Best Grants for Environmental Conservation

About Us

The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources is charged with oversight and management of Vermont's natural environment on behalf of the people of Vermont. We endeavor to draw from and build upon Vermonters' shared ethic of responsibility for our natural environment, an ethic that encompasses a sense of place, community and quality of life, and an understanding that we are an integral part of the environment and that we must all be responsible stewards for this and future generations.

Combined Sewer Overflow Program

The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation will issue grants from our ARPA allocations to municipalities to accelerate CSO elimination projects, allowing these projects to progress on a faster schedule and with more affordability to the ratepayers. The allocations have been outlined in the State Fiscal Year 2023 Intended Use Plan and will be able to be used towards CSO abatement projects submitted for the project priority list.

Equity Considerations

ARPA funds will help disadvantaged communities address the public health and economic crises caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and help protect them from future crises. ARPA funding will be prioritized to help CSO communities. CSO communities carry higher debt burdens than communities that have separate stormwater systems and this creates a hardship for ratepayers and the development of other necessary infrastructure projects.

Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research

The Asia-Pacific region, home to over half the world's population, faces challenges due to its development goals, which strain natural resources, communities, and cultural heritage. These issues are exacerbated by adverse environmental changes. While research has shed light on these problems, it's clear that more challenges lie ahead. The Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN) is well-positioned to generate new knowledge and solutions for these evolving global change and sustainability issues by supporting collaborative research and scientific capacity development activities, particularly those aimed at training the next generation of early career professionals.

APN 2025 Call for Proposals: CAPaBLE Programmes

CAPaBLE, our scientific capacity development programme, aims to enhance the capacity of scientists, policymakers and practitioners to assess global change issues, and explore options to resolve issues towards achieving sustainability. Through CAPaBLE, we support activities that enhance capacity at individual, organizational and systemic levels.

Activities of interest under the CAPaBLE Programme

APN supports CAPaBLE activities that enhance existing capacities of developing countries at three levels of individual-based capacity development; group, organisation, network-based capacity development; and societies, governance, and system level capacity development. APN accepts CAPaBLE proposals that engage 1 or more member/approved countries. Proposals must address one or more of the following activities:

SCIENTIFIC CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES that promote the following approaches related to one or more of the six thematic areas of APN:

• Utilising and strengthening existing capacity, 
• Creating opportunities to use/instil capacity, 
• Developing new capacity through innovative approaches.

AWARENESS-RAISING AND DISSEMINATION activities through policy- and decision-making communities, civil society, and/or the general public.

SCIENCE-POLICY interfacing in the context of the priority topics.

CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP ACTIVITIES that contribute to the capacity development components of the evolving global change arena, including the UNFCCC Paris Agreement, IPCC, IPBES, post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals, Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, and the UN Decade of Ocean Science, and ongoing and new global change and sustainability research programmes.

Activities geared towards using SCIENCE COMMUNICATION to disseminate knowledge generated from projects, particularly to non-science audiences.

Sangre de Cristo Electric Association Community Grants

Focus areas:

Native Tree Nursery RFP

The Patrick Leahy Lake Champlain Basin Program (“LCBP”), in coordination with the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission (“NEIWPCC”), is pleased to announce a Request for Proposals (RFP) for projects that will directly support the Healthy Ecosystems goals of Opportunities for Action: An Evolving Plan for the Future of the Lake Champlain Basin by supporting organizations situated in the United States that have the ability to sell or grow native trees and shrubs for habitat conservation planting projects in the Lake Champlain Basin. The intent of this funding opportunity is to measurably enhance the native plant supply available to local organizations for habitat conservation projects that benefit Lake Champlain.

Awarded funding may be used for infrastructure investments and to support workforce development initiatives needed to build or grow tree nursery capacity and reduce the cost of stems for conservation planting projects located in the Lake Champlain basin.

Applicants must demonstrate or provide a viable business plan and describe how costs to local non-profits purchasing the native plants will remain stable or be reduced or eliminated through use of this funding. Approximately $1,000,000 in funding is available to support awarded projects. Grants of up to $500,000 will be awarded. One proposal may be submitted per eligible organization or entity. LCBP anticipates granting multiple awards from this RFP.

This grant opportunity is supported by funds awarded to NEIWPCC by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency via the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act on behalf of the Lake Champlain Basin Program. Proposals should offer a scope that supports work in the U.S. portion of the Lake Champlain Basin. Partial funding of total application requests may be awarded if agreeable to the applicant. All awards are subject to funding availability.

Native Forward awards are allocated based on the financial aid information provided by the institution’s Financial Aid Office. Awards can vary, ranging from $100 to $30,000 per academic year.

