Search Through Grants for Environmental Conservation in Virginia in the U.S.

Community Grants

State Farm is committed to helping build safer, stronger and better-educated communities.

• ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​We are committed to auto and home safety programs and activities that help people manage the risks of everyday life.
• We invest in education, economic empowerment and community development projects, programs and services that help people realize their dreams.
• We help maintain the vibrancy of our communities by assisting nonprofits that support community revitalization.

Good Neighbor Citizenship company grants focus on safety, community development and education.

Focus Areas

Safety Grants

We strive to keep our customers and communities safe. That's why our funding is directed toward:

• Auto safety — improving driver, passenger, vehicle or roadway safety
• Home safety — shielding homes from fires, crime or natural disasters
• Disaster preparedness and mitigation
• Disaster recovery

Community Development

We support nonprofits that invest and develop stronger neighborhoods. That's why our funding is directed toward:

• Affordable housing — home construction and repair
• Commercial/small business development
• Job training
• Neighborhood revitalization
• Financial literacy
• Sustainable housing and transportation
• Food insecurity

Education

Our education funding is directed toward initiatives that support the following programs:

• Higher education
• K-12 academic performance
• K-12 STEM
• Pathways for college and career success

OSI partners with conservation organizations in the Northeast to assemble networks of protected lands most likely to preserve plant and animal diversity in a changing climate. The Fund supports projects in four focus areas in New England, the mid-Atlantic, and the Central Appalachians offering the greatest opportunity to conserve missing links for resiliency in the overall landscape.

Grant Opportunities

The Fund provides capital grants and loans to qualified non-profits for the acquisition of land or conservation easements on climate-resilient lands, capitalized with a grant from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. Through an in-depth review process, we selected four focus areas in order to target funds most effectively. A fact brochure with maps for each focus area can be downloaded:

Potomac Headwaters – West Virginia & Virginia

Highlands and Kittatinny Ridge – New Jersey & Pennsylvania

Middle Connecticut River – Vermont & Massachusetts

Southern New Hampshire & Maine Forests 

Mission

Driven by a philanthropic calling to support marginalized communities throughout the world, the Semnani Family Foundation partners with on-the-ground organizations and leverages its resources in a cost-effective and efficient manner that delivers the maximum benefit.

History

Guided by his grandmother Maliheh’s example and teachings, Khosrow Semnani and his wife Ghazaleh established the Semnani Family Foundation in 1993. The foundation’s first grant was issued through CARE International to an orphanage in Romania that cared for newborns affected by HIV. Over the last few decades, the foundation has continued to build upon its mission to empower the disaffected, partnering with a variety of organizations in different countries who can make the greatest impact.

In addition to its global influence, the Semnani Family Foundation established roots within the state of Utah with the founding of Maliheh Free Clinic in 2005 to provide free healthcare to thousands of uninsured people in the Salt Lake City area.

Where We Work

The Semnani Family Foundation focuses primarily on promoting health, education, and disaster relief for marginalized communities all around the world. Driven by a clear mission to adapt and serve at the global level, we have leveraged our resources to make a meaningful impact in the following countries so far:

• Afghanistan
• Bosnia
• Colombia
• England
• Ethiopia
• Ghana
• Guatemala
• India
• Iran
• Kenya
• Madagascar
• Mali
• Mexico
• Pakistan
• Philippines
• Romania
• Somalia
• South Africa
• Tanzania
• Tonga
• Uganda
• United States
• Yemen

At the heart of the Foundation lies a fervent commitment to human welfare, always prioritizing health and the needs of society’s most vulnerable.

We have strong partnerships with nonprofit organizations across the country that are working to advance economic mobility and social progress in low- and moderate-income communities. Our focus areas include basic needs like food and housing, workforce development and education, and community development. In addition to our philanthropic investments, we also encourage our employees to make a difference by offering robust employee giving and volunteering programs, including the opportunity to direct funds to organizations they support through volunteer efforts, and a matching gifts program that doubles their individual giving to causes they care about. Last year, we invested $350 million in the communities we serve, and employees contributed more than 1 million volunteer hours and directed $65 million through individual giving and matching gifts to support nonprofits.Through our regional U.S. sponsorships, we support the economic, social and cultural life of the places we live and work. We provide an extensive program of arts and sports sponsorships to help maintain vibrant, healthy communities.Sponsorships supporting communitiesBank of America welcomes your sponsorship proposal for opportunities that make our communities a better place to live and work. We are particularly interested in providing support to address needs vital to the health of our communities through a focus on:

• preserving neighborhoods;
• educating the workforce for 21st century jobs;
• addressing critical needs such as hunger and emergency shelter;
• arts and culture;
• the environment; and
• diversity and inclusion programs.

Grants are made at the Foundation’s discretion based on our current funding strategies focused on housing, jobs and hunger. 

Wells Fargo and the Wells Fargo Foundation collaborate with a wide range of nonprofit organizations that align with our strategic funding priorities. We prioritize our funding to activities and programs that have a broad reach and support the needs of underserved communities. We aspire to have a positive impact on the communities we serve by using our financial and volunteer resources and business expertise in collaboration with community organizations to help solve complex societal problems.

• Financial health
• Housing affordability
• Small business growth
• Sustainability

We may also support other local needs in eligible communities such as disaster relief, arts and culture, civic engagement, education, human and social services, and workforce development. However, opportunities are limited as our intent is to direct the majority of our giving within our major focus areas.

Centene Charitable Foundation

Successful corporate citizenship happens when companies invest in the local organizations that know their communities best. The Centene Foundation works with our local partners on initiatives that focus on inclusion, the whole person and community development.

Vision

Centene’s purpose is transforming the health of the community, one person at a time. The Centene Foundation is an essential part of how we pursue this purpose. We achieve measurable impact for the communities we serve through partnerships and philanthropy efforts that invest in initiatives with holistic approaches to dismantling barriers to health.

Areas of Focus

Reflecting Centene’s commitment to the needs of those who rely on government-sponsored health care and to addressing social determinants of health and health equity, preference will be given to initiatives in three distinct areas of focus.

• Healthcare Access
• Social Services
• Education

Grant-making Priorities

As part of its Strategic Planning process, the Virginia Environmental Endowment’s Board of Directors adopted the following grant-making priorities in 2013. Current grant-making priorities in the Virginia Program are focused on improvement of local rivers and protection of water quality, restoration of the Chesapeake Bay, innovative land conservation and sustainable land use practices, environmental literacy and public awareness, and emerging issues of concern.

Water Issues 

• Improve local rivers and protect water quality throughout Virginia:  With a focus on tangible improvements to water quality, pollution reduction and pollution prevention, preference will be given to projects and policies that promote implementation of best practices for advancing agricultural stewardship, address local and regional stormwater infrastructure needs and achieve on-the-ground improvements that contribute to healthy watersheds.     
• Restoration of the Chesapeake Bay:  With a focus on implementation of Virginia’s Watershed Implementation Plan to meet the Bay’s total maximum daily load (TMDL) interim and final goals by 2017 and 2025, respectively, preference will be given to innovative and creative strategies designed to reduce implementation costs and pollution and accelerate progress, when possible. Improved fisheries management, restoration of keystone fisheries and expanded recreational access are also an interest. 

