Best Grants for Land Conservation in Georgia

Georgia agricultural producers, ranchers, forest landowners, and water management entities can receive technical and financial assistance to implement land and habitat conservation practices through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program. Focused on improving soil, water, air quality, and wildlife habitat, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service of Georgia invites eligible working lands to develop conservation plans that enhance environmental resilience.

Agricultural and forestry producers in Georgia seeking support to enhance land and habitat conservation can apply for the Conservation Stewardship Program, which offers up to US $4,000 annually for conservation practices. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service of Georgia provides five-year contracts with technical and financial assistance to improve soil, water, and wildlife habitat on working lands.

Georgia land trusts, state and local agencies, tribes, and private landowners can receive support to place conservation easements that protect working farms, grazing lands, and wetlands. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service provides funding to limit non-agricultural uses, restore degraded wetlands, and enhance wildlife habitat through the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program.

Eligible Georgia state agencies, qualified local governments, recreation authorities, and conservation-focused nonprofits can secure US $500,000 - US $3,000,000 for land and habitat conservation, parks, and trails projects. With a mission to steward Georgia’s natural resources, Georgia Department of Natural Resources provides grants and loans for conservation lands, wildlife, clean water, and outdoor recreation statewide.

Land and conservation organizations in Georgia seeking capital for biodiversity protection, resilient landscapes, and forest carbon retention can apply for grants up to US $4,600,000. Grants from Open Space Institute help land and habitat conservation projects within the Appalachian Landscapes Project service area that also deliver strong benefits for local communities.

Land and habitat conservation organizations in Georgia and other Appalachian states can seek capital funding to acquire land or conservation easements that protect biodiversity and enhance climate resilience. Open Space Institute’s Appalachian Landscapes Project supports projects that retain forest carbon, improve landscape connectivity, and deliver strong benefits for local communities.

Georgia land and habitat conservation nonprofits restoring diminished native tree species can access funding through The Oak Hill Fund for project-specific work in the continental U.S. Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations may propose scientific research, seed orchard development, or forest land preservation, with reasonable project overhead supported as part of restoration efforts.

Benefitting people in the places making the AI future possible

The Future is for Everyone Fund

Meta is investing directly in education, community enhancement, workforce development and sustainability projects in locations where we have a data center in the United States.

The AI future we are building is for everyone. That starts with making sure everyone in the places that are home to a Meta data center feel the benefits in their communities. We want students to have bright futures, small businesses to flourish and communities to be prosperous.

Our commitment to the communities we call home.

The Future is for Everyone Fund supports investments and programs that address local community priorities in the United States, where we have a Meta data center:

We invest in the people and shared spaces that help a community thrive. That includes the parks, trails, and gathering places where neighbors come together, the technology and access that keep them connected, and first responders - like police officers, firefighters, and paramedics — who keep our communities safe.

We support the people and organizations that power local economies - helping workers gain the skills, certifications, and hands-on experience the modern economy rewards, and backing initiatives that create jobs and give a community its character.

We fund the programs, spaces, and tools that help learners of every age discover what they're capable of - from early literacy and the arts to hands-on science, technology, and problem-solving - and we equip the educators who make it happen with the resources to bring their most ambitious lessons to life.

We invest in the long-term health of the land, water, and wildlife that make our communities home - supporting things like habitat restoration and resource conservation that connects people to the natural world.

What is the Future is for Everyone Fund?

The Future is for Everyone Fund is Meta’s $1 billion commitment to invest directly in the U.S. communities that are home to a Meta data center. The Fund supports local schools, nonprofits, and community organizations and is organized into four focus areas that reflect local priorities: Community Enhancement, Economic Vitality, Education, and Sustainability. It builds on the over $70 million in grant funding we’ve provided to our data center communities since 2011.

The Easement Restoration and Stewardship program, funded by the USDA NRCS, focuses on restoring and managing Wetland and Floodplain Easements. It includes developing restoration plans, conducting assessments, and implementing stewardship activities to enhance ecological health. Awardees will collaborate with NRCS personnel to ensure effective restoration design and maintenance strategies, fostering sustainable landscapes. This initiative addresses critical habitat conditions and promotes long-term environmental benefits for protected lands.

