Natural Resources Grants

Notice of Funding Opportunity Summary NRCS is announcing the availability of Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) State Program funding to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies. Applications are accepted from eligible entities (Section C) for projects carried out in the state of Kansas. A total of up to $250,000 is available for the Kansas CIG competition in FY 2024. All non-Foreign, non-federal entities (NFE) and individuals are invited to apply, with the sole exception of federal agencies. Projects may be between one and three years in duration. The maximum award amount for a single award in FY 2024 is $125,000. 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. Completing all steps required to start an application can take a significant amount of time, plan accordingly. Key Dates Applicants must submit their applications via Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on Friday, September 06, 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 November 29, 2024, and expects to execute awards by February 01, 2025. These dates are estimates and are subject to change.

This funding opportunity supports Tribes, nonprofit organizations, and public agencies in California to restore wetlands and mountain meadows, promoting climate resilience and enhancing natural habitats.

This funding opportunity supports tribes, nonprofit organizations, and public agencies in California to implement environmental restoration projects that enhance wildlife corridors, improve habitat resilience, and address climate impacts.

This funding opportunity supports public agencies, tribes, and nonprofit organizations in California to restore coastal environments, improve public access, and enhance climate resilience, particularly for historically underrepresented communities.

This grant provides financial support to municipalities and non-profit organizations in selected New York counties for various recreational trail projects, including construction, planning, rehabilitation, and educational initiatives.

The Secured School Safety Grant (SSSG) program is an Indiana state-allocated fund designed to enhance school safety through matching grants. This program directly aligns with a foundation's mission focused on ensuring the well-being and security of educational environments, as it provides critical resources for creating safer schools. The grants are available to school corporations, accredited non-public schools, charter schools, and coalitions of school corporations, ensuring a broad reach across the state's educational landscape. The core objective is to mitigate threats, improve emergency response capabilities, and foster a secure learning atmosphere for students and staff. The target beneficiaries of the SSSG program are primarily students, school employees, and the broader school communities within Indiana. The impact goals are comprehensive, aiming to reduce the incidence of violence, enhance preparedness for critical incidents, and support the mental and behavioral health of students. The grant seeks to achieve these goals by funding initiatives that directly address vulnerabilities and promote a proactive approach to safety. The SSSG program focuses on several key priorities. These include the employment of school resource officers or law enforcement officers, conducting site vulnerability assessments and critical incident digital mapping, and purchasing equipment to restrict access, manage visitors, expedite first responder notification and access, and detect various threats. The program also prioritizes enhancing emergency communications, assisting with emergency medical response, implementing student and parent support services, and providing training for canine units and school employees on safety-related topics. Furthermore, it supports the design and construction of security-enhancing additions or renovations, bullying prevention programs, and active event warning systems. Expected outcomes include a measurable improvement in school security infrastructure and protocols, a reduction in safety incidents, and an increased sense of safety among students and staff. The program also anticipates enhanced preparedness for emergencies and more effective responses when incidents occur. Through these direct interventions and support for proactive safety measures, the SSSG contributes to a strategic priority of fostering safe and supportive learning environments. The underlying theory of change is that by investing in robust security measures, well-trained personnel, and comprehensive support systems, schools can deter threats, effectively manage crises, and ultimately create an optimal environment for student success and well-being. This grant directly contributes to a foundation's strategic goal of promoting community safety and educational excellence by providing tangible resources to achieve these critical objectives.

This funding opportunity supports municipalities in the Hudson River Valley to develop plans and projects that enhance their scenic, natural, and cultural resources while promoting regional collaboration and community development.

This funding opportunity is designed to support projects that improve water and habitat conditions affected by climate change, targeting wildlife conservation efforts and emergency restoration activities.

CDFW may make grants to, reimburse, or enter into contracts or other agreements, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 1571, with public and private entities, including universities, nonprofit organizations, and California Native American tribes, as defined in Section 21073 of the Public Resources Code, for the use of the funds from the Upland Game Bird Account to carry out the purposes of Fish and Game Code §3684, including related habitat conservation projects. Any proposal fitting the criteria in this statue is qualified to be funded. 

