Best Wildlife Grants in District of Columbia

Eligible entities in the District of Columbia can apply for the Bird Friendly Buildings Grant, awarding $150,000 to reduce bird collisions through retrofits of existing buildings. Funding from the District of Columbia Department of Energy and Environment supports identifying high-risk structures, educating building owners, and piloting at least one bird-safe building retrofit.

Conservation organizations working on shorebird protection in the District of Columbia and along the Atlantic Flyway can apply for National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Atlantic Flyway Shorebird Initiative, awarding US $75,000 - US $250,000 for targeted conservation actions. Funding supports research, habitat protection, threat reduction, and planning for species such as American oystercatcher, red knot, and whimbrel.

U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits with budgets under $250,000 that focus on animal welfare or wildlife preservation can apply for The Denver Foundation’s Lauren Townsend Memorial Wildlife Fund, awarding US $500 - US $5,000 for specific projects or programs. Smaller organizations in places like the District of Columbia working on herpetological, ornithological, or mammalian conservation may benefit.

Wildlife conservation and related nonprofits in the District of Columbia can access funding through the T.S. & K.D. Glide Foundation to acquire specific capital items. U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organizations focused on animal protection, land and wildlife conservancy, or preserving natural habitats may be eligible for awards up to Up to US $50,000.

With a mission to support animal welfare, 501(c)(3) organizations in the District of Columbia can seek up to US $5,000 for programs aiding abandoned or abused pets, especially dogs, or improving wildlife habitat and welfare, particularly canid species. Ray Rowe Trusts for Animals generally funds project-specific costs rather than routine operating expenses.

U.S. 501(c)(3) and similar nonprofits working on wildlife and broader conservation, education, or human services can apply for McGraw Foundation’s grants, typically ranging from US $2,000 - US $10,000. With a mission to support conservation and education, McGraw Foundation provides funding that may benefit District of Columbia organizations focused on herpetological, ornithological, or mammalian conservation efforts.

U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organizations working on wildlife and habitat conservation can apply for Park Foundation’s animal welfare grants to support advocacy, policy, and protection efforts. Programs in areas like endangered species, indigenous wildlife management, sanctuaries, and conservation of pollinators, wolves, whales, and birds may be eligible, including work benefiting the District of Columbia.

Not-for-profit organizations developing waterfowl habitat and propagation areas for the Mississippi Flyway can apply for Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ State Duck Stamp Funding, with awards up to US $500,000. Wildlife groups in the District of Columbia may be eligible if their projects support waterfowl areas in Canada or the U.S. serving this flyway.

Nonprofit organizations, Indiana Bird Towns, and individuals can receive US $500 - US $5,000 to support bird-focused conservation, research, and education projects, including studies of Indiana’s avifauna and related natural resources. With a mission to advance ornithological conservation, Indiana Audubon Society provides support that may benefit wildlife efforts connected to the District of Columbia and the Great Lakes region.

Researchers, educators, nonprofits, and agencies conducting bird-related conservation, research, or education projects can apply for Arkansas Audubon Society Trust grants, with awards of US $500 - US $1,200. Projects focused on birds in Arkansas are prioritized, but U.S.-based wildlife work, including efforts connected to the District of Columbia, may be eligible.

Focused on mammalian conservation, organizations in the District of Columbia and beyond working on bat conservation and wildlife health can apply for the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Bats for the Future Fund, awarding US $50,000 - US $250,000 for projects. Funding supports treatments, management tools, habitat strategies, and research to combat white-nose syndrome and aid bat recovery.

With a mission to support ornithological science, the American Ornithological Society provides District of Columbia ornithological conservation professionals with the William Brewster Memorial Award for an outstanding body of work on birds of the Western Hemisphere. Individual ornithologists, including non-members, may be nominated for this annual medal and honorarium recognizing significant research contributions.

District of Columbia ornithological conservation professionals and teams can access funding through the American Ornithological Society’s Ralph W. Schreiber Conservation Award for extraordinary bird conservation science. Eligible AOS members worldwide are honored for applied research, restoration, education, and leadership that conserve birds or critical habitats, including work relevant to wildlife conservation in the District of Columbia.

Grants from American Ornithological Society help District of Columbia ornithological conservation professionals gain recognition for outstanding service to the Society and the field. This award honors an individual well established in their career whose volunteer leadership, mentoring, and committee work have significantly advanced ornithology and upheld AOS’s Code of Conduct and ethics.

Early- and mid-career ornithologists providing extensive volunteer service and committee work to the American Ornithological Society can be honored through this District of Columbia wildlife-focused recognition. The Marion Jenkinson Service Award offers a framed certificate for exceptional service to AOS and ornithology, emphasizing ethical conduct and contributions to ornithological conservation and the Society’s community.

Early-career ornithology researchers working on bird science or conservation can receive recognition and funding through the Ned K. Johnson Early Investigator Award, including a US $1,500 honorarium. With a mission to advance ornithological science, the American Ornithological Society provides AOS members, including those in the District of Columbia, with this career-building wildlife research opportunity.

Early-career ornithologists working on bird research and conservation can receive US $1,500 plus annual meeting registration through the James G. Cooper Early Professional Award, open to American Ornithological Society members. This U.S.-based award recognizes outstanding ornithology research and leadership potential, and may benefit District of Columbia wildlife and ornithological conservation professionals.

District of Columbia ornithologists with a lifetime record of impactful bird research can be nominated for this senior professional honor recognizing ornithological research achievements. Through the Loye and Alden Miller Research Award, the American Ornithological Society celebrates long-term contributions to ornithology and ornithological conservation; nominees must be current AOS members and meet ethical and conduct standards.

The Elliott Coues Award, presented by the American Ornithological Society, honors exceptional contributions to ornithological research without geographic or disciplinary restrictions. This prestigious award includes a medal and an honorarium and is named after Elliott Coues, a pioneering ornithologist. The award emphasizes the importance of diverse nominations and aims to recognize individuals who have made significant impacts in the field of ornithology, thus fostering a vibrant ornithological community.

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 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.

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.

The Spencer T. and Ann W. Olin Foundation Wetlands and Waterfowl Research Fellowship supports graduate students in North America conducting research on waterfowl or wetland biology. The fellowship, offering up to $9,500 annually, emphasizes applicant qualifications, research proposal soundness, originality, and potential contributions to conservation efforts. This competitive opportunity is renewable for up to two additional years for PhD students and once for Masters students, pending satisfactory progress reports.