Land Conservation and Use     

• Enhance land conservation and sustainable land use:  Special emphasis is placed on strategies, policies and projects focused on conserving large landscapes, restoring and protecting riparian buffers and headwater streams, establishing conservation practices on land previously placed under protective easement, and establishing local land trusts in areas where a gap exists.  A nexus with water quality protection is important. The Endowment does not provide grant funds for land purchases. 

Environmental Education and Public Awareness     

• Advance environmental literacy and public awareness:  Preference will be given to outcomes-based proposals that incorporate best practices related to student learning and teacher/principal training, including regional standards and Next Generation Science Standards, and those that offer meaningful experiential learning opportunities which connect students and families to nature.  Regarding public awareness, projects that tie environmental stewardship to jobs and those that use innovative, collaborative, and creative approaches such as media messaging to reach non-traditional environmental supporters are also encouraged. 

Climate Adaptation and Emerging Issues

• The Virginia Environmental Endowment is interested in using its strategic investments to make a difference on emerging issues, such as climate adaptation for coastal communities and projects that advance water supply planning and implementation, and efforts to mitigate invasive species.

The Cameron Foundation strives to transform the Tri-Cities and surrounding counties into a healthy, vibrant, and economically vital region by strategically leveraging resources for community impact. This service area includes the cities of Petersburg, Colonial Heights, and Hopewell; the counties of Dinwiddie, Prince George, and Sussex; and the portion of Chesterfield County lying south of Route 10.

The Cameron Foundation’s General Grants include:

• Project or Program Grants 
• General Operating Grants
• Capital Grants

See complete details of each grant type here.

Funding Interests

The Cameron Foundation’s Board and staff periodically review the Foundation’s grant priorities and make adjustments to reflect what we have learned from past grants and to respond to new sources of information, such as the Foundation’s needs assessments, regarding emerging issues. As part of the most recent review that took place in June 2013, the Foundation has consolidated from seven to six funding categories and has clarified priorities within each of the areas, which are described below. The Foundation believes that these updates will help applicants gain a clearer understanding of the Foundation’s areas of interest. In turn, the Foundation will be better positioned to focus its grantmaking resources in more impactful ways for the benefit of the community.

Whereas previously civic affairs activities were funded through a stand-alone funding area, these endeavors will now be considered through the other funding areas, depending on the type of activity. For example, a proposal to fund civic engagement in a neighborhood revitalization effort will now be reviewed under the Community and Economic Development funding area.

Health Care

The Foundation supports programs that provide access to primary health services for the poor, uninsured, under-insured and underserved. This funding area also provides for capital improvements and technology advancements in healthcare. Our grantmaking strategy supports the following priorities:

Human Services

The Foundation supports programs that provide basic human needs and promote the development of life skills in children, youth and adults in an effort to improve the quality of life for individuals and families in the service area. Our grantmaking strategy supports the following priorities:

Community & Economic Development

The Foundation supports a holistic approach to community and economic development, including revitalization of distressed neighborhoods; workforce development and increasing workforce quality; and, expanding the capacity of economic development agencies to successfully pursue local and regional economic development opportunities.

Education

The Foundation supports funding for schools, organizations, and programs seeking to improve educational outcomes in ways that support success in school and life. The Foundation’s strategy in this funding area places priority on:

Historic Preservation & Conservation

The Foundation recognizes that the unique history and unsurpassed historic architecture in the region are significant assets which contribute to the quality of life. Historic preservation has an important community development and conservation role by strengthening existing neighborhoods and conserving resources by recycling older buildings. Environmental conservation also plays a critical role in protecting natural resources and ecosystems upon which communities depend. The Foundation has an interest in the following:

Arts & Culture

Arts and culture are vital to the health and well-being of individuals and communities and also serve as a catalyst for community revitalization. Equally important is the long-term growth and viability of arts and culture organizations as part of our community. Recognizing the importance of arts organizations, museums and other cultural venues, the Foundation has a special interest in the following:

Community Conservation Program

Virginia Environmental Endowment (VEE) funding under the “Community Conservation Program” provides funds for conservation initiatives located within the counties of Craig, Franklin, Giles, Montgomery, Pittsylvania and Roanoke, and the cities of Salem and Roanoke. The Program focuses on water quality protection, restoration, and improvement; land conservation support; and environmental literacy and awareness within the listed jurisdictions. VEE will also consider funding portions of initiatives that extend beyond the listed jurisdictions.

The application process for the Community Conservation Program is open to any qualified organization. However, VEE strongly suggests that any organization interested in submitting a proposal first provide VEE with a one to two page letter briefly explaining the proposal so as to allow VEE staff the opportunity to provide an informal review and response before submission.

VEE will consider proposals of no less than $50,000 and multi-year projects of up to three years are eligible. VEE will decline without further review any proposal that is clearly outside the purposes and geographic limitations of the Program.

VEE encourages proposals that promise measurable results to improve the environment consistent with the mission and priorities of VEE and the Community Conservation Program. Applicants should describe specifically how they will measure success of a proposal.

About Us

The Hampton Roads Community Foundation connects you with charitable causes to improve life in our region. The community foundation manages permanent funds created by people from all walks of life. Its mission is to inspire philanthropy and transform the quality of life in southeastern Virginia.

Environmental Stewardship - Seed & Program Funding

Why it matters

Environmental stewardship requires the practice of conservation and sustainable activities that protect the natural environment for future generations.

We believe it is vital that Hampton Roads youth are knowledgeable of our waterways’ health and the implications of sea level rise and, accordingly, adopt positive behaviors in caring for the natural environment. After many years of good progress to improve them, many Hampton Roads waterways fall below the desired ratings for healthy waterways. Our region also ranks in the top 10 worldwide for sea level rise vulnerability. We believe that preparing the region’s youth to be good environmental stewards is critical to improving our region’s natural environment now and in the future.

Environmental Stewardship Community Grants focus on programs that educate youth, grades 3-12, about Hampton Roads waterways’ health and the impact of sea level rise in our region. 

Programs should be sustained efforts that:

• Provide hands-on outdoor experiences,
• Include education on environmental issues related to our water-based region, and
• Offer the opportunity for youth to develop and implement an action plan around watershed preservation and restoration.

Desired Outcomes: Grant proposals should address one or more of the following outcomes:

• Hampton Roads youth increase their knowledge of our waterways’ health and exhibit positive behaviors that improve the health of the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed.
• Hampton Roads youth increase their knowledge of sea level rise and its potential impact on the region.

Proposals for program funding must be able to articulate:

• Program’s fit with our stated priorities
• Program’s desired outcomes
• Organization’s plan for measuring program effectiveness in reaching outcomes

The Nature Conservancy

The Nature Conservancy is a global environmental nonprofit working to create a world where people and nature can thrive.

