Best Grants for Land Conservation in Oregon

Conservation organizations and partners working on land and habitat conservation in Oregon and other western states can seek funding to enhance big game seasonal habitat, stopover areas, and migration corridors. With a mission to protect wildlife and habitats, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation supports projects on federal, private, and Tribal lands that improve connectivity and climate resiliency.

Oregon conservation organizations and agencies working on land, water, or habitat projects can receive support to benefit HCP-covered fish and amphibian species. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife provides Oregon land and habitat conservation efforts with funding for implementation, research and monitoring, planning, and stakeholder engagement projects that restore, preserve, enhance, or create habitat and reduce threats.

Public water suppliers in Oregon can apply for Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board’s Drinking Water Source Protection Grant Program; awards up to US $3,000,000 for land acquisition and related agreements to protect, restore, or enhance drinking water sources. Projects involving land or habitat conservation and water resource management for rural or lower-income communities may be especially competitive.

Nonprofit organizations and public agencies in Oregon can receive US $1,000 - US $5,000 for land acquisition, habitat restoration, and park improvements through the Oregon Parks Foundation Fund. The Oregon Community Foundation supports projects that conserve native landscapes, enhance trails and interpretive features, and provide ecological education and park access, especially for underserved communities.

Nonprofit organizations serving rural Oregon communities with land and habitat conservation, outdoor recreation, or youth-focused wilderness programs can apply for more than US $1,000 in flexible support. Grants from Arthur R Dubs Foundation help Oregon groups fund general operations, special projects, or capital campaigns that empower youth, strengthen families, and inspire love of wilderness areas.

Nonprofits, government entities, sportsmen’s groups, and educational institutions in Oregon can seek funding for land and habitat conservation, public access, wildlife management, and hunting heritage projects. Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation supports efforts that conserve big game habitat, protect migration corridors, and create or improve public access through easements, agreements, and state-run access programs, with awards from US $5,000 - US $50,000.

U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits working on forest and freshwater habitat conservation in Oregon can apply for Jubitz Family Foundation’s invitation-only grants, awarding US $5,000 - US $25,000 for restoration and advocacy projects. Land and habitat conservation organizations in the Mount Hood region may be especially competitive if they demonstrate clear, measurable outcomes and non-discriminatory practices.

Oregon private and tribal landowners with eligible farmed or converted wetlands can access funding through the Natural Resources Conservation Service of Oregon to place conservation easements and restore wetland habitat. American Indian tribes, state and local governments, and NGOs with land protection programs may participate, with priority for projects benefiting migratory birds and other wildlife.

Eligible partners such as tribes, state and local governments, and land trusts in Oregon can secure funding to purchase agricultural land easements that conserve working farms, ranches, and grasslands. Grants from USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service of Oregon help protect farmland, grazing uses, wildlife habitat, open space, and other land and habitat conservation values through permanent or long-term easements.

Agricultural producers, non-industrial private forest owners, Tribes, and water management entities in Oregon can apply for USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service of Oregon’s Environmental Quality Incentives Program to fund conservation practices on working lands. Support covers technical and financial assistance to improve soil health, water and air quality, wildlife habitat, and land and habitat conservation.

Agricultural producers and land stewards in Oregon can apply for the Conservation Stewardship Program, with awards of More than US $7,500 to enhance conservation on working lands. This USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service program offers five-year contracts with annual payments for maintaining and improving soil health, water quality, wildlife habitat, and sustainable farming practices.

Oregon landowners, hunter groups, and partners improving wildlife habitat and public hunting access on private lands can apply for support from the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife’s Access & Habitat Program. This Oregon program funds land and habitat conservation and restoration projects; applicants should first contact the appropriate ODFW Regional Coordinator before applying.

Watershed councils and soil and water conservation districts in Oregon can receive biennial operating support to strengthen their capacity for collaborative, voluntary watershed restoration and conservation. The Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board funds council and district operations that engage communities in protecting land, habitat, water quality, streamflows, and native fish and wildlife habitat.

Nonprofit and public entities seeking support for land and habitat conservation projects in Oregon can apply for the OWEB Land Acquisition Grant Program. With a mission to enhance watersheds and natural areas, Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board provides Oregon land conservation efforts with funding for competitive land acquisition projects, following required pre-application consultation with staff.