Native Forward Scholars Fund members of federally and state-recognized Tribes as well as first and second-generation descendants. However, Native Forward Scholars Fund scholarship opportunities have different Tribal eligibility requirements and can be determined by submitting a Tribal Eligibility Certificate.

Land Conservation and Indigenous Languages Scholarship

The purpose of the Land Conservation and Indigenous Languages Scholarship is to provide financial assistance to eligible American Indian and Alaska Native undergraduate and graduate students enrolled full-time at an accredited institution and pursuing degrees with a focus in Indigenous languages, natural resources, land management, and conservation or cultural preservation. 

This opportunity is a need-based award.

What We Do

Since our creation by Congress in 1984, NFWF has grown to become the nation’s largest private conservation foundation. We work with both the public and private sectors to protect and restore our nation’s fish, wildlife, plants and habitats for current and future generations.

NFWF supports conservation efforts across all 50 states and U.S. territories. Since our founding, we've funded over 23,300 rigorously evaluated projects, awarded to both large environmental organizations and small local initiatives. We do not fund advocacy or litigation, and do not conduct membership campaigns. Instead, we focus on achieving results and building a better future for our world.

Northern Great Plains Program

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is soliciting proposals to voluntarily conserve and restore grasslands and wildlife species in the Northern Great Plains. The goal of the Northern Great Plains program is to maintain and/or improve interconnected grasslands in focal areas to sustain healthy populations of grassland-obligate species while fostering sustainable livelihoods and preserving cultural identities including tribal cultures and food sovereignty. Major funding partners include the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Bureau of Land Management, Bezos Earth Fund, Marathon Oil, Altria Group, Occidental Petroleum Corporation, and Margret A. Cargill Philanthropies.

The Healthy American Forests Initiative, led by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), aims to enhance forest health and resilience through targeted funding. This initiative anticipates awarding 10-15 grants ranging from $250,000 to $2 million, supporting projects up to 2 years in duration. A 20% non-federal match is required, and interested applicants are encouraged to collaborate with NFWF and Native Americans in Philanthropy for potential match funding.

The Loess Hills Alliance Stewardship Grant aims to protect and enhance the fragile ecosystems of the Loess Hills. With a focus on projects that promote land preservation and educational initiatives, the committee will award up to $13,000, with a maximum of $5,000 per project. This funding opportunity is crucial for sustaining the area's natural and cultural resources, especially in light of potential economic uncertainties that may affect funding availability.

The Dealer.com Community Partnership Grant supports initiatives that create meaningful community impact, aligned with Cox's values. Focus areas include STEAM education, youth development, local sustainability, food security, and health and wellness. Grants are available for capital campaigns and special projects, with a priority on organizations with budgets under $3 million located in Vermont. Applications for 2026 sponsorships are now open, promoting a commitment to building stronger communities.

The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Program, established in 1964, aims to protect natural areas and provide recreational opportunities across the U.S. Funded by offshore oil and gas leasing revenues, the program supports state and local governments in acquisitions and developments for public outdoor recreation. Administered by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the program has funded over 44,000 projects, enhancing parks, trails, and recreational facilities while ensuring sustainable use of natural resources.

The Rieschel Foundation Annual Grant supports public charities in Gallatin and Park Counties, Montana, offering up to $20,000 for general operating expenses. The grant cycle opens in February, allowing eligible organizations to submit applications. The foundation prioritizes funding for mental health services, human services, environmental initiatives, and education. With an average of 15 awards each year, the foundation aims to align with impactful organizations to foster significant community contributions.

The Keep Maryland Beautiful Grant Program, in partnership with the Chesapeake Bay Trust and other local agencies, offers funding for tree planting projects on agricultural lands in Maryland. With approximately $230,000 available, applicants can request up to $10,000 for small-scale projects or $50,000 for larger initiatives. This program aims to enhance environmental stewardship, improve water quality, and increase native tree populations, contributing to Maryland's goal of planting 5 million sustainable trees by 2031.

The Ted Smith Conservation Internship Program, established by the Alaska Conservation Foundation, aims to invest in young adults pursuing careers in conservation. This program offers undergraduates and recent graduates hands-on experience, practical job skills, and networking opportunities with conservation professionals in Alaska. Interns contribute to vital conservation efforts while gaining invaluable insights into the state's unique environment and cultures. Selected host organizations receive funding to support intern stipends for 12 weeks.

The California State Duck Stamp Funding for Fiscal Year 2026 aims to protect and enhance migratory waterfowl habitats. Established in 1971, this program uses funds from stamp sales for approved projects that restore and develop essential breeding and wintering habitats. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife administers these funds, ensuring effective resource assessments and supporting nonprofit organizations involved in habitat projects. This initiative plays a crucial role in conserving waterfowl populations and their ecosystems.

