Best Environmental Education Grants in Illinois

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations providing environmental education or related programs in Illinois can seek funding to support education, environmental protection, and healthy, vibrant communities. Grants from Cleveland Cliffs Foundation help projects in communities where the company operates, including initiatives in land and water restoration, green spaces, sustainability, and STEM-focused learning opportunities.

Undergraduate or graduate students in Illinois or the broader Midwest proposing toxicology-related research can apply for the Society of Toxicology’s MRC/SOT Young Investigator Award to support continuing education and research expenses. Awards may fund travel to meetings, textbooks, workshops, or costs tied to the proposed environmental health or toxicology project.

Illinois 501(c)(3) public charities offering environmental education or related community programs in Union Pacific–served communities can access funding through Union Pacific Foundation’s Community Ties Local Grants, with awards from US $5,000 - US $30,000. Eligible projects may also address environmental sustainability, outdoor stewardship, youth development, or community vitality while demonstrating strong DEI commitments.

Illinois formal and non-formal educators can apply for the Environmental Education Association of Illinois’ mini-grants, awarding up to US $350 for environmental education projects. Funding can support curricula, field trips, and reusable supplies that deepen understanding of ecology, natural resources, and environmental stewardship and create lasting learning experiences for participants.

Illinois schools without plantable soil can receive funding to create native species container gardens that enhance environmental education and wildlife habitat on school grounds or other public spaces in Illinois. Focused on hands-on environmental education, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources supports projects in Chicago, East St. Louis, and similar schools, covering containers, soil, plants, mulch, and basic gardening tools.

Illinois students seeking environmental education funding may be eligible for the Rika Ream Environmental Scholarship, which supports full-time college study in environmental sciences, environmental studies, ecology, recreational management, or land management. Offered by Innovia Foundation, applicants must demonstrate financial need, maintain at least a 2.5 GPA, and meet the residency requirements.

Grants from the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley help Illinois students pursuing environmental education and natural resource management degrees. The Conservation Foundation Environmental Scholarship Fund supports local residents of counties including Kane and Kendall who demonstrate strong commitment to environmental preservation through work, volunteer, or community activities and are preparing for environmentally related careers.

Illinois high school seniors planning to pursue an undergraduate degree in environmental studies may be eligible for this scholarship supporting future environmental leaders. Administered by the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties, it assists aspiring college students focused on environmental education and higher education pathways.

Illinois students pursuing environmental fields of study can receive scholarship support for full-time attendance at accredited U.S. post-secondary institutions. Focused on environmental education, Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley invites applicants with permanent addresses in DeKalb, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kendall, LaSalle, or Will counties to apply for the Fox Valley Earth Day Scholarship Endowment Fund.

Students pursuing agricultural or environmental studies can receive scholarship funding for post-secondary education, supporting environmental education and related fields. Nebraska Community Foundation’s Butler County Area Foundation Fund offers two scholarships of more than US $1,000 each, paid directly to accredited institutions after successful completion of the first semester.

High school students in the Geneva Lake area pursuing environmentally related college degrees can receive up to US $16,000 for higher education costs. The Environmental Education Foundation’s Thomas E. Reynolds Scholarship supports future environmental conservation and protection professionals, which may interest Illinois environmental education programs helping eligible students prepare for college studies.

High school seniors pursuing environmentally focused college degrees and environmental education in the Geneva Lake area can receive US $3,000 to support their studies. Focused on conservation and environmental protection careers, Environmental Education Foundation invites students planning to attend accredited four-year institutions, including those interested in environmental education, to apply; Illinois students may be eligible if they meet these criteria.

Students pursuing studies in natural resources, environmental education, parks and recreation, or environmental studies, including those from Illinois, may be eligible for the Melinda Henning Scholarship supporting higher education. Community Foundation of Mahoning Valley facilitates this memorial scholarship as part of its broader commitment to improving quality of life through education and environmental stewardship.

Nonprofit organizations serving children in areas like environmental education, literacy, safety, and basic needs in Illinois’ greater Quad City Area may be eligible for grants supporting community programs. The Junior Board of Rock Island, via Moline Regional Community Foundation, prioritizes projects for children at risk, education and school events, anti-violence, and child-focused environmental initiatives.

EEF Undergraduate College Scholarship

These scholarships are awarded to college students to support their programs in environmentally-related fields of study. Prior EEF HS winners are encouraged to apply for continued financial support.

The EEF Undergraduate College scholarship award can be as much as $4,000 for a student's sophomore, junior, or senior year. The Foundation generally awards four Undergraduate College Scholarships each year.​ These scholarships were established to benefit students from the Geneva Lake area.

