Best Grants for Preschools

The Ontario Wildlife Foundation Grant supports initiatives aimed at conserving and enhancing Ontario's natural resources. It focuses on projects that promote conservation education, outdoor recreation, and scientific research related to wildlife and their habitats. Eligible projects must benefit local communities, while ineligible projects include those that primarily benefit private properties or involve travel expenses for conferences. This grant encourages collaborative efforts to ensure sustainable environmental practices.

The Zukerman Family Foundation Grant honors the legacy of Barry Zukerman by supporting Canadian charitable organizations. Established after his passing, the foundation has funded diverse projects including the Barry Zukerman Amphitheatre and the Toronto Jewish Film Festival. Eligible applicants must be registered charities in Canada, while private individuals cannot receive funding. The foundation encourages streamlined applications without extensive documentation.

The Northwest Horticultural Society offers grants to support horticultural education in the Pacific Northwest. With a total budget of $15,000 for 2024, grants typically range from $1,000 to $6,000. Eligible projects must demonstrate clear outcomes within 12 months and benefit community engagement and environmental restoration. Priority is given to organizations west of the Cascades in Washington State. Applications are currently being accepted, encouraging local initiatives that promote horticultural beauty and biodiversity.

The CNPS Student Research Grants Program supports research on California's native flora, aiming to protect these vital plants and their habitats. Founded in 1983, it encourages diverse applicants, including underrepresented groups in science. Grants are awarded based on alignment with CNPS's mission and the significance of the research in areas like conservation and ecology. The program honors several awards, including the Doc Burr and Hardman Native Plant Research Awards, to promote innovative botanical studies.

The FSBI Research Grants support innovative research in fish biology and fisheries science, open to all Society members worldwide. Eligible applicants must be paid FSBI members at the time of application. This initiative encourages novel projects that align with the Society's objectives, fostering advancements in the field while providing a platform for researchers to contribute significantly to fish biology and fisheries science.

The Marine Technology Society (MTS) offers scholarships for students pursuing marine-related degrees, including marine technology, engineering, and science. Scholarships range from $1,000 to $5,000 and are available for high school seniors, undergraduates, and graduates. Applicants must be MTS members and enrolled full-time in a marine studies program. Notably, past recipients may not apply for the same scholarship in consecutive years, and funds must be allocated for tuition only.

The BES Outreach and Engagement Grants provide funding up to £2,000 for individuals and organizations to engage the public with ecological science. These grants aim to enhance public understanding and appreciation of ecology through innovative outreach activities. Projects should demonstrate direct interaction with non-academic audiences and may cover costs such as travel, marketing, and venue hire. The initiative encourages diverse formats that inspire impactful engagement and foster ecological solutions for global challenges.

The Gilchrist Educational Trust Grants support full-time British university students facing unexpected financial difficulties that threaten their ability to complete their degree. The grants also cater to students required to study abroad as part of their course, including fieldwork for theses or electives. Applicants must be in their final year, and the trust does not fund foundation degrees until they are converted to honors degrees. This initiative aids students in overcoming financial barriers to education.

The International Herpetological Symposium Grants provide financial support for herpetological research, conservation, and education. Established in 1976, the grants aim to foster innovative projects that enhance understanding of amphibians and reptiles. With annual awards up to $1000, the program invites applications from individuals in the herpetological community without nationality restrictions. Recipients must present findings at future symposiums and share their results publicly, adhering to local and federal research laws.

The Sarum St. Michael Educational Charity provides personal grants to support individuals pursuing careers in teaching Religious Education and Ministry. It focuses on those in the Salisbury Diocese and neighboring areas, aiding in educational advancement through financial assistance for higher education, vocational training, and professional development. Grants range from £50 to £2,500, with specific bursaries available for aspiring RE teachers. The charity aims to enhance the quality and quantity of qualified RE educators in the region.

The Emily M. Hewitt Memorial Scholarship, awarded by the Calaveras Big Trees Association, offers a $3,000 monetary award to a promising California upper division or graduate student committed to environmental studies. Created in honor of Emily M. Hewitt, a passionate advocate for nature, this scholarship seeks candidates who demonstrate a dedication to communicating the beauty of nature and understanding the importance of conservation. Eligible students must be enrolled full-time in an accredited California institution.

The Ernst Mayr Travel Grants at Harvard University's Museum of Comparative Zoology support research in animal systematics, focusing on neglected taxa with poorly described species. These grants aim to facilitate visits to museums for studying type specimens, essential for accurate identification. Open to all researchers, the funds cover travel, lodging, and research supplies. Preference is given to studies utilizing MCZ collections, particularly those examining specimens from their countries of origin.

The Systematics, Evolution, and Biodiversity (SysEB) Thomas Say Award, presented by the Entomological Society of America (ESA), recognizes exceptional contributions to insect systematics, morphology, and evolution. The award includes a plaque and cash prize derived from the Thomas Say Award endowment. Eligible nominations are based on significant published works, with criteria focusing on authors from North American institutions or research on Nearctic and Neotropical insects. Recipients are honored at the ESA Annual Meeting.

