Best Wildlife Grants in Connecticut

Wildlife and conservation organizations in Connecticut working on ornithological conservation can seek funding to protect Atlantic Flyway shorebirds through research, habitat management, and threat reduction. National Fish and Wildlife Foundation supports projects addressing disturbance and predation, hunting threats, staging-area planning for red knots, and population monitoring, with awards ranging from US $75,000 - US $250,000.

Focused on wildlife and habitat conservation, Restore America’s Estuaries invites Connecticut organizations in the Long Island Sound watershed to apply for US $5,000 - US $100,000 for community-driven projects. Funding supports pollution reduction, habitat restoration, fish and bird conservation, community resilience, public engagement, and related planning, science, and data projects tied to the Long Island Sound Community Impact Fund priorities.

U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits with budgets under $250,000 that run animal welfare or wildlife preservation projects, including those serving Connecticut, can apply for The Denver Foundation’s Lauren Townsend Memorial Wildlife Fund; awards US $500 - US $5,000 for specific programs. Smaller organizations and habitat, mammal, bird, or herpetological conservation efforts may be especially competitive.

Connecticut wildlife and habitat conservation partners can access funding through the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program to restore and protect habitats on private lands. Eligible projects across the U.S. and territories may receive up to US $750,000 in technical and financial assistance for fish, wildlife, and ecosystem restoration work.

501(c)(3) organizations in Connecticut caring for abandoned or abused pets, especially dogs, or working on wildlife habitat and welfare, can apply for Ray Rowe Trusts for Animals grants up to US $5,000. Funding supports specific animal welfare or wildlife conservation projects, including herpetological, ornithological, or mammalian conservation efforts, rather than general operations.

U.S. 501(c)(3) organizations seeking capital funding for animal protection, wildlife conservation, or land preservation projects may be eligible, including those serving Connecticut. With a mission to support animal welfare, land and wildlife conservancy, agriculture, and civic arts, T.S. & K.D. Glide Foundation provides up to US $50,000 for specific capital items, favoring California-based groups.

501(c)(3) and similar tax-exempt organizations working on wildlife and environmental conservation, education, or human services can apply for McGraw Foundation grants of US $2,000 - US $10,000. Although the foundation is headquartered in Illinois, eligible U.S. nonprofits, including those in Connecticut focused on herpetological, ornithological, or mammalian conservation, may benefit.

U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organizations working on wildlife conservation and animal welfare, including those in Connecticut, can apply for Park Foundation’s animal welfare grants to support policy, advocacy, and conservation efforts. Funding prioritizes endangered species, indigenous wildlife management, sanctuaries for great apes, and habitat protection for pollinators, wolves, whales, and birds.

Early-career ornithology researchers, including those in Connecticut, can apply for the American Ornithological Society’s Ned K. Johnson Early Investigator Award, which provides US $1,500 plus annual meeting registration for outstanding work in any field of ornithology. Eligible candidates are AOS members with doctorates received or expected between 2019–2022, including certain 2018 graduates.

Grants from American Ornithological Society help Connecticut ornithological conservation professionals who are early- or mid-career ornithologists gain recognition for extensive volunteer service to the Society. This award honors significant committee participation and elected offices within AOS, offering a framed certificate to individuals whose conduct aligns with the AOS Code of Conduct & Ethics.

Individuals well established in their ornithology careers who have provided extensive service to the American Ornithological Society can be honored for their contributions to bird science and conservation. With a mission to connect ornithologists, science, and bird conservation, American Ornithological Society recognizes exceptional volunteerism, mentoring, and committee work, which may interest Connecticut wildlife professionals.

Connecticut ornithologists and bird conservation researchers can access recognition and support for outstanding ornithological conservation work through the Ralph W. Schreiber Conservation Award. This American Ornithological Society honor celebrates applied research, restoration, education, and avian recovery or habitat programs; individuals or small teams worldwide may be nominated, with at least one AOS member on any team.

Connecticut wildlife researchers and ornithologists can access recognition and support through the William Brewster Memorial Award, honoring outstanding published work on birds of the Western Hemisphere. This American Ornithological Society award celebrates a meritorious body of ornithological research and includes a medal and honorarium for the selected author or co-authors.

Research institutions, conservation nonprofits, and agencies working on mammalian conservation and wildlife health can apply for National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Bats for the Future Fund, offering US $50,000 - US $250,000 for projects combating white-nose syndrome. Grants support treatments, management tools, habitat strategies, and recovery actions for vulnerable bat species across the U.S., including Connecticut.

