Private Environment Grants

In Tier 3, CHEJ's Small Grants Program targets large grassroots organizations with budgets between $250,000 and $1,000,000. Offering grants between $10,000 and $20,000, this tier supports substantial projects that tackle environmental health issues through strategic, impactful actions. Eligible projects are those that enable significant local, state, or regional impact, focusing on building capacity, leadership, and educational outreach within communities affected by environmental toxins. This funding tier is suited for larger organizations that play a pivotal role in their communities and are looking to expand or enhance their ongoing efforts.

This program provides hydration stations to community organizations and educational institutions in Illinois to promote access to safe drinking water and encourage sustainable hydration practices.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit arts organizations in Genesee County, Michigan, to enhance community engagement and cultural initiatives through various arts programs.

The William Penn Foundation is offering Climate, Environmental Justice, and Infrastructure Grants to help the Philadelphia region (Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties) secure federal funding for initiatives in these areas. This grant program aligns with the Foundation's broader mission by focusing on critical environmental and social issues within its geographic scope, leveraging external funding opportunities to maximize impact. The Foundation has allocated up to $3.5 million for this Request for Proposals (RFP), with individual organizations eligible to receive a maximum of $1,000,000 over a two-year grant duration. The target beneficiaries of this grant program are the communities and residents of the Philadelphia region, particularly those who will benefit from advancements in climate resilience, environmental justice, and infrastructure development. The overarching impact goal is to strengthen the region's ability to access and utilize available federal funding, thereby leading to tangible improvements in these critical sectors. The Foundation aims to empower local organizations to pursue projects that might otherwise lack the necessary financial backing, fostering long-term positive change. The Foundation's strategic priorities for this grant are clearly focused on efforts to access federal funding for climate, environmental justice, and infrastructure. There are few limitations on project designs or the applicants' approach to securing such funding, encouraging innovative and diverse strategies. Proposals can focus on project development, technical or legal assistance, communications, or other methods to advance the objective, whether on a regionwide or more localized scale. This flexible approach allows for a broad range of initiatives to be supported, from initial planning to implementation support. Expected outcomes include an increase in successful applications for federal funding, a greater number of projects addressing climate change, environmental injustices, and infrastructure needs, and ultimately, an enhanced quality of life for residents in the designated counties. While the specific measurable results will depend on the individual projects funded, the Foundation's theory of change appears to be that by strategically investing in the capacity of organizations to secure federal funding, it can catalyze a larger volume of impactful work in its priority areas, amplifying its philanthropic reach and fostering sustainable progress.

The 501vc® Investment Fund is seeking to invest $200,000 to $300,000 in early-stage climate tech startups in the Greater Midwest region, focusing on sectors like advanced materials, renewable energy, and agriculture technologies.

This program provides financial support to property owners and businesses in downtown Bishop to improve building aesthetics, restore historic features, and stimulate economic growth through private investments.

The Scherman Foundation's Core Fund for Strengthening New York Communities focuses on challenging inequities and improving the conditions of New York City communities in need. The grant program supports housing justice, equitable economic development, gender equity, worker rights, immigrant community challenges, sustainable development, and police and carceral system reform. It also provides support for policy reform organizations collaborating with neighborhood-based groups. The Foundation prioritizes general operating support for smaller neighborhood groups and offers project-specific support for larger and policy-focused organizations or collaborative campaigns.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and local, state, Tribal, or municipal governments to implement projects that improve fish and wildlife habitats, water quality, and community engagement in the Great Lakes region.

The Idaho Women’s Charitable Foundation (IWCF) invites applications for its 2024–2025 Grants Cycle to support projects that address critical needs in Southwestern Idaho. Eligible organizations include nonprofit 501(c)(3) entities, educational institutions, government agencies, and tax-exempt religious organizations serving the counties of Ada, Adams, Boise, Camas, Canyon, Elmore, Gem, Owyhee, Payette, Valley, and Washington. Proposals should present creative solutions to community challenges, with plans for sustainability beyond IWCF funding. Funds may be distributed over one or two years but are expected to be used within the year they are received. For this cycle, IWCF will consider proposals in six interest areas. These include Cultural Arts, supporting visual and performing arts and humanities for underserved populations; Education, targeting learning opportunities for all ages, such as early childhood programs and literacy initiatives; Environment, focusing on conservation, reclamation, and environmental education; Financial Stability, addressing poverty, homelessness, and job training; Health, which includes health care, substance abuse, and wellness programs; and Rural Communities, assisting towns with populations under 30,000 or rural-focused programs provided by urban-based organizations. Applicants must select one area when applying. Funding requests may range from $20,000 to $30,000. IWCF will not fund organizations with annual revenues under $50,000, general operating costs unrelated to the specific grant request, ongoing program costs not tied to expansions or new initiatives, or activities such as lobbying, scholarships, or endowment contributions. Applications currently receiving IWCF funding must wait 12 months after submitting their End-of-Grant report to apply again. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. The grant timeline begins with the application opening on October 2, 2024, followed by a Virtual Nonprofit Education and Q&A Session on November 4, 2024. Applications are due by January 7, 2025. The grants committee will review applications and conduct site visits between January and March 2025. Organizations will be notified of funding decisions in April, with grants awarded in May 2025. Applicants are encouraged to prepare proposals carefully, aligning them with IWCF’s funding priorities and demonstrating measurable outcomes and clear sustainability plans. For more details, organizations can participate in the virtual Q&A session and access additional resources provided by IWCF.

