Best Environmental Education Grants in Colorado

Colorado 501(c)(3) nonprofits running youth development, mentoring, tutoring, STEM, or workforce readiness programs can apply for Adolph Coors Foundation’s Youth and Adult Grant Programs, with awards from US $5,000 - US $175,000. Grants from Adolph Coors Foundation help Colorado environmental education and related programs that emphasize self-reliance, entrepreneurship, and evidence-based results, including rural organizations.

Colorado 501(c)(3) nonprofits and fiscally sponsored groups that educate children ages 0–12 through literacy, environmental education, and arts programs can seek support for their work. Grants from The Denver Foundation’s Gorham/McGee Early Learning Fund help early learning initiatives with US $5,000 awards, with two grants available this year.

Nonprofits, public agencies, and partners running environmental and water education initiatives in Colorado can seek funding for statewide or multi-basin outreach, awareness surveys, and education campaigns. With a mission to conserve and manage Colorado’s water, Colorado Department of Natural Resources provides support for projects aligned with Colorado Water Conservation Board priorities and demonstrating multi-basin backing.

Governments, municipalities, districts, enterprises, and individuals in Colorado can apply for funding to support basin-level water education and outreach coordination. Grants from Colorado Department of Natural Resources help Colorado environmental education efforts by funding PEPO Basin Coordinators who develop and implement public education activities consistent with the Colorado Water Plan and local Basin Implementation Plans, with awards up to US $25,000.

Youth corps and similar organizations running environmental education and conservation projects in Colorado and other eligible Western states can receive US $30,000 - US $220,000 for hands-on public lands work. US Department of the Interior: Bureau of Land Management supports trail work, habitat restoration, cultural resource projects, wildfire risk reduction, and related youth workforce development activities.

Colorado nonprofit organizations running environmental education or community environmental impact programs can apply for grants ranging from $5,000 to $10,000. Colorado environmental education groups can access funding through Richard Reed Foundation for specific projects or general operating support, with a preference for smaller, forward-thinking organizations creating stronger, more sustainable communities.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and eligible public entities in Colorado seeking capital funding for land, facilities, or civic infrastructure can apply for Gates Family Foundation’s capital grants. Support focuses on comprehensive campaigns for construction, expansion, renovation, or land acquisition, including environmental education, parks and recreation, and community development projects that benefit Colorado residents.

Students conducting environmental or mountain-related research in Colorado and the broader Rocky Mountain region can apply for fellowships supporting higher-education projects in fields like environmental studies, biology, forestry, and geology. The Colorado Mountain Club Foundation awards US $500 - US $2,000 to individuals working under faculty supervision whose work advances understanding and stewardship of mountain ecosystems.

With a mission to promote bird study and conservation, Aiken Audubon Society provides Colorado environmental education and ornithology projects with US $100 - US $500 mini-grants. Local individuals and community organizations that further bird enjoyment, study, or habitat conservation in the Pikes Peak Region may be eligible, even without 501(c)(3) status.

Focused on foothills and prairie bird ecology, Aiken Audubon Society invites Colorado researchers, educators, and conservation project leaders to seek funding for studies, education programs, and habitat conservation. Eligible individuals and organizations in the Colorado Front Range can request up to US $6,500 for projects related to birds and their habitats.

High school seniors pursuing environmentally related college majors and careers can receive scholarship support for higher education. Focused on environmental education and conservation, Environmental Education Foundation invites eligible students from the Geneva Lake area to apply for the EEF High School Graduate Scholarship, which awards US $3,000 toward study at an accredited four-year college or university.

High school students planning environmentally focused college studies may be eligible for scholarships supporting conservation or environmental protection careers, including those in Colorado. The Environmental Education Foundation’s Thomas E. Reynolds Scholarship awards up to US $16,000 for students pursuing accredited four-year degrees in fields like environmental engineering, ecological sciences, conservation, or environmental education.

About Us

Leadership. Collaboration. Impact.

The Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley helps philanthropists support the causes closest to their heart while connecting local residents to the resources they need for a better quality of life.

Our Mission

To serve as a leader and advocate for strategic philanthropy, partnering with donors to anchor a permanent and growing endowment and making investments in the Mahoning Valley that improve the quality of life for all residents.

Scholarship Opportunities

Your Community, Your Support System

Our community members support hundreds of local students every year through various scholarships facilitated by the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley.

Established in memory of Melinda “Mindy” Henning.

Students pursuing agricultural or environmental studies can receive more than US $1,000 for post-secondary education through this scholarship, which may benefit those interested in environmental education in Colorado. The Nebraska Community Foundation’s Butler County Area Foundation Fund awards two annual scholarships to eligible Butler County-related high school graduates enrolled at accredited institutions.