Our Mission

To conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends.

Connectivity, Climate, Communities Fund

To make the highest possible impact on the climate and biodiversity crises, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is committed to advancing solutions and supporting partners throughout the Appalachians to connect and conserve vital wildlife habitat, build resilience to the impacts of climate change, and generate new job and recreation opportunities for communities.

Approximately one-third of the U.S. population lives in or within 100 miles of the Appalachians, including an estimated 36 million people that rely on the region for sources of drinking water. The landscape contains the world's largest remaining expanses of temperate broadleaf mixed forest and provides habitat to a wide diversity of plants of animals, many of which are listed as rare, threatened, or endangered. Conserving this landscape is critical for nature and for the people that live and work there.

However as climate change drives ecosystem instability, plants and animals are shifting their ranges northward, and people are having to find ways to adapt to complex and intertwined challenges. TNC and many others have been working to conserve vital Appalachian habitats for decades. Now we must ramp up our efforts and coordinate with partners across the Appalachians for maximum impact.

To succeed in these efforts, TNC’s Connectivity, Climate, Communities Fund offers two grant programs for conservation and community organizations, municipalities, Federally Recognized Tribal Nations, and local and state agencies in the Appalachians who are working to protect and conserve this region:

• The Resilient and Connected Appalachians Grant Program
• The New York Climate Resilience Grant Program

Resilient and Connected Appalachians Grant Program

The Resilient and Connected Appalachians Grant Program provides grants of up to $100,000 for fee and easement acquisition projects throughout the Appalachians.

Equitable Conservation and Community Benefits

Conservation organizations are increasingly acknowledging the importance of incorporating social equity in their missions, partnerships, and projects and evolving how they work to have better outcomes for people and nature.

TNC defines community benefits as the positive outcomes that directly result from or are included within conservation projects as experienced by local communities and people. This is particularly important for historically marginalized communities, communities with limited access to nature, communities experiencing heightened impacts of climate change due to systemic underinvestment and poor infrastructure, and Indigenous communities. 

RCA program funding will support projects that demonstrate meaningful community engagement, work with those historically excluded from conservation, and lead to a fairer distribution of benefits for people and communities.

Some examples of community benefits include improved and greater access to nature, protection of drinking water sources, recreational and resource-based economic opportunities, flood mitigation, engagement in cross-cultural initiatives, or protection of lands that will meet community-defined conservation needs. We encourage projects with meaningful community benefits that are integrated with the land protection goals.

Project Evaluation

Projects will be evaluated  according to their capacity to deliver land protection outcomes aligned with the program goals, including:

• Location:
  • the project is located within TNC’s Appalachians Program boundary and is in or near a mapped focal area.  Projects outside of focal areas will also be considered.
• Resilience:
  • the percentage of the total project area that is part of the Resilient and Connected Network.
• Connectivity:
  • adjacency to protected lands or other attributes that will lead to landscape connectivity over time (e.g., the project is a necessary acquisition for advancing a local or regional plan that aims to protect a critical conservation corridor).
• Collaboration:
  • evidence of engagement with other organizations, community groups, or local governments (including, but not limited to, shared funding).
• Community:
  • project elements that directly engage and or benefit people, especially vulnerable or marginalized communities.
• Timeline:
  • the project will close within 12 months from the start of the grant agreement term.
• Feasibility:
  • likelihood that the project will close and the costs seem reasonable.

About the Foundation

Founded in 1957 by Mr. Robert G. Cabell, III, and Mrs. Maude Morgan Cabell, the Cabell Foundation was established as a private, non-operating foundation to support the permanent needs of charitable organizations throughout Virginia, with particular emphasis on agencies in the metro Richmond region. Since its inception, the Cabell Foundation has provided permanent gifts and challenge grants to a diverse mix of nonprofit institutions. Mr. and Mrs. Cabell believed the Foundation should be responsive to human need in its deliberations and in taking initiative that would inspire the community to action. Early awards supported higher education and the cultural arts, including the Valentine Museum, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Randolph Macon College and Hampden-Sydney College.Mr. and Mrs. Cabell and the founding board members recognized the value of focused, strategic support and chose not to blanket the community with token grants. Today, Cabell Foundation support provides important leverage for the charitable sector in challenging the generosity of the donor community. The long term vision of the Foundation is to continue to meet the philanthropic needs of the community and to exist in perpetuity. Communities across the Commonwealth have been enriched by Foundation support to cultural arts institutions, historic preservation sites, environment and conservation initiatives, community development efforts, higher education infrastructure and the social services sector.

Semi-Annual Competitive Grants

The cornerstone of the competitive grants program provides support for permanent, capital projects. Generally, awards are made on a challenge or match basis in order to help stimulate broad community support. The challenge may be in any form, such as matching the award in some multiple of the grant, raising a stated percentage of the total goal, securing a specified number of new gifts or other parameters set by the Foundation. Typically, no more than 50% of the matching funds for a challenge grant may come from other private foundations. Depending on the specific circumstances of each project, other conditions may be required prior to payment. Grant periods are typically 12-18 months from the date of the award notification. Competitive grants are generally paid in one payment. Proposals are reviewed twice a year during the Spring and Fall Grants meeting.

Funding Areas of Interest

The Foundation is multi-purpose in its support and accepts proposals from organizations that represent the following categories. Funding is not allocated across these program areas. The competitive nature of the proposals drives funding recommendations and decisions. Representative examples of grants in each category are listed below.

Cultural Arts: Museum exhibitions and expansion; collection processing and storage; performing arts venue renovations; building acquisition; and, technology infrastructure.

Civic & Community: Neighborhood development initiatives; civic engagement projects; and, recreational projects that promote increased access to public spaces regardless of economic or physical limitations.

Conservation & Environment: Watershed protection and preservation; reclamation projects; wildlife protection; and, environmental outreach and education.

Education: Libraries; laboratories and equipment; technology; and, general physical plant support to private colleges and universities. Limited support for capital needs related to workforce training and development projects at the community college level. The Foundation also supports special projects at Virginia Commonwealth University, The College of William & Mary and Virginia Military Institute.

Historic Preservation: Site acquisition; infrastructure repair; exterior and interior renovations; and, exhibit installation.

Social Services, Health & Welfare: Building acquisition and/or renovation for health clinics; affordable housing; domestic violence shelters; vocational rehabilitation; and, mental health services. Technology and equipment support for hunger relief programs; healthcare clinics; and job training.

Mary Morton Parsons Foundation Grant

The Mary Morton Parsons Foundation was founded in 1988 by Mrs. Mary Morton Parsons as a private, non-operating foundation to support the capital needs of charitable organizations. To date, the Foundation has awarded approximately $73 million to qualified grantees.

Enriching Community Life throughout the Commonwealth

The Mary Morton Parsons Foundation enriches communities across the Commonwealth by providing capital support to cultural arts institutions, historic preservation sites, environment and conservation initiatives, community development efforts, education infrastructure, and the social services sector.

