Best Grants for Environmental Conservation in New York

Nonprofit conservation organizations and municipal agencies in New York can receive US $500 - US $25,000 from Fields Pond Foundation for land and habitat conservation, trail creation, and public access projects. Funding supports land acquisition, stewardship, and related education that engage local residents and volunteers in environmental conservation efforts.

New York community-based 501(c)(3) groups affected by hazardous contamination can receive up to US $50,000 to hire independent experts to interpret environmental and health data at eligible cleanup sites. Grants from New York State Department of Environmental Conservation help New York environmental and community organizations engage in Superfund and Brownfield remediation decisions and share information with residents.

New York 501(c)(3) organizations integrating visual or performing arts into education can access funding through Cornelia T Bailey Charitable Trust’s P/Arts Program; awards up to US $25,000 for arts-based learning initiatives. Programs that revitalize curricula, close achievement gaps, and build school–community partnerships may be especially competitive, including those connecting arts, youth, and nature-focused experiences.

Tax-exempt organizations promoting climate policy and sustainable development in New York and across the U.S. can seek support for high-leverage advocacy, education, and implementation efforts. With a mission to advance ecologically sound, socially just development, Rockefeller Brothers Fund provides funding for building a clean energy economy and reducing reliance on carbon-intensive energy sources.

The Park & Trail Partnership Grants provide up to $150,000 in matching funds to enhance the stewardship and public access of New York's parks and historic sites. Funded by the NYS Environmental Protection Fund, these grants support projects that improve public engagement, sustainability, and visibility for nonprofit organizations. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) organizations focused on preservation and education. Projects must promote community involvement and can include interpretive signage, marketing plans, and shared consultant services.

Grants help New York environmental and conservation-focused nonprofits build organizational capacity to better support state parks, trails, historic sites, and public lands. Grants from New York State Office of Parks Recreation & Historic Preservation strengthen stewardship, outreach, fundraising, and volunteer capabilities for registered nonprofits with formal agreements with OPRHP or DEC, with awards up to US $200,000.

Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 parks, historic sites, trails, golf courses, boat launches, and campgrounds across more than 360,000 acres and welcomes more than 88 million people annually.

The mission of the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation is to provide safe and enjoyable recreational and interpretive opportunities for all New York State residents and visitors and to be responsible stewards of our valuable natural, historic and cultural resources.

Parks and Trails Partnership Program

Parks & Trails New York (PTNY), the New York State (NYS) Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP), and the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) with support from Governor Hochul and the NYS Legislature, are pleased to announce the twelfth round of competitive grants through the Park and Trail Partnership Grant program. The program is administered by PTNY, in partnership with OPRHP and DEC.

The Park and Trail Partnership Grant program is a $2.65 million capacity-building matching grants program funded through the NYS Environmental Protection Fund. The program is designed to:

• Enhance the preservation, stewardship, interpretation, accessibility, maintenance and promotion of New York’s state parks, trails, historic sites, and public lands.
• Increase the sustainability, effectiveness, diversity, productivity, and volunteer and fundraising capabilities of not-for-profit organizations that promote, maintain, and support New York’s state parks, trails, historic sites and public lands.
• Promote the tourism and economic development benefits of outdoor recreation through the growth and expansion of a connected statewide network of parks, trails, greenways and public lands. 

Eligible applicants must be registered nonprofits who have a formal memorandum or agreement with OPRHP or DEC.

Award Categories

There are four types of capacity-building grants available to eligible organizations through the Park and Trail Partnership Grant program: Stewardship and Public Access Capacity Grants; Capacity and Organizational Effectiveness Grants; Professional Development Grants; and Step-Up Grants.

Stewardship and Public Access Capacity Grants

Stewardship and Public Access Capacity Grants may be used to assist organizations with the stewardship, interpretation, promotion, education, and public access of a New York State park, trail, historic site or DEC public land, or a partnership involving more than one such organization, which significantly enhances the organization’s visibility and capacity.

A 10 percent match of the total project budget is required, up to 50 percent of which may be in-kind. Fifty percent of award is disbursed at contract signing; remainder disbursed after submission of satisfactory six-month progress report.

New York 501(c)(3) charities supporting state parks, trails, historic sites, or DEC/OPRHP public lands can access funding through Parks & Trails New York to build organizational capacity and effectiveness. Grants up to US $200,000 support strategic planning, fundraising systems, outreach, volunteer programs, partnerships, and other projects that strengthen environmental stewardship and conservation work.

Friends groups and 501(c)(3) nonprofits supporting New York State parks, trails, historic sites, or public lands can secure up to US $150,000 to hire or expand permanent staff positions. With a mission to strengthen park and trail stewardship, Parks & Trails New York provides professional development grants that build long-term organizational capacity and community outreach across New York.

Focused on parks, trails, and public lands, Parks & Trails New York invites New York environmental and historic preservation nonprofits to seek Step-Up Grants supporting 501(c)(3) formation and organizational assessments. Eligible groups must partner with OPRHP or DEC and provide at least a $500 non-state cash or in-kind match for awards up to US $20,000.

New York environmental conservation groups and local governments in New York can access funding through the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to support water resource and habitat planning projects. Grants of US $10,500 - US $75,000 fund plans, feasibility studies, assessments, inventories, design, permitting, and guidance documents that advance Hudson River Estuary Action Agenda priorities.

