Grants for Nonprofits - Natural Resources

This grant provides funding for conservation projects that protect and restore native habitats and species across the Hawaiian Islands, prioritizing initiatives that incorporate cultural practices and community involvement.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to state, local, and tribal governments, educational institutions, and nonprofits to improve recreational access and services on public lands in Alaska, particularly for underserved communities and in alignment with climate resilience and environmental stewardship goals.

This funding opportunity supports public agencies in California to create regional conservation plans that protect and restore habitats for vulnerable species through collaborative efforts and the use of scientific data.

This funding opportunity is designed for organizations with expertise in ecology and wading bird monitoring to support the conservation and restoration efforts of the Florida Everglades through systematic population and reproductive success assessments.

This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NFO) is being released prior to appropriation and/or apportionment of funds for fiscal year 2024. Enactment of additional continuing resolutions or an appropriations act may affect the availability or level of funding for this program. The purpose of this NFO is to encourage and promote conservation planning and conservation practice implementation in urban, suburban, and other small-scale type agricultural operations. Emphasis will be placed on projects that establish new demonstration community gardens, or enhance and expand existing community agriculture projects. Proposals should seek to: 1. Provide conservation learning experiences to urban, suburban, and Tribal communities. 2. Address concerns regarding food deserts. 3. Advance Tribal food sovereignty. 4. Achieve positive and measurable natural resources conservation outcomes. For new users of Grants.gov, see Section D. of the full Notice of Funding Opportunity for information about steps required before submitting an application via Grants.gov. Key Dates Applicants must submit their applications via Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on May 22, 2024. For technical issues with Grants.gov, contact Grants.gov Applicant Support at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov. Awarding agency staff cannot support applicants regarding Grants.gov accounts. For inquiries specific to the content of the NFO requirements, contact the federal awarding agency contact (section G of this NFO). Please limit questions to those regarding specific information contained in this NFO (such as dates, page numbers, clarification of discrepancies, etc.). Questions related to eligibility or the merits of a specific proposal will not be addressed. The agency anticipates making selections by June 21, 2024 and expects to execute awards by September 1, 2024. These dates are estimates and are subject to change.

Eligible Applicants: Local public agencies, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations qualified to do business in California, Public Utilities, Federally and non-federally recognized Native American tribes on the Native American Heritage Commission’s list, and Mutual water companies. Eligible Uses: Eligible projects include recycled water treatment; recycled water storage, distribution, and pumping; groundwater recharge; and indirect potable reuse. Ineligible Uses: Operation and maintenance costs.  Eligible Costs: All costs necessary to determine the feasibility of using recycled water and to select an alternative to offset or augment the use of fresh/potable water from state or local supplies may be eligible for the planning grant. Eligible Communities: All community types are eligible for funding.  This includes small and large communities, non-disadvantaged, disadvantaged, and severely disadvantaged communities. For more information, please review the Water Recycling Funding Program (WRFP) Guidelines: https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/grants_loans/docs/wrfp_guidelines.pdf  

This funding opportunity supports U.S. and Japanese organizations in creating innovative projects that strengthen U.S.-Japan relations through public engagement in areas like security, democracy, and entrepreneurship.

