Grants for Nonprofits - Natural Resources

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation is offering a grant program aimed at expanding access to mental and behavioral health services and resources for youth. This initiative aligns with the foundation's mission to improve the health and well-being of North Carolinians by focusing on critical health needs. The program seeks to support models that are effective in the short term (1-3 years) and leverage a trained workforce beyond traditional specialty-trained clinical roles. This strategic approach emphasizes immediate impact and sustainable community engagement, reflecting a theory of change that posits empowering a broader range of professionals will lead to more accessible and responsive mental health support for young people. The primary target beneficiaries of this grant are youth in North Carolina, particularly those in communities facing significant barriers to accessing care. The program aims to address the critical need for mental and behavioral health support by increasing the availability of resources and services. Impact goals include fostering early identification of distress, trauma, mental health changes, or substance use among youth, and facilitating their connection to appropriate resources. The foundation prioritizes approaches that engage diverse communities and can operate in various settings, such as communities, schools, health systems, and faith-based organizations. The program's priorities include strengthening organizational capacity and infrastructure, connecting care across different settings, increasing access to training opportunities for a diverse workforce, and enhancing the availability of culturally and linguistically relevant resources and materials. The focus is on a trained workforce that can identify, understand, and respond to signs and symptoms of mental health challenges, providing initial support and resource connection. This strategy aims to create a more integrated and accessible support system for youth mental and behavioral health. Expected outcomes include a measurable increase in the number of youth accessing mental and behavioral health services, improved early intervention for mental health concerns, and a more robust network of trained professionals capable of supporting youth. The grant allows for proposals ranging from $75,000 to $500,000 per year for up to three years, indicating a commitment to significant, multi-year projects. Eligible organizations include nonprofits, fiscally sponsored programs, government entities (including schools and tribal governments), and coalitions, fostering a broad and inclusive approach to addressing youth mental health needs across all counties in North Carolina.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for a wide range of organizations and individuals to implement critical recovery actions for endangered and threatened species across the United States.

This grant provides funding to agricultural professionals and organizations in the Western U.S. to implement educational and demonstration projects that promote the adoption of sustainable farming practices based on previous research findings.

This funding opportunity supports organizations in North Carolina that create innovative programs to strengthen local entrepreneurial ecosystems and promote economic growth.

This funding opportunity supports Los Angeles-based organizations working on initiatives that create systemic change to improve the lives of children from prenatal to age 5 and their families.

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is soliciting proposals for the Northeast Forests and Rivers Fund (NEFRF), a program dedicated to restoring and sustaining healthy rivers, forests, and grasslands to provide habitat for diverse fish and wildlife populations. This initiative aligns with NFWF's broader mission to protect and restore native wildlife species and their habitats, leveraging public and private funding to achieve significant conservation outcomes. The NEFRF, formerly known as the New England Forests and Rivers Fund, represents a strategic investment in the ecological health of the Northeast region, fostering biodiversity and ecosystem resilience. The program's target beneficiaries include various fish and wildlife populations such as river herring, Atlantic salmon, brook trout, wood turtles, golden-winged warblers, New England cottontails, and bobolinks. Beyond wildlife, the program also aims to benefit agricultural producers, particularly those in Historically Underserved and Special Emphasis categories, by helping them design and implement conservation practices. The impact goals are centered on improving habitat quality and connectivity, enhancing forest conditions, and promoting hayfield management conducive to successful grassland bird breeding. NEFRF's priorities and focuses are outlined in NFWF’s Northeast Watersheds Business Plan (March 2023), specifically targeting strategies for Stream and Riparian Habitat, and Upland Forests and Grasslands. Key implementation strategies for 2024 include restoring stream and riparian habitats, improving forest management for age and structural diversity, and promoting hayfield management. A significant portion of funding, approximately $625,000, is set aside for projects that assist agricultural producers in adopting conservation practices beneficial to target species like northeast turtles and golden-winged warblers, while also increasing Farm Bill program participation. Additionally, the program encourages projects that involve community outreach, engagement, collaborative management, and the incorporation of traditional knowledge and community input. Expected outcomes and measurable results include improved habitat for specific fish and wildlife species, enhanced age and structural diversity in forest blocks, successful grassland bird breeding, and increased participation of agricultural producers in conservation programs. Projects are expected to contribute to measurable conservation benefits through community input, co-design processes, and engagement with community-level partners (e.g., municipalities, NGOs, community organizations, community leaders) to ensure project design, implementation, maintenance, and long-term sustainability post-grant award. The grant duration is three years, with projects expected to start no later than six months after the award date. The NFWF's strategic priorities for the NEFRF reflect a theory of change that posits by investing in targeted habitat restoration, improved land management, and community engagement, ecological health will be restored and sustained, benefiting both wildlife and human communities. Funding is provided by a consortium of partners including the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service and Natural Resources Conservation Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Zoetis Foundation, and Sylvamo, underscoring a collaborative approach to conservation. The program encourages a holistic view of conservation, integrating scientific best practices with local community needs and traditional knowledge to achieve robust and lasting environmental improvements across Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, and parts of New York.

