Best Climate Change Grants in Kentucky

Agricultural and forest producers in Kentucky can receive US $4,000 to enhance conservation and climate resilience on working lands through the Conservation Stewardship Program. With a mission to strengthen environmental stewardship, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service of Kentucky provides technical and financial assistance for practices that improve soil health, water quality, wildlife habitat, and overall climate change resilience.

Agricultural producers, ranchers, and non-industrial private forest landowners in Kentucky can receive financial and technical help to implement conservation practices that improve soil health, water and air quality, and wildlife habitat. Focused on climate resilience, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service invites applicants to develop EQIP plans that mitigate drought, weather volatility, and greenhouse gas emissions on working lands.

Conservation and community 501(c)(3) organizations, municipalities, Tribal Nations, and agencies in Kentucky and other Appalachian states can seek funding to acquire conservation land or easements with strong community benefits. Focused on climate resilience and connectivity, The Nature Conservancy offers up to US $100,000 for capital, development, stewardship, and related project costs.

RBC Foundation – USA aims to enhance community quality of life by supporting non-profit organizations that promote diversity and positive change. In 2023, it awarded over $2.8 million in grants, prioritizing youth programs for ages 15-29, arts access for diverse populations, and mental well-being initiatives. The foundation encourages sustainable projects that foster economic independence, providing critical support for education, mental health, and cultural enrichment, thereby making a significant impact across various communities.

About Us

advancing the science of water ®

Who We Are

The Water Research Foundation (WRF) is the leading research organization advancing the science of all water to meet the evolving needs of its subscribers and the water sector. WRF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, educational organization that funds, manages, and publishes research on the technology, operation, and management of drinking water, wastewater, reuse, and stormwater systems—all in pursuit of ensuring water quality and improving water services to the public.

5427 - Advancing Actionable Climate Resilience Metrics for Water Supply Planning

Grant Information

• Catalog existing performance metrics that consistently drive water utility operational and capital decisions, assess their applicability to support future resilience-based decision making under nonstationary climate conditions, and identify adjustments or alternative metrics needed to support forward-looking, resilience-based decision making for water utilities.
• Determine the appropriate level of climate resilience analysis needed to evaluate and apply climate resilience metrics, with requirements scaled based on metric sensitivity to climate change, decision context, and utility characteristics.
• Develop guidance to integrate climate resilience metrics into planning and decision processes.

The Climate Smart Communities Initiative (CSCI) Grant supports US-based projects aimed at enhancing community resilience against climate change. With a budget of $1.5-2 million, grants typically range from $75,000 to $115,000. CSCI prioritizes projects that focus on historically disinvested populations facing climate vulnerabilities, emphasizing equity, nature-based solutions, and community capacity building. The initiative encourages collaboration between climate adaptation practitioners and local government entities to address climate impacts effectively.

The Rural Climate Partnership Grant supports innovative, community-led climate solutions in rural America. With funding ranging from $20,000 to $150,000, it empowers organizations focused on rural leadership and equitable climate actions. The grant aims to strengthen rural economies and enhance climate resilience by providing critical resources and support to rural-serving entities. It prioritizes projects that benefit under-resourced communities and actively engage in addressing pressing rural issues, making a meaningful impact on local climate narratives.

Kentucky climate change and clean energy nonprofits can access funding via the Mayer and Morris Kaplan Foundation to reduce fossil fuel demand and advance climate education for young adults. 501(c)(3) organizations across the U.S. may receive general operating or program support for policy, legal, and educational initiatives that address climate change impacts and resilience.

U.S.-based nonprofits supporting climate resilience, equity, and related initiatives in Kentucky can receive US $200 - US $20,000 for bold, bottom-up climate action projects. Earth Rising Foundation funds work with Indigenous communities, regenerative agriculture, climate justice, visionary futures, and youth climate activism, with all funds disbursed through an existing U.S. nonprofit.

Kentucky 501(c)(3) nonprofits with programs on confidence, inclusion, or sustainability can apply for Aerie Real Foundation’s community grants to support specific projects. Organizations working on climate change resilience, environmental stewardship, or equity may be eligible for up to US $10,000 to fund programming they can implement within 12 months.