The Go Outside Fund, provided by the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin, aims to connect youth with outdoor, nature-based learning experiences. This grant program directly aligns with the foundation's mission by fostering an appreciation for natural resources and encouraging hands-on engagement with the environment among the younger generation in Wisconsin. The program's core objective is to facilitate access to outdoor activities for children, thereby promoting environmental literacy and a deeper connection to nature. The primary beneficiaries of this fund are pre-K through 12th-grade students in Wisconsin. Teachers and partner organizations can apply for funding to cover various costs that enable outdoor learning, such as field supplies, transportation, substitute teachers, or educator expenses. The impact goals are centered on increasing opportunities for children to learn in outdoor settings, fostering a sense of stewardship, and enriching their educational experiences through direct interaction with nature. The fund prioritizes grant applications that include a significant component of outdoor activity and directly engage children in outdoor, nature-based learning. While alignment with classroom learning and standards is encouraged, it is not a strict requirement, emphasizing the program's focus on experiential learning. Grants between $100 and $500 are available, supporting a wide range of smaller-scale, impactful projects that meet the eligibility criteria. Eligible applicants include public charities with approved 501(c)(3) status, governmental units, American Indian nations or tribal communities, and accredited schools, colleges, or universities. The program's theory of change posits that by removing financial barriers and supporting educators and organizations, more Wisconsin youth will have access to enriching outdoor experiences, leading to increased environmental awareness and appreciation. The expected outcome is a measurable increase in youth participation in nature-based learning, contributing to a more environmentally conscious and engaged generation. Projects must benefit Wisconsin students, and activities must take place six weeks or more after the application due date, ensuring planned and impactful engagement.

The Long Island Sound Futures Fund (LISFF), managed by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) in collaboration with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Long Island Sound Study (LISS), seeks to restore the health and living resources of Long Island Sound. This grant program, with approximately $12 million available in 2024, aligns with the foundation's mission by supporting efforts to test innovative conservation approaches, deliver transformative projects, and engage communities that value and protect the Sound. Major funding is provided by EPA through the LISS, with additional support from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Zoetis Foundation, demonstrating a collaborative strategic approach to environmental conservation. The LISFF targets a broad range of beneficiaries, including non-profit 501(c) organizations, state government agencies, local and municipal governments, Tribal Governments and Organizations, and educational institutions. The impact goals are centered on improving water quality, enhancing and restoring coastal habitats, and fostering sustainable and resilient communities around the Long Island Sound. The program’s strategic priorities are guided by the Long Island Sound Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan 2020-2024 Update (CCMP), which emphasizes three core themes: Clean Waters and Healthy Watersheds, Thriving Habitats and Abundant Wildlife, and Sustainable and Resilient Communities. Cross-cutting principles of resiliency to climate change, long-term sustainability, and environmental justice are also integral to the program's theory of change. Under the "Clean Waters and Healthy Watersheds" theme, the program prioritizes reducing nitrogen pollution, combined sewer overflows, impervious cover, stormwater runoff, and point and nonpoint source loading. This includes funding for "shovel-ready" projects that result in quantifiable pollutant prevention, particularly those addressing water quality at a larger scale. Planning activities, such as community engagement, feasibility studies, site assessments, conceptual design, and final design and permitting, are also supported. Projects in the Upper Basin states (MA, NH, VT) are specifically focused on quantifiable nitrogen/nutrient prevention with a documented benefit to Long Island Sound. The "Thriving Habitats and Abundant Wildlife" theme focuses on enhancing or restoring coastal habitats to maintain resilience and function, supporting fish, bird, and wildlife populations, and sustaining the Sound's ecological balance. This involves implementing "shovel-ready" habitat restoration and nature-based or green-gray hybrid resilience projects, as well as planning activities for such projects. The program also aims to foster diverse, balanced, and abundant populations of fish, birds, and wildlife, encouraging proposals that consider the LISS Habitat Restoration Guidelines. The "Sustainable and Resilient Communities" theme supports vibrant, informed, and engaged communities through projects that offer hands-on conservation experiences. Expected outcomes include quantifiable pollutant reductions, enhanced and restored coastal habitats, increased resilience to climate change, and more engaged communities actively participating in the Sound's protection and sustainability. For water quality projects, measurable results will include quantifiable pollutant prevention, particularly nitrogen/nutrient reductions. For habitat projects, long-term maintenance plans and ecological improvements are expected. The LISFF's strategic framework, rooted in the CCMP, aims to accelerate local and regional water quality improvements, natural resource restoration, coastal resilience, environmental justice, and community outreach, ultimately leading to a healthier, more productive, and resilient Long Island Sound for both people and wildlife.