EEF Undergraduate College Scholarship

These scholarships are awarded to college students to support their programs in environmentally-related fields of study. Prior EEF HS winners are encouraged to apply for continued financial support.

The EEF Undergraduate College scholarship award can be as much as $4,000 for a student's sophomore, junior, or senior year. The Foundation generally awards four Undergraduate College Scholarships each year.​ These scholarships were established to benefit students from the Geneva Lake area.

Colorado students pursuing undergraduate environmental studies may be eligible for the Congressman Mark Foley Scholarship for Environmental Studies Fund, which supports aspiring college students. Administered by the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties, this competitive scholarship may benefit environmental education–focused graduates from qualifying high schools who meet GPA and academic program requirements.

Colorado students seeking environmental education funding may be eligible if they are Spokane County residents pursuing full-time college studies in environmental sciences, environmental studies, ecology, recreational management, or land management. The Rika Ream Environmental Scholarship from Innovia Foundation also requires demonstrated financial need and a minimum 2.5 GPA, and previous recipients can re-apply.

Colorado students pursuing environmental sciences or environmental engineering degrees can receive scholarship support for accredited U.S. programs through the Douglas County Waste Management Environmental Studies College Scholarship. The Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin administers this award, which may benefit those focused on environmental education-related college studies.

American Indian and Alaska Native graduate students in Colorado studying public health or environmental science can receive need-based scholarships ranging from US $100 - US $30,000 per year. With a mission to support Indigenous scholars, Native Forward Scholars Fund provides financial aid for full-time study at accredited U.S. institutions, including environmental education-related fields.

Graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and exceptional undergraduates conducting extended field research in organismal biology or related disciplines can receive US $2,000 to cover housing and research supplies at Hastings Natural History Reservation in California. Grants from Natural Reserve System- University of California may benefit Colorado environmental education projects that involve field-based study at this site.

Experienced full-time journalists can receive US $80,000 to deepen their environmental reporting through a nine-month fellowship in Colorado. Focused on environmental journalism, Scripps Howard Foundation invites professionals to audit classes, pursue an independent project, and join seminars and field trips that strengthen coverage of environmental education and policy issues.

The Fort Orange Garden Club Centennial Endowed Scholarship is designed for third- and fourth-year undergraduate or current graduate students majoring in plant sciences, conservation, environmental sciences, or landscape architecture. Scholarship recipients must demonstrate financial need and reside in specific counties in New York, including Albany and Schenectady, fostering academic growth while contributing to environmental stewardship.

The Joseph S. Onisko, Jr. Environmental Sciences Scholarship, established in 2020 by the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, supports high school seniors from southern Beaufort County pursuing a degree in Environmental Sciences. This scholarship honors Joseph S. Onisko, Jr. and aims to assist students with outstanding achievements, a minimum GPA of 3.2, and a focus on marine sciences. The foundation has invested over $125 million to enhance the Lowcountry community.

The Turtle Trackers - Linda Zambelli Family Scholarship Fund, established in 2025 by the Turtle Trackers Board, honors Linda Zambelli's legacy through scholarships for students pursuing higher education in Marine Biology and Environmental Sciences. This initiative supports high school seniors from Beaufort and Jasper Counties, ensuring they have opportunities to excel academically while fostering a commitment to marine conservation. The fund is managed by the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, which has invested over $125 million in local communities.

The Soil and Water Stewardship Scholarship, sponsored by the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois, provides financial support to students pursuing careers in natural resources. Applicants must reside in specific Illinois counties and plan to enroll in a full-time program related to fields such as ecology, hydrology, and conservation. Academic performance is a key consideration in the selection process. For more details, contact the Winnebago County Soil & Water Conservation District.

The Northern Wisconsin Outdoor Experiential Education Scholarship Fund supports residents of Chequamegon Bay communities in accessing quality outdoor education programs. Created by anonymous donors passionate about outdoor experiences, the fund targets applicants demonstrating financial need and belonging to underrepresented groups in outdoor education. Awards of $1,000 are available for one year, enabling youth to engage in environmentally sustainable outdoor activities and develop social responsibility.

The Stenzel Scholarship, established in 2023, awards $2,500 annually to individuals with cystic fibrosis enrolled in higher education programs in health or environmental sciences. This scholarship honors Isa and Ana Stenzel, who dedicated their lives to supporting others with CF. Applicants must provide proof of enrollment and can receive funding based on their enrollment status. This initiative aims to empower those affected by cystic fibrosis to pursue meaningful educational opportunities.