Private Environment Grants

The Nelsonville Community Foundation, in partnership with the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio and the Osteopathic Heritage Foundation, is offering grants to nonprofits, schools, and public organizations. These grants are specifically for projects and programs that benefit Nelsonville and the surrounding communities of Buchtel, Carbon Hill, and Murray City, Ohio. The program's core mission aligns with improving the health and quality of life in the community through education, research, and service, consistent with the Osteopathic Heritage Foundation's long-standing commitment to Nelsonville and southeastern Ohio. The grant program targets individuals of all ages within the specified communities who are leading efforts to create opportunities, address pressing needs, and unlock potential in the Nelsonville area. The overarching impact goal is to advance opportunities across five key areas, known as the Pillars of Prosperity: arts and culture, community and economic development, education, environmental stewardship, and health and human services. This framework guides the selection of projects that are expected to yield tangible benefits for the community. Grants will be awarded to projects and programs that demonstrate a clear focus on these five pillars. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed for each pillar in the provided information, the emphasis is on supporting initiatives that create opportunities and meet critical needs. The program implicitly seeks to improve the overall well-being and development of the Nelsonville area through targeted interventions in these strategic sectors. Funding requests are generally expected to be between $500 and $5,000. However, the foundations are open to considering larger requests if they demonstrate significant potential for impact. Eligible applicants include 501(c) nonprofit organizations, public organizations such as school districts and government subdivisions, and groups working under fiscal sponsorship with an eligible nonprofit or public entity. This inclusive eligibility criteria reflects the foundation's strategic priority to engage a broad range of community stakeholders in their efforts to drive positive change.

The Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation is inviting applications for the Hardman Fund, aimed at enriching the lives of residents in North Adams, Florida, Clarksburg, MA, and Stamford, VT, by supporting nonprofit organizations that focus on arts, culture, historic preservation, health, human and social services, education, and the environment, with a special interest in initiatives that assist people in difficult economic circumstances and enrich the cultural and natural environment.

The U.S. Embassy Kyiv's Public Diplomacy Small Grants (PDSG) Program focused on EDUCATION is an open competition seeking applications from Ukrainian non-government, non-profit organizations. The program's core objective, aligned with U.S. Public Diplomacy goals, is to support projects that strengthen Ukraine’s educational system as a vital contributor to the nation's post-war restoration and development. Projects are expected to be administered by Ukrainian NGOs in collaboration with local education counterparts like colleges, universities, and government entities, with collaboration or partnerships with U.S. organizations and the use of U.S. concepts/experts highly encouraged. Preference is explicitly given to proposals that demonstrate clear, sustainable results and strengthen US-Ukraine people-to-people ties or have the potential for lasting engagement between institutions. The primary beneficiaries and key participants are Ukrainian stakeholders in education—those with the ability to shape the sector to address the pragmatic challenges of the post-war recovery period. The specific target audience includes social groups most affected by the war, such as veterans, individuals with disabilities, and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), as well as key decision-makers in crisis circumstances. The overarching impact goal is to modernize and expand Ukraine's education system to integrate vulnerable populations and effectively connect the education system to the specific, immediate demands of the labor market for economic recovery and growth. The grant outlines four specific thematic priorities. The first is promoting collaboration between educational institutions, employers, and government to produce a qualified workforce for economic recovery, including the design of dual education programs and new study plans adjusted to employer needs. Second is the development of training and programs for individuals with disabilities, veterans, and IDPs, which may include piloting centers for veterans services and disabilities services at universities, focusing on entrepreneurship and vocational re-training. The third priority is supporting the optimization of the educational system in response to war and reconstruction challenges, ensuring access to high-quality education, and aligning with Euro-Atlantic aspirations. Finally, the fourth priority focuses on developing civic education programs for Ukrainian students and adults to facilitate social cohesion and the reintegration of citizens from occupied territories and those sheltered abroad. The program's theory of change is that by leveraging U.S. expertise and fostering deep, lasting US-Ukraine institutional engagement, the modernization of Ukraine's education system will directly address post-war challenges, drive economic recovery, and facilitate societal stability. The strategic priority is to support the continuity and modernization of Ukrainian education to ensure a qualified workforce and reintegrate its most vulnerable populations. The expected outcomes are measurable and sustainable improvements; consequently, all proposals must include a rigorous monitoring and evaluation plan with clearly defined indicators to ensure the realization of project goals is quantifiable and verifiable.