The Generation of Environmental Leaders Program (GELP) invites youth aged 18-35 from Canada, Mexico, and the United States to propose innovative solutions to environmental challenges. This initiative not only empowers young leaders through mentorship and networking but also provides seed funding to support impactful projects. By encouraging collaboration and sustainable practices, GELP aims to foster long-term benefits for communities and the environment, ultimately preserving shared natural resources.

The Steven C. Leuthold Family Foundation Grants support 501(c)(3) non-profits in areas such as land conservation, environmental protection, human services, and animal welfare. Founded in 1991 by philanthropist Steven C. Leuthold, the foundation prioritizes organizations that align with its giving preferences. Applications are due by June 30, 2025, with grants distributed by December 2025. Note that incomplete applications will not be accepted.

The River Oaks Garden Club, founded in 1927, is dedicated to enhancing the Houston community through conservation, horticulture, and civic beautification. The ROGC Civic Contribution Grant supports local projects, including the maintenance of public gardens and the establishment of the Bayou Bend Gardens Endowment. Educational initiatives like the annual environmental seminar and the publication of gardening resources further its mission. Priority is given to eligible requests from the Houston area, emphasizing a commitment to community engagement.

As a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, our main goals are:

• Bear conservation: Our goal is to conserve all 8 species through diminishing negative interactions via educating the public, providing co-existence strategies, volunteering, partnering with organizations for rehabilitation efforts and giving these animals a voice.
• Habitat preservation: As our organization grows, we will have dedicated spaces of land for these creatures to roam unharmed along with the other animals that live there. As the family grows, so do the Bear Grounds.
• Promoting “bear-awareness”: Bears may look cute – but it is important to practice protocols to ensure the safety of everyone.
• Education: From children to the elderly, we make it our goal to teach everyone about these animals, the roles they play and the importance of bears. We published a children’s book for the kids to learn about bears in a fun and interactive way.

Spectacled Bear Grant

Bear Grounds Coffee Co. is providing its first award toward bear conservation with the Spectacled Bear Grant in 2026. This funding is for research, rehabilitation, spectacled bear or territory conservation efforts only. One applicant will receive $200 to support their project.

Eligible projects include, but are not limited to:

• Scientific research and field studies.
• Wildlife rehabilitation and rescue programs.
• Habitat protection and restoration.
• Community-based conservation initiatives.
• Anti-poaching and human–bear conflict mitigation efforts.
• Sustainable coexistence programs.

Regional Conservation Partnership Program - Wisconsin

Benefits

RCPP encourages partners to join in efforts with producers to increase the restoration and sustainable use of soil, water, wildlife and related natural resources on regional or watershed scales. Through RCPP, NRCS and its partners help producers install and maintain conservation activities in selected project areas. Partners leverage RCPP funding in project areas and report on the benefits achieved. The Secretary of Agriculture may also designate up to eight critical conservation areas to focus RCPP assistance.

Funding

Funding for RCPP is allocated evenly to projects in two different categories, state/multi-state and critical conservation areas. Conservation program contracts and easement agreements are implemented through the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP), Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) or the Healthy Forests Reserve Program (HFRP). NRCS may also utilize the authorities under the Watershed and Flood Prevention Program, other than the Watershed Rehabilitation Program, in the designated critical conservation areas.

The Regional Conservation Partnership Program brings together a wide array of local and national partners, including Indian tribes, nonprofit organizations, state and local governments, private industry, conservation districts, water districts, universities and many others. So far, more than 2,000 partners are engaged in locally-led conservation efforts through RCPP.

The most successful RCPP projects share four common characteristics: they innovate, leverage additional contributions, offer impactful solutions and engage more participants.

Allegan County Community Foundation: Community Grant

All requests (excluding food-related, youth related, and event sponsorships) should be addressed through the Community Grant application. You may only receive a TAG Youth or Community award during the same grant year. Community Grants support programs that improve quality of life in Allegan County through investments in basic needs, arts, environment, economic development, animal welfare, and nonprofit capacity. Funding prioritizes impactful, sustainable solutions that strengthen communities and enhance well-being.

Please note that requests for event funding must be submitted through the Community Event Support/Sponsorship Request. Event-related funding will no longer be considered through the Community Grant process. 

Basic Needs and Rights – We strive to ensure that the county’s residents have access to social and health services, stable housing, job training and education. Priority is given to programs that: 

• Promote individual and family economic security 
• Increase housing stock 
• Decrease homelessness through programs that promote diversion and intervention 
• Improve access to healthcare and human services 
• Promote healthy relationships and address domestic violence 
• Support education with access to training, employability skills, and self-care. 