The Sophie Danforth Conservation Biology Fund, established by Roger Williams Park Zoo, supports global conservation efforts. It prioritizes funding for projects that demonstrate a multi-disciplinary approach to biodiversity and ecosystem conservation, including field studies, environmental education, and breeding programs. Eligible applicants must be associated with an organization capable of receiving funds, with no nationality restrictions. Projects already funded may apply for a second year with a progress report. In-country collaboration is preferred.

The Society of Systematic Biologists offers Graduate Student Research Awards to support graduate students in systematics research. These awards fund the collection of preliminary data and enhance dissertation work, allowing students to visit field sites or museums. Open to master's students in their first two years and PhD students in their first four years, applicants must be SSB members. Previous applicants not selected are encouraged to reapply, while prior awardees are ineligible.

The Western Section of The Wildlife Society offers grants up to $2,000 for projects that align with its mission to enhance wildlife stewardship through science and education. Eligible applicants must be members, demonstrate a clear need for funding, and provide a detailed budget. The grants support local, regional, or national initiatives, with no minimum award required. The program encourages collaboration and requires a letter of commitment from any partners involved.

The Annals of Botany Company offers grants to support botanical science activities. However, due to the current financial climate, securing funding is challenging. The company prefers to fund projects promoting their publications, such as BotanyOne and The Week in Botany, rather than individual grants. Applicants must be botanical scientists or organizations aiming to advance relevant research. A project conclusion must include an article for BotanyOne, ensuring broader benefits to the plant science community.

The Linnean Society of London offers the Appleyard Fund Grant, established in 1968, to support research in botany and zoology. With up to £2,000 available, the grant encourages innovative projects that address critical issues like biodiversity loss and climate change. Eligible applicants must be Society Fellows or Associates not fully employed as biologists. This initiative aims to enhance engagement with nature and foster interdisciplinary collaboration among scientists, historians, and artists.

The Genetics Society, founded in 1919, is the world's first society for studying inheritance mechanisms. It offers a Training Grant of up to £1,200 for members in the UK to attend genetic training courses or collaborative lab visits. Eligibility includes being a member and either studying or working in the UK. The Society promotes equality and diversity, welcoming applications from all community segments. However, funding is not provided for pre-budgeted training or fieldwork outside the UK.

The ESA ECP Research Award recognizes outstanding research contributions by student transitions or early professionals in entomology. For the 2024 awards, eligibility extends to individuals within six years of degree completion. Awardees receive complimentary registration to the ESA Annual Meeting, a cash prize of $1,000, and an award plaque. Nominations can be made by anyone, with a limit of two self-nominations per year, fostering inclusivity and recognition within the entomological community.

The Smith Richardson Foundation's Strategy & Policy Fellows Grant Program supports emerging scholars and policy thinkers in American foreign policy and international relations. Annually, it offers three grants of $60,000 each for single-author book projects. This initiative aims to enhance the U.S. academic community's capacity for policy analysis by funding junior faculty, research associates, and post-docs engaged in relevant research, thus fostering the next generation of policy leaders.

SNAPP Funding, a collaboration between The Nature Conservancy and the Wildlife Conservation Society, addresses critical conservation challenges through evidence-based solutions. It invites concept notes from diverse working groups, led by multiple Principal Investigators, for funding up to $1 million annually. The initiative emphasizes collaborative science and co-design, engaging members from various sectors to develop impactful tools and strategies over a 24-month period, aiming for tangible, lasting change in conservation efforts.

The CS Fund was created in 1981 by Maryanne Mott and Herman Warsh, who together endowed the Warsh-Mott Legacy in 1985. CS Fund and Warsh-Mott Legacy (CSF and WML) are private family foundations that share common program areas, staff, and boards of directors. Proposals to the two foundations are considered collectively, and grants are made by both entities. The boards of directors of CSF and WML also make recommendations to the donor-advised TOP Fund at the Marin Community Foundation.

CSF and WML’s grantmaking is forward thinking and evolves over time, yet is guided by a commitment to consistent, long-term support. Some organizations have received funding from the foundations for three decades. CSF and WML recognize the importance of general support and multi-year grants in building institutional strength and longevity and provide such support when appropriate. Project-restricted grants are also made in order to advance specific foundation objectives.

Program Areas

CSF and WML currently have three grantmaking focuses:

• Fighting False Solutions
• Food Sovereignty
• Just Transitions
• Rights and Governance

Fighting False Solutions

Stopping techno-fixes and securing precautionary assessment, regulation and oversight.

While technologies now being developed and commercialized may result in useful applications, they can also have serious negative social, environmental, economic and political impacts. 

