Best Grants for Environmental Justice in North Carolina

Nonprofit grassroots organizations in North Carolina working on environmental justice and broader social change can seek US $1,000 - US $5,000 to support advocacy and organizing efforts. Fund for Southern Communities supports groups fighting discrimination, protecting the environment, advancing workers’ rights, promoting peace, and uplifting low-income and disenfranchised communities.

North Carolina nonprofits, 501(c)(3) organizations, colleges, universities, religious entities, and government units pursuing state-level systemic change can seek US $30,000 - US $100,000 for advocacy, organizing, research, and related strategies. North Carolina environmental justice groups can access funding through Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation to address climate impacts, environmental health, and inequities facing historically marginalized communities, especially BIPOC-led efforts.

Nonprofits and community groups in North Carolina pursuing community-driven projects that build local wealth, protect natural resources, and strengthen rural resilience can seek US $8,000 - US $12,000 grants for efforts like sustainable agriculture, youth leadership, and eco-tourism. Legacy Philanthropy Works’ Creating New Economies Fund may benefit environmental justice and advocacy initiatives.

Rural, grassroots 501(c)(3) organizations in North Carolina and other Southeastern states can seek general or project support for community organizing and justice work. Focused on social, economic, and environmental justice, Southern Partners Fund invites small-budget, community-led groups using grassroots strategies to strengthen rural communities and develop local leaders through its Hubert E. Sapp Regular Grant Cycle.

Environmental and social justice nonprofits in North Carolina focused on community organizing can seek approximately US $12,000 in general support from the Abelard Foundation. Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations east of the Mississippi with budgets under $350,000 and strong local leadership may be considered, including early-stage environmental justice and advocacy efforts.

Local governments, nonprofit water companies, and investor-owned water utilities in North Carolina can apply for the Lead Service Line Replacement Fund, which offers principal-forgiveness and low-interest loan financing for replacing lead service lines and connectors. This North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality program can support environmental justice efforts by funding pipe replacement, related site restoration, planning, and lead service line inventories.

The TD Charitable Foundation has been dedicated to improving community quality of life since 2002, contributing over $254 million to non-profit organizations. They fund initiatives aligned with their corporate citizenship goals, focusing on Better Health, Connected Communities, Financial Security, and Vibrant Planet. Special consideration is given to programs that support inclusivity for diverse and historically underserved communities. Their commitment to enhancing lives through targeted grants reflects their core values and social responsibility.

Wabtec Foundation provides North Carolina 501(c)(3) nonprofits with US $1,000 - US $10,000 for community programs in education and the environment. Eligible projects include literacy, academic enrichment, workforce readiness, financial literacy, and environmental stewardship, with preference for efforts engaging local Wabtec employees and organizations advancing environmental justice and advocacy where Wabtec operates.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and government entities in North Carolina can seek up to US $20,000 for environmental justice, climate resiliency, and community economic programs. With a mission to strengthen and uplift communities, Duke Energy Foundation provides rolling Local Impact Grants for projects like land and water conservation, disaster preparedness, workforce development, and equitable access to opportunity in Duke Energy–served counties.

North Carolina environmental justice and advocacy nonprofits can access funding through Grand Rapids Community Foundation for projects advancing racial equity in education, health, housing, environment, arts, and economic prosperity. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) organizations, government entities, or groups with a fiscal sponsor; the foundation’s primary geographic focus is Kent County, Michigan, so NC-based efforts may be considered when aligned partnerships exist.

Indigenous-led frontline, grassroots, and community-based groups, organizations, Tribes, and individual Indigenous leaders in North Carolina and across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico can apply for NDN Collective’s Community Action Fund, with awards up to US $15,000 for non-violent direct actions and movement-building. Funding covers supplies, equipment, contractual services, and travel for urgent environmental justice and climate response efforts.

