Best Green Infrastructure Grants in South Dakota

Local governments and 501(c)(3) nonprofits in South Dakota can receive matching funds for urban and community forestry projects, including tree planting, maintenance, education, and demonstration sites. South Dakota Department of Agriculture & Natural Resources provides up to US $5,000 to enhance green infrastructure, expand tree cover, and improve environmental quality in community settings.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations with three years of history and $100,000+ budgets can seek funding for workforce skills, inclusive prosperity, and environmental sustainability programs in South Dakota and other eligible communities through RBC Foundation USA. Projects that enhance green infrastructure or improve the environmental sustainability of community spaces may be especially relevant.

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.

5428 - Establish Standardized Guidelines for Embedding O&M Considerations into the Design Process

Grant Information

• To provide provisions that address common, recurring design issues that drive operations and maintenance (O&M) time and material, including but not limited to standardization of spare parts and consumables, support for condition based and predictive and preventive maintenance, and maintain-in-place design strategies.
• To develop standardized design guidance to measurably reduce lifecycle O&M labor hours for municipal water and wastewater treatment facilities, pumping stations, etc., once required process performance and regulatory compliance are achieved.

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.

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.

5430 - Unlocking Value and Opportunities from Carbon Flows in Water Utilities

Grant Information

• Identify carbon flows across drinking water, stormwater, wastewater, and advanced treatment systems. Carbon flows may include source water, stormwater, process emissions, process inputs, residuals, and biogas.
• Identify the most relevant carbon recovery, capture, conversion, storage, and avoidance opportunities.
• Evaluate value creation pathways, including products, avoided costs, and environmental attributes, and mechanisms and partnerships needed to put them into practice.
• Assess how opportunities vary across system types and local contexts by focusing on more common scenarios for utilities.
• Provide practical, research-based insights to support identification, prioritization, evaluation, and advancement of carbon management opportunities under site-specific conditions and constraints.
• Evaluate implications for greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting, environmental attribute claims, and other potential benefits across pathways.

The Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program, offered by the USDA Forest Service, aims to support Indian Tribes, local governments, and qualified non-profits in acquiring private forest lands to establish community forests. This competitive grant program focuses on protecting forestland from non-forest uses while enhancing public access and community benefits such as recreation and education. Applications are due by October 13, 2026, requiring coordination with State Foresters or Tribal officials.

Emerging Leaders Program alumni working on conservation and green infrastructure in South Dakota can receive US $500 to support professional development, Society membership, conference fees, or similar career-building costs. The Soil and Water Conservation Society honors graduates who are current members and demonstrate leadership and active engagement in SWCS activities.

Grants from Renewable Natural Resources Foundation help South Dakota 501(c)(3) organizations implement collaborative environmental projects, including green infrastructure, across the U.S. Awards of US $50,000 - US $200,000 fund multidisciplinary efforts that apply research and evidence-based practices in areas like renewable energy, water quality, soil health, and sustainable infrastructure with at least three collaborating partners.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations planning multidisciplinary environmental projects, including green infrastructure work, can receive up to US $50,000 for planning or small, targeted initiatives in South Dakota and nationwide. Renewable Natural Resources Foundation provides funding for collaborations on air and water quality, ecosystem conservation, regenerative agriculture, recycling, and related natural resource challenges.

South Dakota environmental 501(c)(3) organizations working on climate and clean energy policy or climate change education can access funding through the Mayer and Morris Kaplan Foundation. Grants support efforts to decrease fossil fuel demand and production and to provide scientifically accurate, action-oriented climate education for high school, college, and young adult audiences across the U.S.

U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organizations working on drinking water protection, clean energy, or related green infrastructure projects may be eligible for support, including work benefiting South Dakota. Grants from Park Foundation help nonprofits advance policy, advocacy, organizing, and investigative reporting on clean, affordable water and reduced reliance on fossil fuels.

Graduate students researching drinking water quality, environmental science, or public health can receive US $3,000 to advance projects with actionable outcomes for current water industry challenges. Focused on water-related environmental issues, American Water Works Association invites students, including those whose work informs green infrastructure in South Dakota and beyond, to apply for the Dr. Philip C. Singer Scholarship.

Tribal governments and tribal-serving organizations pursuing renewable energy and green infrastructure projects can access funding to build solar capacity and workforce development across the U.S., including South Dakota. Grants from GRID Alternatives’ Tribal Solar Accelerator Fund support new solar installations, energy planning, training, and community-led efforts to strengthen long-term tribal energy sovereignty and resilience, with awards up to US $100,000.

South Dakota green infrastructure and conservation nonprofits can access funding through Jesse W Couch Charitable Foundation’s Storytelling Grant to share the impact of their work. Registered 501(c)(3)s or aligned for-profits working in areas like environmental conservation, green infrastructure, food and waste management, or wellness may receive more than US $50,000 to tell powerful community stories.

South Dakota community organizations, nonprofits, local governments, and Keep America Beautiful affiliates can access funding to revitalize and beautify areas along or near Martin Luther King Jr. corridors. These Keep America Beautiful grants, ranging from US $5,000 - US $20,000, support green infrastructure-style projects like gardens, green spaces, tree plantings, public art, and cleanups with lasting community impact.

Nonprofits, local governments, KAB affiliates, and community groups in South Dakota can apply for Keep America Beautiful’s Cigarette Litter Prevention Program grants, awarding US $5,000 - US $20,000 for cigarette waste collection, receptacles, outreach, and program administration. Projects using cigarette litter control as a clean water or green infrastructure strategy may be especially competitive.

Non-governmental and not-for-profit organizations with climate action projects in eligible Americas countries can seek up to US $500,000 to run two-year, scalable initiatives advancing the Sustainable Development Goals. HCL Technologies supports climate resilience, clean energy, conservation, and related efforts, which may include green infrastructure work benefiting communities such as those in South Dakota’s region.