This grant program, offered by the Minnesota Department of Education, aims to support the Minnesota's LSTA Five-Year Plan (2023-2027) by funding projects that align with Goals A, B, and C. The overarching mission is to reduce barriers to access, promote equity, showcase libraries' contributions to the community, and empower Minnesota's library workforce. This aligns with the state's broader strategic priorities of closing racial and economic achievement gaps and supporting the goals of the World's Best Workforce, as highlighted in Goal C. The target beneficiaries of this grant are legally established public libraries, library cooperatives or consortia, libraries in Minnesota’s public schools or public colleges and universities, and special libraries operated by Minnesota registered 501(c)(3) organizations. The impact goals are centered around increasing collective impact through coalition building (Goal A), reimagining access through partnerships (Goal B), and changing the narrative to better showcase libraries' vital contributions to thriving communities (Goal C). The program prioritizes and focuses on new projects that can serve as models or pilots. However, it also considers new phases of existing projects or ongoing projects that reach new audiences, incorporate new methods, or significantly expand their reach. Collaboration and partnerships with community-based organizations are highly encouraged, reflecting a strategic priority to leverage collective efforts for greater impact, though not a strict requirement for application. Expected outcomes and measurable results are tied to the achievement of the LSTA Five-Year Plan's goals, particularly in areas like reducing access barriers and promoting equity. While specific metrics are not detailed in the provided text, the focus on "changing the narrative" and "increasing collective impact" suggests qualitative and quantitative improvements in community engagement, library service utilization, and workforce development. The grant period from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025, provides a timeframe for achieving these outcomes, with grant awards ranging from $10,000 to $75,000 to support these initiatives.

This program provides funding to eligible organizations to cover the costs of butchering and processing deer donated to help Maryland residents in need.

The BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation is offering Heal Mini-Grants, a funding opportunity designed to support healthy eating or active living projects. These grants specifically target policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) change in community health. The foundation's mission, as evidenced by its past award to Wholespire, is to promote the health of South Carolina’s economically challenged population. The Heal Mini-Grants align with this mission by creating opportunities for equitable access to healthy food and safe places for physical activity, recognizing that individual choices are influenced by available options. The target beneficiaries include community members, students, employees, and devout individuals who will benefit from increased opportunities to make healthy choices and engage in physical activity. The impact goals are to foster healthier communities by addressing systemic barriers to well-being. This is achieved by supporting projects that either serve as seed money for new initiatives, help progress existing ones, or provide the final push to complete ongoing projects, all within a 9-month grant period. The program's priorities and focus areas are exclusively related to healthy eating and/or active living, with a strong emphasis on implementing or supporting PSE change projects. Examples of funded projects include establishing or promoting SNAP/Healthy Bucks at farmers' markets, creating sustainable food-gleaning stations, installing water bottle refill stations, improving playgrounds, supporting active communities with bike racks and crosswalks, and enhancing community trails with signage and amenities. These examples highlight the commitment to creating environments that naturally encourage healthier lifestyles. Expected outcomes include increased access to healthy food options and greater opportunities for physical activity within communities. Measurable results would stem from the implementation of tangible PSE changes, such as the establishment of new programs, improvements to existing infrastructure, or the adoption of supportive policies. The foundation's strategic priorities are clearly centered on community health improvement through practical, environmental interventions. Their theory of change appears to be that by altering the policy, systems, and environmental landscape, individuals will naturally be empowered to make healthier choices, leading to a more active and well-nourished population.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)s Natural Resources Conservation Service Soil and Plant Science Division (NRCS SPSD), is announcing the potential availability of funding for agreements for the purposes of supporting cooperative research in soil science and soil survey. The purpose of the 2024 Soil Survey Cooperative Research Proposals is to promote research that informs and improves soil survey. Each proposal must include significant collaboration with soil survey personnel (such as those at the National Soil Survey Center, MLRA Soil Survey or Regional offices). The proposals deliverables and their connection to soil survey must be clearly explained. Extra consideration will be given to proposals that include Dynamic Soil Survey research support, with close collaboration with National Soil Survey Center Research Soil Scientists. The work should have national or broad regional application to fill gaps in soil survey databases, provide new approaches to collecting or interpreting soil survey data, and/or address emerging issues in the national research priority areas.The FY24 research priorities were developed through meetings of the National Cooperative Soil Survey (NCSS) Research Priorities Committee and in conjunction with NRCS and SPSD priorities. We expect to fund approximately up to $3,000,000 of cooperative research depending on funding availability. Eligibility is limited to institutions of higher education in the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) network CESU National Network. Proposals are requested for competitive consideration of awards for projects 2-3 years in duration. The estimated funding floor for this opportunity is $50,000 and the estimated funding ceiling is $500,000.Proposal topics should address emerging issues within at least one of three nationally relevant areas of soil survey research:Dynamic Soil Properties (DSPs) and Soil Change Investigation of DSPs not currently accounted for in evaluations of soil change at decadal time scales. Assessments of DSPs for forest soils. Creation of digital soil mapping models for predicting DPSs through space and time.Methods of Soil Hydrology Development of new field and laboratory methods that could be added to soil survey. Expansion of existing methods for characterizing soil hydraulic properties (e.g., water retention, hydraulic conductivity), including those that can be gathered from existing soil survey data. Enhancing communication of hydrologic toolsets and data to product users, especially non-soil scientists.Expansion of Datasets Leveraging existing NRCS and non-NRCS datasets to expand the reach of soil survey (e.g., deeper depths, spatial gaps). Developing an online mapping tool or repository of soil survey projects, which could include major outcomes and generated datasets. Enhancing the compatibility of non-NRCS datasets (e.g., National Ecological Observatory Network, Molecular Observation Network, U.S. Geological Surveys National Geothermal Data System) with soil survey data.All proposals must include a data management plan and all data and deliverables must be made publicly available per USDA regulations - https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/dr- 1020-006.pdf.More information on NCSS regions including maps and contacts is available at https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/conservation-basics/natural-resource-concerns/soil/contacts.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 DatesApplicants must submit their applications via Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on July 8, 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 July 22, 2024, and expects to execute awards by September 30, 2024. These dates are estimates and are subject to change.Federal Funding Floor and Ceiling AmountsThe estimated funding floor for this opportunity is $50,000, and the estimated funding ceiling is $500,000. The funding floor means the minimum agreement funding amount for the Federal share per agreement awarded. The ceiling is the maximum agreement funding amount for the Federal share per agreement awarded. These numbers refer to the total agreement amount, not any specific budget period.Federal Financial Assistance TrainingThe funding available through this NFO is Federal financial assistance. Grants 101 Training is highly recommended for those seeking knowledge about Federal financial assistance. The training is free and available to the public via https://www.cfo.gov/resources/federal-financial-assistance-training/. It consists of five modules covering each of the following topics: 1) laws, regulations, and guidance; 2) financial assistance mechanisms; 3) uniform guidance administrative requirements; 4) cost principles; and 5) risk management and single audit. FPAC agencies also apply Federal financial assistance regulations to certain non-assistance awards (e.g., non-assistance cooperative agreements).

