Best Grants for Land Conservation in Washington

The Community Possible Grant Program by U.S. Bank aims to foster economic and workforce advancement, as well as safe and affordable housing. By partnering with 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, the program seeks to drive lasting change within communities through collaborative grantmaking. Priority is given to organizations that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, and that address multiple pillars of work, home, and play. This initiative reflects U.S. Bank's commitment to creating a more equitable society.

The Costco Wholesale Charitable Contributions program prioritizes support for children, education, and health services within local communities. Nonprofit organizations seeking assistance must be 501(c)(3) certified and focus on monetary requests. Applications are reviewed within 4-6 weeks, factoring in community needs and collaboration. However, Costco limits grants to 10% of the program budget and typically restricts organizations to one request per fiscal year. They do not fund individuals or direct aid for various specific purposes.

The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation provides grants to organizations focused on improving the lives of children in urban poverty in the U.S., India, and South Africa. They prioritize projects in education, health, and family economic stability. Grants typically do not exceed 25% of a project's budget or 10% of an organization's annual expenses. The foundation seeks to partner with organizations already making an impact, ensuring funding supports impactful social enterprises.

The PNC Foundation aims to enhance the lives of individuals in local communities through partnerships with nonprofit organizations. Their focus includes promoting educational opportunities, particularly for early childhood education, and supporting economic development initiatives. Grants are available for organizations that benefit low- to moderate-income families and enhance community growth. The foundation prioritizes programs that foster sustainability and diversity, ensuring a lasting impact on the communities they serve.

Roche Corporate Donations and Philanthropy (CDP) focuses on impactful projects that foster sustainable development, engage employees, and leverage Roche's expertise. Their philanthropic efforts prioritize humanitarian, educational, environmental, and cultural initiatives, aiming to build stronger communities and support innovative projects. Eligibility is limited to local organizations, while ineligible projects include those with political or religious ties. The foundation strives to create a positive societal impact through collaboration and strategic partnerships.

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.

The Bank of America Foundation Sponsorship Program aims to enhance economic mobility and social progress in low- and moderate-income communities through partnerships with nonprofit organizations. This initiative focuses on critical areas such as workforce education, basic needs like food and housing, and community development. The Foundation invested $350 million last year and encourages employee volunteerism and giving, supporting nonprofits in various sectors, including arts, culture, and diversity initiatives.

Environmental 501(c)(3) groups in Washington focused on land and habitat conservation can apply for the Burning Foundation’s environment grants, awarding US $5,000 - US $15,000 for general operating support or special projects. Organizations preserving rivers, forests, native fish habitat, and quiet remote recreation areas may be especially competitive.

Conservation-focused organizations in Washington can seek funding to implement wildlife recovery actions and habitat-focused research through the Wildlife Diversity Grant Program, supporting Species of Greatest Conservation Need. Focused on land and habitat conservation, Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife offers US $40,000 - US $400,000 for projects aligned with agency priorities during the 2025–2027 biennium.

Nonprofits, public entities, and tribes in eastern Washington can seek Innovia Foundation’s Community Grants to build, expand, or sustain programs, capital projects, or capacity-building efforts. Funding of US $2,500 - US $15,000 supports work in areas like land conservation, quality of life, health, education, arts, and economic opportunity across its 20-county region.

Local and tribal governments and not-for-profit organizations in Washington can seek funding to reduce flood risks while restoring riverine habitat and conserving floodplain lands; awards are up to US $10,000,000. With a mission to improve resilient floodplains, the State of Washington Department of Ecology provides multi-benefit project support including design, construction, land acquisition, and riparian or wetland restoration.

Nonprofits, public schools, and certain governmental or faith-based organizations focused on arts, history, or the environment in North Central Washington can use Icicle Fund Community Grants for unrestricted operating and program support. Grants from Icicle Fund help Washington land and habitat conservation groups in Chelan, Douglas, Grant, and Okanogan counties with $3,000 - $35,000 awards.

Washington land and habitat conservation groups working with specialty crops can access funding through the Washington State Department of Agriculture for projects that enhance the competitiveness of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and nursery crops. Grants of US $25,000 - US $250,000 support areas like environmental stewardship, pest and plant health, food safety, marketing, training, and innovative technologies.

Public agencies, tribes, and nonprofit nature conservancies in Washington can access funding for land and habitat conservation, restoration, and outdoor recreation infrastructure through the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office. Grants support land acquisition, riparian protection, habitat restoration, and amenities like trails, viewing areas, and restrooms for conservation-focused projects across the state.

Conservation-focused 501(c)(3) and other nonprofit organizations, libraries, and schools in Washington and the broader Salish Sea region can receive up to US $5,000 for short-term conservation education projects. Focused on environmental and habitat conservation, Keta Legacy Foundation supports educational programs, curriculum, and awareness materials that help protect local land, waters, and living organisms.