The Libra Foundation's grant program is designed to enhance the quality of life for Maine residents by strategically deploying its financial resources to stimulate economic development, foster entrepreneurial ventures, and create employment opportunities within the state. This initiative directly aligns with the foundation's core mission to support innovative and sustainable Maine-based business initiatives and programs. The foundation's strategic approach involves leveraging its assets to achieve economic benefits for Maine and its residents, while also prioritizing the welfare and betterment of children. This reflects a dual focus on both economic prosperity and social well-being, indicating a holistic theory of change that sees economic growth as a means to improve overall societal conditions, particularly for vulnerable populations. The primary target beneficiaries of this grant program are Maine residents, with a specific emphasis on children who stand to benefit from the funded initiatives. The foundation aims to achieve significant impact by supporting organizations that can develop and implement programs offering potential economic benefits across the state. This includes job creation, economic growth, and the fostering of entrepreneurial activity, all contributing to an improved quality of life. The expected outcomes are centered on measurable progress in these areas, with successful applications demonstrating clear pathways to sustainable development and positive community impact. The foundation's theory of change posits that by investing in innovative local businesses and programs, it can create a ripple effect of economic and social improvement throughout Maine. The Libra Foundation's priorities and focuses are broad, encompassing various areas of giving such as Arts, Culture & Humanities, Education, Environment, Health, Human Services, Justice, Public/Society Benefit, and Religion. This wide scope allows the foundation to address diverse needs within Maine while remaining committed to its overarching goals of economic development and child welfare. While the grant program has a general size of $10,000 to $100,000, individual grants will not exceed $25,000. This suggests a strategic allocation of resources to support a wider array of smaller, impactful projects rather than a few large ones, thereby maximizing the reach and diversity of its funding. To ensure the effectiveness and accountability of its grants, the Libra Foundation has clear eligibility criteria. Only organizations that have been determined to be tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and "not a private foundation" under Section 509(a) of the Code are considered. This ensures that the foundation partners with legitimate and transparent entities, reinforcing its commitment to responsible philanthropy. The requirement for evidence of this determination at the time of application underscores the foundation's due diligence and strategic focus on supporting organizations that meet specific legal and ethical standards, thereby safeguarding its investments and maximizing the potential for positive outcomes for the residents of Maine.

The Native American Agriculture Fund invites applications to its 2024 grant program. The fund provides support consistent with its trust agreement to advance business assistance, agricultural education, technical support, and advocacy services for Native American producers and communities. Funding is offered across entity types with both general and special focus areas. Pools include support for nonprofit organizations, educational organizations, community development financial institutions, and tribal governments and instrumentalities. Special focus areas emphasize climate and regenerative agricultural practices and, for CDFIs, additional CDFI and Native CDFI support. Youth programming is available to all eligible entity types. Funds may support projects of 12 or 24 months and may be used for project support, general support, scholarships, re grants, lending programs, or capital expenditures. Stated pools and request ranges include, among others, 1,000,000 dollars for nonprofit general and special focus with requests between 100,000 and 200,000 dollars, 500,000 dollars for educational organizations with requests between 75,000 and 150,000 dollars, 4,500,000 dollars for CDFIs with no fixed request limits, and 1,000,000 dollars for youth programming with requests from 20,000 to 200,000 dollars. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) organizations, educational organizations described in Section 170(b)(1)(A)(ii), community development financial institutions including certified and emerging Native CDFIs that are 501(c)(3), and instrumentalities of federally recognized tribes meeting the fund’s charitable and reporting requirements including limited waivers as applicable. The program aligns with the trust agreement’s definitions and restrictions. Applications are due May 1, 2024. Typical award sizes for some pools range from 100,000 to 500,000 dollars depending on entity type and focus. Additional information and official details are provided by the Native American Agriculture Fund.

This program provides funding to various organizations and community groups in Maryland to plant and maintain trees, improving urban environments and combating climate change.

