Best Wildlife Grants in Mississippi

Researchers, students, and other applicants working on herpetological conservation projects for giant aquatic salamanders in Mississippi and other eligible regions can receive up to US $2,000 for field conservation, research, or education efforts. The Cryptobranchid Interest Group favors projects with broad conservation impact, direct application to species recovery, and strong partnerships.

Mississippi landowners and conservation partners restoring wildlife habitat can access funding through the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program. This national program offers technical assistance and cooperative agreement awards up to US $750,000 for habitat and species conservation projects on private lands, including work benefiting herpetological, ornithological, mammalian, and fish conservation.

U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits with budgets under $250,000 that run animal welfare or wildlife preservation projects can apply for The Denver Foundation’s Lauren Townsend Memorial Wildlife Fund, awarding US $500 - US $5,000 for specific programs. Mississippi organizations working on herpetological, ornithological, mammalian, or habitat conservation may be especially interested.

U.S. 501(c)(3) organizations seeking up to US $50,000 for capital purchases in wildlife conservation, animal protection, agriculture, or land preservation may be eligible, including those serving Mississippi. With a mission rooted in animal welfare and open space preservation, T.S. & K.D. Glide Foundation prioritizes California groups but also considers qualified applicants from other states.

Mississippi 501(c)(3) nonprofits caring for abandoned or abused pets, especially dogs, or improving wildlife habitat and welfare may apply for Ray Rowe Trusts for Animals grants up to US $5,000. Funding supports specific animal welfare or wildlife conservation projects, including herpetological, ornithological, or mammalian conservation efforts, rather than general operating expenses.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) and similar tax-exempt organizations working on wildlife and broader environmental conservation can receive US $2,000 - US $10,000 in flexible support, including project or operating funds. McGraw Foundation provides Mississippi wildlife groups with potential funding through its interests in herpetological, ornithological, and mammalian conservation alongside education and human services.

U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organizations working on wildlife protection, conservation, and advocacy, including those serving Mississippi, can apply for Park Foundation’s animal welfare grants to support nationally significant efforts. Funding backs policy, organizing, education, legal advocacy, Indigenous wildlife management, sanctuaries for great apes, and habitat conservation for pollinators, wolves, whales, and birds.

Not-for-profit organizations developing waterfowl propagation areas in Canada or the U.S. that support the Mississippi Flyway can apply for up to US $500,000 for habitat projects. Eligible bird and wildlife conservation groups in Mississippi working on flyway-related wetlands or habitat under the North American Waterfowl Management Plan may benefit from Illinois Department of Natural Resources support.

Nonprofit organizations, Indiana Bird Towns, and individuals conducting bird-related conservation, research, or education projects can receive US $500 - US $5,000 to support natural resource and avian studies, including work relevant to Mississippi wildlife. With a mission to advance bird conservation, Indiana Audubon Society provides priority funding for Indiana and Great Lakes projects, with some support for broader domestic and international efforts.

Researchers, educators, nonprofits, and agencies working on bird conservation and ornithological research in Mississippi and beyond can apply for grants of US $500 - US $1,200 to support research, conservation, and education projects. Grants from Arkansas Audubon Society help wildlife-focused projects, with priority for work benefiting Arkansas bird species and related natural resource issues in the U.S.

Wildlife conservation organizations conducting bat research, habitat work, or disease management projects in Mississippi and across the U.S. territories can seek support to address white-nose syndrome and aid recovery of vulnerable bat species. Grants from National Fish and Wildlife Foundation back treatments, management tools, and innovative research to improve survival of WNS-affected mammal populations, including northern long-eared and Indiana bats, with awards of US $50,000 - US $250,000.

Mississippi ornithologists and bird conservation researchers can access recognition and support through the William Brewster Memorial Award, honoring outstanding published work on birds of the Western Hemisphere. This senior professional award from the American Ornithological Society includes a medal and honorarium for a meritorious book, monograph, or related paper series.

Mississippi wildlife and ornithological conservation professionals can access funding through the Ralph W. Schreiber Conservation Award for extraordinary scientific contributions to bird conservation. This American Ornithological Society honor recognizes individuals or small teams worldwide for applied research, restoration, education, or leadership in avian conservation and habitat protection, with nominees required to meet AOS membership and ethical standards.

Established ornithologists who have provided extensive volunteer and leadership service to the American Ornithological Society can be honored for their contributions to ornithology and bird conservation. With a mission to connect ornithologists, science, and bird conservation, American Ornithological Society provides this service award with a framed certificate and honorarium, which may recognize work benefiting wildlife in Mississippi.

