Private Environment Grants

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is inviting proposals for its ConocoPhillips SPIRIT of Conservation program, which is specifically designed to advance bird species and habitat conservation. This program directly aligns with NFWF's mission to address the alarming loss of 3 billion birds since 1970. The foundation's strategic priority is to support projects that conserve, restore, or enhance critical habitats and to gather essential bird population data, ultimately aiming to reverse population declines. The primary beneficiaries of this program are bird populations, both migratory and non-migratory, particularly those inhabiting grassland, wetland, sage-steppe, and coastal habitats. The program's impact goals include improving habitat quality and quantity, enhancing breeding and wintering grounds, and supporting stopover periods for birds along major migratory routes. Expected outcomes include a measurable increase in bird populations, improved habitat conditions, and the collection of vital data to inform future conservation efforts. The program's priorities and focuses are centered on implementing science-driven and strategic conservation. This involves addressing habitat degradation, fragmentation, and loss. Geographic focal areas are critical, spanning major migratory routes from the northern slope of Alaska to the north-south axis of the central United States, including the Gulf Coast regions of Texas and Louisiana. The program emphasizes innovative methods for gathering lacking bird population data and conserving specific habitat types. Grant awards typically range from $100,000 to $275,000, with projects expected to be completed within two years. Eligible applicants include a broad range of non-profit organizations, government agencies (U.S. federal, state, local, municipal, tribal), and educational institutions. This inclusive eligibility criteria reflects NFWF's theory of change, which recognizes that collaborative efforts across various sectors are essential for achieving large-scale, sustainable conservation impacts for bird populations and their habitats.

This funding opportunity provides up to $5,000 to South Carolina law enforcement and code enforcement agencies to improve litter prevention and enforcement efforts.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Monterey County, California, that aim to improve the well-being of individuals and families, promote cultural activities, and enhance community services.

The Deschutes Trails Coalition (DTC) is offering grants for small projects that improve or affect publicly accessible trails within the Deschutes National Forest and other trail networks in Deschutes County, Oregon. This initiative aligns with the DTC's mission to enhance and maintain local trail systems, promoting outdoor recreation and environmental stewardship. The program targets projects that contribute to the accessibility, safety, and overall quality of trails for the benefit of all users. The grant program prioritizes various project types. "On-The-Ground Projects" focus on physical trail improvements such as new trail construction, infrastructure (e.g., bridges, culverts, signage), and essential maintenance (trail and road maintenance, trailhead improvements). "Capacity Enhancement Projects" aim to strengthen local organizations through tool purchases, training and education, and internships. Lastly, "Public Education and Outreach Projects" seek to inform the public about trail use and conservation, including public service announcements, video creation, brochures, programs, workshops, and other educational events. The target beneficiaries of this grant program include outdoor enthusiasts, hikers, bikers, and all community members who utilize publicly accessible trails in Deschutes County. The impact goals are to create safer, more accessible, and well-maintained trail networks, foster a more informed and engaged trail-user community, and build the capacity of organizations dedicated to trail work. The program also aims to support the overall health and enjoyment of natural spaces within the region. The expected outcomes include a tangible increase in the number of improved trail miles, enhanced trail infrastructure, and a more knowledgeable public regarding trail etiquette and environmental responsibility. Measurable results could involve tracking the number of new trails constructed, maintenance projects completed, educational events held, and the number of people reached through outreach efforts. Projects are expected to be completed within 24 months of the grant award, with extensions available if necessary. The DTC's strategic priority is to ensure the long-term sustainability and quality of the Deschutes County trail system. Their theory of change suggests that by investing in tangible trail projects, organizational capacity building, and public education, they can foster a community that values, utilizes, and actively participates in the maintenance and preservation of its natural recreational assets. This program is a direct reflection of that strategy, empowering local efforts to achieve broader community and environmental benefits. Eligibility for this grant is open to 501(c)3 non-profit organizations with a trails-related mission, Federal Land Management Agencies, and private companies that are formal partners of one or more 501(c)3 non-profit organizations. The program will award up to $35,000 for multiple small projects, with individual grant sizes ranging from $10,000 to $100,000, underscoring a commitment to supporting diverse and impactful initiatives across the county.

This grant provides funding to local governments, tribes, and nonprofits in Oregon to improve tourism infrastructure and promote inclusivity for underserved communities, boosting the state's visitor industry and local economies.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations and government agencies in northwest North Dakota to support projects in arts, community development, economic development, and innovative initiatives that enhance the quality of life in the region.