The Seeds of Sustainability Grant Program, offered by the Western New York Foundation, aims to bolster nonprofit organizations working within the food system. This program aligns with the foundation's mission by supporting efforts to improve organizational capacity and drive transformative work. Through this initiative, the foundation seeks to empower nonprofits to achieve their objectives and contribute to a more sustainable and resilient food system in the region. The target beneficiaries of this grant program are small to mid-size nonprofit organizations with budgets between $100,000 and $6,000,000, operating within Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, and Wyoming counties in New York. The program's impact goals center on enhancing the operational effectiveness and sustainable growth of these organizations. It seeks to equip them with the necessary skills, knowledge, and resources to amplify their impact on local and regional food systems. The program prioritizes several key areas to achieve its objectives. These include supporting strategic leadership development, fostering collaboration among community stakeholders, strengthening communication efforts to raise awareness and attract resources, expanding resources to stabilize financials, promoting programming excellence, and enhancing overall operational effectiveness. These focuses are designed to address the multifaceted needs of nonprofits and build a robust foundation for long-term success. Expected outcomes and measurable results include improved board and staff leadership, stronger community engagement and expanded services through collaborative efforts, increased awareness and resource attraction due to enhanced communications, greater financial stability and long-term sustainability, more effective program delivery and evaluation, and improved day-to-day operational productivity in areas such as administration, grant management, finance, human resources, technology, and facility management. The foundation's strategic priorities and theory of change are evident in its commitment to capacity building, believing that by strengthening the internal capabilities of nonprofits, they can more effectively drive transformative change in the food system. To be eligible, applicants must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organizations, demonstrate a commitment to transformative change in the food system, and have three years of 990 filings. The program's detailed approach, from leadership support to operational enhancements, reflects the Western New York Foundation's comprehensive strategy for fostering sustainable growth and impactful work within the vital food sector of the region.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations focused on medical testing and health education for residents affected by groundwater contamination in northeast Wichita.

The C.D. Besadny Conservation Fund is a grant opportunity that invests in grassroots conservation and education projects benefiting Wisconsin's lands, waters, and wildlife, while also connecting people to the state's natural resources. The grants range from $500 to $2,000. The fund has several grantmaking priorities, including projects that benefit Wisconsin's imperiled natural communities and native plant or wildlife species, engage and impact underserved communities or support diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts within Wisconsin's conservation and environmental education sectors, and build climate resiliency through natural climate solutions or climate adaptation. Projects should demonstrate measurable outcomes and encourage innovation through resource leverage and partnerships. Eligible applicants include public charities with approved 501(c)(3) exempt status (under section 509(a)(1), 509(a)(2), or 509(a)(3) Type I and Type II), federal, state, or local governmental units, American Indian nations or tribal communities, or accredited schools, colleges, or universities. Ineligible organizations include individuals, businesses, section 509(a)(3) Type III supporting organizations, private foundations, and private operating foundations. Projects must benefit Wisconsin's natural resources or people. The total project budget cannot exceed $10,000 with overhead costs limited to 15% of the grant amount. Project expenses incurred prior to submitting the application are not eligible. A one-to-one match is required and can include in-kind support such as volunteer hours or donated materials. Only one application per organization per grant cycle will be accepted. To apply for the grant opportunity: 1. Ensure your project addresses the grantmaking priorities and meets eligibility requirements. 2. Complete the application (paper copies not accepted). 3. Include proof of IRS tax-exempt status (IRS form 501c3 tax determination letter). 4. Submit all materials by email to Lindsey at [email protected] by September 1st. Applicants will be notified within six weeks following the submission deadline. For more information or inquiries, contact Lindsey Taylor, Conservation Programs Coordinator, at (608) 409-3145 or [email protected]. The grant is renewed every year with a deadline of September 1st.

This funding opportunity supports local artists in Fulton, Montgomery, and Saratoga Counties to create new public art projects that engage and involve their communities.