Early- and mid-career ornithologists providing extensive volunteer service to the American Ornithological Society, including committee work and elected roles, may be eligible for this recognition. Grants from American Ornithological Society help Mississippi ornithological conservation professionals and others in the U.S. gain honor through the Marion Jenkinson Service Award, which includes a framed certificate.

Early-career ornithology researchers working on bird science or conservation, including those based in Mississippi, can apply for the Ned K. Johnson Early Investigator Award, which provides US $1,500 and conference registration support. This American Ornithological Society award recognizes outstanding research and leadership potential in ornithology within and beyond North America.

Mississippi ornithology researchers and early-career wildlife scientists can access funding and recognition through the James G. Cooper Early Professional Award, which includes a US $1,500 honorarium. Offered by the American Ornithological Society, it supports AOS members with recent or upcoming terminal degrees for outstanding ornithological research and leadership potential.

Senior ornithologists with a lifetime record of impactful bird research, including those working on ornithological conservation in Mississippi, may be nominated for this recognition award. With a mission to advance ornithology, American Ornithological Society honors current AOS members whose careers exemplify outstanding, ethical contributions to the scientific study and conservation of birds.

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

The Conservation Practitioner Award, presented by the American Ornithological Society, recognizes dedicated professionals at any career stage who address avian conservation issues at local or regional levels. This award includes a certificate and a $1,000 honorarium, acknowledging the critical work of individuals or groups in government or non-government organizations. The AOS aims to promote ethical standards and support a diverse community of ornithologists committed to bird conservation.

The heart of The NRA Foundation’s mission is preserving the core of our American values and traditions in our steadfast effort to Teach Freedom.

The NRA Foundation Supports Freedom, Family, and the Future of the Shooting Sports

Established in 1990, The NRA Foundation, Inc. (“NRA Foundation”) is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization that raises tax-deductible contributions in support of a wide range of firearm-related public interest activities of the National Rifle Association of America and other organizations that defend and foster the Second Amendment rights of all law-abiding Americans.

The heart of The NRA Foundation’s mission is preserving the core of our American values and traditions in our steadfast effort to Teach Freedom.

Established in 1990, The NRA Foundation, Inc. (“NRA Foundation”) is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization that raises tax-deductible contributions in support of a wide range of firearm-related public interest activities of the National Rifle Association of America and other organizations that defend and foster the Second Amendment rights of all law-abiding Americans. These activities are designed to promote firearms and hunting safety, to enhance marksmanship skills of those participating in the shooting sports, and to educate the general public about firearms in their historic, technological and artistic context. Funds granted by The NRA Foundation benefit a variety of constituencies throughout the United States including children, youth, women, individuals with physical disabilities, gun collectors, law enforcement officers, hunters and competitive shooters.

Women's Wildlife Management Conservation Scholarship

The Women’s Wildlife Conservation Scholarship, established by the NRA Women’s Policies Committee, is a renewable one-year $5,000 scholarship available to full-time college sophomores, juniors, or seniors. Thank you for your interest in the field of wildlife management, forestry, parks, or fish and wildlife conservation.

Scholarship Value

$2,500 per semester for up to two semesters. Recipients must maintain qualifications listed above to receive second installment.

Bridgestone Americas Trust Fund Grants

Empowering People to Move, Live, Work, and Play

Bridgestone has awarded over $60 million to nonprofit organizations in the United States since 1951, and we are committed to continuing our legacy of giving back by supporting communities around the U.S.

Bridgestone works with grantseekers that offer solutions to keep society moving forward. Strong partners offer a human-centered approach to societal challenges in one or more of the following areas of focus: 

In addition to our three areas of focus, we will consider applications from organizations that have hosted volunteer or community engagement events with Bridgestone volunteers and organizations that have received funding in previous years. 

About

The American Society of Mammalogists (ASM) was established in 1919 for the purpose of promoting interest in the study of mammals.

ASM Mission Statement

The mission of the American Society of Mammalogists is to advance the scientific understanding of mammals globally, to diversify the profession of mammalogy, and to promote science as the basis for the conservation and management of mammals. The Society achieves these goals through publications, grants and fellowships, annual meetings, and other education and outreach activities.