The Gertrude L. Hirsch Charitable Trust offers grants exclusively for charitable and educational purposes, aligning with its mission to support organizations dedicated to these core areas. The Trust's grantmaking efforts are designed to empower non-profit entities in fulfilling a broad spectrum of public good initiatives. By focusing on charitable and educational endeavors, the Trust aims to contribute to the well-being and advancement of communities, with a particular emphasis on organizations operating within New Jersey. The grants target a diverse range of beneficiaries across various program areas, including arts, culture, and humanities; education; environment and animals; health; human services; and public/society benefit. The overarching impact goal is to foster positive societal change through the support of these vital sectors. While specific measurable results are not detailed in the provided information, the expectation is that funded organizations will utilize the grants to achieve their stated charitable and educational objectives, thereby creating tangible benefits for the communities they serve. The Trust's grantmaking priorities show a clear focus on the New Jersey area, indicating a strategic intent to strengthen local communities. While not explicitly outlined as a "theory of change," this geographic preference suggests a belief that concentrated funding within a specific region can lead to more significant and sustainable impact. The average grant size, ranging from $2,000 to $20,000, suggests a strategy of supporting a broader number of smaller to mid-sized initiatives, potentially enabling a wider reach and more diverse portfolio of supported projects. To be eligible for funding, organizations must hold a 501(c)(3) exempt status under the Internal Revenue Code, ensuring that grants are directed towards legitimate non-profit entities. The application process is streamlined through an online grant application form, with provisions for accessible alternatives for assistive technology users. This commitment to accessibility underscores the Trust's dedication to inclusivity in its grantmaking practices, ensuring that a wide array of qualified organizations have the opportunity to apply.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to municipalities and non-profit organizations in Connecticut for environmental assessment and cleanup of brownfield sites, particularly in underserved communities, to promote the creation of parks and recreational spaces.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofits and local governments in restoring and enhancing the natural environment of the Connecticut River watershed, focusing on projects that provide unique environmental benefits.

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.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit and governmental organizations in Colorado that are involved in horticulture-related projects, providing financial assistance for capital improvements, matching grants, and program support.

The Small Business Equity Fund (SBEF) grant program, launched by the Colorado Green Business Network (CGBN), provides funding to small businesses in disproportionately impacted communities, specifically Aurora and Commerce City, for energy efficiency upgrades. The program aims to support local small businesses, promote equity and resource efficiency, and enhance operational sustainability. Eligible projects can receive up to $10,000 per business for installations of LED lighting and other small energy upgrades, as well as upfront coverage of up to 70% of the cost for commercial refrigeration equipment replacements. Projects must be approved by the Colorado Green Business Network and are subject to a site visit for eligibility confirmation. Applications can be submitted online until August 1st, 2024, on a first-come, first-serve basis. Businesses must meet certain criteria such as being located in Aurora or Commerce City, operating for at least 2 years, paying utility bills, employing 50 or fewer employees, and being registered with the CO Secretary of State and IRS. To be eligible for additional energy-saving devices, businesses must sign up with Green Biz Tracker and become a Colorado Green Business Network support level member. Pictures of installed equipment must be provided. For further assistance or inquiries, applicants can contact the Colorado Green Business Network Specialists via email at cdphe.greenbusiness@state.co.us or phone at 720-968-0366.