Arts & Culture

• Virginia's residents and visitors love Arts & Culture. That’s why The Mary Morton Parsons Foundation supports organizations that deliver cultural experiences through music, theatre, and visual and performing arts.

Civic & Community Needs

• The Mary Morton Parsons Foundation funds organizations that provide services to revitalize neighborhoods and local businesses, develop citizen leadership skills, bolster economic development, contribute to workforce training, and strengthen civic engagement.

Education

• From early childhood education to university and professional continuing education, The Mary Morton Parsons Foundation is proud to support educational organizations in the Commonwealth. We contribute funds to public, private, and faith-based schools that support both students and teachers.

Environment & Conservation

• To encourage responsible stewardship of the vast natural resources in the Commonwealth, The Mary Morton Parsons Foundation provides grants to conservation and environmental organizations.

Historic Preservation

• The Commonwealth of Virginia has a deep and long history. The Mary Morton Parsons Foundation is committed to preserving historically significant structures for future generations.

Social Services & Welfare

• The Mary Morton Parsons Foundation funds nonprofit organizations that address a wide range of human needs and aspirations. The Foundation serves people of all ages, socio-economic statuses, and backgrounds.

Grant Basics

Please be aware of the following before you begin your application:

• Typically our grants fund no more than 1/3 of a project’s cost.
• Grant awards are made on a challenge or matching basis.
• Grantees must meet all conditions stated in our award letter within 12 months of approval, and failing to do so may result in grant withdrawal.
• In the case of a construction grant, we will likely require the commencement of construction before we fund the grant.
• As a condition of funding, the Board of The Mary Morton Parsons Foundation expects that 100% of the grantee’s organizational board be contributing to the organization.

Application Deadline Information

Applications must be completed online by 5 pm EST on the following dates:

• Spring Cycle: Contact Form must be submitted by Feb 28. Application must be submitted by March 17 (Foundation response Early June)
• Fall Cycle: Contact Form must be submitted by August 29. Application must be submitted by September 15 (Foundation response Early December)

If these dates fall on a weekend or holiday, applications will be accepted until 5:00pm on the first business day following.

Our Charitable Philosophy

At Virginia Natural Gas, we take great pride in our legacy as one of Virginia’s oldest corporations and aspire to “be a citizen wherever we serve.” These charitable giving guidelines reflect our traditional company priorities and the values of our employees who helped design the program and who have shown their commitment to our community not only through participation in company events, but in giving freely of their time, talent and resources to organizations that meet these criteria. Combining our corporate and employee resources allows us to make an even larger impact in these crucial areas, multiplying our service.

Environmental Stewardship Grant

We support projects that increase conservation or improve the sustainability of our region.

 Program History or Background

AmeriCorps is a network of local, state, and national service programs that connects over 70,000 Americans every year in intensive service to meet community needs in education, the environment, public safety, health, and homeland security. AmeriCorps members serve with more than 2,000 non- profits, public agencies, and community organizations. AmeriCorps brings people together to tackle some of the country’s most pressing challenges through national service and volunteering.

AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Senior volunteers serve with organizations dedicated to the improvement of communities. AmeriCorps helps make services a cornerstone of our national culture. AmeriCorps grants are awarded to eligible organizations proposing to engage AmeriCorps members in evidence-based or evidence-informed interventions/practices to strengthen communities. An AmeriCorps member is an individual who engages in community services through an approved national service position. Members may receive a living allowance and other benefits while serving.

Upon successful completion of their service, members earn a Segal Education Award that they can use to pay for higher education expenses or apply to qualified student loans. AmeriCorps State programs in the Commonwealth are managed by Serve Virginia, within the Virginia Department of Social Services. For more information on Serve Virginia and the activities promoting volunteerism, national service, and community support programs in the Commonwealth, including AmeriCorps, please visit here.  

Operational Grant

AmeriCorps operational grants support programs that engage members in evidence-based interventions to strengthen communities. Awards may include up to $27,000/MSY (AmeriCorps Member Service Year, equivalent to one full-time term of service), with no limits on the number of MSY.

AmeriCorps Focus Areas & Funding Priorities

Over the next two years, AmeriCorps will invest in existing and new partnerships with nonprofit, faith-based, and Tribal organizations, and state service commissions. To carry out Congress’ intent and to maximize the impact of investment in national service, and to achieve the goals laid out in its Strategic Plan, AmeriCorps has the following Focus Areas: 

• Disaster Services: Helping individuals and communities prepare for, respond to, recover from, and mitigate the effects of disasters and increase community resiliency.
• Education: Improving educational outcomes for underserved people, especially children. AmeriCorps is particularly interested in program designs that support youth engagement and service learning as strategies to achieve high educational outcomes.
• Economic Opportunity: Improving the economic well-being and security of underserved individuals.
• Healthy Futures: Supporting for health needs within communities, including mitigating the impacts of COVID-19 and other public health crises, access to care, aging in place, and addressing childhood obesity, especially in underserved communities.
• Environmental Stewardship: Supporting communities to become more resilient through measures that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, conserve land and water, increase renewable energy use and improve at-risk ecosystems, especially in underserved households and communities.
• Veterans and Military Families: Improving the quality of life of veterans, military families, caregivers, and survivors

 Program History or Background

AmeriCorps is a network of local, state, and national service programs that connects over 70,000 Americans every year in intensive service to meet community needs in education, the environment, public safety, health, and homeland security. AmeriCorps members serve with more than 2,000 nonprofits, public agencies, and community organizations. AmeriCorps brings people together to tackle some of the country’s most pressing challenges through national service and volunteering.

AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Senior volunteers serve with organizations dedicated to the improvement of communities. AmeriCorps helps make services a cornerstone of our national culture. AmeriCorps grants are awarded to eligible organizations proposing to engage AmeriCorps members in evidence-based or evidence-informed interventions/practices to strengthen communities. An AmeriCorps member is an individual who engages in community services through an approved national service position. Members may receive a living allowance and other benefits while serving.

Upon successful completion of their service, members earn a Segal Education Award that they can use to pay for higher education expenses or apply to qualified student loans. AmeriCorps State programs in the Commonwealth are managed by Serve Virginia, within the Virginia Department of Social Services. For more information on Serve Virginia and the activities promoting volunteerism, national service, and community support programs in the Commonwealth, including AmeriCorps, please visit here.  

Planning Grant

AmeriCorps planning grants provide resources, technical assistance, and support to develop the framework for an AmeriCorps program to propose for a subsequent operational grant. Awards range from $75,000 to $240,000 to cover the costs and staff time needed to design an AmeriCorps program. Planning grants do not support costs associated with AmeriCorps members in service.