Indigenous-led frontline groups, organizations, Tribes, and Indigenous individuals in Georgia and across North America 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 can cover supplies, equipment, contractual services, and travel for efforts defending Indigenous land, water, air, and natural resources.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations across the U.S., including Georgia, can apply for $500 - $5,000 in water stewardship funding from Bell's Brewery to support conservation projects. Focus areas include land and habitat conservation, freshwater protection, ecosystem health, and climate-resilient water resource management that benefit public health and frontline communities.

Georgia land and habitat conservation nonprofits can access funding through the Erich & Hannah Sachs Foundation for self-sustaining economic and community development initiatives. U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organizations working with disadvantaged communities, including rural land and open space preservation efforts, may be eligible for low-interest program-related investments or grants in education, housing, health, and related services.

Nonprofits, university researchers, and conservation-focused individuals in Georgia and across the U.S. and Canada can seek US $3,000 - US $20,000 for habitat and ecosystem projects. Focused on land and habitat conservation, W.L. Gore & Associates invites proposals that restore natural systems, enhance hunting access and education, and promote collaborative stewardship.

Eligible partners working on land and habitat conservation near military installations in Georgia and other U.S. locations can apply for the REPI Challenge, with awards up to Up to US $20,000,000 for compatible land use and resilience projects. The U.S. Department of Defense supports efforts that prevent land use conflicts and enhance military installation resilience.

The Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund: Recovery Land Acquisition Grant Program, initiated in FY 2001, aims to foster collaboration between State and Federal entities in conserving listed species. This program provides funding for acquiring critical land parcels to support U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service-approved recovery plans. By securing habitats at risk from development, the initiative directly addresses the primary threat to endangered species, ensuring effective and immediate conservation actions.

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.

Nonprofit organizations and public institutions working on land and habitat conservation, ecosystem restoration, or restorative economies in Georgia and other U.S. regions can seek support from the Biophilia Foundation. Grants from Biophilia Foundation help Georgia land conservation groups advance private land protection, low-tech stream restoration, sustainable agriculture, and related environmental stewardship initiatives, typically ranging from US $5,000 - US $25,000.

Graduate students interested in land and habitat conservation in Georgia can gain paid, hands-on practicum experience through the Conservation Connect Fellowship Program, earning up to US $6,870. With a mission to build collaborative conservation leaders, National Forest Foundation provides U.S. graduate fellows with mentorship, training, and project-based work on National Forests and Grasslands.

U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organizations focused on wildlife and habitat protection can apply for Park Foundation’s animal welfare grants to support policy, advocacy, and conservation work. Georgia land and habitat conservation groups working on endangered species, indigenous wildlife management, or protection of pollinators, wolves, whales, birds, and related ecosystems may be eligible.

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 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.

Georgia land and habitat conservation organizations, universities, and other research-focused entities can access funding through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for research, education, outreach, and innovative projects related to atmospheric sciences, climate, and coastal and marine ecosystems. This Broad Agency Announcement may benefit Georgia projects addressing land conservation, climate resilience, and coastal habitat protection within the U.S.

501(c)(3) nonprofits working on land and habitat conservation in Georgia can apply for grants from the Steven C Leuthold Family Foundation to support conservation, environmental protection, and related human services. Organizations must submit a complete application, IRS determination letter, and meet the June 30, 2025 deadline for funding decisions by December 2025.

Graduating high school seniors interested in land and habitat conservation in Georgia who plan to study natural resources, fish and wildlife, or forest management may be eligible for this scholarship. With a mission to support education and conservation careers, Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation provides assistance based on academic performance and financial need.

Georgia land and habitat conservation groups can access funding through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to restore and protect habitats on private lands. Eligible applicants work with local Partners for Fish and Wildlife offices nationwide, with awards up to US $750,000 supporting voluntary projects that benefit federal trust species and priority ecosystems.

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.

The Cumberland Plateau Stewardship Fund Grant aims to restore native forests and improve wildlife habitats while supporting working forests in the Cumberland Plateau. The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) invites proposals that enhance forest, grassland, and freshwater ecosystems, promoting conservation practices on agricultural lands. This initiative is backed by funding from USDA agencies and corporate partners, focusing on improving soil health, water quality, and carbon sequestration in the region.