Oregon land and habitat conservation 501(c)(3) nonprofits can access funding through Burning Foundation to support general operations or special projects preserving rivers, forests, native fish, and wild lands. Grants of US $5,000 - US $15,000 focus on habitat that supports biodiversity and quiet remote recreation in larger functioning ecosystems across Oregon.

Oregon 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 request project-specific support, including necessary overhead, for biodiversity and forest ecosystem health initiatives.

Undergraduate and graduate students researching land and habitat conservation in Oregon grasslands can apply for US $5,000 - US $15,000 from the Oren Pollak Memorial Research Fund. With a mission to advance conservation science, The Nature Conservancy provides funding for projects on grassland management, habitat for rare species, and community ecology, including work on TNC preserves.

Tax-exempt organizations, ODFW, volunteer groups with a fiscal sponsor, and qualified individuals in Oregon can seek funding for land and habitat conservation, restoration, and related research projects. Oregon Wildlife Foundation supports fish and wildlife habitat work, public access improvements, outdoor education, pollution prevention, invasive species control, and studies that enhance fish and wildlife management, with awards up to US $5,000.

Nonprofit and conservation organizations supporting land and habitat conservation in Oregon can seek US $250,000 - US $750,000 to expand regenerative agriculture and conservation practices on private lands. The Conservation Partners Program from National Fish and Wildlife Foundation funds technical assistance that helps landowners plan, implement best practices, join Farm Bill programs, and share conservation outcomes.

Community Action Fund

A grant for Indigenous frontline organizations, groups, and individuals for direct action initiatives.

The Community Action Fund (CAF) grants support non-violent direct actions and organizing efforts that are often urgent and time sensitive. CAF prioritizes frontline, grassroots and community-based efforts that defend Indigenous peoples rights, communities and Nations.

Community Action Fund Intent

This grant supports Indigenous frontline, grassroots, community-based groups and organizations, Tribes, communities and villages, and individuals leading non-violent direct action or movement-building work in their effort to DEFEND Indigenous People’s rights, and protect their land, air, water, and natural resources.

Bell's Brewery Small Grassroots Grants support projects focusing on water stewardship across the Great Lakes watershed. With grant amounts ranging from $500 to $5,000, eligible organizations can apply for funding to improve ecosystem health, enhance public health through better water resource management, and promote resilience against climate-related water risks. This initiative highlights Bell's commitment to environmental stewardship and community support in all 50 states and DC.

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 Sachs Family Foundation Grant aims to enhance the quality of life for economically and educationally disadvantaged individuals and families. The Foundation supports self-sustaining charitable organizations focusing on economic and educational opportunities, particularly in low-income communities in the U.S. and developing countries. Grants are available for various initiatives, including education, housing, and job training, with a keen interest in programs that demonstrate clear potential for sustainability.

SITKA Ecosystem Grants support projects that enhance ecosystems and promote conservation efforts. These grants encourage both grassroots initiatives and larger organizational projects, aiming to improve habitat restoration, biodiversity, and the hunting experience. With funding ranging from $3,000 to $20,000, applicants must be 18 years or older and have relevant experience. The review process is ongoing, and projects should emphasize collaboration and measurable impacts on environmental goals, benefiting both society and ecosystems.

The REPI Challenge, initiated by the DOD's REPI Program, aims to protect critical testing and training capabilities through funded projects. Since 2012, over $193 million has been allocated to 69 initiatives, leveraging more than $512 million in partner contributions. The upcoming 2026 REPI Challenge will focus on strategic mission safeguarding, with up to $20 million available for preventing land use conflicts and enhancing military resilience, thus ensuring the longevity of vital defense capabilities.

The Biophilia Foundation Grants support biodiversity conservation on private lands, focusing on systemic change through community engagement. The foundation encourages organizations to submit letters of inquiry detailing their mission, tax status, funding requests, and intended outcomes. They prioritize private land conservation, ecosystem restoration, and innovative policy initiatives, especially in the arid Southwest and Chesapeake Bay regions. Grants typically range from $5,000 to $25,000, with larger amounts available for established partnerships.

The Nature in Neighborhoods Capital Grants, provided by Metro, support diverse community projects aimed at enhancing local parks, restoring streams, and promoting nature education. These grants prioritize projects led by community organizations and local governments, focusing on publicly owned capital projects that advance racial equality and climate resilience. With funding available for land acquisition and urban transformations, the program seeks to engage communities and foster connections with nature throughout the greater Portland area.