The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County's "Growing Together: An LGBTQ Fund" is an initiative established in 2001 to address the needs of the LGBTQI community within San Luis Obispo County. This fund aligns with the foundation's broader mission to support charitable organizations and promote philanthropy by specifically focusing on providing grants and raising community awareness for this often underserved population. The foundation aims to foster a more inclusive and equitable environment through targeted funding and community engagement efforts, reflecting its strategic priority of addressing critical community needs. The grant program primarily targets 501c3 organizations within San Luis Obispo County that are implementing programs benefiting the LGBTQ+ community. The core beneficiaries include queer and trans people of color (QTPOC), transgender and nonbinary individuals, and LGBTQ+ people in areas lacking affirming community spaces. The overarching impact goals are to reduce discrimination, advance healthcare equity, improve physical and mental health outcomes, and enhance community connectedness and safety for LGBTQ+ individuals throughout the county. The fund prioritizes one-year grants for programs that focus on three key areas. First, it seeks to demonstrate strategies to reach out to, involve, and center QTPOC, recognizing the amplified discrimination they face due to intersecting systems of oppression like racism, sexism, and heterosexism. Second, it focuses on advancing medical and mental health care for transgender and nonbinary people, addressing the significant health disparities, stigma, and lack of culturally competent care they encounter. Third, the fund aims to create queer spaces in currently unserved areas of the county, acknowledging the importance of safe community spaces for promoting safety, connectedness, and mental well-being among LGBTQ+ individuals. Expected outcomes and measurable results include a reduction in health disparities for QTPOC and transgender/nonbinary people, evidenced by changes in organizational policies and practices, and improved physical and mental health statistics. For queer spaces, outcomes would involve the expansion of resources for local organizations to create physical spaces and the development of new, sustainable support or wellness groups. The foundation's theory of change posits that by supporting initiatives that directly address discrimination, improve access to care, and create affirming community environments, it can contribute to a more equitable, healthy, and connected San Luis Obispo County for its LGBTQ+ residents. The fund's commitment to supporting creative initiatives and strategies that move QTPOC from the margins to the center is a testament to this strategic priority.

About the Fund The Dane G. Hansen Foundation of Logan, KS, partners with the Greater Salina Community Foundation (GSCF) and the Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation (GNWKCF) to help improve the quality of life for communities in 26 counties of Northwest Kansas. GSCF and 11 of its affiliate foundations are allocated funding for grants to distribute to 14 counties for charitable projects through a competitive application process. What do the funds support? Grants will be awarded to projects or programs that address the following areas: Education: Enhances the learning environment and expands opportunities for students. Provides increased self-reliance on personal life skills and workforce capability. Health Care: Ensures access to quality health services and promotes healthy life practices. Community Social Services & Security: Enhance access to social services needed for individuals of special needs and supports systems to provide community disaster relief and general community emergencies. Conservation & Environment: Support efforts to improve and maintain high air and water quality, appreciation for our natural environment and enhances economic and social benefits of outdoor resources. Arts & Culture: Provide cultural and artistic opportunities to enhance the quality of life for local residents and to encourage tourism and the exchange of ideas. Community Beautification: Support efforts to improve and maintain public spaces to enhance community pride and encourage socialization among residents. Preference will be given to applications that include community involvement and volunteerism. Grants may not be awarded to: reduce or replace regular budgetary needs for programs or projects that are tax-supported support endowment or operational expenses Grant renewed every year. Grant Fall annual opening/ closing deadline: September 15th to November 15th

The Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation is offering grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 to nonprofit organizations, public agencies, and community organizations that provide services to improve the quality of life for residents of specific towns, with a focus on low-income and underserved individuals, in areas such as arts, culture, education, environment, health, and social services, while prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The Laurance & Mary Rockefeller Fund, managed by the Vermont Community Foundation, is offering grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 to organizations in selected Vermont cities, aiming to enhance the community's physical, cultural, spiritual, and wellness environment, with applications open until October 8, 2024.

The Glass Recycling Foundation (GRF) operates a grant program aimed at enhancing glass recovery, diverting it from landfills, and connecting glass generators with viable end markets. This initiative aligns directly with the GRF's overarching mission as a non-profit foundation dedicated to funding and distributing resources to intervention, demonstration, and pilot projects that address existing gaps within the glass recycling supply chain across the United States. The program serves as a strategic priority for the GRF, embodying its theory of change by focusing on tangible projects that can strengthen the circular economy for glass. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are nonprofit entities, municipal, county, city, and state governments, public waste management districts, and publicly owned/operated Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) or service providers. The impact goals are to increase the quantity of glass recycled, improve the quality of diverted materials, and establish stronger end markets for recycled glass. By funding projects that show glass returning to the supply chain for manufacturing, the GRF aims to achieve a higher and better use of recycled glass, thereby promoting circularity. The grant program prioritizes projects under two main categories: demonstration projects and education projects. Demonstration projects are designed to address specific gaps in the glass recycling supply chain and offer alternative strategies for reinforcing glass end markets. Examples include funding for equipment to clean recycled glass, collection containers for glass drop-offs, the development of regional strategies for collection and storage infrastructure, and hauling systems to boost collection rates. These projects are expected to result in more efficient and effective glass collection and processing, leading to increased recovery rates and a more robust supply chain. Education projects, on the other hand, focus on public awareness and engagement. These projects must present a clear message and strategy for educating the public about the environmental and community benefits of glass recycling, as well as methods for improving the quality of materials diverted by residents. Potential initiatives include developing and presenting training programs on effective glass collection and recycling practices, writing and disseminating case studies and guidance documents, creating signage for residential glass recycling drop-offs, and launching public education campaigns about community glass recycling. The expected outcomes for these projects include a more informed public, increased participation in glass recycling, and a reduction in contamination rates of recycled glass.