This program provides financial assistance to private woodland owners in Ohio for managing invasive hemlock woolly adelgid infestations to protect and enhance the health of eastern hemlock forests.

This program provides funding to local, state, federal, and Tribal governments, as well as nonprofit organizations, to develop and improve trail systems for recreational access and environmental stewardship across Oregon.

This funding opportunity is designed for research institutions within the Pacific Northwest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit to investigate deep-sea volcanic systems and hydrothermal environments in the Aleutian Island Arc, enhancing understanding of submarine volcanism and its environmental impacts.

The objective of this NOFO is to invite states, Indian Tribes, irrigation districts, water districts, local governmental entities, non-profit organizations, Existing Watershed Groups, and local and special districts (e.g., irrigation and water districts, conservation districts, natural resource districts) to submit proposals for Phase I activities to develop a watershed group, complete watershed restoration planning activities, and design watershed management projects. See Section C.4. Eligible Projects for a more comprehensive description of eligible activities.A watershed group, as defined in Section 6001(6) of the Cooperative Watershed Management Act (see Section A.1. Authority for full citation) is a grassroots, non-regulatory entity that addresses water availability and quality issues within the relevant watershed, is capable of promoting the sustainable use of water resources in the watershed, makes decisions on a consensus basis, and represents a diverse group of stakeholders, including hydroelectric producers, livestock grazing, timber production, land development, recreation or tourism, irrigated agriculture, the environment, municipal water supplies, private property owners, Federal, state and local governments, Tribes, and disadvantaged communities.

This funding opportunity supports community organizations in Hennepin County to implement innovative waste prevention and recycling projects that benefit underserved communities.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to local non-profits and school groups for projects that promote environmental sustainability, such as water conservation, waste reduction, energy efficiency, and educational initiatives.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for organizations to enhance cultural and natural resource management at a major Marine Corps training facility in California, focusing on archaeological collections and wildlife protection programs.

The Underserved Farmer to Farmer grant program, managed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) with funding from the Environmental Protection Agency’s Gulf of Mexico division, is a $3 million, 5-year initiative. This program aligns with the mission of addressing critical environmental challenges by empowering historically underserved farming communities. The DNR's strategic priority is to enhance the capacity of these communities to combat nutrient pollution and frequent flooding, thereby fostering environmental resilience and sustainable agricultural practices. The primary target beneficiaries of this grant are "underserved farmers" as defined by the United States Department of Agriculture. This includes beginning farmers, socially disadvantaged farmers, veteran farmers, and those with limited resources. Other classifications may also be supported through negotiation. The program aims to increase the ability of these farmers to implement practices that mitigate nutrient pollution and reduce the impact of frequent flooding, leading to improved water quality and land management. The grant prioritizes projects that directly address nutrient pollution and flooding. The expected outcomes include a reduction in nutrient runoff into waterways and enhanced flood resilience within historically underserved farm communities. Measurable results would involve tracking the number of projects funded, the types of conservation practices implemented, and the environmental improvements achieved in the targeted areas. The theory of change suggests that by providing financial resources and support to underserved farmers, the program will lead to widespread adoption of environmentally beneficial farming practices. Projects funded through this grant can receive up to $250,000, with $700,000 currently remaining for subawards. Eligibility for subawards extends to a broad range of entities, including conservation districts, institutions of higher learning, local or state government entities (such as Watershed Management Authorities), NGOs and nonprofits, Tribal nations, beginning farmer groups, and U.S. military veteran farmer groups. This inclusive approach ensures that various stakeholders can contribute to the program's overarching goals and amplify its impact across Iowa's agricultural landscape.

