Best Wildlife Grants in Oregon

The Global Impact Cash Grants by Cisco Systems Foundation support innovative early-stage solutions aimed at addressing significant social problems. Targeting nonprofit and nongovernmental organizations, these grants focus on four key sectors: crisis response, education, economic empowerment, and climate regeneration. Eligible organizations must demonstrate alignment with these areas, particularly serving underserved communities. The foundation seeks to leverage technology for impactful solutions, ensuring sustainability and community resilience through strategic investments.

Private rural landowners in Oregon seeking to develop or update forest management plans can receive cost-share assistance for professional Forest Stewardship Plans. Oregon Department of Forestry reimburses up to 75% of eligible planning costs for 10+ acre forested properties, helping improve timber value, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and overall forest health, which may benefit wildlife-focused land management.

Oregon tribes, watershed councils, conservation districts, nonprofits, schools, and public agencies can receive up to US $20,000 for on-the-ground habitat and watershed restoration projects that benefit wildlife. Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board provides Oregon wildlife and habitat organizations with competitive small grants for projects on private lands, including fish passage, riparian, wetland, instream, and upland improvements.

The Semnani Family Foundation, established in 1993, is dedicated to supporting marginalized communities worldwide through health, education, and disaster relief initiatives. Founded by Khosrow and Ghazaleh Semnani, it began by funding an orphanage in Romania. The foundation also operates locally, providing free healthcare through the Maliheh Free Clinic in Utah. Its commitment to human welfare drives impactful partnerships in countries such as Afghanistan, India, and South Africa, focusing on the most vulnerable populations.

Oregon nonprofits, ODFW, volunteer groups with a fiscal sponsor, and qualified individuals can receive up to US $5,000 for wildlife habitat restoration, protection, and related conservation projects in Oregon. Oregon Wildlife Foundation provides cost-reimbursement grants for efforts such as habitat work, outdoor education, pollution reduction, invasive species control, and research supporting improved fish and wildlife management.

Oregon organizations and eligible public entities managing state-listed noxious weeds for on-the-ground control and watershed health can seek support to protect wildlife habitat in Oregon. Oregon Department of Agriculture’s Oregon State Weed Board Grant Program funds integrated weed management projects that restore fish and wildlife habitat, watershed functions, native salmonid populations, and water quality, and may include survey, monitoring, prevention, restoration, and outreach.

Nonprofit organizations, schools, and local governments in Oregon can receive Metro support for projects that enhance wildlife habitat, natural areas, and community environmental quality within Wilsonville city limits. Grants may fund habitat preservation, riparian or wetland enhancements, outdoor recreation, environmental education, and related community enrichment or safety projects that benefit local residents and ecosystems.

Oregon conservation groups, park providers, local governments, and community organizations can access funding through Metro for publicly owned capital projects that enhance habitat and neighborhood nature access in Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington counties. Grants up to US $100,000 support land acquisition, restoration, urban transformations, and nature-focused livability projects that advance equity and climate resilience.

Tribes, watershed councils, conservation districts, nonprofits, schools, and local governments in Oregon can apply for Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board restoration grants to protect or restore native fish and wildlife habitat. Funding supports instream, riparian, upland, wetland, and estuarine projects that improve habitat, water quality, streamflow, and overall watershed function for wildlife.

Oregon nonprofits, tribes, schools, watershed councils, and other local entities planning habitat or watershed restoration in Oregon can access funding through Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board to develop technical designs and engineering plans. These technical assistance grants support projects that protect and restore natural habitats, which may benefit organizations focused on wildlife and ecosystem conservation.

Oregon nonprofits, tribes, watershed councils, schools, and other eligible local entities can seek support to develop implementation plans for habitat and watershed restoration projects in Oregon. Grants from Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board help organizations complete resource assessment and planning, which may benefit wildlife conservation efforts, including in areas affected by recent wildfires.

Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board

The Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board is a state agency that provides grants to help Oregonians take care of local streams, rivers, wetlands, and natural areas. Community members and landowners use scientific criteria to decide jointly what needs to be done to conserve and improve rivers and natural habitat in the places where they live. OWEB grants are funded from the Oregon Lottery, federal dollars, and salmon license plate revenue. The agency is led by an 18-member citizen board. The board includes representation from the public, tribes, and federal and state natural resource agency boards and commissions.

Technical Assistance (TA) Grants

Technical Assistance grants support resource assessment and planning, technical design and engineering, and organizational technical assistance that is necessary to carry out restoration and acquisition projects or programs that lead to the development of projects that protect or restore fish and wildlife habitat and/or natural watershed functions to improve water quality and/or stream flow.

Eligible Projects

​Technical Assistance grants include two types of Technical Assistance grants: Type 1 - Technical Design and Engineering; Type 2 - Resource Assessment and Planning

These types cannot be combined into a single application; a separate grant application must be submitted for each type of project.

Type 1: Technical Design and Engineering

Support the development of project feasibility reports, designs, or engineering materials that directly lead to site-specific restoration or acquisition projects within a specified timeframe.

Required Match:​ 5%

Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board

The Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board is a state agency that provides grants to help Oregonians take care of local streams, rivers, wetlands, and natural areas. Community members and landowners use scientific criteria to decide jointly what needs to be done to conserve and improve rivers and natural habitat in the places where they live. OWEB grants are funded from the Oregon Lottery, federal dollars, and salmon license plate revenue. The agency is led by an 18-member citizen board. The board includes representation from the public, tribes, and federal and state natural resource agency boards and commissions.

