Michigan Environment Grants

This program provides funding to organizations in Michigan to help low-income households access solar energy, prioritizing projects that serve predominantly low-income subscribers.

Greenspace Enhancement Grant Program Our Greenspace Enhancement Grant Program extends our mission by providing financial support to nonprofit organizations that actively work towards improving and preserving outdoor environments. The grants focus on: Community Gardens: Creating, rehabilitating, and enhancing community gardens that provide educational opportunities and serve community needs. Neighborhood and School Beautification: Beautifying and enriching outdoor environments in economically disadvantaged areas, particularly around neighborhoods and schools. Parks and Greenspaces: Revitalizing parks and public greenspaces through planting and the addition or upgrading of efficient irrigation systems. Sustainable Impact: Projects that align with Toro's purpose of enriching the beauty, productivity, and sustainability of the land, impacting beautification, and increasing the utilization of public greenspaces. Community Engagement: Encouraging broad community involvement in project design and implementation, ensuring tangible and sustainable results. Eligibility Location: The benefiting organization must be located within 40 miles of a Toro Company location in the following cities: Arkansas: Batesville California: El Cajon, Riverside Florida: Sanford Michigan: Iron Mountain Nebraska: Beatrice Texas: El Paso, Abilene Wisconsin: Lake Mills The grant program seeks to empower communities to create and maintain beautiful, sustainable, and functional outdoor spaces, emphasizing those in need. Through these grants, The Toro Company continues to build on its long-standing tradition of giving back to the communities where our employees live and work.

The Nahikian Family Foundation provides grant funding to support initiatives that promote mental health, healing, and independent living. Its mission centers on enhancing quality of life through programs that foster emotional well-being, physical recovery, and humane connections between people and animals. The foundation supports work in the areas of **environment and animals**, **health**, and **human services**, with a particular interest in projects that tangibly improve the lives of vulnerable or underserved populations. While the foundation accepts proposals from across the United States, it places strong geographic emphasis on **Alabama, Florida, Michigan, and South Carolina**—the home states of Nahikian family members. Within these regions, preference is often given to **capital projects**, such as facility improvements or expansions that enhance an organization’s capacity to deliver direct services. Funding decisions prioritize projects that embody compassion, sustainability, and practical impact, aligning with the foundation’s focus on long-term community well-being. The foundation supports a range of beneficiaries, including **children, service and assistance dogs, and companion animals**. This reflects its holistic approach to healing and independence—recognizing the vital role animals can play in emotional recovery and in improving the quality of life for individuals facing physical or mental health challenges. Programs that link therapeutic interventions with animal care or environmental stewardship are especially well-aligned with the foundation’s interests. To be eligible, applicants must be **IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations**. All applications must be submitted through the foundation’s **online grant application portal**, though an alternative accessible version is available for users requiring assistive technology. The foundation’s process emphasizes accessibility and inclusion, ensuring all qualified applicants have the opportunity to apply. Though specific grant sizes and durations are not published, the Nahikian Family Foundation typically prioritizes projects with clear, measurable outcomes and a strong potential for lasting benefit. Through its giving, the foundation continues to advance its vision of communities where individuals—human and animal alike—can heal, grow, and thrive with dignity and independence.

Grant Opportunity: Saginaw Bay Watershed Pollution Prevention/Chemical Collection Program Description: This grant opportunity is for the construction of a permanent facility to collect pesticides from farmers, homeowners, nurseries, etc. The facility will allow any end user of pesticides to dispose of unwanted materials at no cost. The project was completed in 1999 and is a joint project of the Saginaw County Department of Health and the Michigan Department of Agriculture. Grant Opportunity: Demonstrate Effectiveness of Biodegradable Two-Cycle Engine Oil Description: This grant opportunity is for field testing a soy-based oil that can be used as an alternative to petroleum-based oil in engines such as jet skis, outboard motors, and snowmobiles. The soy-based oil is environmentally preferable as it is 96% biodegradable and does not emit pollutants into the air and water. The funding will be used to demonstrate the safety and performance of the oil and document reductions in emissions into the environment. Grant Opportunity: Saginaw Bay Watershed Native Planting Preserve at Saginaw Valley State University Description: This grant opportunity aims to fund the development of a native planting preserve on the campus of Saginaw Valley State University. The preserve will include plants, signage, and walking trails. The project intends to encourage the use of native plantings in the general public and serve as a demonstration/research site at the university. Grant Opportunity: Alternative Energy from Agriculturally-Derived Pellet Fuel Description: This grant opportunity involves analyzing the technical and economic viability of manufacturing renewable pellet fuel derived from agricultural sources. The research includes studying the economic and environmental impact of using biomass combustion furnaces for heating residential and light industrial buildings. The project also includes developing a web-based interface for real-time telemetry information. Grant Opportunity: Conservation Tillage Risk Protection Program Description: This grant opportunity aims to demonstrate the use of conservation tillage in two subwatersheds of the Tittabawassee River. The

This program provides financial support to small nonprofit organizations with annual budgets under $200,000 to enhance their operations and community programs.