The Seattle Department of Neighborhoods (DON) is offering a Starter Fund Grant Program, ranging from $5,000 to $25,000, for small community organizations and groups focusing on advancing an equitable and sustainable local food system within Seattle, with eligible activities including food justice initiatives, community organizing, food-related job training, and more.

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is currently seeking proposals for its Rocky Mountain Rangelands Program. This initiative aims to conserve, restore, and improve habitat in the Intermountain West, specifically focusing on wildlife species associated with sagebrush, irrigated meadows, and aquatic systems, while also preserving large mammal migration. NFWF's mission to sustain, restore, and enhance the nation's fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats aligns directly with the program's objectives. The target beneficiaries of this grant include ranchers, community-led organizations, and landowners in Idaho and Utah, as well as the diverse wildlife species inhabiting these rangelands, such as sagebrush sparrow, sage thrasher, mule deer, pronghorn, and Greater and/or Gunnison sage-grouse. The program's impact goals are centered on accelerating and implementing voluntary conservation practices to achieve sustainable livestock production, enhanced wildlife habitat, improved ecosystem services (including carbon sequestration), and increased landscape permeability for wildlife. Priority will be given to projects that promote innovations in grazing management, strategic management of annual invasive grasses, habitat enhancement (through mesic area/wet meadow, sagebrush restoration, and conifer removal), fence removal or modification, and the provision of technical assistance to landowners. In Idaho, there's a dedicated focus on supporting positions to integrate Farm Bill programs with the Big Game Migration Initiative. In Utah, funding is available to facilitate conservation practices on working lands and to support positions that increase the pace and scale of voluntary perpetual conservation easements through ACEP-ALE delivery and RCPP technical assistance. Expected outcomes include the adoption of cost-effective and sustainable conservation approaches, direct benefits to priority wildlife species, and increased landowner enrollment in Farm Bill programs. The program anticipates awarding between 10-20 grants, with a suggested minimum of $100,000, and projects may span one to three years. Measurable results will likely involve tracking acres restored, number of fences modified, and improvements in wildlife populations. This program exemplifies NFWF's strategic priority of fostering collaborative, science-based conservation efforts and their theory of change, which posits that strategic investment in voluntary, on-the-ground conservation with strong partnerships leads to tangible and lasting benefits for both wildlife and working lands. The program is supported by major private funding from Cargill, Taco Bell, Nestlé, Capri Holding Ltd., and federal funding from the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Natural Resources Conservation Service.

