Best Grants for Land Conservation in Ohio

Grants to Ohio political subdivisions support acquisition, development, or rehabilitation of outdoor recreational areas through this land and habitat conservation program. Grants from Ohio Department of Natural Resources help Ohio land conservation entities with up to 50% reimbursement assistance for eligible park and recreation projects, with awards ranging from US $50,000 - US $500,000.

Nonprofit and conservation-focused organizations supporting land and habitat conservation in Ohio can seek US $250,000 - US $750,000 to expand regenerative agriculture and conservation practices on private lands. The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Conservation Partners Program funds technical assistance that helps landowners plan, implement best practices, engage in Farm Bill programs, and share conservation lessons.

Agricultural producers, non-industrial private forest owners, Tribes, and other land stewards in Ohio can receive financial and technical help to implement conservation practices on working lands, improving soil, water, air, and wildlife habitat. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service of Ohio’s EQIP program supports land and habitat conservation across cropland, pasture, rangeland, forestland, and environmentally sensitive areas.

Focused on land and habitat conservation, this program invites Ohio researchers, students, and affiliated organizations to seek funding for studies on the state’s aquatic and terrestrial biological resources. Grants from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources provide up to US $5,000 for equipment, supplies, stipends, and research travel supporting conservation-focused projects.

Ohio agricultural and forest producers seeking support for land and habitat conservation can apply for the Conservation Stewardship Program, which funds conservation practices on working lands. Focused on environmental stewardship, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service of Ohio offers five-year contracts with annual payments to enhance soil, water, wildlife habitat, and climate resilience across entire operations.

Ohio land and habitat conservation nonprofits restoring diminished native tree species can access funding through The Oak Hill Fund for research, seed orchard development, and forest land preservation projects. 501(c)(3) organizations across the continental U.S. may apply for project-specific support, including necessary administrative and fundraising expenses tied to the restoration work.

Land and habitat conservation organizations in Ohio and across the Appalachian Mountains region can seek capital funding to acquire land or conservation easements that protect biodiversity and enhance climate resilience. The Open Space Institute’s Appalachian Landscapes Project supports projects that retain forest carbon, improve landscape connectivity, and deliver strong benefits for local communities.

Land and habitat conservation organizations in Ohio can access funding for capital projects that protect biodiversity, enhance climate resilience and landscape connectivity, retain forest carbon, and benefit local communities. Grants from Open Space Institute help eligible projects within the Appalachian Landscapes Project service area, with awards up to US $4,600,000 for conservation-focused land protection.

Grants from Cleveland Cliffs Foundation help Ohio land and habitat conservation nonprofits fund projects that protect and restore natural areas and create sustainable communities. Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations must work in communities where the company operates and may also address environmental education, STEM education, or healthy and vibrant community initiatives.

Nonprofit organizations and public institutions working on land and habitat conservation, ecosystem restoration, or restorative economies in Ohio and other U.S. regions can seek funding support; awards range from US $5,000 - US $25,000. Grants from Biophilia Foundation help projects focused on private land conservation, watershed restoration, and nature-based environmental policy initiatives.

Eligible partners working on land and habitat conservation near military installations in Ohio and other U.S. locations can apply for the 2026 REPI Challenge, awarding up to US $20,000,000 for compatible land use projects. Funding from the U.S. Department of Defense supports efforts that prevent land use conflicts and enhance military installation resilience.

Nonprofits, researchers, and conservation-focused individuals in Ohio can seek funding for land and habitat conservation, ecosystem restoration, and outdoor access projects via W.L. Gore. Focused on ecosystem health and collaborative stewardship, SITKA Ecosystem Grants offer US $3,000 - US $20,000 for high-impact projects that advance wildlife, biodiversity, and hunting-related education and access.

Ohio 501(c)(3) charitable organizations working on land and habitat conservation, community development, or related services can access funding through the Erich & Hannah Sachs Foundation to support self-sustaining programs for disadvantaged communities. Support may be provided as low-interest program-related investments or grants in areas like housing, education, health, and open space preservation, including internationally.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations across the U.S., including Ohio, can apply for Bell's Brewery grassroots grants of US $500 - US $5,000 to support water stewardship projects. Focus areas include ecosystem and habitat protection, freshwater and water resource management, and climate-related water resilience, which may benefit land and habitat conservation efforts.

Indigenous-led frontline and grassroots groups, organizations, Tribes, and individual Indigenous people in Ohio and across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and related Island Nations can apply for NDN Collective’s Community Action Fund; awards up to US $15,000 for non-violent direct actions, community organizing, and movement-building to defend Indigenous rights and protect land and natural resources.

The Duke Energy Foundation offers Local Impact Grants of up to $20,000 to support initiatives in vibrant economies, climate resiliency, and equity. These grants aim to enhance community well-being through workforce development, environmental projects, and inclusive programs. Open year-round, the grants prioritize organizations serving Ohio counties where Duke Energy operates, fostering sustainable growth and opportunity for underrepresented populations.

The Conservation Alliance Grants program is currently under evaluation, leading to a pause in the member-directed grant cycle as the organization aligns its funding with its strategic plan launching in 2025. This initiative aims to harness the collective efforts of businesses and outdoor communities to protect North America's wild places through impactful and efficient grant-making. Future funding will focus on projects that enhance habitat, support Indigenous initiatives, and address climate change.

