Private Environment Grants

The First Nations’ Young Natural Resource Professionals Cohort is a 12-month enrichment opportunity designed to enhance the knowledge and networks of young natural resource professionals in the Northern Great Plains. This program directly aligns with the First Nations Development Institute's mission to support Native American communities, particularly in areas of natural resource management and tribal sovereignty. The grant, ranging from $1,000 to $10,000, aims to foster professional development and community-led conservation efforts within tribal lands. The primary beneficiaries of this program are 15 early-career natural resource professionals, aged 18-30, who are tribally-affiliated and employed by tribal natural resource and/or environmental departments in Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming. The program's impact goals are to develop professional, leadership, and technical skills among these individuals, enabling them to effectively employ tribal and community conservation priorities. The cohort prioritizes a deeper understanding of traditional stewardship practices, specialized project management training, and the ability to communicate the importance of upholding tribal sovereignty, cultural grounding, and connection to ancestral lands in resource management. Participants will gain access to a $5,000 stipend for their hosting Tribe, travel support for professional development, a $50,000 tribal grant to lead a conservation-focused project, and a supportive network with mentorship opportunities. Expected outcomes include participants gaining a deeper understanding of traditional stewardship practices, receiving specialized training in project management, and becoming adept at communicating the importance of tribal sovereignty and cultural connection in resource management. Measurable results will be demonstrated through the completion of conservation-focused projects and the sustained professional growth of the cohort members within their tribal communities. The project period runs from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025.

The Community Foundation for Perry County, in partnership with the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio, is currently accepting grant applications. This program is designed to support nonprofits, schools, and public organizations undertaking projects and programs that directly benefit the residents and communities within Perry County, Ohio. The foundation's mission is deeply rooted in enhancing the quality of life for the Perry community, both in the present and for future generations. Established in 2012 by a collaborative effort of past and present residents, the core objective of CFPC is to build enduring funds and resources to create a tangible and lasting positive difference for Perry County. This initiative serves as an additional channel for residents to contribute locally, ensuring that resources specifically benefit the Perry County community and its citizens. The target beneficiaries of these grants are individuals of all ages within Perry County. The impact goals are centered around spearheading efforts that generate opportunities, address critical needs, and unlock the full potential residing within Perry County. The program's priorities and focuses are structured around five key areas of need, collectively referred to as the Pillars of Prosperity. These pillars encompass arts and culture, community and economic development, education, environmental stewardship, and health and human services. Projects and programs that align with and advance opportunities within these five areas will be prioritized for funding. The expected outcomes and measurable results of this grant program are broad, aiming to foster significant improvements across the identified Pillars of Prosperity. While specific quantitative metrics are not detailed in the provided information, the emphasis on creating opportunities, meeting pressing needs, and unleashing potential suggests a focus on tangible community development, improved access to essential services, enhanced educational outcomes, and strengthened cultural and environmental well-being within Perry County. The consideration of larger requests based on potential impact further indicates a desire for projects with substantial and transformative effects. Approximately $46,000 in funding is anticipated to be awarded this year. Grants typically fall within the range of $500 to $5,000, though applications for larger amounts will be given consideration if they demonstrate a greater potential for impact. The eligibility criteria are inclusive, allowing nonprofit organizations, including 501(c) organizations, public organizations such as school districts and government subdivisions, and even groups operating under fiscal sponsorship to apply, ensuring a wide reach for beneficial projects within the county.

This fellowship provides support, resources, and funding to U.S. entrepreneurs developing scalable solutions in climate, health, and equity, with a focus on historically underrepresented founders.

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 micro-grants to woman-owned small businesses in York County, Pennsylvania, to support improvements that foster growth and enhance customer experience.

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.

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.

Honor the Earth focuses on supporting Native-led organizations that are grassroots, community-based, and lack access to federal and/or tribal funding resources. Grants, ranging from $1,000 to $5,000, are awarded under the Building Resilience in Indigenous Communities Initiative. This initiative funds projects that build resilience in Indigenous communities by implementing renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements to advance community dignity and energy sovereignty, and by creating food security utilizing Indigenous varieties and organic production. All projects are expected to contribute to restoring Indigenous wisdom and sustainability. Geographic eligibility is restricted to Native organizations in Mexico, the United States, and Canada, requiring proof of 501(c)(3) status or equivalent for application.

This funding opportunity provides up to $750,000 for nonprofit and government organizations to implement sustainable solutions that reduce illegal dumping in underserved neighborhoods of Philadelphia.

This initiative provides $10 million to organizations in the U.S. that propose innovative solutions to rebuild public trust in essential institutions like schools, government, media, and healthcare.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Northwest Minnesota for projects that aim to protect and enhance the region's natural resources.

The AARP Foundation is accepting applications for the Purpose Prize, a national award celebrating individuals aged 50 and older who are leveraging their life experiences to create positive change. Winners will receive $50,000 for their non-profit organization and access to various resources and events. Eligible applicants must be US citizens, at least 50 years old, and have founded a 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) non-profit organization. The work being recognized must have been initiated when the applicant was at least 40 years old. For more information, visit The AARP Foundation website.

