Best Environmental Education Grants in Kansas

Kansas environmental and outdoor recreation organizations in Kansas can access funding through the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks to develop and maintain recreational trails and trail-related facilities for motorized and non-motorized uses. Private nonprofits and public agencies may be eligible for 80% reimbursement on projects that enhance hiking, biking, equestrian, snow sports, and other trail-based environmental education experiences.

Kansas environmental education nonprofits and 501(c)(3) emergency response or community organizations can access funding through Union Pacific Foundation for programs within its Community Ties Giving Program. Grants of US $5,000 - US $30,000 support projects in safety, workforce development, community vitality, and environmental sustainability in Kansas communities served by Union Pacific, with strong emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Nonprofit and community organizations in Kansas can seek funding for conservation and environmental projects that engage youth in education or health-related activities, with awards from US $2,500 - US $25,000. With a mission to support environmental initiatives, Simmons First Foundation welcomes projects on water, air, forestry, outdoor education, energy, and related topics, especially those impacting K–12 youth.

The Fiscal Year 2027 National Sea Grant College Program Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship offers an opportunity for students to engage in marine policy through a fellowship funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). With anticipated funding for at least 35 applications, each receiving $97,200, this program encourages applicants to connect with their local Sea Grant program for support. Early registration with SAM.gov, Grants.gov, and eRA Commons is crucial for eligibility.

Scholarships are available to graduating high school seniors. Applications are accepted from mid-November until mid-March. Scholarship award recipients will be announced at the high school awards ceremony. 

R.E.S.C.U.E. Benjamin B. Stone Memorial Scholarship

Established by the environmental organization “Return Susquehanna County Under Ecology” to recognize Benjamin Stone. Two college scholarships are awarded each year and are available to seniors from all of the high schools in Susquehanna County and from Honesdale, Wallenpaupack Area, and Western Wayne High Schools in Wayne County.   

Scholarships are available to graduating high school seniors. Applications are accepted from mid-November until mid-March. Scholarship award recipients will be announced at the high school awards ceremony. 

Van Cott Family Memorial Scholarship

Established in memory of Kermit Van Cott and his son Forrest to provide tuition assistance to a graduating Senior from one of the High Schools in Susquehanna County, with priority given to Blue Ridge, who will major in Landscape Architecture, Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Horticulture, Botany, Forestry, or Agriculture and who will matriculate at college or a post-secondary degree program.

Graduating high school seniors planning to study environmental science can access scholarship support through the Stanley and Stella Becker Environmental Scholarship Fund. Kansas students interested in environmental education who meet the residency and academic plans described may be eligible. Administered by Scranton Area Foundation, this fund supports higher education in environmentally focused fields.

Kansas students pursuing environmental science or related fields may be eligible if they have ties to Lackawanna or Wayne County through the Lackawanna Audubon Society Scholarship, which supports post-secondary study. Administered by Scranton Area Foundation, it serves graduating seniors and currently enrolled college students seeking environmental education credentials.

Undergraduate students in environmentally oriented majors from the Geneva Lake area, including those studying in Kansas, can receive up to US $4,000 to support their college education. Environmental Education Foundation offers these scholarships for sophomores, juniors, and seniors enrolled at accredited colleges or universities pursuing environmentally focused careers.

Students in fields like environmental education, natural resources, parks and recreation, or environmental studies can receive scholarship support for higher education, including those from Kansas. Community Foundation of Mahoning Valley’s Melinda Henning Scholarship honors Melinda “Mindy” Henning by helping students pursue these environmentally focused academic paths.

High school seniors pursuing environmentally focused college majors and careers can receive US $3,000 to support their education, including students in Kansas if they meet the Geneva Lake area criteria. Focused on environmental education and conservation careers, the Environmental Education Foundation encourages ongoing engagement through additional undergraduate scholarship opportunities.

High school students pursuing environmentally focused college degrees and environmental education in the Geneva Lake area can receive up to US $16,000 for tuition through the Thomas E. Reynolds (TER) Foundation Scholarship. The Environmental Education Foundation supports students, including those from Kansas who meet these criteria, preparing for careers in conservation or environmental protection.

Students pursuing agricultural or environmental studies can receive scholarship funding for accredited post-secondary education, including those connected to environmental education in Kansas and beyond. Nebraska Community Foundation, through the Butler County Area Foundation Fund, offers two scholarships annually for majors in agriculture or environmental studies, with funds paid directly to the institution after the first semester.

Kansas students interested in environmental education may be eligible for scholarships supporting undergraduate environmental studies degrees. High school seniors attending a public or private high school in Martin County with a 3.0+ GPA can access funding through Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties to pursue college-level Environmental Studies programs.

Spokane County students pursuing environmental sciences, ecology, or related college degrees can receive scholarship support for tuition and study costs through Innovia Foundation. Kansas environmental education organizations may know eligible students with financial need and at least a 2.5 GPA who can apply for this renewable Rika Ream Environmental Scholarship.

Students interested in environmental sciences or environmental engineering can receive scholarship support for accredited U.S. programs, which may benefit those from Kansas pursuing environmental education pathways. The Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin’s Douglas County Waste Management Environmental Studies College Scholarship specifically supports graduating seniors from Douglas County high schools planning to major in these fields.