This program provides financial support to local governments, conservation groups, and nonprofits in Colorado to improve fishing access and enhance aquatic habitats for public angling.

This grant provides funding to local nonprofits, government entities, schools, and churches to address community needs and improve the quality of life in the Mountain Grove area.

Grants will be awarded for specific eligible activities, such as speaking on a panel, participating in a working group, or participation in other decision-making processes. The PP Grant Account cap per organization of $15,000 will ensure a proportional distribution of funds over time and across various organizations. Submissions for grant awards will be accepted on a rolling basis throughout the grant period and payment for these discrete engagements will be prompt.

This grant provides up to $25,000 to Louisiana-based nonprofits for innovative projects that improve health and community well-being.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has collaborated with Qualified Youth and Conservation Corps, as authorized by the Public Lands Corps Act (PLC), to accomplish conservation projects for numerous years. This program’s projects provide employment for participants and opportunities to learn about and gain work experience in public lands and natural resources management while promoting long-term interest in public lands stewardship and the BLM. The BLM Youth Program assists the BLM with diversifying the workforce while exposing participants to complex cultural and natural resource issues. This program supports the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) Public Law 117-58, Sec. 40804(b) Ecosystem Restoration and Section 40803 Wildfire Risk Reduction. This program supports projects funded through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), Sections 50221 Resilience, 50222 Ecosystems Restoration and 50303 DOI. The BLM Youth Program partners with qualified youth and conservation corps to engage individuals between the ages of 16 and 30 (inclusive) and veterans up to age 35 (inclusive) including tribal members. Recruitment efforts should focus on young, diverse people from local communities to assist with conservation projects that protect and promote multiple-use on public lands.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for state and local governments, tribal entities, educational institutions, and non-profit organizations to advance biodiversity and restore native plant communities in Idaho.

The Greater Worcester Community Foundation is inviting applications for its 2024 Community Grant Program, focusing on projects in Arts & Creativity, Basic Needs, and Economic Opportunity. This program is designed to be responsive and flexible, incorporating trust-based philanthropic principles to streamline the application process, encourage more interactive engagement, and offer diverse methods for storytelling. The foundation's mission aligns with this grant by seeking to build a diverse arts and culture ecosystem, ensure access to food and shelter, and promote economic opportunity through English Language Learning and Job Training & Financial Literacy programs within Worcester County. The grant program targets residents of Worcester County as its primary beneficiaries, with a strong emphasis on access and barrier reduction. Organizations based in or having a meaningful physical presence in Worcester County, or those providing unduplicated services with authentic local partnerships, are eligible. The impact goals revolve around addressing pressing community needs through creative and innovative solutions, fostering equity, amplifying community voice, and disrupting existing systems. The program prioritizes three key focus areas. Arts & Creativity aims to build and support a diverse and strong arts and culture ecosystem where all individuals feel they belong. Basic Needs concentrates on ensuring all community residents have access to food and shelter. Economic Opportunity focuses on English Language Learning programs and Job Training & Financial Literacy programs to empower individuals and enhance their financial well-being. Projects will be assessed based on several selection criteria, which inherently define the expected outcomes and measurable results. These include the feasibility of the proposed work and budget within the grant range ($2,500 - $25,000), the level of access and barrier reduction created for Worcester County residents, and the degree of creative or innovative solutions provided for community needs. Furthermore, projects must demonstrate measurable and manageable goals and outcomes aligned with one or more of the specified focus areas, along with an organizational commitment to equity, community voice, and systems disruption, backed by sound financial and governance functions.

This funding opportunity supports projects that foster cultural, educational, economic, and environmental collaboration between the United States and New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Niue, and Tokelau, targeting a diverse range of applicants including individuals, non-profits, and educational institutions.