AmeriCorps Focus Areas & Funding Priorities

Over the next two years, AmeriCorps will invest in existing and new partnerships with nonprofit, faith-based, and Tribal organizations, and state service commissions. To carry out Congress’ intent and to maximize the impact of investment in national service, and to achieve the goals laid out in its Strategic Plan, AmeriCorps has the following Focus Areas: 

• Disaster Services: Helping individuals and communities prepare for, respond to, recover from, and mitigate the effects of disasters and increase community resiliency.
• Education: Improving educational outcomes for underserved people, especially children. AmeriCorps is particularly interested in program designs that support youth engagement and service learning as strategies to achieve high educational outcomes.
• Economic Opportunity: Improving the economic well-being and security of underserved individuals.
• Healthy Futures: Supporting for health needs within communities, including mitigating the impacts of COVID-19 and other public health crises, access to care, aging in place, and addressing childhood obesity, especially in underserved communities.
• Environmental Stewardship: Supporting communities to become more resilient through measures that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, conserve land and water, increase renewable energy use and improve at-risk ecosystems, especially in underserved households and communities.
• Veterans and Military Families: Improving the quality of life of veterans, military families, caregivers, and survivors

RFP- Northeastern Region Programmatic Field Liaisons and Community Liaisons Grant

Overview

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) seeks several qualified contractors to provide technical assistance under two distinct roles: 

• Programmatic “field liaisons” to broadly support applicants and grantees for the Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund (CBSF) and Central Appalachia Habitat Stewardship Program (CAHSP), within NFWF’s Northeastern region. This support will help to advance CBSF and CAHSP goals to improve grantee and applicant experience and increase the quality and scale of qualified proposals to the program. The contractor will provide support for one year (with the option to renew for up to one additional year) and report to the Program Director for Chesapeake Bay and Central Appalachia, or to one of their direct reports. 
• For CBSF, “community liaisons” embedded within specific geographic areas of interest to provide education, coordination, and networking among a variety of community-based organizations and other community stakeholders, NFWF, and its existing grantee and partner networks. This support will help ensure community-level interests and priorities are integrated into NFWF grant programs and portfolios, inform and advance capacity building models in support of locally led environmental and conservation programming, and improve the quality and impact of associated proposals and projects through NFWF’s CBSF programs and portfolios. Specific geographic areas of interest include, but are not limited to, communities within greater metropolitan areas of Baltimore, Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Richmond, Virginia.

Scope of Work

The purpose of the contemplated contract is to:

• Assist prospective applicants and current NFWF grantees and community partners in establishing, strengthening, and sustaining regional-scale partnerships and collaborative efforts to advance NFWF’s Chesapeake Bay Business Plan.
• Conduct outreach and offer assistance to potential grantees and community partners in targeted geographies to understand NFWF funding priorities, develop restoration project concepts, identify potential partnerships, and identify funding opportunities.
• Support successful project implementation through regular coordination and field-based site visits to troubleshoot potential challenges with project implementation; conduct pre-project monitoring assessments; obtain lessons learned or NFWF program feedback; collect photo documentation; provide guidance regarding projects’ long-term maintenance and stewardship plans; and to scope potential next phases of projects with grantees.
• Support NFWF staff in implementing grantee oversight activities to assist grantees who need additional guidance with reporting requirements or potential compliance issues and developing proposals to public and private funding partners for new projects and initiatives, consistent with NFWF’s Chesapeake Bay and Central Appalachia program goals.
• Ongoing engagement and participation in meetings and dialogues with EPA, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the federal-state Chesapeake Bay Program partnership, the Chesapeake Conservation Partnership, and other coordinating bodies advancing Bay restoration and conservation.
• Participate in team meetings with NFWF team and other field and community liaisons, generally on a bi-weekly schedule.
• Provide accurate and detailed information about site visits, grantee contacts, outreach, etc. for NFWF funder reports.
• Facilitate peer-to-peer learning among grantees and community partners through field tours, site visits, workshops, and other venues.
• Facilitate collaborative initiatives around NFWF priorities in the designated regions. 

About the Foundation

Jesse W. Couch lived a life of zeal, honor, and dedication to the betterment of his community. The Couch family now humbly stewards the foundation he created to carry on his legacy of service for future generations. We believe that impact is best accomplished through partnerships with local organizations that know the people and communities they serve. We invest in and support efforts to protect the environment, further conservation and preservation initiatives, and save historical architecture that preserves community heritage. We also support initiatives that promote wellness and mental health and organizations seeking to provide and further education for all communities.

Annual Grant Focus

Each year, we seek to partner with and support non-profit organizations making an impact in the focus areas listed here.  The focus areas for 2025 are:

• Animal Wellbeing: We are dedicated to helping nonprofit organizations that nurture compassion and respect for all living animals. We must have animal-focused organizations that advocate for animal rights and provide humane treatment across all spectrums.
• Early Childhood Education: We are looking for schools that are providing young children with a creative and balanced approach to education. Things we love in early childhood curriculums:
  • Life Skills
  • Collaboration With Their Peers and Teachers   
  • Having Fun   
  • Montessori Teachings   
  • Project Based Teachings   
  • Diversity   
  • More Time Outside   
  • Less Screen Time
• Teachers: Teachers are essential to providing children with the best possible education. We must invest in their future and are always looking for teams that help them succeed in educating future generations.
• Get Outside: Being outside can improve memory, fight depression, lower blood pressure, and more! We support organizations that facilitate and encourage more outdoor activities that help create healthier communities. 

Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation Grant

The Foundation will consider requests to support museums, cultural and performing arts programs; schools and hospitals; educational, skills-training and other programs for youth, seniors, and persons with disabilities; environmental and wildlife protection activities; and other community-based organizations and programs.

Mission and Focus

The mission of the Virginia Environmental Endowment is to improve the quality of the environment by using its capital, expertise and resources to encourage all sectors to work together to prevent pollution, conserve natural resources, and promote environmental literacy.

James River Water Quality Improvement Program (JRWQIP)

VEE continues to seek substantial proposals that produce significant water quality benefits through on-the-ground investments and initiatives. The JRWQIP Strategic Investment Plan will continue to help guide VEE’s funding decisions.

The JRWQIP funding priorities, as noted in the Strategic Investment Plan, are:

• Riparian buffer installation: The implementation of riparian forested or vegetative buffers, with a focus on agricultural and rural lands containing restoration area opportunities which will generate significant pollution reductions. Permanent protection and long term maintenance of the riparian buffers are critical elements of this investment priority.
• Accelerating implementation of agricultural pollution reduction practices: Programs that enhance and accelerate the delivery and implementation of cost-effective farming best management practices along with other agricultural initiatives that reduce agricultural pollution and improve water quality.
• Construction of living shorelines: Living shoreline construction, particularly in the Lower James River region. The provisions of the “Virginia Shoreline and Tidal Marsh Inventory,” consistency with regional and county-level conservation and shoreline management plans, the incorporation of riparian buffers, and permanent protection are important relevant elements.
• Stream restoration: Stream restoration can be expensive, so proposed location, inclusion of riparian buffers, and co-location with other water quality improvement efforts are important factors.
• Investments in the Jamestown region (“Area of Potential Effects”) and surrounding jurisdictions: The “Area of Potential Effects,” or APE, is a region upstream and downstream of Jamestown on both sides of the James River. (See Map of Area of Potential Effects.) Remediation of illicit sewage discharges and failing septic systems as well as cost-effective stormwater management initiatives are potential investments.