This grant provides funding for organizations experienced in wetland management to acquire, restore, and create wetlands in the Lake Erie and Saginaw Bay watersheds, promoting ecological health and community engagement.

This grant provides financial support and recognition to innovative K-12 public school programs in Michigan that positively impact students and their communities.

The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) is a federal program administered in Michigan by the Department of Natural Resources on behalf of the National Park Service. It aims to develop public outdoor recreation facilities and offer matching grants to local governments for creating public outdoor recreation areas and facilities. The grant focuses on aligning with the priorities of the 2022-2027 State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan, which includes trails, community recreation, green technology, coordination, communication, and universal access. Acquisition of land is not eligible for funding under this grant. Eligible applicants include state agencies and local government units such as cities, villages, townships, counties, and Native American Tribes. The application process is exclusively online via the MiGrants system, and the funding requires a 50% match from the applicant. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual deadline: April 1st

This funding opportunity provides financial support to Great Lakes states and tribes for collaborative projects aimed at preventing and managing aquatic invasive species across state and tribal boundaries.

The Community Funds, managed by the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation (GTRCF), are designed to broadly support the region by funding a diverse array of organizations, including environmental nonprofits, arts and culture groups, Tribal organizations, and educational institutions. This program aligns with the GTRCF's mission to strengthen the community by providing financial resources to a wide range of initiatives that address various needs and opportunities within its service area. The foundation aims to foster a vibrant and thriving community by empowering organizations that contribute to the region's overall well-being. The target beneficiaries for these grants include nonprofit, educational, governmental, and Tribal entities operating across Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, and Leelanau Counties in Michigan. The impact goals are to support projects that have a significant community benefit, can leverage other funding sources, and ultimately contribute to the region's development. The program encourages organizations to apply for amounts ranging from $1,000 to $30,000, with a total of $300,000 available for Community Funds grants in 2024, indicating a commitment to flexible and accessible funding. A key priority for the GTRCF in this grant program is to provide unrestricted general operating support, allowing recipient organizations the flexibility to allocate funds where they are most needed. Furthermore, consideration is given to grant awards that can demonstrate a larger impact for the grant partner and the community. Grant requests that are informed by data on the Community Development Regional Scorecard or address community issues highlighted on this scorecard are prioritized in the review process. This strategic focus ensures that funding is directed towards evidence-based needs and initiatives that are aligned with documented regional challenges and opportunities. The expected outcomes include strengthened community organizations, significant community benefits, and the ability of grant partners to leverage additional funding. By prioritizing data-informed requests and those addressing issues on the Community Development Regional Scorecard, the GTRCF aims for measurable results that contribute to tangible improvements in the region. This approach reflects the foundation's strategic priorities, which likely involve a theory of change centered on empowering local organizations to drive positive change and address critical community issues through targeted and impactful investments.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to government entities, non-profit organizations, and universities in Michigan for projects aimed at preventing, detecting, managing, and eradicating invasive species in both terrestrial and aquatic environments.

The Community Energy Management (CEM) Program, administered by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), offers grants to improve energy management, increase energy efficiency, and promote renewable energy adoption for local governments and tribes. This program is part of the EGLE Catalyst Communities Initiative, supporting Governor Whitmer’s climate change priorities. The grant period runs from January 1, 2024, to August 31, 2025, with a total of $5,850,000 available, sourced from the U.S. Department of Energy’s State Energy Program (SEP) and Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant Program (EECBG). Projects must focus on energy efficiency upgrades, renewable energy installations, fleet electrification, EV charging infrastructure, and clean energy workforce development. The application deadline is June 30, 2024, or until funds are exhausted.

This program provides funding to Michigan cities and public transit agencies for projects that enhance public spaces, making them safer and more accessible for walking, biking, and transit use.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit arts organizations in Genesee County, Michigan, to enhance community engagement and cultural initiatives through various arts programs.

The 501vc® Investment Fund is seeking to invest $200,000 to $300,000 in early-stage climate tech startups in the Greater Midwest region, focusing on sectors like advanced materials, renewable energy, and agriculture technologies.

The Michigan Office of the Environmental Justice Public Advocate in the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) offers the Environmental Justice Impact Grant program to reduce environmental health burdens and impacts in Michigan’s environmental justice communities. The goal of the program is to positively impact residents in environmental justice communities by funding place-based and equity-focused projects. Award Amounts and Award Timeframes • $20,000,000 total funds available. • $500,000 maximum per applicant. • Grants will be awarded by August 30, 2024. Work must be completed by September 1, 2027

This program provides funding to private dam owners and government entities in Michigan for projects that reduce risks associated with dams, including repairs, removals, and planning activities.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations focused on preventing child abuse and neglect in specific counties of Indiana and Michigan.

This grant provides funding to organizations and institutions to develop a comprehensive maritime strategy for Michigan that promotes sustainability, equity, and environmental justice in the state's shipping and boating sectors.

This initiative provides funding and support to nonprofit organizations, local governments, and Tribal governments in coal-impacted communities to develop and scale innovative economic projects that create job opportunities and foster local economic transformation.