Kentucky rural communities, tribes, governments, cooperatives, and other legal entities seeking to build or expand broadband infrastructure can apply for USDA Rural Development’s Community Connect Grants, offering US $100,000 - US $5,000,000. Climate-focused projects that improve digital access, support economic recovery, advance equity, and build resilience in underserved rural areas may be especially competitive.

Undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral researchers at U.S. institutions studying fungi-focused climate change solutions can apply for the MSA Climate Change Research Award, offering US $10,000 for innovative projects. With a mission to advance climate change resilience, Mycological Society of America provides Kentucky climate researchers and others support for fundamental or translational fungal-climate studies.

Established nonprofits, for-profits, and hybrid organizations addressing systemic social challenges, including climate change resilience and equity, can access major unrestricted funding through the Skoll Awards, which operate globally including Kentucky. Grants from Skoll Foundation help organizations scaling proven social innovations in areas like climate action, inclusive economies, racial justice, governance, and health systems strengthening.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving veterans with climate, environmental, education, arts, family, or wellness initiatives in Kentucky and across the U.S. can seek funding for projects up to US $100,000. With a mission to empower women philanthropists, Impact100 Global Veterans provides large, transformational grants for new or expanding veteran-focused programs.

Early-career social science faculty researching U.S. economic mobility, inequality, or climate change resilience can seek $35,000 - $50,000 in project support from the Russell Sage Foundation. Focused on economic mobility and systemic barriers, this one-year funding may benefit Kentucky scholars examining climate change impacts, neighborhood conditions, labor markets, or related equity issues.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Kentucky working on climate change resilience and equity can seek funding for innovative research, ideas, and technologies that support mitigation and adaptation. Mike & Sofia Segal Foundation backs multi-year climate initiatives that build partnerships, develop strategies, and strengthen communities facing the complex impacts of a changing climate in the U.S.

Graduate students in engineering, science, or architecture at accredited U.S. or Canadian universities can receive US $35,000 fellowships for cement and concrete research that advances sustainability and carbon reduction. The American Cement Association program supports studies on climate-focused manufacturing, testing tools, and design, and Kentucky-based researchers may be eligible if they meet these criteria.

Focused on strengthening STEM doctoral research, this program invites minority-serving institutions in Kentucky and nationwide to expand graduate programs, research infrastructure, and doctoral student production. The National Science Foundation supports projects in areas like climate change resilience, clean energy, AI, data science, and other advanced technologies, with awards ranging from US $100,000 - US $2,000,000.

Nonprofit visual arts institutions in Kentucky and across the U.S. can receive up to US $20,000 for clean energy, energy efficiency, and sustainability projects through the Frankenthaler Climate Initiative’s Catalyst Grants. Helen Frankenthaler Foundation supports first-step or small-scale efforts like solar installation, LED upgrades, building redesigns, audits, and museum-specific sustainability measures.

About Us

advancing the science of water ®

Who We Are

The Water Research Foundation (WRF) is the leading research organization advancing the science of all water to meet the evolving needs of its subscribers and the water sector. WRF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, educational organization that funds, manages, and publishes research on the technology, operation, and management of drinking water, wastewater, reuse, and stormwater systems—all in pursuit of ensuring water quality and improving water services to the public.

5416 - Innovative Approaches to Extend Lifetime and Minimize O&M for Nature-based Installations

Grant Information

• Identify and evaluate innovative design, construction, and management approaches that extend the functional lifetime of nature-based installations and reduce ongoing operations and maintenance (O&M) requirements.
• Develop practical guidance on key factors affecting nature-based solution (NbS) longevity, including hydraulic optimization, engineered media selection and replacement, plant selection, sediment management, and construction-phase best practices.
• Survey utilities and other NbS owners to document current maintenance practices, costs, and hours, and establish benchmarks to inform targets for improvement.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is inviting proposals for projects that enhance coastal flood protection through public-private partnerships, innovative insurance products, and improved sediment management. This initiative aims to utilize natural infrastructure to bolster flood preparedness and resilience. Funding of up to $2,000,000 is available for selected projects, supporting research teams that collaborate with regional stakeholders. Proposals must be submitted via Grants.gov, ensuring accessibility to critical resources and information.