Applicants that submit proposals which differ from VEE’s identified funding priorities will be expected to demonstrate the significance and cost effectiveness of the proposal to improving the water quality of the James River.

The Albemarle-Pamlico National Estuary Partnership (APNEP) is accepting project proposals for environmental projects that increase citizen stewardship, volunteerism, and environmental literacy within the Albemarle-Pamlico region. Up to a total of $40,000 in funds may be awarded to two or more projects, not to exceed $20,000 each. Projects will be funded for one year and may be funded for up to three years, contingent on availability of APNEP funds and current program priorities.

Goal:

Through targeted education, engagement, and communications efforts, APNEP and its partners will encourage citizens to reduce their environmental impacts and provide meaningful opportunities to protect and restore the ecosystem. APNEP is committed to educating both children and adults about the rich resources found throughout the Albemarle-Pamlico region, with the purpose of increasing knowledge about the ecosystem and equipping the region’s citizens with the skills to effectively approach environmental issues. The Partnership is committed to addressing environmental inequities by viewing our funding processes through the lens of increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the region.

Community Partnership Award

The Mutual of America Foundation Community Partnership Award recognizes outstanding nonprofit organizations in the United States that have shown exemplary leadership by facilitating partnerships with public, private or social sector leaders who are working together as equal partners, not as donors and recipients, to build a cohesive community that serves as a model for collaborating with others for the greater good.

Each year, the Mutual of America Foundation sponsors a national competition in which hundreds of organizations demonstrate the value of their partnership to the communities they serve, their ability to be replicated by others and their capacity to stimulate new approaches to addressing significant social issues.

Six organizations are selected by an independent committee to receive the Community Partnership Award.

• The Thomas J. Moran Award is given to the national award-winning program and includes $100,000 and a documentary video about the program.
• The Frances R. Hesselbein Award is given to a partnership that is addressing social challenges in more than one community, or which demonstrates the potential to be replicated in other communities. This recipient receives $75,000.
• Four other organizations are named Honorable Mention recipients for their programs, and each receives $50,000.

Since its inception in 1996, the Community Partnership Award has recognized 262 partnerships from cities and towns across America. Like so many of our clients working in the nonprofit community, Mutual of America is dedicated to having a direct, positive impact on society.

The Community Foundation of the Rappahannock River Region

The Community Foundation of the Rappahannock River Region works with individuals and families to create permanent gifts for our community. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that manages and distributes charitable giving in the counties of Stafford, Spotsylvania, King George, and Caroline, and the City of Fredericksburg.

For more than 25 years, The Community Foundation has been a devoted advocate for the vitality and well-being of the Rappahannock River region. Our vision is to be a trusted leader in engaged charitable giving and provide accessible, inclusive and sustainable philanthropy. 

The Amazon Rappahannock Region Community Fund

The program will award grants totaling $300,000 to nonprofit organizations serving Stafford, Spotsylvania, Caroline, and Louisa Counties in Virginia.

Funding Focus Areas

Proposals should address one or more of the following general focus areas.

• STEM Education: STEM education grants support hands-on learning, teacher training, and access to technology. We fund programs that enhance STEM opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Eligible projects include classroom activities, after-school programs, and career exploration initiatives.
• Sustainability & Environment: Sustainability and environment grants support projects focused on conservation, renewable energy, and environmental education. We fund initiatives that promote sustainable practices and protect natural resources. Eligible projects include conservation efforts, eco-friendly innovations, and community-based environmental education.
• Community Development: Community development grants support projects that enhance local infrastructure, economic growth, and quality of life. We fund initiatives that strengthen communities through engagement, education, and sustainable development. Eligible projects include affordable housing, workforce development, and community improvement efforts.
• Digital Skills: Digital skills grants support programs that teach technology, coding, and digital literacy. We fund initiatives that equip individuals with skills for the modern workforce and digital economy. Eligible projects include coding workshops, tech education programs, and online learning platforms.
• Cultural Heritage Preservation: Cultural heritage preservation grants, support efforts to protect and promote historical sites, traditions, and artifacts. We fund projects that conserve cultural landmarks and foster community connections through history. Eligible projects include restoration of landmarks, archival preservation, and cultural education programs.
• Health & Wellbeing: Health and wellbeing grants support programs that improve physical and mental health outcomes. We fund initiatives focused on disease prevention, access to care, and community wellness. Eligible projects include health education, mental health services, and wellness programs.

ABOUT ROOTED IN JUSTICE

“Rooted in Justice” is a funding program designed to help amplify youth voices and actions in the environmental and food justice movements.  Rooted in Justice supports community-based organizations and groups that manage established, youth-led, urban greening programs within a justice framework as a core part of their work, with two-year grants of $25,000/year.  

Rooted in Justice recognizes the importance and undeniable right of every young person to have the ability to develop their own relationship with the environment, be it through growing food, spending time with nature, creating community green spaces, or becoming environmental stewards. Rooted in Justice also honors the power and possibilities that arise when young people collectively work to be change-makers in their communities.

Rooted in Justice supports organizations, groups, collectives, and programs that work with young people between the ages of 12 to 20 in youth-led programming for communities or cultures which have historically or currently experience:

• A lack of access to land or nature;
• Agricultural oppression and/or neglect;
• Food apartheid; and/or
• Other forms of injustice based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics and disability.

Rooted in Justice awards a small number of grants each year with applications due in the fall and decisions made the following spring. Final grant decisions are recommended to the Cedar Tree board via a participatory grantmaking process with outside reviewers who have experience in youth-led urban greening, as well as food or climate justice programming. So far the program has awarded multi-year grants to 21 organizations and one-time grants to 10 additional organizations since 2021. 

Definitions

Rooted in Justice grants support organizations or programs that include all four of the elements described below: social justice, youth-led, urban greening, and cohort-based youth work. We articulate our understanding of those terms below in an effort to provide a guide for prospective organizations to use in determining whether their program is a good fit. However as we continue our work towards questioning and dismantling some of our preconceived notions, we recognize that these are not finite definitions and encourage prospective applicants who still feel their work may be a good fit to describe in their proposals why this is the case.  

Social Justice-Based Programs

Programs dedicated to creating equitable outcomes for communities directly affected by different aspects of injustice by:

• Sharing and redistributing power and resources;
• Amplifying voices and leadership;
• Tackling root problems through ongoing engagement and collaboration to find solutions, organize against oppression of all kinds and create mechanisms for change; and
• Developing a critical analysis with youth and community members.

Youth-Led

The development of youth leadership skills is a core part of programs funded by Rooted in Justice. Young people have the opportunity to play a role in the planning and decision-making for their program and may help shape the internal workings of the organization. Examples of youth-led programs include programs where participants: 

• Managing a portion of their programming budget;
• Co-facilitating program activities, meetings and gatherings;
• Shape their own programming and/or organizational strategic planning;
• Have regular and end-of-program opportunities to provide program feedback and evaluation; and
• Have opportunities for personal and/or professional growth within the program and organization.