This grant provides financial and technical support to U.S. sheep producers to improve their operational efficiency, sustainability, and market access through innovative practices and technologies.

This program provides $1,000 grants for small, innovative projects that address unexpected needs and positively impact the residents of Daviess County, Indiana.

This funding opportunity supports individuals and organizations in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, to implement community-driven projects that enhance social value in areas such as education, health, sustainability, and culture.

The Robert F. Orr Charitable Foundation is currently accepting applications for grants dedicated to charitable, educational, and scientific purposes. While the foundation's broad mission encompasses these areas, specific grantmaking priorities guide its funding decisions. The foundation seeks to align its support with initiatives that demonstrate a clear commitment to positive societal impact, particularly within the states of Hawaii, Idaho, and Utah. The foundation's grantmaking priorities are divided into three core areas: Environment, Education, and Human Services. Within the Environment category, the foundation prioritizes causes and programs that foster environmental conservation and support restoration projects, aiming to preserve and improve natural ecosystems. For Education, the focus is on K-12 STEM programs and job training initiatives, with the goal of enhancing educational opportunities and workforce development. In Human Services, the foundation supports programs for disadvantaged persons and individuals with disabilities, striving to improve their quality of life and promote inclusivity. Target beneficiaries for these grants include environmental organizations working on conservation and restoration, educational institutions and programs serving K-12 students in STEM fields, and organizations providing job training or services to disadvantaged and disabled individuals. The overarching impact goals are to contribute to a healthier environment, a more educated and skilled workforce, and a more equitable society for vulnerable populations within the specified states. While the document does not explicitly detail "expected outcomes and measurable results" or the foundation's "strategic priorities and theory of change," the articulated priorities strongly suggest a belief in the power of targeted support to create tangible, positive change in these key areas. Organizations seeking funding must qualify as exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Applications are accepted through an online grant application form or an accessible alternative for assistive technology users. The deadline for applications is July 1, 2024. While the size of the grant and its duration are not specified, the foundation's commitment to these defined priorities indicates a strategic approach to philanthropy, aiming for meaningful, albeit not precisely quantified, outcomes through its funding.

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 provides $10.6 million for innovative projects that improve floating offshore wind technology, targeting advancements in port infrastructure, transmission systems, and environmental monitoring tools.

The Rural Maryland Prosperity Investment Fund (RMPIF) Grant, facilitated by the Rural Maryland Council, is accepting applications for its 2025 Regional Planning and Development Councils initiative. The overarching mission of RMPIF is to elevate the standard of living in rural Maryland to meet or exceed statewide benchmarks by 2030, while simultaneously preserving the unique cultural heritage and rural lifestyle. This grant program is a strategic investment designed to bolster economic and community development, foster regional and intergovernmental cooperation, and enable local and nonprofit organizations to attract additional non-state resources for sustainable rural development. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are the five established regional planning and development councils: the Tri-County Council of Western Maryland, Tri-County Council of Southern Maryland, Upper Shore Regional Council, Mid-Shore Regional Council, and Tri-County Council of the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland. Additionally, multi-county efforts serving rural communities not covered by these councils are also eligible. The impact goals are broad, aiming to increase entrepreneurial activity, reduce unemployment and underemployment, retain valuable farm and forest land, and generally enhance the health, happiness, safety, employment opportunities, and general welfare of rural residents. The program prioritizes several key areas: encouraging a balanced economy, promoting intergovernmental cooperation and public/private partnerships, enhancing infrastructure for housing, transportation, water, wastewater, and broadband communications, and supporting rural commercial center redevelopment and community revitalization efforts. The grant specifically provides funding for projects and activities undertaken by the regional councils and other multi-county initiatives, with approved grant agreements reflecting strategic needs identified within the rural communities. Expected outcomes include stronger and more effective rural regions, the creation of economic development strategies, preservation and assistance for agricultural and resource-based industries, successful acquisition of federal funding for infrastructure, coordinated regional transportation projects (including public transit), and the development of support for diverse public policy initiatives. Each regional council is eligible to receive $600,000 in FY2025 for rural regional planning and development assistance, providing measurable financial support to achieve these objectives. The Rural Maryland Council's strategic priority is rooted in a theory of change that by investing in regional cooperation and targeted development, rural areas can achieve sustainable growth and a higher quality of life, ultimately benefiting the entire state.

The Emberg Charitable Trust provides grants to tax exempt, nonprofit, and governmental vocational, technical, and trade school programs located in northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin. The trust promotes workforce readiness by supporting programs that prepare students for careers in prominent regional industries. Preference is given to programs of study with potential to supply qualified candidates for fields such as forestry and aircraft maintenance. Funds may support curriculum development, equipment and tools for training, and associated program needs that enhance technical education and job placement outcomes. Eligible applicants are tax exempt nonprofits and governmental vocational, technical, and trade school programs serving counties in the trusts geographic focus. Proposals should demonstrate alignment with regional workforce needs and the capacity to deliver measurable outcomes for students and employers. Applications are due May 5, 2024. Grant size and duration are not stated. Additional information is available through the trustee information referenced by Wells Fargo.