Best Grants for Land Conservation in Arkansas

Nonprofit and conservation organizations supporting land and habitat conservation in Arkansas can seek US $250,000 - US $750,000 to expand technical assistance for private landowners. National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Conservation Partners Program funds staff to help landowners adopt regenerative agriculture, implement Farm Bill conservation practices, and enhance soil, water, fish, and wildlife habitat on working lands.

Arkansas land and habitat conservation nonprofits restoring diminished native tree species through research, seed orchards, or forest land preservation can access funding through The Oak Hill Fund. Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations across the continental U.S. may apply for project-specific support, including necessary overhead, for forest biodiversity and ecosystem health initiatives.

Private and tribal landowners in Arkansas restoring or enhancing forestland for habitat, biodiversity, or carbon storage can receive easements and financial assistance through the Healthy Forests Reserve Program. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service of Arkansas supports land and habitat conservation via 10-year cost-share agreements, 30-year contracts, and permanent easement options that reward approved conservation practices.

With a mission to conserve and restore wetlands, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service of Arkansas provides Arkansas land and habitat conservation landowners with easement agreements to protect, restore, and enhance previously farmed or converted wetlands. Eligible private and tribal landowners can enroll land through permanent, term, or 30-year easements or contracts, with NRCS covering significant easement and restoration costs.

Local governments and other eligible Arkansas entities seeking to expand outdoor recreation facilities and public spaces can apply for reimbursable matching support to enhance community recreation resources. Grants from the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism help Arkansas land and habitat conservation efforts by improving planning, management, and the overall quality of parks and outdoor recreation areas.

The Lauren Townsend Memorial Wildlife Fund, established in 1999 in memory of Lauren Townsend, supports 501(c)(3) nonprofits in the U.S. focused on animal welfare and wildlife preservation. Grants are awarded to organizations with specific project funding needs and budgets under $250,000. Smaller nonprofits are encouraged to apply, while general operating expenses and lobbying activities are not funded. The fund honors Lauren's passion for animals, continuing her legacy of support for those in need.

Indigenous-led frontline groups, tribes, community organizations, and individual Indigenous organizers in Arkansas and across North America can apply for NDN Collective’s Community Action Fund; awards up to US $15,000 for non-violent direct actions and movement-building. Funding can cover supplies, equipment, contractual services, and travel for efforts defending land, air, water, and natural resources.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations across the U.S., including Arkansas, can apply for Bell's Brewery Grassroots Small Grants to support water stewardship projects. Focused on ecosystem health, freshwater and land conservation, and climate-related water resilience, this program offers US $500 - US $5,000 for project-based work rather than general operations or large infrastructure.

Arkansas land and habitat conservation nonprofits can access funding through Erich & Hannah Sachs Foundation for self-sustaining economic development, community strengthening, and services for disadvantaged populations. Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations may seek program-related investments or grants for activities like rural land preservation, affordable housing, education, health, and related community development initiatives in the U.S. and select developing regions.

Nonprofits, university researchers, and conservation-focused individuals in Arkansas can seek US $3,000 - US $20,000 for land and habitat conservation, ecosystem restoration, and outdoor access projects. Focused on ecosystem-based conservation, W.L. Gore & Associates invites projects that restore natural systems, support hunting access and education, and promote collaborative stewardship across wild, suburban, or urban landscapes.

Organizations working on land and habitat conservation near military installations in Arkansas and other U.S. locations can apply for the Department of Defense’s REPI Challenge, with awards up to US $20,000,000 for compatible land use projects. Funding supports efforts that prevent land use conflicts, alleviate environmental restrictions, and enhance military installation resilience.

Nonprofit organizations and public entities working on land and habitat conservation, ecosystem restoration, or restorative economies in Arkansas can access funding through the Biophilia Foundation; awards range from US $5,000 - US $25,000. Grants support biodiversity conservation on private lands across the U.S., with emphasis on nature-based solutions and policy initiatives that may benefit Arkansas landscapes.