Urban Greening

For the purpose of this grant we define “urban greening” as any activity that creates a mutually beneficial relationship between city dwellers and their environments. Programs that are a strong fit for Rooted in Justice will have many opportunities for youth to be outdoors.  Project settings can include, but are not limited to: 

• Urban and aquaponic farms
• Greenhouses and rooftop gardens
• Community gardens, green spaces, and rain gardens
• Composting sites
• Land conservation efforts
• Urban forests
• River or other water restoration  

Cohort-Based Youth Works

Rooted in Justice looks to fund organizations that build community with cohorts of youth through intentional, recurring programming. This grant is intended to support programs that offer youth significant learning and leadership opportunities as a group and as individuals. Priority will be given to organizations that have program infrastructure that supports a cohort of youth over time.  Drop-in programming, one-time conferences, or individual internships are not a good fit for Rooted in Justice.  

Youth Budgeting

As part of grant proposal, all Rooted in Justice grantees must share a plan to allocate a portion of the grant funds for youth participants to manage. What do we mean by this? We ask applicants to specifically set aside some amount of grant funds for youth to allocate to priorities of their choosing.  For example, youth participants can use their allocated funding to:

• Fund an entrepreneurial endeavor;
• Design the brand or swag for their group;
• Hire a speaker or outside expert to teach a new skill;
• Purchase supplies for a community-based art project;
• Host a celebration for their families, friends and neighbors;
• Pay for transportation to programming, special events, or conferences; and/or
• Any other youth-led activity the group may find beneficial.

Use of Funds

Rooted in Justice funding must be used for project support of existing youth led, urban greening, social justice work and associated general operating expenses. Operating expenses can include anything from program costs like staff salaries and youth stipends to organizational sustainability needs like major equipment purchases and leadership/staff training. If your organization’s entire mission is youth led, urban greening, social justice work, the Rooted in Justice grant can be general support. 

Funding

Two Year Grant

• Rooted in Justice Grant awards are two-year grants of $25,000 per year.
• After the initial two year grant, grantees may be eligible for a third year of funding at the same or lower level through a simple renewal process.
• In the 2025-2026 grant cycle, the Cedar Tree Foundation expects to support 4 organizations with multi-year grant awards.

Funding for Professional Development

• Each Rooted in Justice grantee organization also has access to an additional $6,000 to support professional development opportunities identified by each organization.  Half of these funds must be used to directly support the professional development of youth. 
• Rooted in Justice grantees can request reimbursement from this professional development fund to attend conferences, hire consultants, purchase equipment or software that increases organizational capacity, or participate in any activities that strengthen youth programming or justice practice of program providers in support of their youth development programming. The funds set aside for youth professional development can be used for youth exchanges or youth participation in conferences and other professional development opportunities directly for youth.  

Community Professional Development Calls

• Cedar Tree works with grantee partners to assess their professional development interests and facilitates on-line gatherings of staff or youth for skill shares, trainings, and networking opportunities.
• These network calls will likely happen 2-3 times per year. 

Conservation Stewardship Program

The Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) helps you build on your existing conservation efforts while strengthening your operation.

Whether you are looking to improve grazing conditions, increase crop resiliency, or develop wildlife habitat, we can custom design a CSP plan to help you meet those goals. We can help you identify natural resource problems in your operation and provide technical and financial assistance to solve those problems or attain higher stewardship levels in an environmentally beneficial and cost-effective manner.

How It Works

If you are already taking steps to improve the condition of the land, chances are, CSP can help you find new ways to meet your goals.

NRCS works one-on-one with producers to develop a conservation plan that outlines and enhances existing efforts, using new conservation practices or activities, based on management objectives for your operation. Producers implement practices and activities in their conservation plan that expands on the benefits of cleaner water and air, healthier soil and better wildlife habitat, all while improving their agricultural operations.

For example, if you have been planting a cover crop, you may decide to try an enhancement for a multi species cover crop or implement a deep-rooted cover crop to break up soil compaction and further improve the health of your soil.

CSP offers annual payments for implementing these practices on your land and operating and maintaining existing conservation efforts. Want to take it a step further? CSP also offers bundles where you can select a suite of enhancements and receive a higher payment rate.

Benefits

CSP is for working lands and is the largest conservation program in the United States. Thousands of people voluntarily enroll in the program because it helps them enhance natural resources and improve their business operation.

CSP participants are seeing real results.  Some of these benefits include:

• Enhanced resiliency to weather and market volatility
• Decreased need for agricultural inputs
• Improved wildlife habitat conditions

CSP Contracts

The program represents a genuine commitment to conservation – CSP contracts are for five years, with the opportunity to compete for a contract renewal if you successfully fulfill the initial contract and agree to achieve additional conservation objectives. An NRCS conservation planner will work closely with you, throughout the entire contract process.

Contract payments are based on two components:

• Payments to maintain the existing level of conservation, based on the land uses included in the contract and an NRCS assessment of existing stewardship at the time of enrollment, and

Payments to implement additional conservation activities.NRCS may provide a minimum annual payment of $1,500 in any year the Chief determines the total contract payment amount is below a base level.

Virginia Priority Resource Concern Categories

• Agricultural Land
  • Crop
    • Concentrated erosion
    • Degraded plant condition
    • Field sediment, nutrient and pathogen loss
    • Soil quality limitations
    • Terrestrial habitat
    • Wind and water erosion
  • Pasture
    • Concentrated erosion
    • Degraded plant condition
    • Field sediment, nutrient and pathogen loss
    • Livestock production limitation
    • Soil quality limitations
    • Terrestrial habitat
    • Wind and water erosion
  • Farmstead
    • Concentrated erosion
    • Storage and handling of pollutants
    • Terrestrial habitat
  • Associated Ag Land
    • Concentrated erosion
    • Terrestrial habitat
    • Wind and water erosion
• Forestry Land
  • Forest
    • Aquatic habitat
    • Concentrated erosion
    • Degraded plant condition
    • Fire management
    • Pest pressure
    • Soil quality limitations
    • Terrestrial habitat
    • Wind and water erosion
  • Farmstead
    • Aquatic habitat
    • Concentrated erosion
    • Terrestrial habitat
  • Associated Ag Land
    • Aquatic habitat
    • Concentrated erosion
    • Pest pressure
    • Terrestrial habitat
    • Wind and water erosion

EQIP

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is NRCS’ flagship conservation program that helps farmers, ranchers and forest landowners integrate conservation into working lands.

EQIP provides technical and financial assistance to agricultural producers and forest landowners to address natural resource concerns, such as:

• Improved water and air quality;
• Conserved ground and surface water;
• Increased soil health;
• Reduced soil erosion and sedimentation;
• Improved or created wildlife habitat; and
• Mitigation against drought and increasing weather volatility.