The mission of the Latin America Regional Program is to provide technical and financial assistance to partners to conserve the regions priority species and their habitats. It advances its mission by supporting projects that reduce threats to key wildlife species and strengthen local capacity that results in measurable conservation impacts that benefit biodiversity and its people in the long-term. Responding to and tackling the challenges that Latin Americas biodiversity faces requires inclusive and equitable approaches, as well as coordinated actions by stakeholders across the region. The Latin America Regional Program seeks to partner with national governments, civil society and grassroots organizations, and research and academic institutions that are willing to work with local groups that bring new perspectives and leadership. See Section C. Eligibility Conditions for more information about eligibility. Conserving Latin Americas unique assemblage of species and natural habitats requires addressing the damage that unsustainable resource use, habitat loss and fragmentation, agricultural expansion, human-wildlife conflict, and climate change have on species and ecosystems. Therefore, this NOFO will only consider projects that clearly articulate how the proposed actions will reduce these above-mentioned threats under at least one of the following categories: Species Conservation: This category seeks to support projects that promote the recovery and conservation efforts of key terrestrial species and their habitats along their range. Proposed activities can be implemented on the local, national, or regional (transnational) level, and can involve more than one priority species. Species should meet the criteria to be listed either as Endangered or Threatened on the ESA, or as Critically Endangered, Endangered, or Vulnerable on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. Species listed as Data Deficient or Extinct in Wild on the IUCN Red List are not eligible under this NOFO.Conservation Stewardship: This category seeks to support projects that assist communities living in and along critical wildlife corridors and strongholds, by building on their traditional land-use practices, governance principles, ethnobiological knowledge and reduce their costs of living with wildlife. Proposed activities can be implemented on the local, national or regional (transnational) level.Important ConsiderationsProject activities should take place in eligible geographies of Latin America (see Eligibility below). If work is to be conducted in the United States, the proposal must show a clear impact on biodiversity conservation in Latin America to be eligible.Transnational projects and consortia applications are encouraged.Only one application per organization will be accepted under this announcement.Project activities that emphasize data collection and status assessment should describe a direct link to management action and explain how lack of information has been a key limiting factor for management action.Please note that a letter of government endorsement is required and must be included with your submission. Applicants are strongly encouraged to consult with relevant government authorities prior to preparing applications for Service funds. See Section D2. Content and Form of Application Submission for more information.The Latin America Regional Program reserves the right to fund any or none of the submissions and make adjustments to the funding amounts. The Notice of Funding Opportunity seeks to fund approximately six awards, each with a total budget not to exceed $200,000 over two years. To maximize the impact and sustainability of the awards that result from this NOFO, the Latin America Regional Program retains the right to execute non-competitive continuation amendments. The total duration of any award, including non-competitive continuation amendments, cannot exceed five years. Any non-competitive continuation amendment is contingent on performance and pending availability of federal funds, satisfactory performance and compliance with award terms and conditions.Due to other grant programs supported by the Service, the Latin America Regional Program will not fund projects related to marine turtles, tortoises, and freshwater turtles (Marine Turtle Conservation Act Fund), neotropical migratory birds (Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act Fund), North America wetlands (North America Wetlands Conservation Act), songbirds (Species Conservation Catalyst Fund on Songbirds), California condor, and Mexican gray wolf. Eligibility*Projects are to be implemented in or around natural protected areas, biological corridors, and recovery units in:Mexico: Species: jaguar Geographic eligibility: Yucatan peninsula and Lacandon jungle.Central America: Geographic eligibility: Guatemala and HondurasSouth America: Geographic eligibility: Gran Chaco (Eastern Bolivia, Paraguay, and northern Argentina) and Andes-Amazon (Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru)

This grant provides funding for researchers with expertise in marine biology to study the reproductive ecology of black abalone at San Clemente Island, supporting both environmental conservation and military readiness.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for organizations in Hawaii to develop sustainable fisheries management plans for coral reefs, focusing on community collaboration and scientific research.