Conservation districts, state or territory associations and agencies, Resource Conservation & Development Councils, and Tribal organizations in North Carolina can apply for National Association of Conservation Districts technical assistance grants; awards Approximately US $18,000,000 to expand staff capacity. Funding supports conservation outreach, education, and technical assistance that advance environmental justice, land stewardship, and community resilience.

U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving veterans through environmental justice, conservation, recreation, or related initiatives can seek up to US $100,000 for new or expanding projects. With a mission to empower women philanthropists, Impact100 Global Veterans provides large, transformative grants for veteran-focused programs across art, education, environment, family, and health fields.

With a mission to support environmental justice and artistic activism, Puffin Foundation provides North Carolina artists and arts organizations with funding for solution-focused projects on climate and other pressing issues. U.S. citizens, permanent residents, DACA recipients, and fiscally sponsored groups creating non-AI visual, media, music, theater, film, or photography projects may be eligible.

Youth leaders ages 13–23 in North Carolina with environmental justice or other social impact projects can apply for Riley's Way Foundation’s Call for Kindness Fellowship, which offers up to US $5,000 for project expenses. Eligible U.S. citizens and DACA recipients receive a 12‑month leadership fellowship, coaching, and peer support alongside the grant funding.

Youth environmental leaders ages 13 to 22 in North America working on environmental justice, conservation, or related issues can receive US $3,000 and leadership development support. Earth Island Institute’s Brower Youth Awards provide a cash prize, a short film about each winner’s work, and a week of training, benefiting emerging activists including those supporting North Carolina communities.

Young people leading environmental projects in North Carolina and across the U.S. can apply for microgrants supporting youth-driven conservation and sustainability work. Grants from Earth Island Institute’s New Leaders Initiative help youth advance environmental justice, stewardship, and advocacy initiatives through the competitive John Goddard Prize, awarded multiple times each year.

Filmmakers creating short documentaries on climate change and environmental justice in North Carolina can apply for the Bloomberg Green Docs Contest, which offers a US $25,000 grand prize. Grants from Bloomberg Philanthropies help climate-focused storytellers worldwide share urgent, under-10-minute films that explore our climate future and its consequences.

Environmental justice and policy professionals in North Carolina with strong backgrounds in chemical sciences or engineering can apply for a Science Policy Fellowship to work on federal research funding, STEM education, green chemistry, and regulatory issues. Focused on science policy, the American Chemical Society invites qualified individuals to spend 1–2 years with its Government Affairs team.

Environmental and environmental justice organizations in North Carolina working on bold, direct-action campaigns to address root causes of environmental crises can seek US $5,000 - US $20,000 for grassroots advocacy and community protection. Patagonia Org supports action-oriented efforts that build inclusive movements, confront systemic bias, and defend frontline communities within its broader U.S. and international funding scope.

About Us

The Youth Climate Justice Fund aims to support climate justice young leaders with trust-based funding, resources, and capacity strengthening, enabling them to amplify their voices and to keep their vision and influence alive.

Collectively, we have the power to ignite meaningful change and build equitable and sustainable futures. Despite the challenges posed by the current crisis, youth climate justice organizers remain determined to address current issues and explore new approaches.

Mission & Purpose

We work to strengthen existing organizing efforts and support emerging youth-led initiatives with a focus on bridging funders and organizers to enable flexible and impactful support. Through capacity strengthening and resource sharing, we empower and support young people to drive change and build a just and sustainable future.

How To Apply

The Youth Climate Justice Fund provides funding to emerging youth-led climate justice and socio-environmental groups through a participatory decision-making process.

Levine Impact Lab

The Levine Impact Lab powers equitable transformation by investing in nonprofit leadership, building community organizations’ capacities, and building their capacity to accelerate positive social and environmental change.

We combine venture-capital expertise and inspired philanthropic thinking to radically amplify the value of giving.

Levine Impact Lab Operational Support Program

The Levine Impact Lab’s Operational Support Program is an 18-month, high-engagement operational partnership designed to help environmental organizations move strategic and financial priorities forward.

