Private Natural Resources Grants

The LA2050 Grants Challenge, an initiative by the Goldhirsh Foundation, is an open call for innovative ideas to enhance Los Angeles as a place to learn, create, play, connect, and live. This program directly aligns with the foundation's mission to drive progress and change the future course of the region by addressing issues Angelenos care most about. Through this challenge, LA2050 seeks to foster a vibrant and equitable Los Angeles by empowering organizations that are committed to making a tangible difference in the community. The target beneficiaries of this grant program are the residents of Los Angeles County, with a particular focus on addressing challenges faced by various vulnerable populations. The impact goals are broad and aim to create measurable improvements across several critical issue areas. These include increasing access to creative industry employment, addressing affordable housing and homelessness, improving community safety, expanding green spaces and park access, enhancing healthcare access, supporting immigrants and refugees, reducing income inequality, advancing K-12 STEAM education, creating opportunities for previously incarcerated individuals, promoting play equity for mental health, improving public transit, and supporting foster and systems-impacted youth, and youth economic advancement. LA2050 prioritizes and focuses on bold ideas that will yield measurable wins for the LA region, emphasizing a spirit of collaboration and a desire to unify and amplify collective efforts. A clear focus on inclusion, diversity of voices, and equity is paramount. The program also seeks to support efforts that not only produce positive results but are also dedicated to increasing local engagement and civic participation, as well as those willing to test new strategies. This approach reflects the foundation's strategic priority to invest in innovative solutions that have the potential for widespread and lasting positive change. Expected outcomes and measurable results include a total of $1 million being awarded to 15 organizations, with grant amounts ranging from $50,000 to $75,000, over a one-year period. Beyond direct funding, LA2050 commits to a one-year partnership with winning organizations, leveraging its resources, assets, and networks to help projects succeed. This includes increased awareness and exposure for projects, deeper understanding of LA’s social impact landscape, opportunities to cultivate new relationships, and visibility in front of other foundations, with past challenges resulting in over $6.5 million in additional grants. The theory of change is that by strategically investing in and partnering with these organizations, LA2050 and the Goldhirsh Foundation can collectively drive significant progress for the region, fostering a more connected, equitable, and thriving Los Angeles for all its residents.

This grant provides funding to organizations in Northern Virginia that support women and families by improving access to essential services and professional development opportunities.

The First State Food System Program, funded by the Federal American Rescue Plan Act, is designed to support and strengthen Delaware's local food system. Its overarching mission, facilitated by the Delaware Department of Agriculture and the Delaware Council on Farm & Food Policy (Council), aligns with the goal of ensuring farmers have access to viable markets, households can access nutritious food, and the impacts of supply chain disruptions are reduced. The program aims to foster a resilient food system by offering grants to a diverse range of entities operating across the food supply chain within the State of Delaware. Target beneficiaries include entities that grow, process, store, transport, distribute, or sell food in Delaware, encompassing small to mid-sized for-profit producers, nonprofit organizations, aquaculture/fishery operators, food distributors, transporters, and food processing operators. The program's impact goals are centered on enabling these local entities to overcome challenges, build resilience, and contribute to a more robust food system. Specifically, it seeks to increase food production, enhance direct-to-consumer sales, improve food transformation activities, bolster transportation and distribution, and increase the flexibility of food retail outlets. The program prioritizes projects that support or benefit more than one entity or producer within Delaware’s food system. This focus is intended to strengthen the local food system through wide-reaching and complementary efforts rather than isolated, narrowly focused projects. Eligible projects are evaluated based on the entity's viability, its function and reach within the food system, and its capacity to add to food production, sales, processing, transportation, or distribution; improve efficiency and reduce costs; increase capacity of retail outlets; align with consumer needs; address proximity challenges; or increase emerging agricultural practices. Expected outcomes include a measurable positive impact on Delaware's food supply chain. Projects should create or contribute to outcomes such as increased volume of food production, greater availability of food products through various outlets, enhanced processing activities, more efficient transportation and distribution, improved capacity and flexibility of food retail outlets, and the adoption of innovative agricultural practices. The Council will award grants ranging from $2,500 to $150,000, and applicants must demonstrate the entity's infrastructure and capacity to successfully implement the project, with a general requirement for entities to be in operation for two or more years.

