Best Environmental Education Grants in South Dakota

Students in their final year at a South Dakota college or university pursuing environmental science, geography, sociology, natural resource management, or environmental law can receive scholarship support for their studies. Grants from South Dakota Community Foundation help South Dakota students advance environmental education and prepare for careers protecting natural resources.

Qualified youth corps and similar organizations in South Dakota can seek funding to run youth conservation and environmental stewardship projects on public lands. US Department of the Interior: Bureau of Land Management supports hands-on environmental education, habitat restoration, trail and recreation improvements, cultural resource preservation, wildfire risk reduction, and related workforce development, with awards ranging from US $30,000 - US $220,000.

Marion Community Foundation

Since 1998, area residents have been turning to Marion Community Foundation to make their philanthropic giving as effective as possible. We are a public charity serving thousands of people who share a common concern … improving the quality of life in Marion County. We use distributions from the more than 500 charitable funds — created by generous, local donors — to award more than $2.5 million in grants and scholarships each year to many of the humanitarian, educational and cultural organizations in this remarkable community we call home.

Marion Community Foundation is the area’s leading philanthropic organization, providing charitable donors the opportunity to easily create endowment funds to benefit and support our community through grants and scholarships. We serve communities throughout Marion County through philanthropy, leadership, and civic engagement.

Rob’s Hauling & Vance Family Scholarship

The Rob’s Hauling & Vance Family Scholarship Fund was created in 2019 by James and Lyndsey Vance. The Vance family places a priority on and a commitment to protecting, preserving, conserving, and sustaining the environment. Their scholarship gives special consideration to applicants who are pursuing an education in Ecology, Natural Science, Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Management, Natural Resource Management, Renewable Energy Engineering, Sustainability Management, Urban Planning and Sustainability, Climate Science, Conservation Science, Conservation Biology, or Environmental Health and Economics. Consideration is also given to students studying Agricultural Engineering, Agriculture Production, Animal Science, Food Sciences and Technologies, Horticulture, Plant Science, Soil Science, and related fields.

Recipients may be a graduate or senior from any school located in Marion County who have been a resident of the area for their entire high school career and maintained a grade point average of 3.0 or greater.

Stanislaus Community Foundation provides scholarship opportunities for students in order to help them achieve their educational and career goals. We believe that by investing in our students, we are investing in a brighter future for Stanislaus. 

Turlock Irrigation District Energy Scholarship

Open to high school seniors attending a high school within the TID District territory planning to pursue a career in the Energy Utility Sector. (i.e. Engineering, Environmental Science, Electrical, Lineman etc.). Must plan to attend an accredited trade school or college/university and demonstrate financial need. The household must be a TID customer.

Award Amount:

• $2,500

Scholarships are available to graduating high school seniors. Applications are accepted from mid-November until mid-March. Scholarship award recipients will be announced at the high school awards ceremony. 

R.E.S.C.U.E. Benjamin B. Stone Memorial Scholarship

Established by the environmental organization “Return Susquehanna County Under Ecology” to recognize Benjamin Stone. Two college scholarships are awarded each year and are available to seniors from all of the high schools in Susquehanna County and from Honesdale, Wallenpaupack Area, and Western Wayne High Schools in Wayne County.   

Graduating high school seniors planning environmental or agriculture-related majors can receive tuition assistance through the Van Cott Family Memorial Scholarship, with eligibility tied to Susquehanna County schools. Focused on environmental and related fields, Community Foundation of the Endless Mountains invites students pursuing studies like environmental science, forestry, or horticulture to apply.

South Dakota environmental education students can access funding through Scranton Area Foundation’s Stanley and Stella Becker Environmental Scholarship Fund to support higher education in environmental science fields. Graduating high school seniors who are residents of Monroe County and plan to study environmental science or a related field at an accredited institution may be eligible.

South Dakota students seeking environmental education support can access funding through Scranton Area Foundation’s Lackawanna Audubon Society Scholarship, which backs degrees in environmental science and related fields. Graduating seniors or currently enrolled post-secondary students residing in Lackawanna or Wayne County may be eligible when pursuing qualifying environmental studies programs.

Undergraduate students in environmentally oriented majors from the Geneva Lake area can receive up to US $4,000 to support their college studies, including those interested in environmental education in South Dakota. Environmental Education Foundation generally awards four scholarships annually for sophomores, juniors, or seniors enrolled at accredited colleges or universities.

Students pursuing studies in natural resources, environmental education, parks and recreation, or environmental studies, including those from South Dakota, may be eligible for the Melinda Henning Scholarship supporting higher education costs. The Community Foundation of Mahoning Valley administers this award as part of its commitment to improving quality of life through education-focused philanthropy.

High school seniors pursuing environmentally related college programs can receive US $3,000 to support studies focused on conservation or environmental protection. Focused on environmental education, Environmental Education Foundation invites students from the Geneva Lake area who meet specific school and district criteria to apply, with financial need considered after academic and passion-based qualifications.

High school students pursuing environmentally focused college degrees can receive up to US $16,000 for tuition and related educational costs, primarily benefiting those from the Geneva Lake area. The Environmental Education Foundation’s Thomas E. Reynolds Scholarship supports studies in environmental engineering, ecological or agricultural sciences applied to the environment, conservation, or environmental education, which may interest South Dakota environmental education advocates.

Environmental education students in South Dakota pursuing agricultural or environmental studies may be eligible for scholarships supporting post-secondary education. The Nebraska Community Foundation, through the Butler County Area Foundation Fund, offers the Charles O. & Grace M. Stoops Scholarship, providing more than US $1,000, with funds paid directly to accredited higher education institutions after the first semester.