Melton Foundation

The Melton Foundation is an international 501(c)(3) non-profit organization registered in the USA, and a leading proponent of Global Citizenship education and practice worldwide. Established nearly thirty years ago with the credence that collaborations across boundaries can forge sustainable solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges, today, our programs reach millions of young leaders, having crystallized into a network of over 750 life-long Melton Fellows spread across 40+ countries. Our primary operations are in Chile, China, Germany, Ghana, India, and the United States of America, with legal subsidiaries in Bangalore, India; Jena, Germany; Temuco, Chile; and Accra, Ghana. 

Through our fellowship and collaborative programs we promote and enable global citizenship as a way for individuals and organizations to work together across boundaries of place and identity to solve challenges in an interconnected world.

Melton Foundation Action Grants

The Melton Foundation offers grants year-round to support Melton Fellows in developing skills, perspective and wider networks to further their capacity as global citizens and contribute towards building an equitable, sustainable, and peaceful world.

In almost 10 years of granting, more than 100 Fellows’ initiatives have been awarded with a Melton Foundation grant to

• Build awareness and/or further awareness raising around global issues and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),
• Develop individual and collective responsibility for sustained, collaborative action,
• Grow capacity to collaboratively drive and sustain social impact at the local and/or global level,
• Further the design, implementation and evaluation of collaborative actions that embody the spirit of global citizenship practice and further social impact, or
• Support coordinated social-impact efforts in a particular or across (emerging) Melton Foundation Hub regions to promote global citizenship practice (s) and the organization’s mission.

The ROSES 2025: A.16 Cryosphere program by NASA focuses on the vital role of Earth's ice within the global climate system. It aims to enhance understanding of cryospheric processes through satellite and airborne observations, addressing the challenges posed by the remoteness of icy regions. The program supports research on Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets, glaciers, and Arctic sea ice to monitor changes and their impacts on sea level rise, ocean biology, and climate feedback mechanisms.

QBE Foundation Inc.

The QBE Foundation’s focus is on creating strong, resilient and inclusive communities. We work in partnership with community organizations, working in climate resilience and inclusion – two areas where we believe we can have the greatest impact.

The QBE Foundation is one component that reflects our company’s focus, involvement, and investment in the neighborhoods where we do business, and where our employees live and work. The QBE Foundation also empowers our employees to volunteer with colleagues and community partners to make a difference for those in need. Employees can also coordinate fundraisers that are matched by the foundation.

QBE Foundation Local Grant Program

This program supports high-impact, community-based initiatives aligned to our focus on climate resilience and inclusion.

• Climate Resilience:
  • Helping communities prepare for, adapt to, and recover from climate-related risks, including preparedness, financial resilience, and risk reduction solutions.
• Inclusion:
  • Expanding access to opportunity for underserved communities through economic inclusion, workforce pathways, and removing systemic barriers.

Multiple grants of $30,000 will be awarded across our two focus areas.

UPS Louisville Community Care Fund

The UPS Louisville Community Care Fund supports nonprofit organizations working to meet critical needs and strengthen communities across Louisville. The Fund is managed in partnership with the Community Foundation of Louisville and builds on The UPS Foundation’s commitment to helping safe, healthy, and resilient communities thrive. Eligible applicants may request up to $150,000 for a new or existing project or program.

What Does the UPS Louisville Community Care Fund Support?

The UPS Louisville Community Care Fund will support nonprofit organizations focused on disaster relief, education, environmental resilience, first responder support, and mental wellness.

Kentucky 501(c)(3) nonprofits focused on climate solutions, sustainability, or environmental justice can receive up to US $25,000 plus intensive operational support to advance strategic and financial priorities. Focused on climate change resilience and equity, Levine Impact Lab invites midsized U.S.-based organizations with social enterprise models and growth-stage needs to join an 18‑month, high-engagement cohort.

Nonprofits and mission-driven XR creators using immersive media for climate storytelling can seek US $25,000 - US $200,000 to develop projects through Agog in the U.S., including Kentucky. Grants from Agog The Immersive Media Institute help climate resilience and equity initiatives explore augmented reality, mixed reality, spatial sound, and related technologies with added mentorship and partnership opportunities.