Best Water Grants in Oregon

Nonprofit camp facilities, school districts, tribal entities, and 501(c)(3) organizations in Oregon can apply for approximately US $60,000 to repair and improve existing outdoor residential camp infrastructure. The Oregon Community Foundation’s Gray Family Foundation Camp Maintenance fund may benefit camps that support outdoor school and environmental or water-related education experiences for youth.

Private rural forest landowners in Oregon can receive cost-share assistance to develop professional Forest Stewardship Plans that guide sustainable forest management and protect resources like water, wildlife, and soil. Oregon Department of Forestry supports plans of at least 10 acres, written to state standards and approved by local stewardship foresters, including updates to older multi-resource plans.

The Oregon State Weed Board Grant Program, administered by the Oregon Department of Agriculture and OWEB, focuses on controlling noxious weeds to protect water quality and restore watershed health. Eligible applicants include tribes, colleges, and conservation districts, with an emphasis on integrated weed management strategies. Projects must prioritize on-the-ground control efforts and demonstrate clear site management objectives. This funding opportunity aims to enhance fish and wildlife habitats and support native salmonid populations.

Public water suppliers in Oregon can receive up to US $3,000,000 to protect, restore, or enhance drinking water sources through land acquisition and conservation projects. Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board supports activities such as purchasing land, securing easements or covenants, or repaying related project loans, with a 5% non-OWEB cash or in-kind match required.

Legal services nonprofits, solo practitioners, and small law firms pursuing impact litigation on economic, environmental, racial, or social justice can apply for US $10,000 - US $50,000 recoverable grants to cover out-of-pocket litigation costs. The Impact Fund supports cases across the U.S., including Oregon, that advance systemic change and benefit communities facing oppression.

Oregon organizations working on fisheries and sport fishing access in Oregon can access funding through Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife to support restoration and enhancement projects. Grants up to Up to US $200,000 may fund hatchery improvements, natural fish production, expanded hatchery output, and increased public access to fishing waters, which may benefit freshwater conservation and water resource efforts.

The OWEB Restoration Grants support watershed projects aimed at protecting and restoring watershed functions. Eligible applicants include tribes, watershed councils, and educational institutions. Projects can involve improving fish passage, enhancing habitat, and managing invasive species. However, ineligible projects include those focused solely on water storage or routine maintenance. This program fosters collaboration among various stakeholders in Oregon to enhance ecosystems and promote sustainable practices.

Oregon nonprofits, tribes, watershed councils, schools, and other eligible local entities planning watershed or habitat restoration in Oregon can access funding through the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board to develop technical designs and engineering plans. These technical assistance grants support restoration project design, including planning that considers impacts on native fish, wildlife habitat, and overall watershed function.

Nonprofits, tribes, watershed councils, schools, and other eligible local entities in Oregon can receive support to develop implementation plans for watershed and habitat restoration. Grants from Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board help Oregon water and habitat organizations fund technical resource assessment and planning, with a 5% match required and no cap on request size.

Oregon community groups, watershed councils, neighborhood associations, nonprofits, and fiscally sponsored collectives can fund habitat restoration and community stewardship projects benefiting Metro-area residents. Oregon water-focused organizations may be eligible for up to US $100,000 to improve water quality, restore fish and wildlife habitat, and advance environmental justice and equity through partnerships and community engagement.

U.S.-based 501(c)(3) public charities working on health equity, environmental health, or water-related health outcomes in Oregon and beyond can apply for Ronald W Naito Foundation’s unrestricted grants, awarding US $10,000 - US $40,000 for programs. Funding supports efforts that improve health outcomes, reduce inequities, and advance long-term community well-being.

Public water systems in Oregon seeking to address emerging contaminants in drinking water can access low-cost financing and up to US $10,000 in forgivable loan funding for planning, design, and construction projects. Focused on contamination mitigation, Business Oregon and the Oregon Health Authority prioritize small and disadvantaged communities dealing with PFAS and other emerging pollutants.

Watershed councils and soil and water conservation districts in Oregon can receive operating support to engage communities in collaborative, voluntary watershed restoration and conservation. Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board funding helps cover core operating costs so organizations can work with landowners, protect native fish and wildlife habitat, and improve water quality, stream flows, and overall freshwater and watershed health.

Oregon Health Authority

The Oregon Health Authority is at the forefront of lowering and containing costs, improving quality and increasing access to health care in order to improve the lifelong health of people in Oregon.

Mission: Ensuring all people and communities can achieve optimum physical, mental, and social well-being through partnerships, prevention, and access to quality, affordable health care. OHA will transform the health care system in Oregon by: improving the lifelong health of people in Oregon, increasing the quality, reliability, and availability of care for all people in Oregon and lowering or containing the cost of care so it's affordable to everyone.

Land Acquisition (Conservation) Planning Grant

The Drinking Water Source Protection Fund (DWSPF) is designed for the protection of drinking water sources. Drinking water sources include watersheds above a public water supply surface water intake and/or the delineated portion of the aquifer supplying water to public water supply wells or springs. 