Who We Are

Buiding a stronger, More Vibrant Community

For over 70 years, the Scranton Area Community Foundation has served Northeastern Pennsylvania as a steward of charitable resources, a grantmaker, and a catalyst for positive change. Guided by our core values of collaboration, trust, integrity, innovation, and inclusivity, we work to ensure that our communities thrive with opportunities for all.

This scholarship is awarded to either a graduating senior pursuing a post-secondary degree, or a currently matriculating student already so enrolled, who lives in Lackawanna or Wayne county and who is pursuing a degree or certificate in environmental science or a related field.

Scranton Area Community Foundation

For over 70 years, the Scranton Area Community Foundation has served Northeastern Pennsylvania as a steward of charitable resources, a grantmaker, and a catalyst for positive change. Guided by our core values of collaboration, trust, integrity, innovation, and inclusivity, we work to ensure that our communities thrive with opportunities for all.

Scholarships

We are honored to be the stewards of over 90 scholarship funds established by philanthropically-minded individuals in our community. Generous donors entrust us to connect them to dynamic students to provide financial resources for their education through scholarships. Our donors establish scholarship funds with criteria they wish to be met by applicants. Our scholarship committee considers the criteria, evaluates the submitted applications, and chooses the best candidates for each scholarship.

Stanley and Stella Becker Environmental Scholarship Fund

This scholarship is awarded to a graduating high school senior who is a resident of Monroe County and intends to pursue a degree in a field related to environmental science in a school of higher education.

Illinois students pursuing environmental sciences or environmental engineering can receive college scholarship support for accredited programs in the U.S. through the Douglas County Waste Management Environmental Studies College Scholarship from Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin. Graduating seniors planning environmental education-related majors may benefit from this opportunity to further their studies.

American Indian and Alaska Native graduate students in public health or environmental science studying full-time in the U.S., including those from Illinois, can receive need-based support through this scholarship. With a mission to advance Indigenous scholars, Native Forward Scholars Fund provides US $100 - US $30,000 based on financial need and verified Tribal affiliation.

Graduate students, postdocs, and exceptional undergraduates conducting extended field research in environmental education, organismal biology, geology, anthropology, or related areas can receive US $2,000 to cover housing and research supplies at Hastings Natural History Reservation in California. Grants from Natural Reserve System- University of California help Illinois and other U.S. researchers pursue field-based projects at this long-term study site.

Grants from Lake Forest Garden Club help Illinois environmental education and conservation organizations fund public-facing programs, garden projects, and civic improvement efforts. Eligible applicants serve Lake Forest, Lake Bluff, Lake County, or the greater Chicago area, with priority for single-year projects such as environmental education, conservation, historic garden restoration, and public garden design or planting.

Undergraduate juniors, seniors, and graduate students in plant sciences, conservation, environmental sciences, or landscape architecture may be eligible for scholarship support, including those from Illinois studying elsewhere. Focused on higher education in environmental fields, The Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region offers this award through its universal scholarship application.

High school seniors pursuing environmental sciences or related fields can receive scholarship support through the Joseph S. Onisko, Jr. Environmental Sciences Scholarship, focused on students from southern Beaufort County. Community Foundation of the Lowcountry supports post-secondary study, with preference for marine sciences, which may interest Illinois environmental education students seeking similar opportunities elsewhere.

The Turtle Trackers - Linda Zambelli Family Scholarship Fund, established in 2025 by the Turtle Trackers Board, honors Linda Zambelli's legacy through scholarships for students pursuing higher education in Marine Biology and Environmental Sciences. This initiative supports high school seniors from Beaufort and Jasper Counties, ensuring they have opportunities to excel academically while fostering a commitment to marine conservation. The fund is managed by the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, which has invested over $125 million in local communities.

The Soil and Water Stewardship Scholarship, sponsored by the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois, provides financial support to students pursuing careers in natural resources. Applicants must reside in specific Illinois counties and plan to enroll in a full-time program related to fields such as ecology, hydrology, and conservation. Academic performance is a key consideration in the selection process. For more details, contact the Winnebago County Soil & Water Conservation District.

The QC River Connections Grant, offered by the Quad Cities Community Foundation, supports projects addressing environmental challenges faced by the Mississippi River in the Quad Cities. It promotes inclusive community engagement and nature-based solutions to enhance relationships between communities and the river. Eligible projects include restoration, education, and access initiatives. The grant aims to uplift underrepresented communities impacted by environmental issues, ensuring equitable participation in environmental stewardship.

The Stenzel Scholarship, established in 2023, awards $2,500 annually to individuals with cystic fibrosis enrolled in higher education programs in health or environmental sciences. This scholarship honors Isa and Ana Stenzel, who dedicated their lives to supporting others with CF. Applicants must provide proof of enrollment and can receive funding based on their enrollment status. This initiative aims to empower those affected by cystic fibrosis to pursue meaningful educational opportunities.