Adams County, Ohio students pursuing ecology, forestry, natural resources, or related trade and technical fields can receive scholarships supporting education that benefits land and habitat conservation. With a mission to strengthen Appalachian communities, Foundation for Appalachian Ohio offers up to US $25,000 for eligible residents in undergraduate, vocational, or technical programs, including DEI-focused studies.

Graduate students focused on land and habitat conservation in Ohio and across the U.S. can gain paid, hands-on practicum experience through the Conservation Connect Fellowship Program. With a mission to develop collaborative conservation leaders, National Forest Foundation provides fellows with mentored projects, professional development, and training related to public lands and community engagement, plus up to US $6,870 in compensation.

U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organizations working on land and habitat conservation can apply for Park Foundation’s animal welfare grants to support wildlife protection and related ecosystems. Nationally focused projects in Ohio that emphasize endangered species, indigenous wildlife management, or advocacy for habitats of pollinators, wolves, whales, or birds may be eligible.

The Steven C. Leuthold Family Foundation Grants support 501(c)(3) non-profits in areas such as land conservation, environmental protection, human services, and animal welfare. Founded in 1991 by philanthropist Steven C. Leuthold, the foundation prioritizes organizations that align with its giving preferences. Applications are due by June 30, 2025, with grants distributed by December 2025. Note that incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Cattaraugus County Trappers Memorial Scholarship

Created by the Cattaraugus County Trappers Association, this scholarship will be awarded to a graduating high school student who plans to pursue a degree in Natural Resources Conservation, Fish & Wildlife Management, Forest Management or similar area of study at a 2- or 4-year college. Financial need will be considered. Applicants must include list of outdoors sports in which they participate, a statement on importance of the role of sportsmen in conservation and management of fish and wildlife and natural resources, and information on career path in their goal statement.

Delaney Family Foundation 

The Delaney Family Foundation is a private family foundation focused on making grants to support Wildlife and Land Conservation, Education, Healthcare and Community Betterment.

The Delaney Family Foundation was established in 2013. We make both program and operating grants and do not have geographical restrictions.  

Grant Information

Grants are awarded annually. The following criteria will be used in confirming that grant requests match the goals of The Delaney Family Foundation.

• Clarity of Purpose – the request should be clearly defined with a specific description of how goals/tasks will be achieved and how funds will be spent.
• Potential for Success – the organization must demonstrate that they have funding sources, manpower, and community support as well as the time to achieve their goals. Projects must be realistic.
• Leadership – stability in the organization is a requirement, as well as a well-deserved reputation for results.
• Site Visits – While not always possible, site visits by board members prior to gifting, during gifting or following may be considered.

 We may consider multi-year grants.

The Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund supports habitat conservation through land acquisition grants. Established in 1997, this program aims to minimize conflicts between listed species conservation and land use. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service provides matching grants to state agencies for projects that ensure the long-term protection of habitats. By acquiring land or conservation easements, this initiative facilitates species recovery and helps prevent future listings under the Endangered Species Act, enhancing overall ecosystem health.

The Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund: Recovery Land Acquisition Grant Program, initiated in FY 2001, aims to foster collaboration between State and Federal entities in conserving listed species. This program provides funding for acquiring critical land parcels to support U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service-approved recovery plans. By securing habitats at risk from development, the initiative directly addresses the primary threat to endangered species, ensuring effective and immediate conservation actions.

The Easement Restoration and Stewardship program, funded by the USDA NRCS, focuses on restoring and managing Wetland and Floodplain Easements. It includes developing restoration plans, conducting assessments, and implementing stewardship activities to enhance ecological health. Awardees will collaborate with NRCS personnel to ensure effective restoration design and maintenance strategies, fostering sustainable landscapes. This initiative addresses critical habitat conditions and promotes long-term environmental benefits for protected lands.

Benefitting people in the places making the AI future possible

The Future is for Everyone Fund

Meta is investing directly in education, community enhancement, workforce development and sustainability projects in locations where we have a data center in the United States.

The AI future we are building is for everyone. That starts with making sure everyone in the places that are home to a Meta data center feel the benefits in their communities. We want students to have bright futures, small businesses to flourish and communities to be prosperous.

Our commitment to the communities we call home.

The Future is for Everyone Fund supports investments and programs that address local community priorities in the United States, where we have a Meta data center:

We invest in the people and shared spaces that help a community thrive. That includes the parks, trails, and gathering places where neighbors come together, the technology and access that keep them connected, and first responders - like police officers, firefighters, and paramedics — who keep our communities safe.

We support the people and organizations that power local economies - helping workers gain the skills, certifications, and hands-on experience the modern economy rewards, and backing initiatives that create jobs and give a community its character.

We fund the programs, spaces, and tools that help learners of every age discover what they're capable of - from early literacy and the arts to hands-on science, technology, and problem-solving - and we equip the educators who make it happen with the resources to bring their most ambitious lessons to life.

We invest in the long-term health of the land, water, and wildlife that make our communities home - supporting things like habitat restoration and resource conservation that connects people to the natural world.

What is the Future is for Everyone Fund?

The Future is for Everyone Fund is Meta’s $1 billion commitment to invest directly in the U.S. communities that are home to a Meta data center. The Fund supports local schools, nonprofits, and community organizations and is organized into four focus areas that reflect local priorities: Community Enhancement, Economic Vitality, Education, and Sustainability. It builds on the over $70 million in grant funding we’ve provided to our data center communities since 2011.