Organizations and researchers working on bird conservation, education, or related wildlife studies in Connecticut and beyond can apply for Arkansas Audubon Society Trust grants, with awards of US $500 - US $1,200. Grants from Arkansas Audubon Society help support research, conservation, and education projects, with priority for work focused on birds in Arkansas but open to U.S.-based efforts.

Nonprofit organizations, Indiana Bird Towns, and individuals conducting bird-related conservation, research, or education can receive US $500 - US $5,000 for ornithological projects, studies, or training, including work connected to Indiana’s avifauna. With a mission to support natural resource studies, Indiana Audubon Society provides wildlife-focused applicants, including those in Connecticut, with grants and scholarships for bird conservation activities.

The Frances M. Peacock Scholarship, established in 1994 by the Garden Club of America, supports college seniors and graduate students studying seasonal habitats for endangered native birds in the U.S. With an annual award of $4500, this scholarship aims to promote effective land-management practices. Eligible candidates must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents enrolled in a U.S. institution. Note that international applicants are not eligible for funding due to IRS restrictions.

Connecticut ornithological researchers and early-career wildlife scientists can access funding through the American Ornithological Society’s James G. Cooper Early Professional Award to recognize outstanding bird research. Eligible AOS members with terminal degrees from 2023–2026 (or 2022 with parental leave) receive US $1,500, meeting registration, and an invited plenary opportunity.

Senior ornithologists recognized for lifetime research contributions can be nominated for this professional award, which honors outstanding ornithological science and conservation work. With a mission to support bird science, the American Ornithological Society provides this distinction to current AOS members, including those in Connecticut, who demonstrate exemplary ethical and professional conduct.

Connecticut ornithologists and bird researchers can access funding for outstanding, innovative ornithological research through the Elliott Coues Award, which includes a medal and honorarium. Administered by the American Ornithological Society, this senior professional award honors major contributions to ornithology, including ornithological conservation, with nominations open globally and not limited to AOS members.

The Conservation Practitioner Award, presented by the American Ornithological Society, recognizes dedicated professionals at any career stage who address avian conservation issues at local or regional levels. This award includes a certificate and a $1,000 honorarium, acknowledging the critical work of individuals or groups in government or non-government organizations. The AOS aims to promote ethical standards and support a diverse community of ornithologists committed to bird conservation.

The heart of The NRA Foundation’s mission is preserving the core of our American values and traditions in our steadfast effort to Teach Freedom.

The NRA Foundation Supports Freedom, Family, and the Future of the Shooting Sports

Established in 1990, The NRA Foundation, Inc. (“NRA Foundation”) is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization that raises tax-deductible contributions in support of a wide range of firearm-related public interest activities of the National Rifle Association of America and other organizations that defend and foster the Second Amendment rights of all law-abiding Americans.

The heart of The NRA Foundation’s mission is preserving the core of our American values and traditions in our steadfast effort to Teach Freedom.

Established in 1990, The NRA Foundation, Inc. (“NRA Foundation”) is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization that raises tax-deductible contributions in support of a wide range of firearm-related public interest activities of the National Rifle Association of America and other organizations that defend and foster the Second Amendment rights of all law-abiding Americans. These activities are designed to promote firearms and hunting safety, to enhance marksmanship skills of those participating in the shooting sports, and to educate the general public about firearms in their historic, technological and artistic context. Funds granted by The NRA Foundation benefit a variety of constituencies throughout the United States including children, youth, women, individuals with physical disabilities, gun collectors, law enforcement officers, hunters and competitive shooters.

Women's Wildlife Management Conservation Scholarship

The Women’s Wildlife Conservation Scholarship, established by the NRA Women’s Policies Committee, is a renewable one-year $5,000 scholarship available to full-time college sophomores, juniors, or seniors. Thank you for your interest in the field of wildlife management, forestry, parks, or fish and wildlife conservation.

Scholarship Value

$2,500 per semester for up to two semesters. Recipients must maintain qualifications listed above to receive second installment.

Bridgestone Americas Trust Fund Grants

Empowering People to Move, Live, Work, and Play

Bridgestone has awarded over $60 million to nonprofit organizations in the United States since 1951, and we are committed to continuing our legacy of giving back by supporting communities around the U.S.

Bridgestone works with grantseekers that offer solutions to keep society moving forward. Strong partners offer a human-centered approach to societal challenges in one or more of the following areas of focus: 

In addition to our three areas of focus, we will consider applications from organizations that have hosted volunteer or community engagement events with Bridgestone volunteers and organizations that have received funding in previous years. 

About

The American Society of Mammalogists (ASM) was established in 1919 for the purpose of promoting interest in the study of mammals.