Emerging technologies must therefore be subject to precautionary assessment, regulation and oversight – especially those that are fast tracked and marketed as “techno-fixes” or “green” panaceas to climate change and other crises, as they are often false solutions that perpetuate harmful systems.

CS Fund focuses on three emerging and converging technologies.

• Geoengineering - Intentional, large-scale climate manipulation through a range of methods, including Carbon Dioxide Removal and Solar Radiation Management.
• Synthetic Biology - The design, manufacture and release of artificially created DNA, including gene drives that force genetically engineered traits through populations for either conservation or agricultural purposes.
• Nanotechnology - The creation and commodification of tiny bits of matter (a nanometer is one billionth of a meter), especially in consumer products, which presents novel toxicity risks to human health and the environment.

Food Sovereignty

Building capacity and power in Indigenous communities, communities of color, and social movements.

Food Sovereignty is the right of peoples to healthy and culturally appropriate food produced through ecologically sound and sustainable methods, and to define their own food and agriculture systems.

Food sovereignty is deeply connected to global struggles for a more socially just and sustainable world and necessary for a just transition to a regenerative economy and food system. It is a real solution to the most critical issues facing humanity, including global food and water insecurity, climate change, and environmental degradation.

CS Fund’s grantmaking is grounded in traditional agricultural knowledge and agroecological practices, and focuses on three cornerstones of agrobiodiversity and food system resilience.

• Seeds - Preserving native and traditional seeds.
• Soils - Building healthy and fertile soils.
• Pollinators - Protecting and restoring the populations and diversity of native pollinators.

Just Transitions

Building translocal, transnational, interdependent community-level social and ecological justice.

CS Fund is inspired by movement leaders in environmental justice, worker justice, climate justice, Indigenous Sovereignty, Black Liberation and more in their collective framing of Just Transition: We launched our program at the end of 2023, with a core focus on community power building and community self-determination that transforms our current extractive, supremacist culture to one of justice, joy, belonging and liberation for all living beings. We acknowledge the many visions toward liberation that are grounded in cultures around the world, from Buen Vivir to Ubuntu to Ahimsa, and recognize that a pluralistic view of transformation is needed to build across our cultures. 

Rights & Governance

Protecting and advancing rights, democracy and equity.

The US Constitution never envisioned a multiracial democracy. In order to enact the promise of our Constitution for all people - and for the sake of our planet - we must follow the lead of movements and communities fighting for justice and equity, and help create conditions in which they can thrive.

We are especially focused on the areas of:

• Dissent – Protecting and advancing the rights to free speech and assembly.
• Open Government – Making the federal government more transparent, effective, and accountable.
• Rule of Law – Ensuring that US national security policies respect constitutional rights, domestic laws, and international treaties.
• The Constitution and the Courts – Building a progressive legal movement to counter conservative and corporate influence.

In the realm of international governance, CSF and WML have also long funded in the area of:

• Trade – Making the rules of global commerce more democratic, just, and sustainable.

Cross-Program

Addressing emerging, intersectional issues

CS Fund addresses critical, emerging issues outside of our program areas with intersectional implications for our collective work, including transition mineralsand technofascism. These issues - brought to our attention by social movement partners - bridge several sectors that are often siloed and in need of more resources to develop strategy and organizing.

Aligning Philanthropy

Advancing a model of solidarity philanthropy

Through both our own practices and through grantmaking and organizing, CS Fund seeks to instead align philanthropy in solidarity with our movement parters.

The Academic & Textbook Writing Grants by the Textbook & Academic Authors Association support U.S. authors through Publication Grants and Contract Review Grants. These grants cover costs associated with publishing academic works, including legal reviews and publication-related expenses. Open to both members and non-members, the grants aim to alleviate financial burdens for authors, ensuring they can focus on their writing. Maximum funding varies based on membership status, enhancing accessibility for all authors.

The SF WPS Community Garden Irrigation Meter Grant Program supports urban agriculture by providing up to $12,000 for irrigation water service installation. This initiative enables community gardens to track water usage efficiently, promoting sustainable practices. Additionally, a $1,300 rebate is available for backflow prevention devices. Grants are available on a first-come, first-serve basis, ensuring that eligible urban agriculture projects can thrive and contribute to local food systems.

The Plant Biology Learning Objectives, Outreach Materials & Education Grant (Plant BLOOME) aims to enhance public understanding of plant biology through K-12 educational projects. Open for applications on February 15, 2023, it seeks proposals for classroom activities that align with established teaching principles, include clear learning outcomes, and provide comprehensive execution information. Projects will be featured on the ASPB website and shared with educators nationwide, promoting plant biology education.

The Conservation, Food & Health Foundation Grant Program aims to enhance public health, food security, and environmental conservation in underfunded regions across Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America, and the Middle East. It supports innovative projects and applied research that promote local solutions, leadership development, and community capacity building. With grants typically ranging from $25,000 to $50,000, the program prioritizes initiatives that foster sustainability, replication, and systemic change beyond immediate project goals.