 Conservation Partnership Grant, overseen by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA), supports qualified 501(c)(3) organizations and conservation districts in acquiring conservation or recreation land within Massachusetts. The grant encourages projects that conserve natural resources, offer recreational opportunities, and address climate resilience aligned with Executive Order 569. Funding is aimed at land purchases or conservation restrictions, with due diligence costs eligible for gifts of land. This reimbursement grant emphasizes protecting strategic open spaces that provide public access and maintain ecological value.

This program provides funding to local government agencies and organizations in Colorado to upgrade or replace pump-out stations for recreational motorboats, helping to protect water quality and aquatic wildlife.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to local governments, conservation districts, non-profits, and organized private entities in Colorado for the management and eradication of noxious weeds.

This grant provides significant funding to local nonprofits in Indianapolis that are tackling community challenges in key focus areas, with a structured application process culminating in an annual awards celebration.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for innovative projects in Mauritania that enhance public access to information on government revenues, aiming to improve fiscal transparency and accountability in sectors like natural gas, mining, and fisheries.

Bureau of Land Management Arizona State Office Plant Conservation and Restoration Management Program

This grant provides funding for organizations and individuals to restore wetlands and protect permafrost near Fort Wainwright, Alaska, using nature-based engineering solutions.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Office of Spill Prevention and Response (CDFW-OSPR) is offering a grant program through its Environmental Enhancement Fund (EEF). The EEF acquires funds from spill violations, aligning with California’s Lempert-Keene-Seastrand Oil Spill Prevention and Response Act. This initiative directly supports CDFW-OSPR's mission to protect and restore California's natural resources by funding projects that enhance, restore, or acquire habitat for wildlife. The primary beneficiaries of these grants are various entities including nonprofit organizations, cities, counties, districts, state agencies, and, where permitted, federal agencies. The ultimate impact goal is to benefit fish and wildlife populations by improving their habitats and restoring ecosystem functions. All eligible groups and projects are strongly encouraged to apply, fostering a broad approach to environmental enhancement. The program prioritizes environmental enhancement projects that are located within or immediately adjacent to waters of the state, as defined in California Government Code (of Section 8670.3). These projects must also demonstrate measurable outcomes within a predetermined timeframe and be specifically designed to acquire, restore, or improve habitat or restore ecosystem function, or both, for the benefit of fish and wildlife. The selection committee, composed of representatives from the California Coastal Conservancy, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and CDFW-OSPR, will evaluate proposals based on these criteria. Expected outcomes include tangible improvements in habitat quality, increased biodiversity, and enhanced ecosystem resilience. Projects are required to have measurable outcomes, ensuring accountability and demonstrating the effectiveness of the funded initiatives. The selection committee is specifically seeking projects with a minimum requested grant award of $500,000, indicating a focus on substantial and impactful projects. All projects must be completed by April 1, 2031, providing a clear timeframe for implementation and results. This strategic approach reflects a theory of change where targeted investment in habitat restoration and acquisition directly leads to the recovery and enhancement of California's diverse fish and wildlife populations.

This grant provides funding opportunities for diverse organizations to develop innovative solutions that improve access to safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene for underserved communities.

The Iowa Legislature, through its REAP (Resource Enhancement and Protection) funds, offers a cost-share grant program primarily focused on land acquisitions. This program dedicates one-tenth of the Open Spaces portion of REAP to partner with private organizations for land acquisition, covering 75% of the costs. The remaining 25% is expected to be funded through private contributions. The core mission of this grant is to facilitate collaboration between private conservation groups and the state to achieve dual objectives: providing outdoor recreation opportunities for the public and protecting critical habitats across all Iowa counties. This aligns with a broader strategic priority of fostering public-private partnerships for environmental stewardship and enhancing public access to natural resources. The primary beneficiaries of this program are private conservation groups seeking to acquire land for conservation and recreation purposes. Ultimately, the impact extends to the general public in Iowa, who gain access to expanded outdoor recreation areas, and to the diverse ecosystems within the state, which benefit from enhanced habitat protection. The program's goals are centered on increasing the amount of protected land and improving access to natural spaces, thereby contributing to the state's environmental health and residents' well-being. The program's priorities and focus are clearly on land acquisition, specifically through a cost-sharing model. It emphasizes the importance of private contributions to complement state funding, encouraging a collaborative approach to conservation. The state's role in managing the acquired properties on behalf of the public after acquisition underscores a commitment to long-term stewardship and public benefit. The grant is not limited to specific counties but is available across all counties in Iowa, indicating a broad and inclusive approach to conservation efforts throughout the state. The expected outcomes of this grant program are a measurable increase in protected land acreage within Iowa and the expansion of outdoor recreational opportunities for its citizens. By covering a significant portion of land acquisition costs, the program aims to incentivize and enable more private conservation groups to undertake such projects. Measurable results would include the number of acres acquired, the types of habitats protected, and the accessibility of new recreational sites. This aligns with a theory of change that posits that by financially supporting private conservation efforts and ensuring state management, significant environmental and recreational benefits can be achieved for the public good.

The "USDA Forest Service Inflation Reduction Act Forest Landowner Support: Landowner Cost Share Payment Programs for Climate Mitigation and/or Forest Resilience Practices" grant is designed to provide financial support to landowners for implementing climate mitigation and forest resilience practices, as part of a state-endorsed program under the USDA Forest Service's Landscape Scale Restoration Program.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for agricultural development projects in developing countries and emerging democracies, focusing on increasing productivity and trade through the monetization of U.S. agricultural commodities.

The Loudoun County COVID-19 Vaccine Equity Program seeks grant applications from community organizations to ensure greater equity and access to the COVID-19 vaccine for populations disproportionately affected by the pandemic. This program aligns with the broader mission of public health and community well-being by addressing disparities in vaccine access and promoting health equity. It is administered by the Loudoun County Health Department and supported through federal acts, highlighting a strategic priority to leverage government funding for targeted community health interventions. The program's target beneficiaries are priority populations identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These include racial and ethnic minority groups, individuals in rural communities, people with disabilities, the homebound or isolated, the underinsured or uninsured, immigrants and/or refugees, and those with transportation limitations. The primary impact goal is to increase access to COVID-19 vaccination and the number of vaccinated individuals within these groups, thereby reducing health disparities and protecting vulnerable populations. The program prioritizes specific projects and initiatives focused on increasing vaccine access. This includes funding for project staff, travel to vaccination sites, facility and vehicle rentals for off-site clinics, bus passes to facilitate transportation, associated costs for operating clinics, health communications, education services, and software for information flow. The strategic focus is on removing barriers to vaccination and supporting community-based efforts that can effectively reach and engage these priority populations. Expected outcomes include a measurable increase in vaccination rates among the identified priority populations and a reduction in the equity gap in vaccine access. The program also aims to build on existing community rapport and trust, emphasizing the importance of local reach and experienced messengers. By supporting organizations with demonstrated capacity and experience in community health promotion and working with affected communities, the grant intends to achieve sustainable improvements in public health and health equity within Loudoun County. The funding available is $306,407, with individual awards ranging from $10,000 to $102,000, for a grant period from July 1, 2024, to April 30, 2025.