How It Works

NRCS works one-on-one with producers to develop a conservation plan that outlines conservation practices and activities to help solve on-farm resource issues. Producers implement practices and activities in their conservation plan that can lead to cleaner water and air, healthier soil and better wildlife habitat, all while improving their agricultural operations. EQIP helps producers make conservation work for them. Financial assistance for practices may be available through EQIP.  Some producers may also qualify for advance payment.

State Priorities

• Conservation Planning Activities (CPAs), Design and Implementation Activities (DIAs) and Conservation Evaluation and Monitoring Activities (CEMAs)
  • Planning, design, implementation and monitoring tasks for NRCS conservation program purposes (previously known as Conservation Activity Plans or CAPs)
• Cropland
  • Practices to enhance water and soil quality while improving plant health and productivity
• Forestry
  • Practices that will lead to the conversion of marginal land (active cropland, pasture or abandoned open land) to hardwood, longleaf or shortleaf pine
• Livestock
  • Practices to improve and protect water and soil quality while benefiting plant and animal health.
• Longleaf Pine
  • Stand establishment and management within the historical range in Southeastern Virginia.
• National Water Quality Initiative (NWQI)
  • Targeted practices to clean up impaired streams and improve aquatic habitats.
  • The following watersheds are eligible for this fund pool: War Branch and Mountain Run in Rockingham County and Gap Creek in Rockingham and Shenandoah counties.
• On-Farm Energy
  • Agricultural Energy Management Plans (AgEMP) or farm energy audits to assess energy use and recommend ways to reduce it.
• Organic
  • Practices to help certified organic growers, those working to achieve organic certification, and specialty crop producers address resource concerns on their operations.
• StrikeForce
  • Priority ranking for cropland, high tunnel and livestock practices to support program participation among underserved producers in rural communities.
• Wildlife
  • Practice to create, improve and manage habitat for wildlife. (See also Working Lands for Wildlife initiative)
    • American Black Duck Initiative
      • Focused conservation practices to restore wintering habitat in the Delaware Bay and Chesapeake Bay watersheds
    • Eastern Hellbender
      • Targeted conservation practices to reduce sediment and nutrient inputs for improved habitat and water quality
    • Golden-winged Warbler
      • Young forest habitat restoration in Appalachian breeding territory
    • Northern Bobwhite in Pine Savannas
      • Management strategies to convert commercial loblolly and shortleaf pine plantings to highly valuable pine savannah habitats
    • Northern Bobwhite in Working Grasslands
      • Native grass restoration to address habitat loss while maintaining or improving cattle production on the land.

National Program Initiatives

• Conservation Planning Activities (CPAs), Design and Implementation Activities (DIAs), and Conservation Evaluation and Monitoring Activities (CEMAs)
  • Non-Tribal
  • Tribal
• EQIP - Conservation Incentive Contracts: statewide competition for grazing lands to promote implementation of 528 Prescribed Grazing
• High Tunnel Systems (Socially Disadvantaged by NRCS Area)
  • Area High Tunnel System - competitive on an area basis
  • Beginning Farmer High Tunnel System – competitive statewide
  • Socially Disadvantaged High Tunnel System - competitive statewide
• Urban Agriculture - competitive statewide for land within an urban areas as defined by the latest U.S. Census or, or land within an Incorporated towns
• Organic Initiative (Certified and Transitional)
• On-Farm Energy (Conservation Activity Plans)
• StrikeForce Initiatives (eligible land must be within designated StrikeForce localities) Cropland and livestock ranking pools - StrikeForce Cropland
• Joint Chiefs' Landscape Restoration Partnership (Eastern Divide)

Landscape Conservation Initiatives

• Longleaf Pine Initiative
• National Water Quality Initiative (Smith Creek Watershed)
  • Dry Fork
  • Gap Creek
  • Mountain Run
  • War Branch
• Working Lands for Wildlife
  • American Black Duck
  • Golden-Winged Warbler
  • Northern Bobwhite in Working Grasslands

State Conservation Initiatives

• Cropland
• Forestry (competitive statewide)
  • Longleaf Pine/Shortleaf Pine and Hardwood Management
  • Tribal Longleaf Pine/Shortleaf Pine and Hardwood Management
• Livestock
• Wildlife
  • Aquatic
  • Hellbender
  • Northern Bobwhite in Pine Savannahs and
  • Terrestrial (competitive statewide)
  • Tribal Terrestrial Wildlife

About the Innovation Prize

The J.M.K. Innovation Prize seeks out innovators who are spearheading transformative early-stage projects in the fields of the environment, heritage conservation, and social justice.

The J.M.K. Innovation Prize is open to non-profit and mission-driven for-profit organizations that are tackling America’s most pressing challenges through social innovation. In 2019, we will award up to ten Prizes, each including a cash award of $150,000 over three years, plus $25,000 for project expenses, for a total award of $175,000. Awardees also receive guidance through the Fund and its resource network, providing tools and training for ascendant change agents.

For more than three generations, The J.M. Kaplan Fund has provided catalytic funding for projects in their early stages of development. Whether a pilot project, a new organization, or a nascent initiative, work supported by the Fund has involved a certain measured risk that ultimately led to large-scale, transformative results. We launched the J.M.K. Innovation Prize in 2015 to leverage this legacy of catalytic grant-making in the field of social innovation. Currently on a biennial schedule, the Prize has to date funded twenty wildly creative solutions to social and environmental challenges, ranging from high-tech efforts to restore imperiled coral reefs, to the nation’s first farm labor trust. Each awardee takes a visionary approach to a societal need, working within one or more of the Fund’s three program areas:

• The Environment: Protecting natural resources and reducing the impacts of climate change.
• Heritage Conservation: Conserving the places that communities care about most.
• Social Justice: Supporting just alternatives and reforms to the criminal justice and immigration systems.

Tailored for Early-Stage Social Entrepreneurs

We know there is a scarcity of funding for untested ideas being piloted in the social innovation field. The Prize is designed to fill this gap in innovation philanthropy, supporting ideas that other funders may deem too risky or too small. We also know that early-stage innovators need the freedom to seize opportunities when and where they arise. The Prize’s unrestricted funding offers this flexibility, letting awardees deploy resources where they are most needed, whether investing in core projects, hiring staff, or just keeping the lights on.

We know each organization must follow its own path to achieving a change-making vision. With its three-year period, the Prize gives awardees room to evolve at their own pace, with an infrastructure of support tailored to their specific needs as early-stage innovators.

An Innovation Community

Beyond the cash award, the Innovation Prize provides tools to help turn ideas into action. Over the three-year Prize term, we bring awardees together for two convenings each year. Each of these meetings, spotlighting a different awardee’s organization, offers opportunities for peer learning and mentoring from experts in organizational development, board cultivation, media coaching, leadership training, and more. From West Virginia coal country to Monterey, California, our awardees have shared powerful learning moments, embedded in one another’s work and reflecting on their role as change agents.