Technical Assistance (TA) Grants

Technical Assistance grants support resource assessment and planning, technical design and engineering, and organizational technical assistance that is necessary to carry out restoration and acquisition projects or programs that lead to the development of projects that protect or restore fish and wildlife habitat and/or natural watershed functions to improve water quality and/or stream flow.

Eligible Projects

​Technical Assistance grants include two types of Technical Assistance grants: Type 1 - Technical Design and Engineering; Type 2 - Resource Assessment and Planning

These types cannot be combined into a single application; a separate grant application must be submitted for each type of project.

Type 2 - Resource Assessment and Planning

Support the development of information about existing water quality or habitat conditions and processes at an identified scale, and relate those conditions and processes to actions that will directly lead to desired future conditions within a specified timeframe.

Required Match:​ 5%

Oregon wildlife and habitat organizations can access funding for conservation, recreation, and outdoor equity projects that benefit fish, wildlife, and their habitats. Administered by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Conservation and Recreation Fund, these grants prioritize impactful projects, including those from smaller or newer groups and environmental justice communities across Oregon.

Oregon community groups, watershed councils, neighborhood associations, nonprofits, faith groups, and fiscally sponsored collectives can access funding for habitat restoration and community stewardship projects benefiting Metro-area residents. Metro’s Nature in Neighborhoods Community Stewardship and Restoration Grants offer up to US $100,000 for projects that improve water quality, fish and wildlife habitat, and advance environmental equity in Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington counties.

Watershed councils and soil and water conservation districts in Oregon can receive operating support to engage communities in voluntary watershed restoration and habitat protection. Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board offers biennial Operating Capacity Grants to strengthen organizational capacity for projects that improve native fish and wildlife habitat, water quality, and natural watershed functions.

The J.W. Couch Foundation Grant focuses on supporting Wildlife Conservation nonprofit organizations that align with their mission of community betterment and environmental protection. The foundation seeks partnerships with organizations that promote animal wellbeing, early childhood education, teacher support, and outdoor activities. Eligible applicants must be registered 501(c)3 nonprofits or for-profit entities aligned with their charitable programs. This grant emphasizes collaboration and community engagement to create lasting impacts.

U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits working in Oregon on forest and freshwater habitat conservation can apply for Jubitz Family Foundation’s invitation-only grants, awarding US $5,000 - US $25,000 for restoration and advocacy projects. Wildlife-focused organizations near the Mount Hood region may be eligible if their missions and measurable outcomes align with protecting native ecosystems.

Nonprofits, schools, and local government entities in Oregon seeking to benefit Sherwood residents with community, environmental, or wildlife-related projects can apply for Community Enhancement Grants. Metro supports efforts that improve environmental quality, enhance wildlife and natural areas, expand recreation, and provide education, training, or services for underserved populations in Sherwood.

With a mission to improve natural resources, Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board provides Oregon conservation-focused entities with funding for water quality and nutrient reduction projects in the Klamath Basin. Tribes, watershed councils, conservation districts, nonprofits, schools, and local governments can seek support for engineering, design, or restoration projects that enhance river health and wildlife habitat.

Focused on wildlife and habitat restoration, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation invites Oregon conservation organizations to apply for US $50,000 - US $2,000,000 to restore forests, rivers, wetlands, and watersheds in the Klamath Basin. Eligible work must occur in specified counties of southern Oregon and northern California and benefit fish, wildlife, and local communities.

Nonprofit organizations, schools, and local government entities in Oregon City can seek funding for projects that enhance wildlife habitats, riparian zones, wetlands, and other natural areas. Metro’s Community Enhancement Grant also supports related community improvements, recreation, safety, and economic opportunities that may benefit wildlife and ecosystem conservation efforts in Oregon.

Oregon 501(c)(3) nonprofits, public and private educational institutions, youth groups, cultural organizations, and government entities can seek funding for community enhancement and environmental respect projects that benefit wildlife and natural habitats. Grants from PacifiCorp/Pacific Power/Rocky Mountain Power Foundation support efforts like biodiversity, conservation of natural resources, parks, trails, gardens, and resource stewardship, with awards up to US $10,000.

Oregon wildlife and historic preservation nonprofits and government agencies can access funding through Kinsman Foundation for native wildlife rehabilitation, wildlife appreciation, and architectural preservation projects. Grants of US $5,000 - US $45,000 support work benefiting Oregon and southern Washington, with a preference for project support and public-serving programs involving historic buildings or licensed wildlife rehabilitators.

Oregon and southern Washington 501(c)(3) nonprofits and government agencies can apply for the Kinsman Foundation Small Grants, awarding up to US $5,000 for native wildlife rehabilitation and public wildlife appreciation projects. Programs must benefit the general public and focus on urgent care for injured or orphaned native wildlife or stewardship-focused appreciation activities.

Grants support Oregon organizations planning or implementing water acquisition projects to boost instream flows for wildlife habitat and water quality. Grants from Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board help Oregon wildlife and conservation groups fund strategic planning, water-rights acquisitions, and long-term monitoring tied to watershed restoration priorities. Eligible applicants include tribes, nonprofits, schools, and local governments.

The TJX Foundation Grants support nonprofit organizations located within 15 miles of a TJX store that align with their community mission. Eligible areas include basic needs, education for at-risk youth, workforce training, and safety from domestic violence. Organizations must be a registered 501(c)(3) for at least 12 months and have a nondiscrimination policy. Applications are invited through a Letter of Inquiry, with funding decisions based on community impact.