Arts and Culture (performing art, historical organizations, etc.) – We strive to ensure that the county’s residents can access arts and culture experiences to educate and improve overall quality of life. Priority is given to programs that: 

• support and encourage the community to take advantage of the vast variety of arts and cultural programming  
• public art projects, performing arts, visual arts, and dance 

Environment and Conservation (outdoors/nature) – We strive to foster understanding of and promote action on the relationship between the health of the natural world and the health and well-being of our residents. Priority is given to programs that: 

• Preserve and protect environmentally significant lands, waterways, and wildlife habitats – for the benefit not only of the ecosystem, but for the health, livelihood, and enjoyment of residents; 

Economic Development and Placemaking (community enhancements) – We strive to ensure that Allegan County is a place that people want to live, that families can thrive, and that grown children want to return to raise their families. Priority is given to programs that: 

• Create new, outdoor public spaces and destinations in a community on unused or underused sites.  
• Support economic development. 

Animal Welfare (care and protection) – We strive to ensure adequate protection, care and humane treatment of animals and wildlife. Priority is given to programs that: 

• Provide support of veterinary care for domestic animals, including spay and neuter services, for low-income families and abandoned pets 
• Encourage responsible pet ownership and the adoption of abandoned animals 
• Support of healthy wildlife as well as their natural habitats 
• Make positive, therapeutic connections between people and animals 

Capacity and Sustainability (developing and strengthening skills for growth and adaptability) – We strive to support local nonprofits to reach their goals and maintain long-term sustainability. Priority is given to programs that:  

• Improve efficiency through the implementation of technology (hardware, software, cloud-based and implementation costs) 
• Enhance staff development 

The Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy Proposition 4 Grant Program aims to enhance climate resilience through nature-based solutions in conservation lands. It supports projects focused on habitat restoration, wildfire risk reduction, and improving public access to outdoor recreation. Priority is given to initiatives benefiting disadvantaged communities and those that align with California's 30x30 conservation goals. Funding is provided through the Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024.

Yawkey Foundation

The story of Tom and Jean Yawkey and their impact on the lives of children and families goes back over eight decades to the commitments they made to the people of Massachusetts, New England, and Georgetown County, South Carolina. The Yawkeys’ love for these communities, and their quiet sense of responsibility for those in need, is captured in the careful steps they took to ensure that their legacy would live on through the work of the Yawkey Foundation. The Yawkeys were perhaps best known for their longtime ownership of the Boston Red Sox. More quietly, but with just as much passion and commitment, Tom and Jean Yawkey were also engaged in an unwavering dedication to those most in need.

Today, the Yawkey Foundation remains as committed as ever to continuing to honor Tom and Jean Yawkey and their commitment to those in need. Having awarded more than $620 million to-date in charitable grants to organizations focused on Health Care, Education, Human Services, Youth and Amateur Athletics, Arts and Culture, and Conservation and Wildlife, the Yawkey Foundation is committed to preserving and sustaining the charitable values of the Yawkeys by investing in impactful nonprofits providing resources, opportunity, and dignity to the vulnerable and underserved.

Program and Small Capital Grants

Program and Small Capital Grants support high-impact, strategic, and responsive nonprofit organizations in delivering their core missions through discrete and timebound projects. Program & Small Capital Grants help address an immediate need that is critical to the organization’s work.

Program and Small Capital Grants may fund a discrete timebound program need, one small project, or a piece of equipment aligned with a nonprofit’s purpose. These grants are extremely competitive, and the Yawkey Foundation will receive many more compelling Initial Proposals than it will be able to fund. Initial Proposals should demonstrate an awareness of and alignment with the Yawkey Foundation’s mission and Areas of Giving. Additionally, the most competitive Initial Proposals will reflect a nonprofit’s strong leadership and proven impact in providing direct services and programs for unmet needs in underserved regions aligned with the Yawkey Foundation’s geographic priority areas, including Gateway Cities in Eastern Massachusetts.

Nonprofits may submit only one Initial Proposal to the Yawkey Foundation during a calendar year, irrespective of the Type of Grant. Organizations that have not been previously funded by the Foundation in recent years are encouraged to submit Initial Proposals for Program & Small Capital Grants to familiarize the Foundation with its work before submitting an Initial Proposal for Strategic Investment or Transformational Capital.

Areas of Giving: Human Services; Youth & Amateur Athletics; Education; Conservation & Wildlife; Arts & Culture; and Health Care.