Graduate students focused on land and habitat conservation in Arkansas can gain paid, hands-on experience through the Conservation Connect Fellowship Program, earning up to US $6,870 for a practicum and professional development. With a mission to build collaborative conservation leaders, National Forest Foundation provides emerging conservation professionals with mentorship, training, and real-world public lands project work.

U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organizations working on nationally significant wildlife and land or habitat conservation, including in Arkansas, can apply for Park Foundation’s animal welfare grants to support policy, advocacy, and protection of threatened species and ecosystems. Funding may benefit efforts involving pollinators, wolves, whales, birds, indigenous wildlife management, and accredited sanctuaries for great apes.

Arkansas land and habitat conservation organizations can access funding through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for research, education, outreach, or innovative projects related to atmospheric, climate, marine, coastal, and land conservation issues. Eligible projects may support climate change resilience, coastal conservation, or broader environmental science priorities across the U.S., subject to federal appropriations.

501(c)(3) nonprofits working on land and habitat conservation, environmental protection, human services, or animal welfare in Arkansas can apply for grants from the Steven C Leuthold Family Foundation. Funding can support eligible U.S. organizations whose programs advance these priorities, and may benefit Arkansas groups focused on land conservation and related environmental work.

Arkansas land and habitat conservation landowners and partners can access funding through the Fish and Wildlife Service to restore and protect habitats for fish and wildlife. This U.S. program offers technical assistance and cooperative agreement funding up to US $750,000 for projects on private lands that advance federal trust species and strategic habitat conservation priorities.

Cattaraugus County Trappers Memorial Scholarship

Created by the Cattaraugus County Trappers Association, this scholarship will be awarded to a graduating high school student who plans to pursue a degree in Natural Resources Conservation, Fish & Wildlife Management, Forest Management or similar area of study at a 2- or 4-year college. Financial need will be considered. Applicants must include list of outdoors sports in which they participate, a statement on importance of the role of sportsmen in conservation and management of fish and wildlife and natural resources, and information on career path in their goal statement.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Coastal Program offers vital technical and financial support for projects aimed at protecting and restoring fish and wildlife habitats in priority coastal ecosystems. Collaborating with conservation partners, the program ensures that all projects are scientifically sound and align with the missions of the Department of the Interior. Applicants must contact a local office for guidance before applying, ensuring projects meet strategic conservation goals.

The National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS) Land Acquisition and Construction Program for Fiscal Year 2026, funded by NOAA, aims to enhance research and education by supporting land acquisition and construction projects. With approximately $8.5 million available, the program prioritizes strategic expansions of Reserve boundaries and facility enhancements, ensuring sustainable design standards. Funding will support 5-20 projects over 12-36 months, with potential extensions for complex projects, contingent on available funds and negotiations.

Delaney Family Foundation 

The Delaney Family Foundation is a private family foundation focused on making grants to support Wildlife and Land Conservation, Education, Healthcare and Community Betterment.

The Delaney Family Foundation was established in 2013. We make both program and operating grants and do not have geographical restrictions.  

Grant Information

Grants are awarded annually. The following criteria will be used in confirming that grant requests match the goals of The Delaney Family Foundation.

• Clarity of Purpose – the request should be clearly defined with a specific description of how goals/tasks will be achieved and how funds will be spent.
• Potential for Success – the organization must demonstrate that they have funding sources, manpower, and community support as well as the time to achieve their goals. Projects must be realistic.
• Leadership – stability in the organization is a requirement, as well as a well-deserved reputation for results.
• Site Visits – While not always possible, site visits by board members prior to gifting, during gifting or following may be considered.

 We may consider multi-year grants.

The Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund supports habitat conservation through land acquisition grants. Established in 1997, this program aims to minimize conflicts between listed species conservation and land use. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service provides matching grants to state agencies for projects that ensure the long-term protection of habitats. By acquiring land or conservation easements, this initiative facilitates species recovery and helps prevent future listings under the Endangered Species Act, enhancing overall ecosystem health.

The Conservation Alliance

The Conservation Alliance is the leading business coalition for conservation. Uniting companies across industries, perspectives, and geographies, we harness the collective power of our members to protect lands and waters for future generations. Our dual top-down and bottom-up approach pairs corporate advocacy with funding for grassroots action on the ground. Investing in The Conservation Alliance is not only an investment in protecting the resources outdoor businesses depend on—it’s a way to strengthen the outdoor economy and ensure long-term business resilience.

Mission: We harness the collective power of business and outdoor communities to fund and advocate for the protection of North America’s natural places.

Confluence Program

Why Confluence?

The Confluence Program, launched in 2021, seeks to expand The Conservation Alliance’s network of grassroots and community partners. We know that our network does not represent a coalition of everyone working to protect natural places. Great things happen when a diverse coalition of voices and perspectives comes together to champion solutions that balance the best interests of land and water, wildlife, and people. The Confluence Program is a first step in our efforts to help create new systems and structures that bring all of the groups, organizations, and businesses committed to this work closer together to protect our shared natural places.

Only in special cases do we fund more than one group working on a campaign – this is typically reserved for TCA Priority Campaigns.

We prioritize the following types of projects:

• Advance TCA’s Conservation Strategy
• Measurably mitigate the impacts of climate change and protect biodiversity
• Are led by or increase engagement opportunities for Indigenous, Asian, Hispanic, Latin American, Black, Brown, or additional communities who identify as People of Color
• Projects that uplift/center traditional ecological knowledge, history, and culture in relation to land and water conservation
• Expand outdoor recreation opportunities and/or access to nature in an effort to help create connections to and a sense of belonging in the landscape
• Aim to improve long-term and sustainable economic impacts for local communities
• Increase connectivity to other protected lands
• Incorporate efforts to mobilize / engage local communities
• Projects that focus on groups working in collaboration with others to protect land or water
• Conservation projects that address the social, cultural, and environmental needs of a community and/or region.
• Projects where the resources (e.g., staff, revenue) and strategy align well with the intended goals and outcomes.

The Spencer T. and Ann W. Olin Foundation Wetlands and Waterfowl Research Fellowship supports graduate students in North America conducting research on waterfowl or wetland biology. The fellowship, offering up to $9,500 annually, emphasizes applicant qualifications, research proposal soundness, originality, and potential contributions to conservation efforts. This competitive opportunity is renewable for up to two additional years for PhD students and once for Masters students, pending satisfactory progress reports.

The Thornton S. Glide, Jr. and Katrina D. Glide Foundation provides grants to qualified 501(c)(3) organizations in California that focus on animal protection, land conservancy, agriculture, and civic endeavors. Established in 1995, the foundation prioritizes grants for specific capital acquisitions and does not support operational costs or direct aid to individuals. Emphasizing local impact, California-based organizations are favored over out-of-state counterparts.

The Robert F. Schumann Foundation Grant supports organizations dedicated to environmental sustainability, education, and the arts. Founded by Robert F. Schumann, an environmentalist, the foundation aims to enhance the quality of life for both humans and animals. It prioritizes projects that would not have been pursued without its assistance, particularly in ornithology and open space habitats. Organizations must be 501(c)(3) exempt to apply, ensuring a focus on impactful community initiatives.

The Bonnell Cove Foundation Grant supports non-profit organizations in North America focused on safety at sea and marine environmental initiatives. With a funding limit of $10,000, it prioritizes well-defined projects that can be evaluated for impact. Proposals are accepted biannually, with deadlines on February 1 and September 1 for March and October reviews, respectively. The Foundation seeks innovative solutions for personal safety equipment and environmental stewardship, emphasizing projects that promote sustainable practices in marine operations.