Conservation-focused 501(c)(3) and other nonprofit organizations, schools, and libraries in the Salish Sea region of Washington can apply for the Paul Wiseman Conservation Education Grant; awards US $15,000 for substantial conservation education or restoration projects. Keta Legacy Foundation supports environmental education, land and habitat conservation, and ecosystem restoration with strong educational components.

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.

Washington land conservation agencies and partners preserving farmland in Washington can access funding through Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office to purchase development rights on agricultural lands. Grants also may support restoring natural functions that improve long-term farm viability, helping keep significant farmland in production while contributing to broader land and habitat conservation goals.

Public agencies and eligible conservation entities in Washington can seek funding to secure conservation easements or leases on working forestland, supporting long-term timber production and land preservation. Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office provides up to US $500,000 per project, which may also include restoring stream corridors for clean water and fish habitat.

The Lawrence Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2000, dedicated to granting funds for environmental and human services causes. Eligible organizations include 501(c)(3) nonprofits and public schools, with grants typically ranging from $5,000 to $10,000. The foundation supports unrestricted grants for various projects, including disaster relief and environmental programs, but does not fund individuals or for-profit entities. Applications are evaluated based on alignment with the foundation's priorities.

The True Inspiration Awards, established by Chick-fil-A in 2015, recognizes nonprofit organizations that significantly impact their communities. In 2025, the program will distribute $6 million in grants, ranging from $30,000 to $350,000, to sixteen selected organizations. Categories include Caring for People, Caring through Food, Community, and Caring for our Planet, with a focus on educational initiatives, food security, housing services, and environmental stewardship, honoring the legacy of founder S. Truett Cathy.

Organizations in Washington conducting prescribed fire training, implementation, or Prescribed Burn Association support can seek US $5,000 - US $250,000 to advance forest restoration and wildfire risk reduction. Washington State Department of Natural Resources supports fire ecology and firefighting efforts that restore dry-forest habitats and reduce wildfire fuels, benefiting land and habitat conservation across the state.

About Serve Washington

Serve Washington advances national service, volunteerism, and civic engagement to improve lives, expand opportunity to meet the local critical needs of residents of Washington, and strengthen community capacity while creating healthy and resilient communities.

AmeriCorps Planning Grant

AmeriCorps Planning Grants provide initial funding to support current staff or to hire additional staff who can plan a proposed AmeriCorps program and develop systems for successful implementation of an AmeriCorps operational grant application. This is a great place to start if you are new to AmeriCorps! 

AmeriCorps Focus Areas

The National and Community Service Act of 1990, as amended by the Serve America Act, emphasizes measuring the impact of service and focusing on a core set of issue areas. To carry out Congress’s intent, maximize the impact of investment in national service, and achieve the goals laid out in the Strategic Plan (2022-2026), AmeriCorps has the following Focus Areas:

• Disaster Services: Helping individuals and communities prepare for, respond to, recover from, and mitigate the effects of disasters and increase community resiliency.
• Economic Opportunity: Improving the economic well-being and security of underserved individuals.
• Education: Improving educational outcomes for underserved people, especially children. AmeriCorps is particularly interested in program designs that support youth engagement and service learning as strategies to achieve high educational outcomes.
• Environmental Stewardship: Supporting communities to become more resilient through measures that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, conserve land and water, increase renewable energy use and improve at-risk ecosystems, especially in underserved households and communities.
• Healthy Futures: Support for health needs within communities, including mitigating the impacts of COVID-19 and other public health crises, access to care, aging in place, and addressing childhood obesity, especially in underserved communities.
• Veterans and Military Families: Improving the quality of life of veterans, military families, caregivers, and survivors. 

Funding

Awards for planning grants may not exceed $75,000

Nonprofit and public organizations planning AmeriCorps programs that address land and habitat conservation or environmental stewardship in Washington can apply for operational funding; awards support implementing or renewing three-year AmeriCorps programs. Grants from Serve Washington help groups build service projects that strengthen community resilience while advancing conservation and related community needs.

Washington land and habitat conservation nonprofits can access funding through The Keta Legacy Foundation for projects focused on environmental conservation, preservation, or restoration. 501(c)(3) organizations working in Eastern Washington counties, as well as Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Montana, may request up to US $25,000 for innovative, feasible projects with significant environmental or community impact.

Washington cities, counties, tribes, and state agencies can use this program to acquire, restore, or develop aquatic lands for public access and habitat conservation, with awards up to US $1,000,000. Land and habitat conservation entities in Washington can access funding through Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office for shoreline restoration, estuary projects, and waterfront parks on navigable waters.

Eligible Washington cities, counties, tribes, special districts, and nonprofit land conservancies can apply for Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office’s Community Forests Program, with awards up to US $3,000,000 to buy and permanently conserve working forestland. Funding can also support forest and habitat restoration and development of outdoor recreation facilities on acquired lands.