The Hudson River Estuary Program - River Education grant offers approximately $300,000 to support projects enhancing education about the estuary. Eligible applicants include governmental and non-profit organizations within New York State. The program aims to improve climate resilience and environmental education while ensuring accessibility for diverse communities. Grant awards range from $20,000 to $100,000, with a focus on projects that foster learning about the Hudson River Estuary and its resources.

New York environmental and community organizations working on Long Island Sound watershed issues can access funding through Restore America’s Estuaries for projects improving water quality, habitat, resilience, and public engagement. Grants of US $5,000 - US $100,000 support community-driven efforts that reduce pollution, restore habitats, build climate resilience, or advance community-based science and data projects.

Nonprofits, public entities, and tribal nations in the Buffalo-Niagara region can seek funding for ecological enhancement projects within the Niagara Greenway, including land conservation, habitat research, restoration, and stewardship education. NY Power Authority’s Greenway Ecological Fund supports projects consistent with the Niagara River Greenway Plan, with proposals reviewed twice yearly by the Greenway Ecological Standing Committee.

Tax-exempt organizations in Central New York can seek funding for education-focused programs, including environmental education and conservation initiatives. Focused on education, John Ben Snow Foundation invites New York nonprofits to propose projects that close opportunity gaps for under-resourced individuals, with typical awards ranging from US $5,000 - US $10,000.

The John Ben Snow Memorial Trust Grant supports educational programs and initiatives that assist individuals demonstrating financial need. Founded in 1975, it prioritizes funding for organizations that enhance educational opportunities, arts, culture, and community initiatives, particularly for youth and disadvantaged populations. The Trust encourages proposals from 501(c)(3) organizations, with grants typically ranging from $10,000 to $20,000. It also considers limited proposals in disabilities, environmental protection, and historic preservation, focusing on educational impact.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and educational institutions working on environmental conservation and restoration in the Long Island Sound watershed of New York and Connecticut can apply for the Long Island Sound Stewardship Fund, with awards from US $15,000 - US $200,000. With a mission to foster clean waters, thriving habitats, and sustainable communities, The New York Community Trust and partners prioritize projects advancing sustainability, resilience, and environmental justice.

New York conservation and community organizations, municipalities, Tribal Nations, and agencies can apply for The Nature Conservancy’s Climate Resilience Grant Program, with awards up to US $50,000. Grants support land protection, resilient floodplain and shoreline acquisitions, and projects that build organizational capacity, planning, and equitable climate resilience strategies benefiting people and nature.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) conservation and community organizations, municipalities, Tribal Nations, and agencies in New York can apply for The Nature Conservancy’s Resilient and Connected Appalachians Grant Program; awards Up to US $100,000 for fee and easement land acquisition. Funding can cover capital, project development, stewardship, legal, community engagement, and related operational costs within the Appalachians Program boundary.

Graduate students, researchers, educators, and environmental organizations in New York can receive up to US $2,500 for bird conservation research, education, and outreach projects. With a mission to protect birds, wildlife, and fragile ecosystems, Northern New York Audubon supports work in the Adirondacks, Lake Champlain Valley, and St. Lawrence River Valleys that benefits bird species and their habitats.

Environmental nonprofits working on climate mitigation, resilience, public health protection from environmental hazards, or ecological connectivity projects in the U.S., including New York, can seek funding for national initiatives. The New York Community Trust offers grants up to US $300,000 for multi-year projects addressing these environmental conservation priorities.

New York 501(c)(3) community-based organizations, educational institutions, and coalitions can receive funding for environmental conservation, climate resilience, social justice, and clean energy and technology career programs in New York City and Westchester. Con Edison provides support for projects like extreme weather adaptation, equitable energy access, and workforce training, prioritizing historically marginalized and disadvantaged communities.

Chartered nonprofit museums, historical organizations, and cultural institutions in New York can receive support for half-day, collections-focused site assessments to improve stewardship and care of their collections. With a mission to strengthen heritage organizations, Greater Hudson Heritage Network provides up to US $1,000 for professional consultant services and a written report, which may benefit sites with environmental conservation-related collections or programs.

Nonprofit museums, historical, and cultural institutions in New York can receive up to US $650 to purchase collections management and preservation supplies that support long-term stewardship. Greater Hudson Heritage Network’s NYSCA/GHHN Preservation Supplies Grant may benefit organizations whose environmental conservation work includes caring for material culture and heritage collections.

Not-for-profit community-based organizations in New York can receive US $50,000 - US $200,000 to address multiple environmental harms, risks, and related health hazards through local projects. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s Environmental Justice Community Impact Grants support community-driven solutions, outreach, and education that can complement broader environmental conservation efforts.

Municipalities and not-for-profit organizations in New York can apply for New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation’s matching grants, awarding up to US $675,000 for acquiring, planning, improving, or restoring eligible historic properties. Projects that preserve registered historic sites and support long-term public benefit and access may be eligible, including environmentally focused preservation efforts.

Municipalities and not-for-profit organizations in New York can receive up to US $675,000 in matching funds to acquire, plan, develop, and improve parks, historic properties, and heritage areas. The New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation program supports outdoor recreation, land and habitat conservation, and climate resilience projects that provide long-term public benefits.