At the core of the program is hands-on operational support: our team works side-by-side with your leaders to drive progress on a critical project, whether it’s strengthening your financial infrastructure, increasing earned revenue, or planning for growth.

This is a working partnership. The grant funding and peer-learning community are designed to support and accelerate your momentum.

We are the best fit for organizations that:

• Operate at the intersection of environmental impact and social enterprise
• Are past the startup phase but still in a critical growth stage
• See LIL as a thought partner in unlocking strategy, scale, and sustainability
• Show up with clear goals and a commitment to moving the work forward

More information about participation commitments here.

What is Operational Support?

To get the most out of this program, organizations must come prepared with a specific project, workstream, or organizational challenge they want to tackle over the 18 months with operational support. 

Potential Area(s) of Support: 

• Financial strategy and planning
• Fundraising, development and donor engagement strategy
• Cost structure analysis
• Program development or expansion
• Corporate partnership strategy 
• New location or geographic expansion
• RFP support/capital planning
• Strategic planning
• Board engagement

Find examples of what past cohorts have worked on here.

People

The success of this program relies on having the right organizational leaders at the table. Each organization must commit two senior staff members who are equipped to make key decisions, drive implementation, and stay closely involved throughout the 18-month engagement. These leaders must:

• Have clear decision-making authority and/or strong backing from the Executive Director or CEO
• Be directly involved in the project or challenge the organization is addressing
• Be able to commit time, energy, and focus to move the work forward

There will also be opportunities to include additional staff members in operational projects, as needed, to ensure the right voices and expertise are present. 

Who this might include: Executive Director and Finance Director, Business Development Manager and Operations Lead, or Marketing Manager and Development Director, depending on the nature of your project.

What We Offer

• Tailored 1:1 operational support and strategic advising
• A national cohort of up to 10 organizations
• Peer network of strategic thought partners
• Virtual and in-person workshops and events
• Private Slack channel
• Exclusive alumni programming
• Grant funds over two years
• Supportive peer-learning community
• Accelerated organizational growth and momentum through strategic partnership with LIL

View Program Flyer here.

The Richard L and Freda K Flerlage Foundation

Our Mission

Working to empower underserved populations through small grants in support of literacy, healthcare, reduction of poverty, and the promotion of social and environmental justice.

We are a small family foundation, when possible we aim to support organizations with relatively small operating funds where our small grants will have their greatest possible impact.

Our average grant is $3,800.

The Mitsubishi Corporation Foundation for the Americas (MCFA) supports environmental initiatives across the Americas, focusing on biodiversity conservation, environmental education, justice, and sustainable development. They prioritize programs that align with these aims, particularly those involving 501(c)(3) organizations. MCFA seeks to empower marginalized communities, promote ecological stewardship, and encourage sustainable economic practices, ensuring that environmental burdens are shared equitably across all communities.

The Fund for Wild Nature Grant empowers small non-profit organizations in Canada and the U.S. that prioritize the preservation of native species and ecosystems. With a biocentric approach, this grant supports innovative initiatives combating environmental degradation. Organizations must be tax-exempt and can only submit one proposal annually. Grants do not exceed $3,000, ensuring funding is directed to impactful projects addressing ecological issues often overlooked. Join the Fund in investing in the future of wild nature!

The Waste Management Charitable Contributions Program supports initiatives that enhance environmental stewardship, sustainability education, and community vitality. With a commitment to civic pride and economic development, the program prioritizes organizations that address local needs and promote sustainable practices. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) organizations that focus on public purposes, while ineligible requests include funding for operating costs and individual fundraising events. This initiative fosters a collaborative approach to community betterment.

The IEN-WMAN Mini-Grant Program provides crucial financial support to Indigenous communities and grassroots organizations impacted by mining in the U.S. and Canada. With over $200,000 distributed annually in $4,000 grants, the program aims to address mining-related environmental and health issues. Priority is given to proposals that demonstrate a direct impact on affected communities, particularly Indigenous-led initiatives, ensuring that financial assistance is directed where it is most needed.