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s Gulf Research Program (GRP) is inviting proposals for its "Building the Next Generation of STEMM Leaders in the Field of Environmental Justice" initiative. This grant opportunity is designed to support projects that develop and implement programs cultivating future STEMM leaders in Environmental Justice (EJ). The GRP's mission, as evident in this program, aligns with fostering scientific literacy and addressing critical environmental challenges through education and mentorship. The grant aims to raise awareness, expand understanding, and empower young people to apply STEMM disciplines to explore the relationship between environmental hazards and their effects on community health and resilience. The primary beneficiaries of this program are young people in grades 9-12, particularly those from communities affected by environmental inequalities in the United States Gulf of Mexico region. The impact goal is to increase the number of young people in this region who pursue studies and careers in STEMM disciplines within the field of Environmental Justice. The program specifically encourages collaborations with nonprofit or community-based organizations that have a history of working with children and youth, especially underrepresented or underserved populations such as racial/ethnic minorities, tribal youth, LGBTQ+ youth, students with low socio-economic status, children with disabilities, first-generation immigrants, and students from rural or remote areas. The core focus of this funding opportunity is on education and mentorship. Projects should provide youth with opportunities to learn about and apply STEMM principles in examining environmental hazards and their impact on communities. Activities can take place in both formal and informal educational settings, but must target 9th-12th graders and complement formal education standards. The GRP prioritizes proposals that foster the development of scientific and environmental literacy, skills, and competencies crucial for cultivating the next generation of EJ leaders. Expected outcomes include increased awareness and understanding among youth regarding environmental hazards and their effects on communities, as well as enhanced capacity for youth to pursue STEMM studies and/or careers in Environmental Justice. The GRP anticipates a measurable increase in the number of young people in the Gulf of Mexico region engaging with STEMM disciplines related to EJ. This grant operates with a strategic priority of building human capacity and fostering a more equitable and resilient future by empowering youth to address environmental challenges. The theory of change behind this initiative is that by investing in early education and mentorship in STEMM and EJ, the GRP can create a pipeline of informed and capable leaders who will contribute to solving complex environmental issues in vulnerable communities.

This funding opportunity provides up to $5,000 for local nonprofits, government entities, and schools to implement projects that improve education, health, beautification, environment, and economic development in Willow Springs, Missouri.

The Sarasota County Foundation awards grants to corporations, associations, or institutions that aim to advance charitable, religious, educational, literary, or scientific goals. This includes organizations distributing funds to support such objectives, whether they are located within or outside Sarasota County. The foundation's mission aligns with supporting a broad range of philanthropic endeavors, reflecting a commitment to community improvement and societal benefit across various sectors. The grant program targets a diverse group of beneficiaries through its support of various program areas, including arts, culture, and humanities; education; environment/animals; health; human services; international/foreign affairs; public/society benefit; and religion. The impact goals are to foster positive change and strengthen communities by funding initiatives within these critical areas. While there are no strict geographic limitations, the trust primarily focuses on supporting services and programs within Sarasota County, Florida, ensuring a localized impact while remaining open to broader reach. The foundation's priorities and focuses are clearly outlined through its program areas, emphasizing a holistic approach to community development. Expected outcomes include the successful implementation of programs that address identified needs within these sectors. Measurable results are implicitly tied to the average grant size, which ranges from $5,000 to $10,000, and an average total giving of $45,000 per year, indicating a commitment to funding impactful projects. The foundation's strategic priorities are to support organizations that qualify as exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Its theory of change centers on providing financial resources to qualified non-profits to address pressing social, cultural, and environmental challenges. However, the foundation has specific limitations, generally not funding endowments, travel, research, annual giving campaigns, completed projects, debt reduction, deficit financing, operating/program expenses, marketing materials and advertising, or conferences, workshops, and seminars. This focused approach ensures that funding is directed towards specific, high-impact initiatives that align with the foundation's core objectives.