Stephen Jenkins Scholarship in Mammalogy

One of Steve Jenkins’ most meaningful legacies is found in the hundreds of students he taught and mentored over his 37 years in the Biology Department at the University of Nevada, Reno. He taught a wide range of classes including introductory biology, ecology, mammalogy and research design, and served as graduate advisor to more than 30 students. His research focused on beavers, wolves, wild horses, and ground squirrels. Steve worked to pass on his own belief that critical thinking is not just a fundamental tenet of sound science, but a force for good. He wrote the book How Science Works, an effort to demystify the scientific process for nonspecialists. In his retirement he wrote a second book, Tools for Critical Thinking in Biology. Steve has been a member of American Society of Mammalogists (ASM) since 1974.

Scope and Rationale of the Award

The new Stephen Jenkins Scholarship Award would be available to a graduate student in a North American university whose research is focused on one or more mammalian species. This would include field research (and lab research that supports and augments field research) in such fields as animal behavior, ecology, evolution, and conservation biology. ASM supports research on all aspects of mammalian biology, and the award will provide support for early career mammalogists. 

Use of Funds:

The award may be used only for research expenses, in the field or in the laboratory, research related travel, laboratory supplies, equipment, and attendance at professional meetings.  The current award is for $5000.

Wilson Ornithological Society

The earliest stages of the Wilson Ornithological Society’s development began with the formation of the “Young Ornithologists’ Association,” initiated in 1886 under the leadership of L. O. Pindar and J. B. Richards. They began as a corresponding group of naturalists interested in birds, with notes published in The Oölogist.

Soon after, the Society acquired a constitution and established itself in December 1888 as the Wilson Ornithological Chapter of the Agassiz Association. The fledgling group was named in honor of Alexander Wilson, considered the Father of American Ornithology. Its original purpose was “the study of birds, their nests, and eggs.”

Over the subsequent decades, the group—eventually becoming known as the Wilson Ornithological Club—published its proceedings and articles under a series of diverse titles, culminating in The Wilson Bulletin after 1894 and, most recently, The Wilson Journal of Ornithology. The Club adopted its Constitution and Bylaws in 1930 and became the Wilson Ornithological Society in 1955.

Early Professional Avian Conservation and Community Impact Award

The Early Professional Avian Conservation and Community Impact Award recognizes outstanding contributions by Wilson Ornithological Society (WOS) members working in applied, non-research careers that advance the conservation of birds and their habitats. This award also celebrates professionals whose work fosters a stronger and more inclusive conservation community, through management, education, communication, advocacy, or community engagement.

Purpose

This award highlights the diverse pathways through which people contribute to lasting ornithology and avian conservation beyond academic research. It honors those whose efforts build bridges between science, management, and the public; inspire action for birds; provide mentorship or leadership to build capacity; and promote equity, inclusion, and accessibility within the bird conservation community.

Examples of Qualifying Contributions

• Developing and implementing habitat management or conservation plans.
• Creating tools, educational materials, or outreach programs that promote bird conservation.
• Leading advocacy, communications, or storytelling that inspires conservation action.
• Building partnerships or community engagement initiatives that strengthen conservation impact.
• Advancing conservation policy or planning at local, regional, or national scales.

Award and Presentation

The recipient will be recognized at the 2026 Wilson Ornithological Society Annual Meeting, where they will be invited to share their work with attendees. The award includes:

• A monetary honorarium
• An original piece of artwork from an early-career artist
• Coverage of meeting registration, travel, lodging, and per diem expenses

The NAWCA U.S. Standard grants provide competitive matching funds to support partnerships aimed at the long-term protection, restoration, and enhancement of wetlands and associated upland habitats in the U.S. These projects benefit migratory birds and promote ecological sustainability. A 1:1 match is required. The program seeks to improve wetland ecosystems, ensuring the conservation of waterfowl and other wildlife, while fulfilling international conservation obligations.

Mississippi undergraduate and graduate students conducting herpetological conservation research in the gopher tortoise’s range can access funding through the J. Larry Landers Student Research Award. Gopher Tortoise Council provides support up to US $3,000 for original, student-led studies on gopher tortoise biology or upland habitat conservation and management in eligible southeastern counties and parishes.

The Donna J. Heinrich Environmental Education Grant, established by the Gopher Tortoise Council, aims to support educators and organizations in creating projects focused on the gopher tortoise and its habitat. This grant honors Donna June Heinrich, a dedicated environmental educator committed to wildlife conservation. By fostering educational initiatives, the grant seeks to enhance public understanding and appreciation of the gopher tortoise and promote its conservation across the southeastern United States.