The Berkeley FILM Foundation (BFF) has launched its inaugural short fiction film grant program, designed to support narrative short film projects through pre-production, production, post-production, and distribution stages. This initiative aligns directly with BFF's mission to foster creative, thoughtful, and innovative storytelling, particularly films with strong themes of social or environmental justice. The foundation aims to empower filmmakers who can use the medium to address critical societal issues, thereby contributing to a more just and aware community. The target beneficiaries of this grant program are individual filmmakers—specifically directors, co-directors, producers, or co-producers—who are at least 18 years of age and reside or work in specific Bay Area cities: Berkeley, Emeryville, Albany, El Cerrito, Richmond, Oakland, or Alameda. Organizations are not eligible to apply. The impact goals are to support the creation of high-quality short fiction films that embody the organization's commitment to social justice and inspire other funding bodies to support creative projects. The program prioritizes short, fiction films (40 minutes or less) that demonstrate originality, imagination, and technical skill. A significant focus is placed on narratives that explore social or environmental justice themes, reflecting the foundation's strategic priority to leverage film as a tool for advocacy and community engagement. The grants are divided into two tiers: General Grants ranging from $5,000 to $10,000, and the prestigious Saul Zaentz Awards, offering two separate $25,000 grants for films that most powerfully embody the foundation's mission. Expected outcomes include the successful completion and distribution of impactful narrative short films that raise awareness and stimulate dialogue around social and environmental issues. Measurable results will be determined by the number of films funded, their artistic merit, their alignment with social justice themes, and their potential to inspire further funding and public engagement. The foundation's theory of change posits that by investing in filmmakers who produce compelling, socially conscious narratives, they can contribute to cultural enrichment and foster positive societal change.

This funding opportunity supports conservation and research projects focused on key species that significantly impact ecosystems, culture, or economy in the U.S., particularly those led by local communities and incorporating Indigenous knowledge.

This grant provides funding to local governments and non-profit organizations for projects that improve the environment, culture, or community along the Lower Delaware River corridor.

The GIVE Washington County Fund Grants, offered by the Washington County Community Foundation in Pennsylvania, is inviting applications from eligible nonprofits, governmental or educational institutions for a flexible grant of up to $10,000, to be used in eight focus areas including animal welfare, arts, community improvement, conservation, education, health, human needs, and religion, excluding general operating or routine program support.

The Legacy Foundation of Southeast Arizona is offering Innovative Grants ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 for one year to tax-exempt organizations and government entities, aiming to fund projects that promote community health and wellness through innovative solutions and collaborations, with a focus on addressing various aspects of community wellbeing and resilience.

The Air Products Greater Massena Community Fund, administered by the Northern New York Community Foundation, offers financial assistance to qualified 501(c)(3) organizations and local governing bodies. Its primary mission is to enhance the quality of life for residents within the Greater Massena community. This aligns with the foundation's broader goal of supporting community needs, as evidenced by its commitment to programs that benefit areas such as health and wellness, arts and culture, human services, education, families, youth and/or elders, environment and conservation, community development, and recreation. The target beneficiaries of this grant program are residents of the Greater Massena community, particularly those in disadvantaged communities within St. Lawrence and Franklin Counties. The impact goal is to improve various aspects of community life through diverse programs and initiatives. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed for each category, the evaluation process emphasizes the potential impact on the Massena community, especially its support for disadvantaged populations. The grant program's priorities and focuses are broad, encompassing a wide array of community needs. These include, but are not limited to, health and wellness, arts and culture, human services, education, families, youth and/or elders, environment and conservation, community development, and recreation. Each grant request undergoes an evaluation based on its potential impact, the amount of available funding, and the quality of the applicant's planning, leadership, and proposal support. The foundation's strategic priorities and theory of change are centered on fostering positive community development and improving the quality of life through targeted financial support. By providing grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000, with an upper limit of $7,500 per application, the fund aims to empower local organizations and governing bodies to address pressing community needs. The deadline for applications is July 31, 2024, indicating a structured approach to funding cycles. More information can be found by visiting the Northern New York Community Foundation.