American Indian and Alaska Native graduate students in Kansas studying public health or environmental science full-time at accredited U.S. institutions can receive need-based scholarship support for tuition and related costs. With a mission to advance Native scholars, Native Forward Scholars Fund provides awards of US $100 - US $30,000 for eligible Tribal members and descendants.

Graduate students, postdocs, and exceptional undergraduates conducting extended field research in organismal biology or related disciplines 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 Kansas environmental education researchers and other scholars undertake in-depth, field-based studies at this long-term research site.

Undergraduate juniors, seniors, and graduate students in plant sciences, conservation, environmental sciences, or landscape architecture can receive scholarship support, including those from Kansas, through The Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region’s universal application. Students focused on environmental education–related fields may benefit if they meet the academic major, financial need, and residency requirements outlined.

High school seniors in southern Beaufort County pursuing environmental sciences or related fields can receive scholarship support for post-secondary study, with preference for marine sciences. The Community Foundation of the Lowcountry’s Joseph S. Onisko, Jr. Environmental Sciences Scholarship aids students with strong academics and personal achievements, which may interest Kansas environmental education programs seeking comparable opportunities.

High school seniors pursuing marine biology, environmental sciences, STEM, or education degrees can receive scholarship support in Beaufort and Jasper Counties through the Turtle Trackers - Linda Zambelli Family Scholarship Fund. Community Foundation of the Lowcountry prioritizes students in the Turtle Trackers service area with strong academics and college acceptance, which may include those focused on environmental education.

Students pursuing natural resource and environmental studies in Kansas can receive scholarship support for full-time enrollment at accredited two- or four-year colleges through the Soil and Water Stewardship Scholarship, sponsored by local Soil and Water Conservation Districts. With a mission to support conservation-focused education, Community Foundation of Northern Illinois helps future professionals in fields like ecology, forestry, hydrology, and environmental education.

Kansas students with cystic fibrosis pursuing degrees in environmental science or related health and social fields can access funding through the United States Adult Cystic Fibrosis Association’s Stenzel Scholarship. This US $1,000 annual award supports higher education costs at U.S. institutions, including tuition, fees, and materials, for eligible degree-seeking students.

The Emerging Climate Champions Award supports youth-led climate initiatives by providing funding for organizations with at least two years of community-led operation. This award aims to empower young leaders aged 15-35, particularly from under-represented groups, to tackle climate challenges. With global funding for youth-driven climate solutions being scarce, the award encourages innovative approaches across various climate issues, including education, advocacy, and sustainable agriculture, thereby promoting resilience and social justice.

The Crawford Taylor Foundation focuses on enhancing programs that create lasting legacies in St. Louis. With priorities in community development, women's health, animal welfare, and environmental preservation, the foundation seeks to support 501(c)(3) organizations that meet specific eligibility criteria. They avoid funding multi-year grants or for-profit initiatives, emphasizing support for local causes and relief efforts deemed important by the Taylor family.

Marion Community Foundation

Since 1998, area residents have been turning to Marion Community Foundation to make their philanthropic giving as effective as possible. We are a public charity serving thousands of people who share a common concern … improving the quality of life in Marion County. We use distributions from the more than 500 charitable funds — created by generous, local donors — to award more than $2.5 million in grants and scholarships each year to many of the humanitarian, educational and cultural organizations in this remarkable community we call home.

Marion Community Foundation is the area’s leading philanthropic organization, providing charitable donors the opportunity to easily create endowment funds to benefit and support our community through grants and scholarships. We serve communities throughout Marion County through philanthropy, leadership, and civic engagement.

Rob’s Hauling & Vance Family Scholarship

The Rob’s Hauling & Vance Family Scholarship Fund was created in 2019 by James and Lyndsey Vance. The Vance family places a priority on and a commitment to protecting, preserving, conserving, and sustaining the environment. Their scholarship gives special consideration to applicants who are pursuing an education in Ecology, Natural Science, Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Management, Natural Resource Management, Renewable Energy Engineering, Sustainability Management, Urban Planning and Sustainability, Climate Science, Conservation Science, Conservation Biology, or Environmental Health and Economics. Consideration is also given to students studying Agricultural Engineering, Agriculture Production, Animal Science, Food Sciences and Technologies, Horticulture, Plant Science, Soil Science, and related fields.

Recipients may be a graduate or senior from any school located in Marion County who have been a resident of the area for their entire high school career and maintained a grade point average of 3.0 or greater.

Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation

The Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation began in 1992 when a group of community champions came together around a vision to give back to our region then, now, and forever.

This vision lives on within our organization today as we support the people and places of Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, and Leelanau Counties and the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa & Chippewa Indians.

Together with our partners, we spark positive change for a variety of local causes, including youth, arts and culture, education, environment, and health and human services, across our region.

Regional Scholarships

We believe that post-secondary education is key to healthy, resilient, and thriving communities and are pleased to partner with generous community donors to create and offer a variety of scholarship opportunities for local students across the region.

Ragland Bloem Scholarship Fund (Antrim and Kalkaska Counties)

Available to graduating seniors from Antrim or Kalkaska Counties who are planning to pursue education in environmental or related studies.