Conservation & Wildlife

Tom and Jean Yawkey had a deep appreciation for nature and a passionate desire to protect our natural resources. The Yawkeys’ gift of more than 20,000 acres of shorefront land to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources is their most enduring legacy in conservation.

In 1914, Tom Yawkey’s uncle purchased a small amount of land along the shoreline in Georgetown County, South Carolina. Tom inherited the land from his uncle and went on to purchase additional parcels until the area totaled over 20,000 acres. Upon his death in 1977, Tom bequeathed the land to the State of South Carolina.

Today, the Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center is considered one of the most outstanding grants to wildlife conservation efforts in North America; the world’s longest alligator study started there over 40 years ago and the area remains one of the premier nesting locations for endangered Loggerhead Sea Turtles and is home to hundreds of species of migratory birds. Over the years, the Yawkey Foundation has developed collaborative research partnerships with institutions such as Clemson University, the University of South Carolina, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, Horry-Georgetown Technical College and many others using the Wildlife Center as a research laboratory for important wildlife conservation efforts. 

Reiter Family Foundation Grant

The Reiter Family Foundation seeks to support organizations that are doing meaningful work to shape and sustain Colorado communities. Our areas of focus are housing and food security, education and youth programming, and environment and conservation, but we do welcome inquiries from non-profits who do not necessarily fit neatly into our focus areas. In terms of geographic location, we tend to focus our giving in the Denver Metro and Grand County areas of Colorado.

Environment and Conservation

Environment/Conservation: With our family roots in this beautiful state, we want to support the protection and conservation of our Colorado’s lands and waterways as well as help to cut down on the pollution that threatens the health and longevity of our planet as a whole. 

Grants typically range from $2,000 - $15,000, but additional funding may be available.

Applicants can only submit one grant proposal each calendar year (January - December), but may apply again the following year unless otherwise advised. 

The Endangered Species Conservation and Recovery Grant Program, administered by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, aims to support state initiatives for the conservation and recovery of federally threatened and endangered species. Funded through federal sources, this program encourages collaborative project development with CDFW staff and partner organizations. Eligible applicants must provide at least 25% in matching funds, ensuring a commitment to the protection of vulnerable inland and marine species under the Endangered Species Act.

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. 

Long Island Sound Community Impact Fund 2026 RFA

About the Long Island Sound Community Impact Fund (LISCIF)

The Long Island Sound Community Impact Fund (LISCIF) is a partnership among Restore America’s Estuaries, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the Long Island Sound Partnership. The purpose of LISCIF is to provide technical and financial assistance to communities for addressing environmental issues and to improve the quality and accessibility of the Long Island Sound. Technical assistance will be provided through LISCIF and is available to communities/organizations even if one does not submit a proposal for funding.  

This is the third round of LISCIF funding. Up to $1,200,000 in competitive funding will be awarded to support projects in New York and Connecticut. Project proposals must incorporate Actions of the Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP).  

For LISCIF, the geographic region refers to the Long Island Sound watershed area within New York and Connecticut.

Funding Priorities

LISCIF’s funding priorities are aligned with the CCMP themes and Actions. For 2026, LISCIF’s main funding themes are:

• Clean Waters and Healthy Watersheds  
• Thriving Habitats and Abundant Wildlife  
• Sustainable and Resilient Communities   
• Informed and Engaged Public  

The Long Island Sound Community Impact Fund aims to build capacity for organizations located in communities affected by environmental and human health risks. The Fund seeks to provide technical assistance for communities and support proposals which ultimately improve access to the Long Island Sound, while reducing overall environmental health risks. Eligible projects and activities will be community-driven and address one of the funding priorities below:   

Funding is available for:   

• Projects that result in quantifiable pollutant prevention or reduction.   
• Restoring habitat within the Important Coastal Habitat Types targeted by LIS Partnership.  
• Projects that foster a diverse balance and abundant populations of fish, birds, and wildlife.    
• Public engagement, knowledge, and stewardship.  
• Projects that enhance community resilience and sustainability.   
• Planning and design that set-the-stage for implementation of water quality projects, eligible habitat restoration projects and resilience projects.   
• Community-based science projects.  
• Data management and integration projects.   
• Other similar activities that the applicant proposes, and EPA approves, that are consistent with Section 119 of the Clean Water Act.

The Service Club Alliance Grant, facilitated by the Midland Area Community Foundation, supports local nonprofit organizations in Midland County. This collaborative initiative enables service clubs to streamline grant applications, ensuring resources are effectively allocated to impactful community projects. Eligible organizations must be tax-exempt and can submit multiple requests as needs arise. Funding focuses on environmental causes, early childhood education, and social services, with typical grants ranging from $500 to $1,000.