The City of Alexandria Arts Grants program aims to foster artistic excellence and provide engaging arts experiences for both residents and visitors of Alexandria. This initiative aligns with the city's broader mission to strengthen its creative capacity, enhance the stability of local arts organizations, and cultivate a vibrant urban environment through high-quality artistic creation and presentation. The program seeks to ensure diverse opportunities for meaningful engagement with the arts across the city. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are non-profit arts organizations based in Alexandria that have been in existence for at least one full year. The program also supports individual artists and other entities contributing to the arts within the city limits. The impact goals are centered on improving the capacity and stability of Alexandria-based organizations and enriching the cultural lives of its residents and visitors. The program prioritizes supporting organizations that create, perform, and present works of artistic excellence and innovation. It also focuses on diversifying opportunities for residents to engage with the arts and fostering a vibrant urban environment. Projects must take place within Alexandria's city limits between July 1 and June 30 of each fiscal year. Expected outcomes include a stronger creative sector in Alexandria, with increased opportunities for residents to participate in and experience the arts. The program anticipates an improvement in the stability and capacity of local arts organizations, leading to a more dynamic and culturally rich city. Measurable results will likely be tied to the number and diversity of arts programs offered, the audience reach, and the organizational health of grant recipients, though specific metrics are not detailed in the provided text. The funding structure provides grants up to $12,500, not to exceed 50% of the total program budget, and requires a 1:1 cash match. This co-funding model encourages community investment and ensures a shared commitment to the success of arts initiatives. The grant period for approved projects runs from July 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024, indicating a focus on specific, shorter-term program support. The theory of change appears to be that by investing in local arts organizations and artists, the City of Alexandria can directly enhance the cultural landscape, engage its community, and strengthen its overall creative economy.

The Shullsburg Fund, established in 2004 by area citizens, serves as a permanent funding source dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in and around Shullsburg. Managed as a component of the Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin, it annually redistributes a portion of its earnings to finance projects and programs that positively impact community life. The fund focuses on supporting non-profit organizations, the local school district, and local government agencies with charitable initiatives. Grants are ceremoniously awarded in June each year, underlining the fund's commitment to community development and welfare. Grant renewed every year. Grant annual deadline: May 15th

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations and community groups in specific areas of O‘ahu for projects focused on environmental conservation, sustainability, and youth engagement.

The Community Climate Collaborative Energy Efficiency Grants program offers funding to small businesses for upgrades aimed at improving energy efficiency. This includes enhancements to appliances, lighting, and heating/cooling systems. The program's core objective is to facilitate emissions reductions and generate financial savings for businesses through strategic capital investments. While not explicitly stating the "foundation's strategic priorities and theory of change" in a separate section, the program's focus on emissions reduction directly aligns with a broader mission of combating climate change, which is implicitly the strategic priority of an organization named "Community Climate Collaborative." The target beneficiaries of this grant program are small businesses operating within the City of Charlottesville or Albemarle County, Virginia. Specifically, eligible businesses must hold a business license in one of these locations and qualify as a Microbusiness according to Virginia SBSD criteria, meaning they have 25 employees or fewer. The program also prioritizes Woman- or Minority-owned Businesses, as defined by Virginia SBSD criteria, and encourages SWaM certification or equivalent documentation. This focused approach aims to empower local, smaller enterprises in their transition to more sustainable operations. The program's priorities and focuses are squarely on tangible energy efficiency upgrades that yield demonstrable savings in energy usage and/or a reduction in emissions. This indicates a results-oriented approach where the proposed upgrades must show a clear environmental benefit and potentially economic advantage for the grantee. The maximum grant amount of $2,000 per project highlights an emphasis on supporting numerous smaller-scale, impactful interventions rather than fewer large-scale projects, making the grants accessible to a wider range of microbusinesses. The expected outcomes and measurable results of these grants include both environmental and economic benefits. On the environmental front, the primary outcome is the reduction of emissions, contributing to local climate goals. Economically, businesses are expected to achieve financial savings due to decreased energy consumption. The requirement for proposed upgrades to have "demonstrable savings of energy usage and/or reduction of emissions" signifies a commitment to measurable impact, ensuring that the allocated funds lead to verifiable improvements. The program's design implicitly supports a theory of change where targeted financial assistance for energy efficiency upgrades directly leads to reduced environmental impact and improved economic resilience for small businesses in the local community.