Best Climate Change Grants in New Jersey

New Jersey public agencies, nonprofits, and partners implementing on-the-ground natural climate solutions can seek US $250,000 - US $5,000,000 to create, restore, or enhance natural carbon sinks. Focused on climate change resilience and equity, the State of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection supports blue carbon coastal projects and green carbon forest and urban canopy initiatives.

New Jersey environmental nonprofits focused on climate change, sustainability, or natural resource protection can seek up to US $10,000 for programs, projects, or general operating support. Focused on climate resilience and related environmental work, the Joseph Robert Foundation prioritizes smaller organizations and community-based initiatives in the mid-Atlantic region.

Focused on climate change resilience and equity, conservation and community nonprofits, municipalities, Tribal Nations, and agencies in New Jersey can seek funding for fee or easement land acquisition projects through The Nature Conservancy’s Resilient and Connected Appalachians Grant Program. Grants up to US $100,000 cover capital, project development, stewardship, and community engagement costs within the Appalachians Program boundary.

With a mission to expand climate literacy, New Jersey Department of Education provides New Jersey K-12 local education agencies with funding to deliver standards-based climate change education and student-led community resilience projects. Eligible LEAs among seven specified districts may apply for up to US $30,500 for interdisciplinary, project-based climate action units.

Universities and research institutions studying coastal climate resilience law and policy in New Jersey and other eligible coastal states can seek funding for legal and policy research projects. Focused on coastal resilience, the National Sea Grant Law Center invites projects examining how laws and policies address sea level rise, flooding, storm surge, land use, and related environmental factors.

State, county, and municipal entities conserving high-value natural resources in New Jersey’s Highlands Region can apply for US $25,000 - US $3,850,000 to acquire land or conservation easements. The US Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service provides this funding to support land and habitat conservation, wildlife health, clean water, and climate resilience projects.

New Jersey agricultural and forest producers seeking support for conservation and climate resilience improvements can access funding through USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. The Conservation Stewardship Program offers five-year contracts with annual payments to enhance soil health, water quality, wildlife habitat, and overall environmental stewardship on working lands, which may benefit climate change resilience efforts.

Organizations in New Jersey and nearby New York counties hosting free, waterfront-focused City of Water Day events can apply for Hudson River Foundation’s support, with awards of US $1,000 - US $4,000 for event costs. Funding can back activities that promote environmental education, stewardship, and climate change resilience and equity in local communities.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations working on climate change resilience and equity, along with related community programs, in New Jersey can seek funding for arts, education, health, human services, youth, and affordable housing initiatives. Investors Foundation prioritizes civic-minded efforts that support local communities formerly served by Investors Bank.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations or fiscally sponsored groups working on climate and environmental justice for BIPOC communities in New Jersey can seek funding for grassroots organizing, policy advocacy, and climate resilience projects. The Scherman Foundation supports frontline, movement-building efforts tied to renewable energy, green jobs, air quality, and equitable mass transit within its Environmental & Climate Justice Program.

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.

The Gloria Barron Wilderness Society Scholarship encourages graduate students to contribute to wilderness protection, honoring Gloria Barron's legacy. The Wilderness Society prioritizes projects addressing climate change and equitable access to public lands. Applicants must be enrolled in a U.S. graduate program, possess strong academic qualifications, and focus on long-term wilderness conservation. Research proposals on biodiversity, climate adaptation, and social-ecological contexts are particularly welcome, aiming for inclusive and impactful conservation efforts.

The Mayer and Morris Kaplan Foundation Environment Grant aims to support initiatives that combat climate change, prioritizing efforts to reduce fossil fuel consumption and enhance climate education for young adults. The foundation emphasizes innovative solutions and partnerships to address both immediate and long-term environmental challenges. Areas of focus include climate and clean energy policy, as well as providing scientifically accurate climate change education. By leveraging data and research, the foundation seeks to empower organizations dedicated to creating impactful change.