The Healthy Environment, Healthy Communities Grant Program is a funding initiative by the Chesapeake Bay Trust that supports projects by various organizations to address environmental and public health issues through education, small-scale greening, and large-scale restoration in specific areas affected by wastewater treatment plants and energy companies.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations and government entities in Philadelphia to plant and care for at least 35,000 trees by 2035, focusing on community engagement and environmental equity.

The City of St. Petersburg is offering Social Action Funding grants of up to $100,000 to social service agencies providing homeless services and/or homeless prevention services. This grant program aims to offer financial support for initiatives that positively influence the lives of homeless individuals and those at risk of homelessness within the city. The program aligns with a broader mission to advance the health, economic, or social well-being of persons in need. The target beneficiaries include a wide range of vulnerable populations. Priority is given to agencies serving families with children (ages 0-5 and 6-17 years), elderly individuals over 62, unaccompanied youth, youth aging out of foster care, chronically homeless individuals (as defined by HUD), veterans, and victims of domestic violence. The overarching impact goal is to reduce and prevent homelessness in St. Petersburg by supporting comprehensive social service programs. The program prioritizes agencies that utilize a "housing first" and low-barrier approach. Specific critical services, such as storage units for personal items, call centers for homelessness prevention and assistance, and discretionary funds for street outreach, are also encouraged, allowing agencies to submit additional applications for these services. While there are no bonus points for matching funds or sole source proposals, all agencies are required to enter client data into the Pinellas Homeless Management Information System, with domestic violence providers being the sole exception. Expected outcomes include improved well-being for residents who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Measurable results will likely involve tracking the number of individuals and families served, successful housing placements, and the overall impact on reducing homelessness within the city. The grant period for projects is from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025, allowing for a one-year duration of funded services. This strategic approach emphasizes direct intervention and support for those most in need, with a clear focus on actionable and impactful services.

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is inviting proposals for its Cumberland Plateau Stewardship Fund, aiming to restore and enhance critical forest, grassland, and freshwater habitats within the Cumberland Plateau region. This initiative aligns with NFWF's broader mission to sustain, restore, and enhance the nation’s fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats. The program's core strategy involves increasing the voluntary adoption of conservation practices on working agricultural lands, which contributes to NFWF’s strategic priority of supporting wildlife and improving ecological health through sustainable land management. The target beneficiaries of this grant program are the diverse habitats and species within the Cumberland Plateau, as well as landowners and communities in the region who will adopt conservation practices. The impact goals are multifaceted, seeking to improve soil health, water quantity and quality, and carbon sequestration. Ultimately, the program aims to foster resilient ecosystems that support both wildlife and sustainable human activities. The foundation's theory of change is predicated on the idea that by providing financial and technical assistance, they can incentivize conservation practices that lead to measurable environmental improvements and long-term ecological benefits. The program's priorities and focuses are clearly outlined through its program strategies. These include restoring previously mined lands, increasing the adoption of conservation practices on grazing and croplands, establishing, enhancing, and maintaining forest habitats, and restoring instream habitats to support aquatic species. A significant focus is also placed on expanding and coordinating technical assistance and outreach to landowners, recognizing the importance of local engagement and support for successful implementation of conservation efforts. Expected outcomes and measurable results include an increase in acres of restored habitats, improved water quality metrics, enhanced soil health, and greater carbon sequestration. The program anticipates awarding approximately $2.8 million in grants in 2024, with individual grant awards ranging from $250,000 to $750,000. Projects are expected to have a completion time of 24-48 months. Eligibility extends to non-profit organizations, state and local governments, Tribal Governments, and educational institutions, with a preference for projects within identified focal areas of Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia. The program’s success will be measured by the extent to which these conservation practices are adopted and the subsequent environmental benefits realized across the Cumberland Plateau.