This grant provides funding for projects that improve park facilities and recreational access while addressing climate change, with a focus on benefiting economically disadvantaged communities.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for projects that improve the efficiency and flexibility of existing coal power plants, targeting a wide range of applicants including universities, businesses, and government entities.

This program provides funding to nonprofit organizations to recruit and manage experienced individuals aged 55 and older who will deliver technical conservation services to support agricultural conservation efforts across the United States.

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency has grants available for aquatic stream clean-up projects across the state. The program assists cities, schools, community organizations, civic groups, watershed organizations, and conservation groups with stream clean-up projects. Five grants, at a maximum of $1,000 each, are available for each of TWRA’s four regional Aquatic Habitat Protection regions (a total of $5,000 per region). The grant money could be used to buy supplies such as rakes, work gloves, and garbage bags. Also, it could be used to pay disposal fees for solid waste and tire removal or to provide promotional items like project advertisements or T‑shirts and refreshments for volunteer support. The funds will be obligated as grants, so the grantee must have a nonprofit tax number. Grant proposals should include the applicant organization’s name, tax ID number, address, phone, and name of a contact person authorized to enter into a contractual agreement on behalf of the organization. The proposal should also include the name of the stream, the county or counties involved, and the project area and description.

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is offering its 2024 Natural Disaster Recovery (NDR) Grant. This program aims to aid communities in restoring their urban tree canopy after natural disasters by funding the planting of replacement trees. This initiative directly aligns with the broader mission of environmental stewardship and community resilience, focusing on re-establishing critical natural infrastructure within urban areas. The grant seeks to mitigate the long-term environmental and aesthetic damage caused by natural disasters, thereby contributing to the overall well-being and sustainability of affected communities. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are municipalities and 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations within Indiana. The target impact is the recovery and enhancement of urban tree canopies, which in turn offers numerous environmental benefits such as improved air quality, reduced urban heat island effect, enhanced stormwater management, and increased biodiversity. The program also encourages community engagement, fostering a sense of shared responsibility and local involvement in environmental recovery efforts, which can lead to more sustainable outcomes and stronger community bonds. The grant prioritizes the planting of trees native to Indiana and explicitly excludes the purchase of maples (Acer genus) unless specific conditions are met, demonstrating a commitment to ecological integrity and the prevention of monoculture. Beyond tree planting, the grant also supports crucial urban forestry management tools, including community tree inventories, canopy assessments, management plans, and storm response plans. These tools are vital for a proactive and strategic approach to urban forestry, enabling communities to not only recover from disasters but also to build more resilient and effectively managed tree populations for the future. Expected outcomes include a measurable increase in urban tree canopy coverage in disaster-affected areas, improved community preparedness for future natural disasters through comprehensive management and response plans, and a heightened level of community engagement in local environmental initiatives. Measurable results will likely be tracked through the number of trees planted, the development and implementation of urban forestry plans, and the scope of community participation. The underlying theory of change is that by providing targeted financial assistance for tree recovery and urban forestry planning, IDNR can empower local entities to rebuild stronger, more sustainable, and more beautiful communities capable of withstanding future environmental challenges. Funding for project requests ranges from a minimum of $1,000 to a maximum of $20,000, with an overall available fund of $40,000. This ensures that a diverse range of projects, from small-scale plantings to more comprehensive planning initiatives, can be supported. Eligible activities include the creation or updating of tree inventories and canopy assessments, the development or review of management/response plans, and tree planting projects that incorporate community engagement. The emphasis on native species and strategic planning reflects a thoughtful approach to environmental restoration and long-term ecological health.

This funding opportunity supports not-for-profit organizations and local governments in New York to create community gardens that provide fresh food and nutrition education to low-income populations eligible for SNAP benefits.