ASM Mission Statement

The mission of the American Society of Mammalogists is to advance the scientific understanding of mammals globally, to diversify the profession of mammalogy, and to promote science as the basis for the conservation and management of mammals. The Society achieves these goals through publications, grants and fellowships, annual meetings, and other education and outreach activities.

Stephen Jenkins Scholarship in Mammalogy

One of Steve Jenkins’ most meaningful legacies is found in the hundreds of students he taught and mentored over his 37 years in the Biology Department at the University of Nevada, Reno. He taught a wide range of classes including introductory biology, ecology, mammalogy and research design, and served as graduate advisor to more than 30 students. His research focused on beavers, wolves, wild horses, and ground squirrels. Steve worked to pass on his own belief that critical thinking is not just a fundamental tenet of sound science, but a force for good. He wrote the book How Science Works, an effort to demystify the scientific process for nonspecialists. In his retirement he wrote a second book, Tools for Critical Thinking in Biology. Steve has been a member of American Society of Mammalogists (ASM) since 1974.

Scope and Rationale of the Award

The new Stephen Jenkins Scholarship Award would be available to a graduate student in a North American university whose research is focused on one or more mammalian species. This would include field research (and lab research that supports and augments field research) in such fields as animal behavior, ecology, evolution, and conservation biology. ASM supports research on all aspects of mammalian biology, and the award will provide support for early career mammalogists. 

Use of Funds:

The award may be used only for research expenses, in the field or in the laboratory, research related travel, laboratory supplies, equipment, and attendance at professional meetings.  The current award is for $5000.

Wilson Ornithological Society

The earliest stages of the Wilson Ornithological Society’s development began with the formation of the “Young Ornithologists’ Association,” initiated in 1886 under the leadership of L. O. Pindar and J. B. Richards. They began as a corresponding group of naturalists interested in birds, with notes published in The Oölogist.

Soon after, the Society acquired a constitution and established itself in December 1888 as the Wilson Ornithological Chapter of the Agassiz Association. The fledgling group was named in honor of Alexander Wilson, considered the Father of American Ornithology. Its original purpose was “the study of birds, their nests, and eggs.”

Over the subsequent decades, the group—eventually becoming known as the Wilson Ornithological Club—published its proceedings and articles under a series of diverse titles, culminating in The Wilson Bulletin after 1894 and, most recently, The Wilson Journal of Ornithology. The Club adopted its Constitution and Bylaws in 1930 and became the Wilson Ornithological Society in 1955.

Early Professional Avian Conservation and Community Impact Award

The Early Professional Avian Conservation and Community Impact Award recognizes outstanding contributions by Wilson Ornithological Society (WOS) members working in applied, non-research careers that advance the conservation of birds and their habitats. This award also celebrates professionals whose work fosters a stronger and more inclusive conservation community, through management, education, communication, advocacy, or community engagement.

Purpose

This award highlights the diverse pathways through which people contribute to lasting ornithology and avian conservation beyond academic research. It honors those whose efforts build bridges between science, management, and the public; inspire action for birds; provide mentorship or leadership to build capacity; and promote equity, inclusion, and accessibility within the bird conservation community.

Examples of Qualifying Contributions

• Developing and implementing habitat management or conservation plans.
• Creating tools, educational materials, or outreach programs that promote bird conservation.
• Leading advocacy, communications, or storytelling that inspires conservation action.
• Building partnerships or community engagement initiatives that strengthen conservation impact.
• Advancing conservation policy or planning at local, regional, or national scales.

Award and Presentation

The recipient will be recognized at the 2026 Wilson Ornithological Society Annual Meeting, where they will be invited to share their work with attendees. The award includes:

• A monetary honorarium
• An original piece of artwork from an early-career artist
• Coverage of meeting registration, travel, lodging, and per diem expenses

The NAWCA U.S. Standard grants provide competitive matching funds to support partnerships aimed at the long-term protection, restoration, and enhancement of wetlands and associated upland habitats in the U.S. These projects benefit migratory birds and promote ecological sustainability. A 1:1 match is required. The program seeks to improve wetland ecosystems, ensuring the conservation of waterfowl and other wildlife, while fulfilling international conservation obligations.

The DFO Research, Education, and Conservation Grant supports projects focused on birds and their habitats, prioritizing initiatives in the Denver area and Colorado's Front Range. Established in 1994, the fund encourages research, education, and conservation efforts with grants typically under $2,000. Recent funded projects include studies on owl habitats and educational programs for young birders. The fund aims to advance knowledge and appreciation of avian species through targeted financial support.