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Technology Center (MassCEC) Commonwealth Hydro Program aims to increase energy production and reduce environmental impacts from hydropower facilities eligible for the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (MA RPS). The program provides funding for various projects, including construction, new technology deployment, relicensing, and feasibility studies for eligible hydropower generation facilities. The overarching mission of MassCEC, as implied by this program, is to advance clean energy technologies and promote sustainable energy practices within Massachusetts by leveraging existing hydropower infrastructure and encouraging innovation in the sector. The program targets a range of beneficiaries, including commercial, industrial, institutional, non-profit, or public entities that demonstrate long-term site control over project locations and water rights. The impact goals are centered on increasing the efficiency and capacity of hydropower facilities while simultaneously reducing their environmental footprint. This includes improving fish and eel passage, mitigating fish passage injury and mortality, and enhancing downstream water quality by increasing dissolved oxygen levels. Key priorities and focuses for funding include upgrades to existing hydropower facilities (e.g., turbine replacement, automated controls, improved fish passage), projects undergoing FERC relicensing to increase efficiency and reduce environmental impacts, the development of new hydropower facilities eligible for FERC conduit exemptions, and the deployment of advanced hydropower technologies such as fish-friendly hydropower and in-stream hydrokinetic power. Feasibility studies for these types of projects are also supported. Expected outcomes include a significant increase in renewable energy generation from hydropower facilities within Massachusetts, improved ecological health of waterways adjacent to these facilities, and the widespread adoption of more environmentally sound hydropower technologies. Measurable results would include the amount of additional energy generated, the number of successful upgrades and new facility deployments, and quantifiable improvements in environmental indicators like fish passage rates and water quality. While a specific "theory of change" or "strategic priorities" for MassCEC beyond the program's objectives are not explicitly detailed, the program's design clearly aligns with a strategy of investing in both the modernization of existing renewable energy infrastructure and the development of innovative solutions to address environmental concerns associated with hydropower. This approach suggests a belief that targeted financial support can accelerate the transition to a cleaner energy grid while ensuring ecological sustainability. The grant offers between $100,000 to $500,000, with a maximum cap of $300,000 or 50% of actual costs, demonstrating MassCEC's commitment to substantial investment in impactful projects. Eligibility criteria ensure that funded projects contribute to the state's renewable energy goals, maintain FERC compliance, and have a useful life of at least twenty years.

This grant provides funding to organizations in Minnesota and Wisconsin for planning projects that improve water quality and watershed management through innovative methods, education, and outreach.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to schools, districts, and outdoor school providers in Oregon to create or improve outdoor school programs for fifth and sixth-grade students, ensuring all students have access to enriching outdoor experiences.

The Central Appalachia Habitat Stewardship Program, supported by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) and major funders like the Richard King Mellon Foundation, USDA's Forest Service and Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Altria Group, and Cleveland-Cliffs, aims to restore and sustain healthy forests, rivers, and streams. This initiative aligns with a broader mission to enhance natural habitats and support diverse native bird and aquatic species populations. Approximately $3.5 million is available this year, with individual grants ranging from $75,000 to $500,000, distributed over a four-year project period. The program's overall goal is to improve the quality and connectivity of forest and freshwater habitats to increase the distribution and abundance of birds, fish, and other wildlife. This will be evidenced by a suite of indicator species reflecting the health of these habitats. Target beneficiaries include a variety of bird species such as golden-winged warbler, wood thrush, and cerulean warbler, as well as aquatic species like brook trout, eastern hellbender, and freshwater mussels. The program seeks to engage public and private landowners in active stewardship through technical and financial assistance, demonstrations, education, outreach, and other innovative approaches. Key priorities include improving the voluntary management of public and private forestlands to create mixed-age forest blocks that support bird and wildlife diversity. Another critical focus is improving stream health by voluntarily removing passage barriers, restoring riparian buffers, and enhancing water quality and hydrology. These interventions are designed to bolster populations of the targeted aquatic species, contributing to healthier ecosystems across the Central Appalachia region. The expected outcomes are a measurable increase in the distribution and abundance of indicator bird and aquatic species, demonstrating improved forest and freshwater habitat conditions. The program's theory of change posits that by actively engaging landowners and implementing science-based conservation strategies, it can effectively restore critical habitats. This, in turn, will lead to a more resilient and biodiverse Central Appalachia, benefiting both wildlife and local communities. The geographic focus includes portions of Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia, ensuring a concentrated effort within this vital ecological corridor.