South Dakota students pursuing undergraduate environmental studies may be eligible for the Congressman Mark Foley Scholarship for Environmental Studies Fund, which supports aspiring college students. This scholarship from the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties can help future environmental leaders advance their higher education goals and may benefit those engaged in environmental education pathways.

Spokane County students pursuing environmental sciences, environmental studies, ecology, recreational management, or land management degrees can access scholarship funding through Innovia Foundation. Applicants must be full-time college students with at least a 2.5 GPA and demonstrated financial need. Those focused on environmental education, including South Dakota students with Spokane ties, may benefit.

Students pursuing environmental sciences or environmental engineering in accredited U.S. programs may be eligible for this scholarship, which supports environmental education. The Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin’s Douglas County Waste Management Environmental Studies College Scholarship is open to graduating seniors from any Douglas County high school who plan to major in these fields.

American Indian and Alaska Native graduate students in environmental science, environmental studies, or public health in the U.S., including those from South Dakota, can receive need-based support for full-time study through the Grace Wall Barreda Memorial Scholarship. With a mission to assist Native scholars, Native Forward Scholars Fund provides US $100 - US $30,000 annually based on financial need.

Graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and exceptional undergraduates conducting extended field research in organismal biology or related disciplines can receive US $2,000 to cover housing and research supplies at Hastings Natural History Reservation in California. Grants from Natural Reserve System- University of California help South Dakota environmental education researchers who can base their work at this long-term field site.

Students pursuing plant sciences, conservation, environmental sciences, or landscape architecture can receive scholarship support from the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region. Focused on environmental education, the Foundation invites eligible third- or fourth-year undergraduates and graduate students with financial need, who reside in specified New York counties, to apply through its universal scholarship application.

High school seniors pursuing environmental sciences or related fields can receive scholarship support for college through the Joseph S. Onisko, Jr. Environmental Sciences Scholarship, focused on students from southern Beaufort County. Community Foundation of the Lowcountry prioritizes strong academic records, U.S. citizenship, and interest in areas like marine sciences and environmental education.

High school seniors pursuing marine biology, environmental sciences, STEM, or education can receive scholarship support for post-secondary study through the Turtle Trackers - Linda Zambelli Family Scholarship Fund in South Dakota. Community Foundation of the Lowcountry awards these scholarships to U.S. citizens with strong academics who have been accepted to accredited colleges or universities.

Students pursuing natural resource and environmental fields in South Dakota may be eligible for scholarships supporting full-time study at accredited two- or four-year colleges. With a mission to support conservation-minded education, Community Foundation of Northern Illinois backs majors like ecology, forestry, hydrology, soil science, and related environmental disciplines through the Soil and Water Stewardship Scholarship.

The Mitsubishi Corporation Foundation for the Americas (MCFA) supports environmental initiatives across the Americas, focusing on biodiversity conservation, environmental education, justice, and sustainable development. They prioritize programs that align with these aims, particularly those involving 501(c)(3) organizations. MCFA seeks to empower marginalized communities, promote ecological stewardship, and encourage sustainable economic practices, ensuring that environmental burdens are shared equitably across all communities.

Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation

The Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation began in 1992 when a group of community champions came together around a vision to give back to our region then, now, and forever.

This vision lives on within our organization today as we support the people and places of Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, and Leelanau Counties and the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa & Chippewa Indians.

Together with our partners, we spark positive change for a variety of local causes, including youth, arts and culture, education, environment, and health and human services, across our region.

Regional Scholarships

We believe that post-secondary education is key to healthy, resilient, and thriving communities and are pleased to partner with generous community donors to create and offer a variety of scholarship opportunities for local students across the region.

Ragland Bloem Scholarship Fund (Antrim and Kalkaska Counties)

Available to graduating seniors from Antrim or Kalkaska Counties who are planning to pursue education in environmental or related studies.

Scholarships for High School Seniors

Mid-Shore Community Foundation awards scholarships to high school seniors in Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot Counties, who are planning to attend a college, university, or trade school. In general, scholarships are awarded to students who demonstrate academic achievement, community service, financial need, and other criteria specified by the donor.

Kelley Phillips Cox Legacy Scholarship

Awarded to Mid-Shore students, who are planning to pursue degrees in Environmental Science or Marine Biology

About Community Foundation of Henderson County

• Mission: Helping people who care make lasting contributions to causes that matter.
• Vision: Community Foundation of Henderson County is a highly visible, philanthropic leader directed by an engaged and committed board, staffed by qualified employees, empowering donors at all levels to invest in professionally managed charitable funds that address community needs.

Elizabeth DeVilling Environmental Odyssey Scholarship

This scholarship provides support to graduating seniors or graduates of any Henderson County public, private or parochial high school seeking to further their education beyond high school. Recipients of this scholarship must be accepted to an accredited degree granting college or university and be actively pursuing an undergraduate degree in the field of environmental science or a related field. Preference will be given to those who have expressed a desire to pursue work which relates to environmental preservation and/or conservation and have financial need for assistance. Extra-curricular and extra participation in activity relevant to earth sciences/environmental sciences will be given added priority.

With a mission to strengthen communities, Ecolab Foundation provides South Dakota environmental education and youth-serving 501(c)(3) organizations with Board Leadership Volunteer Grants. Eligible groups where an Ecolab employee or retiree serves on the board can receive up to US $500 annually to support programs in education, environment and conservation, arts, and community development.