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 National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is inviting proposals for its Cumberland Plateau Stewardship Fund, aiming to restore and enhance critical forest, grassland, and freshwater habitats within the Cumberland Plateau region. This initiative aligns with NFWF's broader mission to sustain, restore, and enhance the nation’s fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats. The program's core strategy involves increasing the voluntary adoption of conservation practices on working agricultural lands, which contributes to NFWF’s strategic priority of supporting wildlife and improving ecological health through sustainable land management. The target beneficiaries of this grant program are the diverse habitats and species within the Cumberland Plateau, as well as landowners and communities in the region who will adopt conservation practices. The impact goals are multifaceted, seeking to improve soil health, water quantity and quality, and carbon sequestration. Ultimately, the program aims to foster resilient ecosystems that support both wildlife and sustainable human activities. The foundation's theory of change is predicated on the idea that by providing financial and technical assistance, they can incentivize conservation practices that lead to measurable environmental improvements and long-term ecological benefits. The program's priorities and focuses are clearly outlined through its program strategies. These include restoring previously mined lands, increasing the adoption of conservation practices on grazing and croplands, establishing, enhancing, and maintaining forest habitats, and restoring instream habitats to support aquatic species. A significant focus is also placed on expanding and coordinating technical assistance and outreach to landowners, recognizing the importance of local engagement and support for successful implementation of conservation efforts. Expected outcomes and measurable results include an increase in acres of restored habitats, improved water quality metrics, enhanced soil health, and greater carbon sequestration. The program anticipates awarding approximately $2.8 million in grants in 2024, with individual grant awards ranging from $250,000 to $750,000. Projects are expected to have a completion time of 24-48 months. Eligibility extends to non-profit organizations, state and local governments, Tribal Governments, and educational institutions, with a preference for projects within identified focal areas of Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia. The program’s success will be measured by the extent to which these conservation practices are adopted and the subsequent environmental benefits realized across the Cumberland Plateau.

This grant provides financial support for small businesses and nonprofit organizations in Hennepin County, Minnesota, to improve their recycling and organics recycling efforts by acquiring containers and compostable bags.

The Arts & Cultural Organizations General Operating Support grant program, offered by the California Arts Council, provides direct funding to arts and cultural organizations for their ongoing operations. This grant is designed to support the overall well-being of California's cultural vitality by sustaining a robust and diverse arts workforce and infrastructure. The funding is intended to support the applicant organization in carrying out its mission, rather than a specific project, aligning with a strategic priority to foster a stable and thriving arts ecosystem across the state. The target beneficiaries are arts and cultural organizations within California, specifically those with total revenue between $250,000 and $1.5 million. This focus aims to support a crucial segment of the cultural sector, enabling them to continue their work. The impact goals include enhancing the sustainability and resilience of these organizations, ensuring they can contribute to California's cultural landscape. The program prioritizes eligible expenses associated with general operations, such as rent, utilities, and staff salaries. This focus on operational support allows organizations to maintain their core functions, which is critical for long-term stability. The expected outcomes include the sustained operation of arts and cultural organizations, the retention of a diverse arts workforce, and the continued delivery of cultural services to communities throughout California. Measurable results for this one-year funding cycle could include the number of organizations sustained, the range of eligible expenses covered, and the continued employment of arts professionals. The grant activity period is from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025. This grant indirectly supports the California Arts Council's broader theory of change, which posits that investing in the operational capacity of arts organizations leads to a more vibrant, accessible, and equitable cultural environment for all Californians.

The Anne Arundel County Government and Chesapeake Bay Trust have partnered to fund forestry projects and land protection in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. This grant program, with a deadline of August 1, 2024, offers grants ranging from $100,000 to $500,000 for a duration of two years. The overarching goal is to implement cost-effective reforestation and greening initiatives while increasing protected forested land. This aligns with the Chesapeake Bay Trust's mission of restoring and protecting the Chesapeake Bay, as increasing tree cover and green areas directly contribute to improved water and soil quality, reduced erosion, and filtered airborne pollutants, all of which benefit the health of the Bay watershed. The program targets areas within Anne Arundel County, excluding the City of Annapolis. The primary beneficiaries are the residents and the natural environment of Anne Arundel County, as the projects aim to improve air and water quality, mitigate erosion, reduce summer temperatures and ozone pollution, and ensure valuable ecological services like habitat, water quality, and flood control for the future. The desired impact is a healthier, more sustainable environment through increased tree cover and protected forested lands. The program prioritizes reforestation/afforestation of protected lands, permanent protection of forested lands, and reforestation/afforestation and protection of uneased and unforested lands. Track 1 focuses on projects providing ecological benefits through riparian buffers, contiguous forest tracts, and wildlife habitat. Track 2 supports acquiring, executing, recording, and monitoring permanent conservation easements to protect existing tree canopy, particularly ecologically valuable sites. Track 3 allows for reforestation/afforestation on unprotected land, contingent on placing a permanent conservation easement, deed restriction, or long-term protective agreement. Expected outcomes include a measurable increase in acres of reforested and protected forested land within Anne Arundel County. By expanding tree cover, the program anticipates a reduction in erosion, an improvement in water and soil quality, and a decrease in airborne pollutants such as particulates, nitrogen oxide, and carbon monoxide. Additionally, the initiative is expected to lower summer temperatures, thereby reducing ozone pollution and energy consumption. The protection of forested lands will ensure long-term ecological services like wildlife habitat, sustained water quality, and effective flood control, contributing to the overall resilience and environmental health of the county.