Land Acquisition (Conservation) Planning grants are for conservation purposes directed at the preservation of land to protect, restore, or enhance sources of drinking water serving eligible public water systems. Eligible conservation planning projects can include any studies or activities that involve or are related to assessing legal and/or financial feasibility of purchasing land, easements, or similar projects within an identified drinking water source area. 

Oregon Health Authority

The Oregon Health Authority is at the forefront of lowering and containing costs, improving quality and increasing access to health care in order to improve the lifelong health of people in Oregon.

Mission: Ensuring all people and communities can achieve optimum physical, mental, and social well-being through partnerships, prevention, and access to quality, affordable health care. OHA will transform the health care system in Oregon by: improving the lifelong health of people in Oregon, increasing the quality, reliability, and availability of care for all people in Oregon and lowering or containing the cost of care so it's affordable to everyone.

Traditional Drinking Water Source Protection Grant

The Drinking Water Source Protection Fund (DWSPF) is designed for the protection of drinking water sources. Drinking water sources include watersheds above a public water supply surface water intake and/or the delineated portion of the aquifer supplying water to public water supply wells or springs. 

Traditional Drinking Water Source Protection grants are for projects that promote reducing risks associated within a drinking water source area or the refinement of a drinking water source area. Projects can involve one or more eligible public water systems that are equal partners in the project. 

Oregon 501(c)(3) nonprofits, government entities, and Tribal governments serving rural communities can seek US $2,501 - US $30,000 for programs benefiting rural Oregon, including environmental stewardship projects. The Roundhouse Foundation’s open call may support work on watershed health, sustainable food systems, or outdoor access that intersects with freshwater conservation or water resource management.

Local governments, tribes, and other eligible entities in Oregon can receive feasibility funding for water conservation, reuse, and storage project studies. Oregon Water Resources Department provides Oregon water resource managers with up to US $500,000 per study to support hydrologic, engineering, financial, environmental, and related analyses needed to decide whether to move forward with proposed water projects.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and tribal entities in the Portland Metro/SW Washington region can receive US $50,000 - US $100,000 for environmental equity and sustainability work from Ninety Nine Girlfriends. Oregon groups addressing access to healthy food, homes, water, green space, pollution burdens, or climate and sustainability education may use funds for general operating or project support.

U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits working on freshwater and forest habitat restoration in Oregon can apply for Jubitz Family Foundation’s invitation-only grants, awarding US $5,000 - US $25,000 for ecosystem protection projects. Programs focused on Mount Hood-region rivers, streams, and forests with clear, measurable outcomes may be considered after submitting a Letter of Inquiry.

Oregon 501(c)(3) nonprofits working on wildfire preparedness, freshwater-related nature-based solutions, or climate-resilient parks and public spaces can access funding through PGE Foundation. Grants of US $10,000 - US $25,000 support community-driven resilience projects, especially in under-resourced and rural areas, that build stewardship, improve green infrastructure, and protect vulnerable populations.

Nonprofit and conservation-focused organizations restoring forests, rivers, and wetlands in Oregon’s Klamath Basin can apply for National Fish and Wildlife Foundation funding. Focused on freshwater and habitat conservation, this program invites projects that improve water quality, water quantity, and aquatic and terrestrial habitats, with awards ranging from US $50,000 - US $2,000,000.

Organizations conducting fertilizer and water-quality research in Oregon can seek funding to study how fertilizers, agricultural amendments, minerals, or lime products affect ground and surface water. Focused on water resource management, the Oregon Department of Agriculture supports projects whose results can be transferred to advisors, consultants, and end users, with awards up to US $70,000.

The Pacific Power Foundation offers Community Enhancement and Environmental Respect Grants to support nonprofit organizations in the Pacific Power and Rocky Mountain Power service areas. Since 2019, the foundation has contributed over $13 million to promote community resilience, affordable housing, and environmental conservation. Eligible candidates include 501(c)(3) nonprofits and educational institutions. Grants aim to address local needs while ensuring responsible environmental stewardship, enhancing community vitality, and fostering sustainable development.

State and local governments, private nonprofits, and federally recognized tribes in rural Oregon can receive funding to build or upgrade water, sewer, solid waste, and stormwater systems. USDA Rural Development provides support for construction, improvement, and related project costs to deliver clean, reliable water and waste services to eligible rural communities.

Nonprofits, tribes, watershed councils, schools, and local governments in Oregon can seek funding to plan or implement water acquisition projects that increase instream flows and improve water quality. Grants from Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board help freshwater and fish conservation efforts through activities like strategic planning, acquiring water rights interests, landowner outreach, and long-term monitoring.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and schools with environmental programs in Oregon can seek $25,000 - $100,000 for decarbonization, clean energy, and efficient natural resource use projects. Grants from American Honda Motor help eligible states, including Oregon, fund initiatives like energy efficiency upgrades, onsite solar or wind, recycling, composting, and other sustainability efforts that benefit Honda communities.

High-performing conservation partnerships in Oregon working on ecological restoration and watershed priorities can seek approximately US $2,000,000 to implement strategic, results-oriented projects. Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB) supports multi-year initiatives that deliver measurable ecological outcomes, guided by a current strategic action plan and detailed work plan, which may benefit freshwater conservation and water resource management efforts.