The Rose Community Foundation is offering a grant opportunity focused on supporting nonprofit organizations engaged in equity-focused policy and advocacy work within the Greater Denver region. This initiative aligns with the foundation's broader mission to foster equity, justice, inclusion, and engagement in local communities, particularly those furthest from opportunity. The foundation seeks to fund a diverse array of organizations working at both state and local levels, pursuing various short- or long-term policy objectives across a broad spectrum of issues. This grant cycle specifically aims to strengthen the dynamic ecosystem of organizations that leverage policy and advocacy to create equitable conditions for local communities. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are nonprofit organizations—both 501(c)(3)s and 501(c)(4)s—or fiscally sponsored projects serving the seven-county Greater Denver region (Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, and Jefferson counties), or those advancing statewide policy efforts that directly benefit this catchment area. The impact goals are centered on supporting policy efforts that address systemic inequities, representing a wide range of approaches, perspectives, and populations served. The foundation's strategic priority is to empower organizations that actively work to create conditions for equity, justice, inclusion, and engagement for communities facing significant barriers. The program prioritizes organizations whose work directly involves policy and advocacy. While general operating support will be the most common form of funding to provide maximum flexibility, program or project support is available for organizations whose primary focus isn't policy and advocacy but are pursuing policy-specific initiatives. Organizations conducting national or multi-state work must apply for program funding, ensuring grant dollars are exclusively allocated to local or statewide activities within the specified region. Additionally, organizations applying on behalf of a coalition or 501(c)(4) organizations must also apply for program funding to differentiate from partisan or candidate work. Expected outcomes include a strengthened and more effective network of organizations advocating for equitable policies in the Greater Denver area. The foundation anticipates supporting diverse policy efforts that lead to tangible improvements in conditions for communities furthest from opportunity. Measurable results will likely involve the number and type of policy initiatives supported, the reach and impact of advocacy efforts, and the ability of funded organizations to effectively engage in policy work. Organizations receiving program or project support will be required to report direct and grassroots lobbying expenses, as applicable, contributing to the measurable outcomes and accountability of the grant program.

The Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SSARE) Education Grants program is designed to fund education and outreach activities that benefit the sustainable agriculture community. This grant directly aligns with SSARE's mission to promote efforts in farmer innovations, community resilience, business success, agricultural diversification, and best management practices. The core objective is to support projects that develop sustainable agriculture systems or move existing systems towards sustainability. The primary beneficiaries of these grants are farmers and farming communities, including those involved in indigenous agriculture producing for community food systems. Academic institutions, non-profits, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), 1890 land-grant university faculty/extension cooperators, 1862 land-grant universities, other colleges and universities, and government agencies are eligible to apply, acting as facilitators for these educational initiatives. The impact goals are centered on fostering a more sustainable, resilient, and economically viable agricultural sector through knowledge dissemination and practical application. Education Grants prioritize projects that clearly articulate what is being taught, to whom, and how the goals will be accomplished. Focus areas include experiential learning (demonstrations, on-farm tours, field days, workshops), integrative approaches (conferences, seminars, course curriculum), and reinforcement methods (fact sheets, bulletins, videos, online technologies). SSARE also encourages proposals on quality of life topics, such as heirs property, farmers’ markets, food hubs, local/regional processing, and urban agriculture systems, emphasizing the social health of farming systems. Expected outcomes include the adoption of sustainable agriculture practices, enhanced farmer innovation, increased community resilience, improved business success for agricultural enterprises, and greater agricultural diversification. Projects should yield results that are realistic, acceptable to farmers, logical, and capable of leading to tangible actions and benefits described in the proposal. The grant projects are strictly focused on education and outreach, with no research component, and are paid by reimbursement of allowable expenses. The foundation's strategic priorities are evident in the grant requirements, which mandate that project outcomes focus on sustainable agriculture systems and clearly demonstrate how education and outreach efforts will be implemented and evaluated. The theory of change underpinning this program is that by providing targeted education and outreach, knowledge and best practices will be transferred to farmers and communities, leading to the development and widespread adoption of sustainable agricultural methods and improved quality of life within farming systems. Project maximums are $50,000, with a duration limited to two years. Applicants from the Southern region, including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, are eligible. Farmers involved in these projects must have farming/ranching as their primary occupation or part-time farming with at least $1,000 of documented annual income from their operation, with exceptions for indigenous agriculture.