The Indian Environmental General Assistance Program (GAP), administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), provides crucial funding to tribal governments and intertribal consortia for developing environmental protection programs. Since 1992, GAP has focused on remediation of pollutants and, more recently, supports climate adaptation initiatives. The program emphasizes tribal sovereignty while aiding in capacity building, policymaking, and establishing joint EPA-Tribal Environmental Plans to effectively address environmental challenges faced by tribal communities.

Nonprofits and projects working on climate justice, regenerative agriculture, Indigenous rights, youth climate activism, and climate change resilience in New Jersey can seek US $200 - US $20,000 to advance bold, bottom-up climate action. Earth Rising Foundation supports work that centers equity, marginalized communities, and visionary approaches to a livable future, with funds disbursed through U.S.-based nonprofits.

New Jersey 501(c)(3) nonprofits with programs for climate sustainability, inclusion, or young women’s confidence can access funding through Aerie Real Foundation’s Community Grant program. U.S. and Canada-based organizations may receive up to US $10,000 for projects advancing confidence, inclusive communities, or local efforts to protect the planet, including climate change resilience work.

New Jersey rural communities, local governments, tribes, cooperatives, and other legal entities can access funding through USDA Rural Development’s Community Connect Grants to build broadband infrastructure and community internet centers. Awards of US $100,000 - US $5,000,000 support connectivity projects that enhance economic opportunity, education, healthcare, public safety, and climate-resilient community development in underserved rural areas.

Undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral researchers at U.S. institutions studying fungi-focused climate science can seek the MSA Climate Change Research Award to support work on practical solutions to human-driven climate change. With a mission to advance mycological research, Mycological Society of America provides climate resilience and microbiome projects in New Jersey and nationwide with up to US $10,000.

The Frankenthaler Climate Initiative's Catalyst Grant supports organizations in the visual arts sector to take quick, impactful actions toward sustainability. Since 2021, the initiative has awarded over $10 million, fostering a shift to carbon-neutral operations. Eligible applicants include nonprofit entities that prioritize visual arts, aiming to reduce environmental impact through clean energy, efficiency improvements, and innovative practices. This grant promotes a greener future while enhancing the importance of arts education and ecological stewardship.

Established nonprofits, for-profits, and hybrid organizations tackling systemic social and climate challenges can receive Skoll Awards to scale proven social innovations, including work on climate change resilience and equity that benefits New Jersey and beyond. Grants from Skoll Foundation provide $2 million in unrestricted funding plus access to a global community of social change leaders.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving veterans with climate resilience, environmental justice, or conservation initiatives can seek up to US $100,000 for projects in the U.S. and its territories. With a mission to empower women’s collective giving, Impact100 Global Veterans provides large, transformative grants that may benefit New Jersey programs addressing climate change and veterans’ well-being.

The CREST program by the NSF aims to bolster research capabilities at minority-serving institutions (MSIs) through education and research integration. It specifically supports STEM doctoral programs and encourages proposals in high-priority areas such as AI and climate change. By enhancing the institutional capacity, the program seeks to increase the number of underrepresented doctoral graduates in STEM fields, thereby fostering diversity and innovation in scientific research.

Graduate students in engineering, science, or architecture focusing on cement and concrete sustainability can receive US $35,000 fellowships for research expenses at accredited universities in the U.S. or Canada. American Cement Association supports projects on carbon reduction, cement manufacturing, and testing tools, which may benefit climate change resilience work connected to New Jersey or similar regions.

Early-career social science faculty researching climate change resilience, equity, or related systemic inequalities in the U.S. may be eligible for Russell Sage Foundation’s Pipeline Grants, offering US $35,000 - US $50,000 for one-year projects. Focused on climate impacts, labor markets, neighborhoods, and more, New Jersey-based scholars can propose innovative, data-driven studies that advance economic mobility and access to opportunity.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations conducting climate change research, rare disease medical research, Jewish heritage programs, elder care, or intellectual freedom initiatives in the U.S., including New Jersey, may be eligible for support from the Mike & Sofia Segal Foundation. Funding backs innovative, well-planned projects with clear objectives, realistic budgets, and strong engagement with target populations.

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.

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.