This funding opportunity supports South Carolina organizations focused on anti-litter initiatives, encouraging collaboration and community involvement to reduce litter and promote environmental stewardship.

This funding opportunity supports small and mid-sized organizations and individual artists in San Francisco who are connected to historically marginalized communities, helping them sustain their work and remain in the city.

The Facility Start-Up/New License Grant, offered by Coastal Enterprises Inc. (CEI) in Maine, aims to support entrepreneurs in establishing new child care facilities or expanding existing ones. This grant provides funding to help new child care businesses cover up to 50% of their start-up costs, with a total award ceiling of $80,000, and a general grant size ranging from $10,000 to $100,000. CEI's mission, though not explicitly detailed in the provided text, can be inferred as supporting economic development and community well-being through strategic investments, particularly in vital services like child care. The target beneficiaries of this grant are individuals and organizations (sole proprietors, partnerships, cooperatives, nonprofit organizations, and employers) interested in starting or expanding child care facilities outside of a home environment. The impact goals are to increase access to quality child care, particularly in specific counties of Maine, and to foster business growth in this essential sector. By providing start-up capital, the program seeks to alleviate financial barriers for new and expanding child care providers, thereby strengthening the child care infrastructure. Priority is given to applications from Aroostook, Franklin, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Somerset, and Washington Counties in Maine, indicating a strategic focus on underserved or high-need areas within the state. Additionally, bonus points are awarded to applicants who commit to providing care for infants and toddlers, serving income-eligible families (those receiving subsidies), and participating in the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program. These priorities align with broader goals of supporting vulnerable populations and improving the nutritional well-being of children. The grant funds can be used for a wide range of purposes, including purchasing, renting, or renovating buildings for child care, constructing new facilities, acquiring educational materials, indoor furniture, outdoor learning environments, playground equipment, and health and safety supplies. Importantly, funds can also cover working capital for the first month, including pre-opening payroll and initial food costs. The expected outcomes include a measurable increase in the number of high-quality child care slots, particularly for infants, toddlers, and income-eligible families, in the designated priority counties. This initiative directly supports community development by addressing critical social and economic needs related to child care accessibility and quality.

The Morton K. and Jane Blaustein Foundation is dedicated to addressing institutionalized racism, xenophobia, and the impact of climate change, primarily focusing on communities in Baltimore City, Maryland, DC regions, and New York. The foundation emphasizes support for initiatives that counteract the effects of climate change, particularly in marginalized communities. It funds efforts to establish bipartisan alliances for robust energy and climate policies at all government levels and backs grassroots organizations led by those most affected by climate change. Simultaneously, the foundation tackles racial inequities in the justice system and the disproportionate criminalization of youth of color in schools by supporting strategic advocacy and policy reform. It also champions the rights of immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers in the U.S. by funding immigrant-led advocacy for fair immigration policies, providing legal services, and supporting holistic networks aiding refugees and asylum seekers fleeing violence.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit and government organizations in Colorado for horticulture-related projects that focus on education, therapy, research, and community improvements.

This grant provides financial assistance to local governments in Arizona to develop and implement energy efficiency and conservation strategies that reduce fossil fuel emissions and promote sustainable energy practices.

This funding opportunity supports non-profit organizations and public agencies in developing and sustaining small, community-focused agricultural projects, such as farmer's markets and urban gardens.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to not-for-profit organizations, educational institutions, and local or tribal governments in New York State to enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of specialty crops through research, development, and education initiatives.

This program provides funding to support projects that restore and maintain trails and watersheds in national forests and grasslands across the United States.

This funding opportunity supports organizations in Oregon that are working to conserve and restore habitats for native salmon and other anadromous fish species.

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