Illinois Humanities' Multiplier Grants program supports project-based partnerships that foster broader community engagement, place-based community building, and coalition or network development within Illinois. This initiative aligns with the foundation's mission to strengthen the humanities throughout the state by championing collaboration and making valuable connections. The program emphasizes that buy-in from all partners is crucial before proposal submission, underscoring a strategic priority for collaborative efforts that amplify the impact of humanities work. The grants target nonprofit organizations, including those with a fiscal sponsor, that are based in Illinois and have projects rooted in the humanities. Priority is given to organizations with an annual budget of $1 million or less, ensuring support for smaller entities that may have limited access to funding. The primary beneficiaries are under-funded and under-served communities, as well as those whose histories and stories are often overlooked or forgotten. The program aims to empower these communities through humanities initiatives, fostering a more inclusive and representative understanding of Illinois's diverse heritage. The program's priorities and focuses include projects that impact under-funded, under-served communities and initiatives that tell stories of forgotten or uncovered history and themes. These preferences reflect Illinois Humanities' strategic priorities to address historical inequities and promote public access to humanities scholarship and programming. The foundation's theory of change likely centers on the belief that by supporting collaborative, community-driven humanities projects, they can foster stronger community bonds, enhance cultural understanding, and create a more equitable and engaged citizenry across Illinois. Expected outcomes include increased collaboration among nonprofits and humanities groups, greater community engagement with humanities topics, and the successful telling of diverse historical narratives. Measurable results could include the number of partnerships formed, the reach of the projects within targeted communities, and the creation of new humanities content or programs. The grants, ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 (up to $10,000), provide vital financial support for these endeavors, enabling organizations to implement impactful projects that align with the foundation's vision for a vibrant and accessible humanities landscape in Illinois.

This program provides funding to nonprofit organizations in Centre County, Pennsylvania, to support projects that positively impact local youth, focusing on areas like mental health, educational equity, and access to extracurricular activities.

The Bradley Henry Barnes and Leila Upson Barnes Memorial Trust, through the Main Street Community Foundation, offers grants to enhance the health and well-being of Southington residents. This program aligns with the foundation's mission to support the community by addressing critical health and healthcare needs. The grants range from $25,000 to $100,000 and are distributed to eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that serve the Southington community. The target beneficiaries of this grant program are the residents of Southington, Connecticut, with a particular focus on addressing the health and healthcare needs of an aging population, substance use and mental health challenges, and promoting healthy initiatives and lifestyles. The program aims to create a healthier community by supporting organizations that can demonstrate a direct impact on these areas. The priority areas for funding include COVID-19 related needs and recovery efforts, availability and access to healthy food, environmental protection and sustainability of natural resources, fitness and health, health equity, health literacy and education, and transportation and access to health services. These focuses reflect the foundation's strategic priorities to address multifaceted health determinants and promote holistic well-being within the community. Expected outcomes and measurable results include improved health outcomes for Southington residents, increased access to vital health and healthcare services, enhanced community resilience in the face of public health challenges, and greater equity in health opportunities. Applicants are required to demonstrate the number of Southington residents served, indicating a focus on quantifiable impact and accountability. The foundation's theory of change posits that by investing in key community health and healthcare priorities, it can foster a more robust and supportive environment for all Southington residents.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations delivering mental health services in Cumberland and Dauphin Counties, Pennsylvania, with a focus on measurable impact and community inclusivity.

This program provides mentorship and resources to early-stage entrepreneurs and small businesses developing innovative products from sustainable West Coast groundfish, supporting both market readiness and economic growth in coastal communities.

The 2025 Conservation Wrangler program, hosted by Texan by Nature, seeks to accelerate impactful conservation projects led by Texas-based organizations. The program supports up to six selected projects annually that demonstrate measurable benefits to people, prosperity, and natural resources. Selected projects receive 12–18 months of tailored program management and strategic guidance to enhance their reach and effectiveness. Eligible projects must be science-based, Texas-led, and demonstrate tangible conservation outcomes. They should engage diverse audiences and promote partnerships among community, business, and conservation organizations. Examples of eligible focus areas include wildlife, land, and water conservation across Texas geographies, from urban to rural settings. Selected projects are showcased during the annual Conservation Summit, offering visibility and networking opportunities. Participants in the Conservation Wrangler program are not guaranteed funding but gain strategic support such as program management, marketing assistance, content creation, and technical connections. Applicants must commit to collaborative participation, dedicate staff resources to achieve outlined goals, and present their work at the Conservation Summit. Applications are evaluated on a range of criteria, including impact, innovation, and measurable outcomes. The process requires detailed project descriptions, objectives, funding strategies, and impact metrics. Supporting documents, such as budgets, maps, and reports, are encouraged. Applications must be submitted in Word format by January 31, 2025, at 11:59 PM CST. For guidance, applicants can reach out to the program team for consultations before applying.

This grant provides financial support to New Jersey nonprofits that assist domestic violence survivors and their pets, helping them stay together during difficult times.